Easter isn’t just about chocolate eggs, roast dinners, and bank holiday lie-ins—it’s also a wonderful time to spoil our four-legged companions with a little extra love and stimulation. While we humans indulge in festive treats, it’s only fair that our dogs get in on the fun too—with games and snacks tailored just for them.

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for dogs, and what better occasion than Easter to explore some festive brain games that centre around one of their favourite things: treats! From Easter egg hunts to DIY puzzle toys, we’ve rounded up the best ways to keep your dog entertained, engaged, and wagging their tail this spring.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Why Brain Games Are Important for Dogs

Dogs are naturally curious and intelligent creatures. While walkies and playtime are vital for their physical health, mental exercise can help prevent boredom, reduce stress, and even curb unwanted behaviours. Brain games offer a chance for dogs to problem-solve, engage their senses, and build confidence—all in a fun and rewarding way.

For many dogs, food is the ultimate motivator, which makes treat-based games an effective tool for both learning and play. And with Easter offering so many opportunities for themed fun, it’s the perfect time to try something new.

Safety First: Mind the Chocolate!

Before we get into the games, a quick but crucial reminder: chocolate is toxic to dogs. So while you might be tempted to share your Easter eggs, make sure your pup sticks to dog-friendly treats only. There are plenty of safe alternatives available, from shop-bought dog treats to homemade goodies (more on that later).

Always supervise your dog during brain games, especially if treats or toys are involved, to prevent choking or overeating.

1. Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs

Let’s start with a classic twist: the Easter egg hunt, but for pups! This is a fantastic way to encourage your dog’s natural sniffing instincts and mental agility.

What You’ll Need:

• Dog-safe Easter eggs or small plastic eggs that open (check they’re large enough to avoid swallowing)
  
• Your dog’s favourite treats
• An enclosed garden or a dog-safe indoor space

How to Play:

1. Fill each egg with a small number of treats.
   
2. Scatter them around your garden or home, hiding some under cushions, behind furniture, or among the plants.
   
3. Let your dog use their nose to sniff out the hidden eggs. You can even use a cue like “Find it!” to encourage them.
   

Top Tip: Start with easy hiding places and gradually increase the difficulty as your dog gets the hang of it. For extra fun, use a variety of treats to keep them guessing.

Photo by Adam B on Unsplash

2. DIY Treat Puzzle Boxes

Store-bought puzzle feeders are great, but you can easily make your own using recycled household items. This game taps into your dog’s foraging instincts and problem-solving skills.

What You’ll Need:

• A cardboard box (e.g., a shoebox)
  
• Newspaper or tissue paper
  
• A handful of treats
  

How to Play:

1. Place the treats inside the box, covering them with loosely crumpled paper.
   
2. Let your dog rummage through to find the rewards.
   
3. To make it harder, close the lid or add more layers of paper.

If your dog is particularly clever, try nesting boxes within boxes, each with a treat inside.

Note: Keep an eye out to ensure your dog doesn’t ingest any cardboard or paper.

3. Snuffle Mat Easter Challenge

A snuffle mat is essentially a fabric puzzle that encourages dogs to forage for treats using their nose. For Easter, you can even make one in pastel colours or shaped like a bunny or egg!

What You’ll Need:

• A snuffle mat (shop-bought or homemade)
  
• A mix of dry treats or kibble
  

How to Play:

1. Sprinkle the treats throughout the mat, hiding them deep within the fabric strips.
   
2. Let your dog explore, sniff, and dig to find each one.
   
   

Enrichment tip: Vary the types of treats each time to keep the game interesting. Liver treats or small bits of cheese can be particularly motivating.

4. Treat-Filled Easter Basket Challenge

This one is more of a multi-step challenge, perfect for dogs that love problem-solving.

What You’ll Need:

• A wicker basket
  
• A few small wrapped boxes or fabric parcels
  
• Treats inside each box
  

How to Play:

1. Place each treat-filled parcel inside the basket.
   
2. Encourage your dog to investigate the basket and work out how to get to the treats.
   
3. Some dogs will use their paws; others might pick up and shake the parcels—both methods are perfectly fine.
   
   

To increase difficulty, add more layers or use harder-to-open containers (always ensuring they’re safe and non-toxic).

Photo by Chathura Anuradha Subasinghe on Unsplash

5. Frozen Easter Treats

Though not strictly a brain game, frozen treats add a sensory challenge and make a great reward after playtime.

How to Make Them:

• Mix plain yoghurt with peanut butter (xylitol-free), mashed banana, or finely chopped carrot.
  
• Spoon the mix into Easter-themed silicone moulds or ice cube trays.
  
• Pop a treat or two in each one.
  
• Freeze for a few hours, then serve!
  
  

Frozen treats require your dog to lick, chew, and work for their reward, providing both cooling comfort and mental stimulation.

6. Easter Muffin Tin Game

A brilliant indoor game that’s simple to set up but gets tails wagging every time.

What You’ll Need:

• A standard muffin tin
  
• Tennis balls or soft toys
  
• Treats
  
  

How to Play:

1. Place treats in some or all of the muffin holes.
   
2. Cover each hole with a tennis ball.
   
3. Let your dog sniff out and lift the balls to access the treats.
   
   

This game encourages problem-solving, scent work, and even a bit of paw-eye coordination.

7. “Which Paw?” Easter Edition

This classic guessing game gets an Easter twist when you wrap the treats like tiny presents.

How to Play:

1. Show your dog a wrapped treat.
   
2. Hide it in one of your hands and present both fists to your dog.
   
3. Ask them to “Choose a paw!”
   
4. Reward them with the treat if they choose correctly—or give them a chance to try again.
   
   

You can eventually build this up to use cups, flowerpots, or even painted Easter eggs as containers.

Make Your Own Easter Dog Treats

Want to take things one step further? Make your own Easter-themed dog biscuits! These can be used in all the games above and make lovely gifts for your dog-loving friends.

Carrot & Banana Biscuits Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
  
• 1 medium carrot (grated)
  
• 150g oat flour (blend rolled oats in a food processor)
  
• 1 tbsp peanut butter (xylitol-free)
  
  

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (fan 160°C).
   
2. Mash the banana and mix in the carrot and peanut butter.
   
3. Add the oat flour and knead into a dough.
   
4. Roll out and cut into Easter shapes using cookie cutters.
   
5. Bake for 15–20 mins until golden brown. Let cool before serving.
   
   

Photo by Ta Dac Nguyen on Unsplash

Final Thoughts: Easter Fun for the Whole Pack

There’s no need for your dog to feel left out while the family celebrates Easter. Whether it’s a snuffle mat session, a homemade biscuit, or an Easter egg hunt of their own, these brain games offer the perfect combination of enrichment and bonding time.

As with all things dog-related, remember to tailor the games to your pup’s personality and ability. Some dogs will love complex challenges, while others may prefer quick wins and more interaction with you. The important thing is that they’re mentally engaged, happy, and rewarded for their efforts—preferably with something delicious!

So this Easter, ditch the chocolate, grab some dog-friendly goodies, and turn your home or garden into a canine Easter wonderland. Your dog will thank you—with kisses, tail wags, and maybe even a new trick or two.