FREE-STER
Save money this Easter weekend with these free kids events up and down the country, from egg rolling to crafting
Scroll down to find out where you can see real life Easter Bunnies
THERE is a feast of free and low-cost family fun to be had over the Easter school holiday.
From egg hunts, duck races and craft sessions, to taking in a spot of culture, treats for all ages abound.
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Laura Stott rounds up what is on offer across the country . . .
South and South East
WAREHORNE, KENT – today: Go quackers over the annual Easter Duck Race at The Woolpack Inn.
Hundreds are expected to turn out to watch the yellow rubber ducks do battle on the Royal Military Canal.
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Make a party of it with live music, an Easter barbecue, and family games.
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See woolpackwarehorne.co.uk/whats-on.
ST ALBANS, HERTS – now until April 14: Hunt For The Easterlopers offers an entertaining hi-tech twist on the traditional Easter trail.
Scan QR codes to track down the missing Easter Bunny and locate magical eggs in city centre shops.
There is also a puzzle pack to download.
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EASTLEIGH, HANTS – now until April 1: Family fun galore is to be had at the Pavilion On The Park over the bank holiday weekend.
Activities include an egg hunt, face-painting and a bouncy castle.
See allevents.in/eastleigh/eastleigh-easter-eggstravaganza.
BUCKS MUSEUM, AYLESBURY, BUCKS – now until April 14: An Easter egg trail is running daily, and do not miss tomorrow’s Family Easter Eggstravaganza – the bill of entertainment includes egg hunts, egg-and- spoon races and croquet on the lawn.
Spring Bonnets are encouraged.
‘I didn’t want to leave’ praises driver who spent hours at UK’s best service station' with two kids - it's a treat
See discoverbucksmuseum.org/whats-on/easter-holiday-activities2024.
RIDGEVIEW, EAST SUSSEX – now until Easter Monday, noon-4pm: Take in beautiful bluebells while wandering along the Easter Family Trail at Ridgeview Vineyard.
Activity packs, honeybees and a bug hotel will delight little ones along the way, and there is a chocolate treat waiting after completion of the challenge.
Meanwhile, adults can enjoy a discounted wine-tasting.
Cheers to that!
See ridgeview.co.uk.
SOUTHAMPTON – now until April 14: Experience the charm of the city’s old town as you get busy with an Easter egg hunt.
Collect a map, hunt down the hidden chocolates and solve a series of challenges to win yourself a prize.
See visitsouthampton.co.uk/eastertrail.
Wales & South West
SWANSEA – now until April 7: Turn your hand to a pottery-making class or enjoy a treasure hunt at Swansea Museum.
Children also get a complimentary activity pack with games to take home.
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See swanseamuseum.co.uk.
TAUNTON, Somerset – tomorrow, 11am-1pm: Egg hunt fun is in store at Maidenbrook Country Park.
Find the clues, solve the riddle and take home an Easter egg.
Register in advance.
See allevents.in/taunton/free-community-easter-egg-hunt-at-maidenbrook-country-park.
DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK VISITOR CENTRES, DEVON – today until April 3: Leave the chocolate at home, dust off the cobwebs and hit the Dartmoor National Park where there is a fun Easter trail sheet to tackle.
You can collect it from the visitor centres in Princetown, Postbridge or Haytor.
BLANDFORD FORUM, DORSET – now until April 13: The market town’s museum is holding Easter craft and hunt action.
Children will be able to make an Easter basket, search for “naughty bunnies” and enjoy other games.
ST DAVIDS, PEMBROKES – tomorrow until Easter Monday, 10am-4pm: There is a spring puzzle to solve during a Scrambled Eggs Easter event at the cathedral city’s medieval ruin Bishop’s Palace.
Kids can enjoy searching through the palace’s majestic Great Hall, enchanting courtyard and hallowed chapel for hidden clues.
Hunt for letters along your way to solve an Easter mystery.
CHIPPENHAM, WILTS AND VENUES NATIONWIDE – now until Easter Monday: Chocolate egg hunts are running at Brewers Fayre restaurants around the UK over the Easter weekend.
Children are challenged to follow clues that have been left for them by the Easter Bunny, and there is a guaranteed prize for everyone at the end.
Also, two under-16s eat free with every adult breakfast purchased.
MILFORD HAVEN, PEMBROKES – now until April 7: Have a go at winning a hamper of goodies, with a themed trail and egg search around Milford Marina.
Also, meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy face-painting at Milford Haven Museum.
See milford-waterfront. co.uk.
London
ELEPHANT AND CASTLE, SOUTH LONDON – tomorrow, 11am-5pm: A Family Rainbow Hoppy Easter event takes place in Castle Square.
Children can enjoy face-painting and there will be tasty food on sale from traders with up to 15 per cent off.
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Oh, and look out for the Easter Bunny.
See castlesquarelondon.com/news/rainbow- hoppy-easter-event.
WEMBLEY, NORTH LONDON – now until April 14: The Urban Nature Explorer Easter Trail at the London Designer outlet is a chance for young ones to wonder at wildlife, and clues lead to some yummy rewards.
There’s also free children’s grub on offer at Las Iguanas and Frankie & Benny’s.
See londondesigneroutlet.com/event/go-into-the-wild-easter-activities.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE, CENTRAL LONDON – today, noon-3.15pm: Every Good Friday the Passion of Jesus is re-enacted, with a cast of 100 volunteers.
No tickets required for this magical spectacle in the historic square.
East of England
NORWICH CATHEDRAL – April 3, 10am-2pm: The Easter Experience Family Event is a family day of crafts, games and other activities.
Various themes of the Easter message will be illustrated in different parts of the cathedral, right, with stories and activities.
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There will also be a reflection zone, if you fancy some restful peace and quiet, and a trail to follow.
BURY ST EDMUNDS, SUFFOLK – now until April 7: An Easter Dinosaur Egg Trail contest is taking place around town.
Jurassic clues in shop windows will guide you as you look for hidden eggs.
See ourburystedmunds.com.
CROMER, SUFFOLK – April 2-4, 11am: Laughs aplenty are guaranteed at a puppet show in the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Henry Blogg Museum.
Celebrating fishermen, it is called Up Jumped the Crab.
CHELMSFORD, ESSEX – April 3-5, 10.30am-noon and 1.30-3pm: Chelmsford Museum is holding Easter card craft sessions.
Also, at the Indoor Market, try to spot the hidden bunnies before a prize draw is held on April 13.
Midlands
LEICESTER CITY CENTRE – now until April 8: A daily free Easter egg hunt is being run by local businesses.
There are clues to find the chocolate treats and prizes worth up to £100.
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See bidleicester.co.uk.
WOLVERHAMPTON – April 3, 10am-noon and 2-4pm: Get creative at a craft day in the Mander Centre, where children will get the chance to decorate a plant pot.
OXFORD COVERED MARKET, OXFORD – now until Easter Monday: Take your entry card around the indoor market and search shops for egg pictures marked with letters, get your card stamped and receive chocolate shells as your reward.
Once your card is completed, you will be entered into a prize draw.
See oxford-coveredmarket.co.uk.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, OXFORD – now till April 14: The Eggstraordinary Easter Family Trail at the Natural History Museum in Oxford is smashing educational fun.
Look for hidden eggs around the museum and check out Easter-themed exhibits.
See oumnh.ox.ac.uk/event/easter-eggventure-family-trail.
STOKE-ON-TRENT – today: Enjoy Easter Bunny dance parties, a fruit-and-veg trail and green- fingered fun at The Potteries Centre.
Every child will receive a Green Club certificate, an activity booklet, and their very own planted flower to take home.
North of England
SHEFFIELD – April 3-4, 11am-2pm: Stickers will be displayed in windows throughout The Moor shopping centre as part of a family egg hunt.
Children pick up a trail map from an Easter Garden gazebo then follow a series of clues to discover where eggs are hidden.
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See moorsheffield.com.
PRESTON – Easter Monday, on the hour all day: Enjoy a 150-year-old Easter Monday tradition with egg-rolling at Preston’s Avenham and Miller Parks.
Bring your own egg, real or chocolate, to launch down the hill with hundreds of others.
Dress up, too, because there is also an Easter bonnet competition.
See visitpreston.com.
COLNE, LANCS – tomorrow: The Colne Town Centre Easter market has fun and games to keep all ages entertained.
An Easter trail, magic shows, balloon-making, archery and rodeo sheep are just some of the treats on offer.
See colnetowncouncil.org.uk.
YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK, WEST BRETTON – now until April 7: See real wild bunnies frolicking among the sculptures, including one of a giant hare, as you follow an Easter Hop Along Trail.
At trail’s end, a choccie treat awaits.
SALFORD QUAYS, GREATER. MANCHESTER – Easter Monday, 10am-noon: Easter crafting sessions for children are being laid on at the Kargo Mkt food hall.
Young ones can create their own spring designs to take home with them.
But to avoid disappointment, places do need to be reserved in advance.
MANCHESTER – now until April 7: Easter bonnet and egg-making workshops, plus egg hunts with prizes are on offer at the Trafford Palazzo.
A parade on Easter Sunday features Alice In Wonderland and a host of performing friends.
See traffordpalazzo.co.uk/events/tp-easter-tea-party.
WENSLEYDALE, NORTH YORKS – now until April 5, 10am-4pm: The Cheese Visitor Experience at the famed Wensleydale Creamery is yummy treat for all the family.
Kids can also enjoy a host of interactive activities, from completing a Cheese Trail Quiz, to having their photo taken with life-size knitted figures of Yorkshire Wensleydale’s biggest fans – Wallace & Gromit.
Of course, there is plenty of cheese tasting , too. Ideal if you have had enough chocolate.
STOCKPORT, GREATER MANCHESTER – tomorrow, 11am-3pm: Eyes down for interactive Springo Bingo games at the Merseyway Shopping Centre.
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Bunny-hop dance-offs, and lots of prizes up for grabs.
See merseyway.com.