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The first family addresses the crowd as the Easter egg roll kicks off Monday.

Updated 4/9 at 11:17 a.m. ET

For the kiddie set, it is the hottest ticket in Washington.

The 2012 White House Easter Egg Roll kicked off Monday, as more than 30,000 people from across the nation swarmed the sprawling south lawn of the White House to look for colored eggs and bop to kid beats. In keeping with First Lady Michelle Obama’s crusade to curb childhood obesity, this year’s theme is “Let’s Go. Let’s Move. Let’s Play.”

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The president helps a young participant roll an egg.

The lucky families who scored tickets to the White House to celebrate the season with the first family did just that.

Parents staked their spots shortly after sunrise, in lines that reached from the White House to the Ellipse. Kids decked out in pastel-hued Easter finery darted across the lush green lawn, rolling eggs with wooden spoons. 

"My job is simple," President Barack Obama said. "To introduce the powerhouse of the White House, the one who is really in charge, as Sasha, Malia and Bo already know." 

The first lady is the event's official hostess. She and her daughters all wore the colors of the fashion season: Bright jeggings and tops. 

TODAY

Al Roker joined a cast of characters Monday at the White House Easter egg roll.

"Hope you got on some comfortable shoes," the first lady said, holding up her foot. "We got ours on all of the Obamas here."

Later, the president coaxed a toddler who struggled to get her egg across the finish line with a "c'mon, baby." He high-fived another little boy for accomplishing the feat.

The president read "Where the Wild Things Are" to the assembled tots. "You guys were excellent wild things," he said. "I'm very proud of you. One more roar!" And the kids roared. 

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The action gets underway on the south lawn.

The Easter egg roll is the largest public event the White House stages each year. 14,500 hard-boiled, dyed eggs are used. Kids 13 and under get a souvenir wooden White House Easter egg with the stamped signature of the president and first lady. 

Olympic medalists Dominique Dawes and Michelle Kwan and "The Biggest Loser" coach Bob Harper, among others, were on the lawn to lead kids in sports-based exercises aimed at showing fun ways to stay fit.

There was even a yoga garden for kids to get their om on.

Cody Simpson and Rachel Crow were on hand to perform, joining a host of characters including Elmo, Dora the Explorer, Charlie Brown and Snoopy and, of course, the Easter bunny.

Celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson, Pat and Gina Neely and Bryan Voltaggio whipped up healthy snacks. Julianne Moore and Forest Whitaker were chosen as star story-time readers to share springtime tales.

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TODAY.com political contributor Halimah Abdullah is the site’s woman in Washington.

Martha Stewart Living

You know who's absolutely amazing at making Easter egg crafts? That's right: Martha Stewart. Here, the domestic diva herself shows just how to make neon-glitter Easter eggs that will stand out from the pack:

1. Before you get started, make an egg-drying rack: Cut a 10-inch square from 1/2-inch-thick foam board. Draw a grid on the foam board using a pencil and a ruler, and insert pins where the lines of the grid intersect.
2. Brush half an egg with craft glue, and sprinkle with glitter. (It's best to use glitter in the same shade as the dyed egg to intensify the color.)
3. Place the egg on the rack, glitter side up, to dry. Repeat on the other side of the egg.

Hungry for more fun tips and ideas? Pick up the April edition of Martha Stewart Living magazine, visit the Easter-decorating section on MarthaStewart.com, or download Martha Stewart Living's "Egg Dyeing 101" app here.