Do most five year olds believe in the Easter Bunny?

[MirandaG]

DD1 does, and the tooth fairy and of course Father Christmas, but I've seen several children who looked about the same age choosing their own eggs in the supermarket. Am I setting her up for an enormous disappointment when she realises that none of these actually exist? I don't think I ever really believed in Easter Bunny or the tooth fairy so I don't quite know how I've got myself into this situation with DD. Would be interested to know whether this is the norm or not. Thanks

Justaboutback, I am frequently to be found on the phone to the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus or the tooth fairy, depending on the season

You know what, justaboutback, you're right - I'm sticking with the bunny and rest of them for as long as possible

I have never come across a child who believes in the Easter bunny (and that's after 12 years of infant school teaching!). I didn't realise it was something you could 'believe' in iyswim . Most do still seem to believe in Father Christmas and the tooth fairy though, until around 6 years old.

Just asked Dd2 if she believed in the Easter bunny, and she -

"Is this like the tooth thing? Does it mean I get coins if I say yes?"

We are another household who put a lot of effort into welcoming Father Christmas and the Tooth Fairy but the Easter Bunny never comes round. DS (3) did mention he'd heard of The Magic Bunny who brings icing. But this worried him because he hates icing. DD (5) also puts nail clippings under her pillow for fairies to use as daggers but doesn't expect anything in return but a safe passage through her dreams.

No we don't do the Easter bunny either and I'm glad I read this thread as I was starting to wonder was I wrong for telling dd how silly rabbits can't lay eggs,
and then I was worried that it might lead to the whole Santa thing but it hasn't I never believed in Easter Bunny either, but love Santa, because MirandaG Santa does exist!!

I'm amazed at how the belief or not in Easter Bunny is so polarised... Good to know that the tooth fairy is quite standard and I am not a complete loon.
NormaJean, I love the idea of the fairy daggers! PlumBumMum, that's what I was worrried about - if if I confess to being the Easter Bunny then the whole house of cards will come down...and I do believe in Santa too, at least I do if I'm in my mum's house

DD believed in the bunny but I don't know why, we always do a surprise egg hunt but she just assumed it was the bunny.

I didn't know he actually laid the eggs though rofl at him forcing a boxed crunchie one out!

I did have the conversation with DS last night about spring=new beginnings=eggs and how that concept has been rolled in to Easter as a Christian festival - but I have never tried to say that the rabbit lays the eggs (how confusing would that be when you are explaining the difference between birds and mammals?!) - he just distributes them.

I'd never heard of the Easter Bunny until DS came home from Nursery age 3 or 4 all exited because the teacher had told him that the Easter bunny was coming. grrrrr! I could hardly tell him his teacher was lying, so for the next few years I bought a few cream eggs and hid them as well as the egg he had chosen. Last year I think he got totally confused as we stayed at my brother's and he couldn't understand how the Easter bunny knew he wasnt at home.

Any way he is now 7 and I gathered at Christmas is really not sure that santa exists. He knows we buy the presents anyway.

So this year - no Easter bunny.

I shall put his egg in his room when I go up to bed tonight, but he will know that I have bought it not the Ester bunny. If he asks then the Easter bunny only comes to very small children!!