Are the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny ‘Essential Workers?’

With stay-at-home orders across the country, young children may be concerned that the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny will not be able to visit during this time.

The New York Times reports that New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are considered essential workers. In her comments, Ardern acknowledged that the Tooth Fairy may have it a bit easier than the Easter Bunny during the pandemic. “If the Easter bunny doesn’t make it to your household, then we have to understand that it’s a bit difficult at the moment,” she said, according to The Times.

Those taking care of children may want to assure them that the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny are considered essential workers everywhere.

Ardern had a suggestion for participating in the traditional Easter egg hunt during this time of social distancing. She said Easter egg drawings could be propped in windows and children could participate in finding them.

The Times reports that around the world, “scavenger hunts” have been used to occupy children who can no longer go out to play. “In the teddy bear hunt, adults place stuffed animals in windows, trees, parked cars and porches, and then children, on walks or drives with their families, try to find them,” the news report explains.