No plans this Easter? Here’s some fun family days out

Easter’s this week, and you’ve yet to get organised when it comes to what to do. No need to panic – here’s our pick of where to head to stop the kids moaning they’re bored.

Easter Holiday Family Activities
The National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas
Now-3 April

There’s lots of Easter things to do at the Arboretum during the school hols. Families can join Arbie the owl, the main character in ‘Arbie and the Magical Lights’ – the Arboretum’s illustrated children’s book – on an adventure around the spring landscape. There’s also making-music workshops where younger visitors can let their creativity roam free. Families are also invited to get creative during free drop-in arts and crafts sessions, plus everyone will enjoy the Stick Man Outdoor Trail and outdoor play areas.

The Elephant Trail
Battersea Power Station, London
Now-26 April

The Elephant Trail features 21 decorated sculptures across the riverside neighbourhood, with visitors of all ages logging their finds on an immersive art trail app, unlocking special offers from brands including Peppa Pig, Transformer and Kiehl’s, to name a few. There’s also carousel and bungee trampoline rides, bumper cars, arts and craft workshops, scavenger hunts for the chance to win a prize, and plenty more.

The Easter Trail
Greenway House & Garden, Devon
Now-19 April

This Georgian house is where Agatha Christie and her family would spend summers and Christmases, and is also home to archaeological artefacts acquired in the Middle East where Agatha accompanied her archaeologist husband on excavations. This April pay the house a visit, being sure to make your way along the Easter trail and find 10 activities for all the family, all of which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From chocolate egg.

Breakfast with the Ivy Bunny
The Ivy Restaurants Collection, nationwide
3-5 April

It’s time for Breakfast With The Ivy Bunny, designed to delight little ones and grown-ups alike! There’s a curated breakfast menu with Easter surprises throughout the morning. Young guests receive themed treats including a bunny headband, colouring sheets and pencils, plus a soft bunny toy to take home. Looking to enjoy Easter dining later in the day? Along with a host of delicious dishes enjoy the Peter Rabbit’s Secret Garden Carrot Cake; carrot cake served with vanilla ice cream on a bed of chocolate soil, topped with pistachio crumb, candy floss, and mint.

Great Easter Show
Hawarden Estate, Flintshire
4 April

Hawarden’s Great Easter Show sees the whole family enjoy unlimited vintage fairground rides, circus skills workshops, Explorer Club craft sessions, and even a Hawarden dog show to enter. Parents and grandparents can peruse the maker’s market for locally-made ornaments, and call into Hawarden’s award-winning farm shop to pick up all manner of goodies, as well as the veg for the following day’s Easter lunch. 

Family Spring Trail
The Brunel Museum Thames Tunnel, London
Now-12 April

As well as being home to the world’s first ever underground tunnel, the museum also has some free events on over Easter. Head to the Family Spring Trail – perfect for young explorers, pick up a watering can, activity sheet and off you go for some serious fun. There’s also an Upcycling Flower Making Workshop: using newspapers and recycled materials, families can create colourful upcycled flowers while learning about the decorative arts and creativity of the French Revolution period. 

Meet the Care Bears
Drayton Manor, Tamworth
Now-19 April

Drayton Manor’s Easter offering is a brand-new Care Bears event, including character meet and greets, interactive pledge wall, and a new themed end-of-day show on the lake. Visitors of all ages can also discover the Share Your Care Pledge Wall and add a heart-shaped note to spread kindness and positivity. Plus, guests can get creative at the Colours of Caring painting sessions running throughout the day, which will become part of the on-site Care Bears mural. There’s even a Care Bears display of lights, colour, water and music, for a perfect way to end the day.

Neverland – Peter Pan: The Drone Light Show
Ragley Hall, Alcester
11 April

The world’s first Peter Pan drone light show will be staged in the UK in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. See the beloved story of Neverland to life using hundreds of LED drones, and a cinematic score and narration to recreate iconic scenes from the legendary tale in the night sky. Before the main event, guests can enjoy a lively family-friendly atmosphere with fairground rides, face painting, and food stalls serving street eats, and refreshments from local traders. And for every ticket sold, a donation will be made to the GOSH charity.

Spellbound: The Great Dragon Egg Quest
Kingston Maurward Estate, Dorchester
Now-26 April

This historic country estate welcomes visitors throughout the year – with its Easter offering a mystical twist on the traditional Easter egg hunt. Using an enchanted map, visitors follow a 2.5 km route through the grounds, searching for 10 hidden dragon eggs and solving clues along the way. Tickets also include entry to the estate’s animal park, as well as lawn games, bouncy castles, and family activities throughout the day. Hungry? You won’t be for long, with treat stops serving waffles, cakes, ice cream, tea and coffee.

Egg-cellent Easter Trail
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh
Now-19 April

Immerse yourself in over 100 interactive exhibitions at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, just a stone’s throw from the iconic Edinburgh Castle. Hop into an Easter experience with a line-up of seasonal surprises, extended opening hours and discounted entry. Step into the spinning Vortex Tunnel, shrink yourself in the Ames Room, get lost in the Mirror Maze and snap a group selfie from the Rooftop Terrace with panoramic views of the city.

An Eggscellent Easter
Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Darlington
3-6 April

Taking place across the long bank holiday weekend, Raby is hosting an Easter Food and Craft Market in its indoor event space, the Riding School, and expanding out into one of the Estate’s best-kept secrets, the Dutch Barn. They’ll be food and drink stalls, handmade crafts from nearby artisans, and  Easter afternoon teas at The Vinery on selected dates. Check out the Deer Park, take advantage of complimentary tractor-rides, then enjoy an Easter Trail featuring a mischievous rabbit in Raby’s woodland adventure playground.

Easter at Tumblestone Hollow
Stonor Park & Gardens, Henley on Thames
Now-12 April

Set within the grounds of Stonor Park on the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire border, Tumblestone Hollow’s much-loved interactive Easter puzzle trail winds its way through gardens and woodland. Young explorers can race across wooden bridges, crawl through secret tunnels, climb lofty towers and whizz down spiralling slides, while hunting for clues and solving Easter puzzles. Beyond the trail, there’s water play areas for splashing and giggling, interactive sessions inspired by the Tumblestone Hollow books, and themed craft activities to spark creativity between climbs and discoveries.

Scenes of Spring
Covent Garden, London
Now-12 April

There’s a season-long programme of events across Covent Garden. There’s free entertainment with the big-screen on the Piazza, plus food and drink like sweet treats from Crêpe Salut, Crumbled London and Waffle Wands all popping up. Family-friendly experiences are available across the Easter holidays and beyond, from immersive theatre tours at The Royal Opera House, spy adventures and interactive games at SKYSCAPE and exclusive behind the scenes tours at The London Transport Museum.

YSP at Easter
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield
Now-12 April

Wander at your own pace, spotting famous works by Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore alongside bold, colourful contemporary pieces. Little ones will love a game of ‘sculpture spotting’ or hide-and-seek, while the indoor galleries offer just as much inspiration. For younger explorers, there’s Little Wild Wood: a natural play area to climb, build dens and invent their own games among trees, teepees and stepping stones. And don’t forget to stop by The Studio, YSP’s hands-on making space, where children can draw, build and experiment with materials inspired by what they’ve seen outdoors and in the galleries.