Dss doesn’t want to take part in Easter egg hunt

Leave him be OP, he's at an awkward age. He'll probably slink out and get involved when he hears people having fun.

he will be upset if he doesn’t get the extra the others will get by running around the garden searching.

That makes no sense. You get the eggs by finding them, not sitting in your room. One of mine hates trick and treating so he doesn’t go and doesn’t get the sweets. It’s fine, he’s allowed to not like stuff. He doesn’t like party games either, so he doesn’t do them but he doesn’t expect to win a prize.
I think when there is a family party in your house then you need to attend it for the sake of good manners, but you don’t need to do all the activities if your non participation doesn’t affect others and you don’t need to be there for every minute. He shouldn’t be sitting in his room gaming because it’s rude and it allows him to think that when people visit you can ignore them, but if he does struggle he might need some accommodation.

And bung him his share of the hunt

He’s 11, he’s told you he doesn’t want to, so leave him be. But obviously if you don’t attend the party you don’t get the party loot. No issue. More for the others to find. Don’t overthink this. And keep your opinions on his weight to yourself.

No point in forced fun, but he should be sociable. I would let him have his take-home bag eggs, but I think it's OK to leave the hunt ones to be found. But he shouldn't hole up indoors ignoring everyone.

His weight isn't relevant, unless maybe he's self conscious about running around because of it. If you think this way about it, he might have picked up on that.

He’s old for an Easter egg hunt so his choice seems reasonable. Perhaps he’s also self conscious about his weight? Embarrassed to be seeking sweets, especially if the others are slim.

The pps suggestions of punishments are horrible. Just be nice to him

I think it’s fine for him not to join in, but also completely reasonable that in that case he doesn’t get any of the chocolate. The whole point of an Easter egg hunt is to find the chocolate eggs, if he doesn’t find any obviously he doesn’t get any. I would just explain this to him and then let him make his own decision.

It's rude of him and I wouldn't let him game, the WiFi would definitely be off for the duration. However kids at that age can start getting a bit of social anxiety and I wonder if that could be contributing. Have you discussed with him? Maybe he would feel more comfortable joining in if you gave him a specific role so he knows what to expect/can be slightly on the sidelines, especially if he's one of the older ones. For instance could he be asked to help the youngest kids to make sure they all get something, or could you put him in charge of hiding the eggs or handing out the baskets etc as a different way to get involved?

This thread (the OP) fills me with despair.

He clearly doesn't see this Easter 'fun' as fun any more. Leave him be - what's the point in trying to force a kid into participating in something like this?

Of course he doesn't get any eggs from the hunt if he doesn't participate.

Aren’t egg hunts for little children who believe they’ve been brought by the Easter bunny? I think 11 is probably too old to want to participate.

Why would you try to force someone to read as a punishment? It’s his holiday too, if he doesn’t want to play it’s up to him. I wouldn’t give him eggs from the hunt though, can’t have it both ways.

Why did you need to tell us he is overweight @Ohitsallbullshit

Why have you included that comment about his weight?

Honestly, 11yo kid doesn't want to do what the younger kids are doing- quite normal.

An adult throwing in an unnecessary comment about a child's weight - not so normal.

I can see why an 11 year old isn't massively excited about an Easter egg hunt. He should be allowed to decide if he takes part or not.

Why does he need 'a very good reason'?

Is 'its supposed to be fun, but I don't find it fun' a good enough reason?

And do you apply this same rule to yourself i.e. you're not allowed to opt out of fun activities unless you have a very good reason?

I’d give him a mini eggs boxed egg but probably not anything else… would also try and check on him and make sure he’s okay as, for whatever reason, he clearly isn’t feeling as though he fits in with the others. I’d also be extremely careful that he doesn’t become aware of your opinion that he’s overweight - wondering if perhaps there have been some tactless comments re this that are making him what to stay out of it. Actually I think he’s being very considerate- he doesn’t want to join in but isn’t expecting you to do anything different, just taking himself off to occupy himself, that’s a fairly mature approach for an 11 year old.

I don't find it strange an 11 year old boy doesn't want to take part in an Easter egg hunt.

That is ridiculous poor kid

That seems a reasonable choice for an 11 year old, tbh.

Why can't he game?

Why is reading a punishment?!

It's fine to not give him any eggs from the Easter Egg hunt, those are for the people participating in the egg hunt. I wouldn't make him feel and about it though or hold it as a punishment for not taking part.

The reference to his weight was unnecessary, maybe have a think about why you included that.

At 11 he’s too old for an Easter egg hunt. Leave him be.

If this was my own child I'd probably just tell them they had to join in. Unless there was a very good reason why they didn't want to?