Eggs roll in White House tradition

Ready, set, go!

Thousands of children with spoons chased eggs on Monday across the White House lawn after President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle gave the start signal for the 135-year-old tradition.

Obama played with children on the sidelines of the race, shooting basketballs on the White House outdoor court and reading books.

Actor Jim Carrey and Sesame Street characters helped entertain the kids, ages five-13, during the sunny but cool spring day.

An estimated 30,000 parents and their children were admitted in groups at assigned times through the day.

The prized tickets for the annual egg roll were distributed by lottery through the White House website.

"It is our most fun event because we have a chance to see families from all across the country coming through," Obama said.

In keeping with her push for the country to get healthy, Michelle Obama set up education stations for parents "to learn how to make healthy snacks that the kids will actually eat."

The first lady, who started a garden with local school children soon after moving into the White House in 2009, personally demonstrated at the healthy food snack station during the day.

In the race, children used long spoons to push colourfully dyed hard-boiled eggs across the lawn.