Hop over to see bunny

Perched atop a faux grass platform in front of the carousel, the mechanical Easter Bunny held court at South Coast Plaza on Friday.

“I’ve had a few kids today who were scared, but I usually just say, ‘Let’s sit down and talk about it,’” said the Easter Bunny, a 3-foot-tall, furry creature manned by a mysterious, behind-the-scenes puppeteer who talks in a high-pitched voice.

“Santa Claus is a good friend of mine,” the bunny said. “The only difference between him and me is that I’m a little shorter and a little furrier.”

Parents lined up with their children in tow on Friday to get pictures taken and do children’s arts and crafts projects at the shopping center.

Many parents say they like the mechanical Easter Bunny because it’s less intimidating for their children than a stranger dressed in a rabbit suit.

Newport Beach resident Nancy Enomoto brought her 3-year-old granddaughter Ava Castillo of Irvine to get her picture snapped with the Easter Bunny and ride the carousel at South Coast Plaza on Friday.

“I like the mechanical Easter Bunny much better than the live one because the children aren’t afraid of it. It’s not as scary as a guy in a suit,” Enomoto said.

Costa Mesa residents Claire and Nima Namdar brought their 8-month-old son, Keegan, for his first visit with the Easter Bunny on Friday.

“The kids like the Easter Bunny better than Santa Claus because it’s cute and furry,” Nima Namdar said.

For children who might be a little scared of a talking rabbit, South Coast Plaza also features a silent Easter Bunny in the Macy’s Home Store Wing of the shopping center.

Both bunnies will be at South Coast Plaza through April 11.

The talking bunny at South Coast Plaza is open for business during all hours the shopping center is open, but the silent rabbit hops away at 6:30 p.m. each day.

JUST FOR FUN

 There are six different craft projects at Carousel Court at South Coast Plaza for kids to choose from while the Easter Bunny is in town, including a birdhouse, a bug keeper and a sparkly mobile. Craft projects cost $5 each.

 South Coast Plaza has replaced the horses on its carousel with rabbits for Easter. The “Bunny Carousel” operates now through April 19. Rides cost $1.