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"We will be stronger and bigger and better as a nation than ever before - we're right on track," Mr. Trump said, overlooking the festivities from the balcony as the bunny nodded his furry head enthusiastically behind him. "You see what's happening, and we're right on track."

Then, turning to the marquee activity, a race in which eggs are rolled across the White House lawn with wooden spoons, Mr. Trump said, "I've seen those kids, and they're highly, highly competitive."

Among the young ones attending were Mr. Trump's grandchildren, who took part in the Egg Roll as the president sounded the start signal.

"Ready, everybody?" Mr. Trump said with a smile, then blew a whistle.

Mr. Trump thanked and congratulated his wife, whom he said has "been working on this for a long time, to make it perfect."

Mrs. Trump, who lives in New York and has few staff members, faced challenges in planning and executing the Egg Roll, and the White House said it had been scaled back considerably this year to allow about 21,000 visitors, down from 37,000 in recent years, in part because the annual party had become too disorderly to be enjoyed by children and their families. But planning also began late, leaving vendors and participants wondering for a time if the event would go forward at all.

Mr. Trump, who spent his first days in office quibbling over the size of his inauguration crowd, had predicted an impressive turnout.

"We're going to have a lot of people - a lot of people - and they're going to have a great time," he said.

The White House provided no attendance figures afterward.

Instead of the A-list celebrities and crowds of costumed characters that have graced past Egg Rolls, this year's featured a few little-known musical acts and military bands playing jazz and spring-themed standards, and fewer characters strolling the South Lawn to greet children.

The mood was cheery despite the clouds and an occasional downpour, and the Trumps played warm hosts.

The president and his family took seats at a craft table to make greeting cards for American troops, and later Mrs. Trump read "Party Animals," a story by the television personality Kathie Lee Gifford about celebrating each animal's differences rather than focusing on their bad qualities.

First ladies are often judged, fairly or unfairly, on the execution of the Easter Egg Roll, and Mrs. Trump appeared keenly aware of the public scrutiny. As a military band played the national anthem, she and her son placed their hands over their hearts, and video showed Mrs. Trump jabbing the president to remind him to do the same.

Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, who wore a bunny suit for the event a decade ago when he was an aide in the administration of George W. Bush, did not don the costume this year. But he did dress for the occasion; he was spotted on the South Lawn wearing a tie festooned with bunnies.

"Yes, I'm the Easter bunny, and I'm coming to your home; if you have Easter spirit, then you just might see me roam," Mr. Spicer said as he sat in what was called a reading nook within view of the Oval Office, reading to children from a book called "How to Catch the Easter Bunny."

Betsey and Kevin Kotula of Perrysburg, Ohio, brought their daughters Savina, 5, and Seren, 3, both wearing floral-print dresses and white sandals, as well as headbands with bows in their blond hair. Though they sounded less enthused about Mr. Trump politically, they said they were elated to have gotten a chance to attend an Easter Egg Roll through a White House ticket lottery, after two years in a row of unsuccessful tries.

"He's our president, I guess, and this is more about the country and the tradition," Ms. Kotula said of Mr. Trump as her daughters waited their turn to roll eggs. "It's been great."

Mr. Spicer and Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, posed for selfies on the lawn and read to children, as did Betsy DeVos, the secretary of education. Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, and Ben Carson, the secretary of housing and urban development, also attended.

Liz Dickinson of Leesburg, Va., who said she had been given Egg Roll tickets by a friend who works for the administration, brought her husband and six children, ages 7 to 17. She said she was torn over Mr. Trump but glad to be part of the festivities.

"I like him, hesitantly," Ms. Dickinson said, adding, "We did vote for him."

"It's very exciting for them to come here, with a new president in office, and to be this close," Ms. Dickinson said, referring to her children as she gestured to the White House just behind her. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them."

Tangia Greene, 39, of Bowie, Md., who brought two nieces and nephews to the Egg Roll after she won tickets in the White House lottery, said she had worried the event would be a flop, given the lack of planning and publicity.

"So far, everyone's having a good time," said Ms. Greene, a supporter of Mr. Trump. "The only downfall is the rain, and he can't control that."

Correction: April 20, 2017

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Trump Presides Over His First White House Easter Egg Roll

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"We will be stronger and bigger and better as a nation than ever before - we're right on track," Mr. Trump said, overlooking the festivities from the balcony as the bunny nodded his furry head enthusiastically behind him. "You see what's happening, and we're right on track."

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Easter at the Trump White House: The Daily Show

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At the White House Easter Egg Roll, President Trump forgets how the national anthem works, and a Kellyanne Conway interview gets underscored by a fitting soundtrack. Watch full episodes of The Daily Show now -- for free: http://www.cc.com/shows/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah/full-episodes The Daily Show with Trevor Noah airs weeknights at 11/10c on Comedy Central.

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President Donald Trump appears to have made a disappointing gaffe after he was caught on camera signing a little boy's Easter hat before tossing it into the crowd - instead of handing it back to the child.

In the footage, the US president signs the red cap with a black marker before throwing it into a swarm of supporters.

While Mr Trump laughs and moves on to sign another hat, the little boy and his family yell "No!"

The White House's Easter Egg Roll , a big event in Washington DC every year, is an opportunity for the president to meet and greet the public.

Speaking at this year's event, he said: "This is the 139th Easter Egg Roll. Think of it. It began a long time ago, 1878.

"And we will be stronger and bigger an better as a nation than ever before. We are right on track. You see what's happening, and we are right on track. So thank you everybody for being here."

Activities at the event include a 'Bunny Hop' stage and a reading area, along with a station where kids can whack eggs with wooden spoons.

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Donald Trump upsets child after signing his Easter hat - then tossing it away

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President Donald Trump appears to have made a disappointing gaffe after he was caught on camera signing a little boy's Easter hat before tossing it into the crowd - instead of handing it back to the child. In the footage, the US president signs the red cap with a black marker before throwing it into a swarm of supporters.