It was an Easter egg hunt that would make Jacques Cousteau proud.

Saturday morning, 140 children splashed, dived and swam for eggs during the Underwater EGGstravaganza at the Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive.

Kaelyn Weiss, 16 months, collects plastic eggs during an Easter egg hunt at South Park. Eggs were exchanged for candy prizes during Saturday's outdoor hunt sponsored by Lawrence Parks and Recreation and Hy-Vee Food Stores.

The eggs, some weighted with pennies so they would sink, were then redeemed for prizes such as pinwheels and chocolate.

“It’s just another opportunity for kids to have fun,” said Rob Wyrick, an aquatic program director at the pool.

It was the first year for the underwater egg hunt, which was staged in the children’s area of the pool and cost $2 for participants.

“It was a good change from just doing it in the park,” said Shala Stevenson, who came with her daughter, Sameah, 7. “It’s a good way to get the kids excited about Easter.”

Sameah, a first-grader at Cordley School, said the egg hunt was fun.

“It was nice,” she said. “I got to go with my friends and there’s a lot of eggs.”

Chris Milik brought his daughter Alexa, 4.

“It’s obviously a success,” he said, looking at the crowded children’s area at the pool. “And we’re gonna go back and swim.”

About 300 youngsters and their parents came to the afternoon egg hunt at South Park, held Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Duane Peterson, special events supervisor for Lawrence Parks and Recreation, said 4,000 to 5,000 eggs were scattered around the South Park gazebo. Children had to pick up five eggs of different colors and then the Easter bunny gave them a bag of candy and treats. Tickets were $4 per child.

“This is a real nice family event,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for families to come out and enjoy the park and enjoy the Easter weekend.”

This year, Hy-Vee co-sponsored the event. John Olson, store director at the Clinton Parkway store, said the company had its own hunt last year but decided to work with the city this year.

“We really like to be involved in events like this,” he said.

Kaity Christian, 8, and her sister, Brianna, 3, were some of the first to find the different colors of eggs and earn their bags of candy.

“We came to pick up eggs and see the Easter bunny,” Kaity said.

Edythe Gordon and her daughter Mikaela, 4, both participated in their first Easter egg hunt Saturday.

“I love coming down to South Park and being with the other kids and doing our first Easter egg hunt,” Gordon said.