41 of the best Easter days out with kids in the UK

After what feels like a long cold winter, I’ll be celebrating Easter days out even more fervently than usual this year – besides, chocolate on the horizon is always a bonus. UPDATED FOR 2024

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So whether you fancy enjoying some historic traditions, eggs galore, even the occasional rabbit – plus ducks and a dinosaur – I’ve found these fantastic days out for families over Easter.

There are options to get outdoors with kids if spring is finally on the way, as well as ideas for days when April showers arrive with a vengeance, with more than 25 suggestions to try around the country.

National Trust, nationwide

You can always rely on the National Trust to help get you into the Easter mood, with special trails planned and the chance to get an egg at the end.

With different activities to try along the trail, each site has its own slightly different variations so you can tackle more than one Easter trail if you fancy – you could find a spy-themed option, or anything from dressing up as various animals to sniffing wellies and playing traditional games.

But each trail ends with chocolate of course – made with sustainably sourced cocoa (and vegan/free from versions) so you can scoff it guilt-free.

Check here for the latest details of sites joining in with the Easter activities, as well as other Spring fun. Trails cost £3 including for members, plus the usual entry fee for non-members.

English Heritage, across England

English Heritage has its own Easter quests, with the chance to celebrate some spring fun at sites around the country.

With more than 30 sites offering Easter Adventure Quests throughout the school holidays, kids will need to track down the eggs dotted around and hunt for clues, as well as having a chance to try traditional games including egg rolling and egg and spoon races.

There’s a certificate for those who complete the Quest, as well as a chocolate treat. The trails have a small charge on top of entry (which is free for English Heritage members).

There are also brand new Lego Brick Build events at seven places around England, including Audley End House in Essex, Belsay Hall in Northumberland, Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire, Dover Castle in Kent, Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, Osborne on the Isle of Wight and Stonehenge in Wiltshire.

Check your local site to see if they’re joining in, as well as the dates, as some are only running for a few days.

Cadw, across Wales

Head to one of the historic Cadw sites across Wales, and you can find Easter egg hunts galore, as well as a string of other fun family events.

Head back to school at Beaumaris Castle in Anglesey – jester school, that is – or become an Easter codebreaker at Chepstow Castle.

You’ll find special events at Harlech Castle too: visitr in the run-up to Easter weekend to spy the Wolves of the Sky as well as watching the Ardudwy Knights from March 30-April 1. 

Plus there’s Easter fun to discover elsewhere, including Caerphilly Castle, as well as hunting out some of the great hiding places at Laugharne Castle in Carmarthenshire, Denbigh Castle in Denbighshire and Caernarfon Castle to name just a few sites getting into the Easter spirit, for a great family day out.

Bing’s Nature Explorers at WWT centres, England & Wales

Drop by some of the WWT sites around the country to learn about nature and wildlife with a little help from Bing and his friends this Easter

Bing and Flop will be encouraging young visitors to become a Nature Explorer, with activity trails, storytelling and a chance to meet some of the characters from the kids’ TV show.

With challenges to complete, facts to learn and a sticker for those who tick it all off, there’s plenty to keep little ones entertained, along with interactive storytelling at weekends and during school holidays, plus mini shows.

Bing will be appearing at the London Wetland Centre in Barnes from March 29-April 5, as well as Arundel in West Sussex, Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, Welney, near Wisbech, Washington in Tyne & Wear, Llanelli in Camarthenshire and Castle Espie in County Down from March 3 until June 2.

There are indoor and outdoor play areas too to keep everyone entertained. All activities included in admission (or free for WWT members).

And others are hosting giant ducks once again as part of their Easter trail to spot the bright yellow statues dotted around – and to learn about the real ducks who live in the wetlands centres. Check out what’s on at your local WWT site here.

Check out some of our adventures at WWT Barnes, the London Wetland Centre with kids

RHS Easter egg trails, various locations

Head off on a giant Easter egg hunt at one of the RHS gardens around England this April, with puzzles to solve and plants to find as you search for the huge painted eggs hidden around the sites.

The trail at Harlow Carr in Harrogate runs from March 23-April 7, and at RHS Wisley in Surrey, Hyde Hall in Essex,RHS Bridgewater in Salford and Rosemoor in Devon from March 29-April 14.

Complete the challenge, and there’s a chocolate reward from a top vegan and free from brand.

EGGSplorers at Chessington World of Adventures, London

EGGSplorers is back at Chessington for its second year, with an Easter Activity Trail, show and chance to meet the Easter Bunny himself (or is it herself?)

Hunt for the giant Easter eggs around the theme park to complete the activity trail, with Cadbury Easter eggs as a reward, included in admission – as well as the usual 40 rides and attractions, shows, zoo, and the brand new Sea Life aquarium, where the Turtle Rescue team are taking over, with a special activity trail to follow there too.

If you still want more, you can also buy separate tickets for Enchanted Hollow. During the 15-minute experience, guests burrow through the underground town, where spring has sprung and the residents are celebrating Easter for the first time – and you’ll get Cadbury creme eggs to help you join in with the celebrations.

Prebook park tickets here, while there are also short break packages available.

Easter bunny hunt at Hampton Court, London

The rabbits are hopping back to the Tudor palace once again this Easter with a trail to find Lindt gold bunny statues around the gardens and grounds.

Follow the map to match the name of the the important person linked to Hampton Court to the red ribbon on the bunny statue in order to learn more about some of the people who lived and worked at the palace – and get your chocolate reward (non-choccy alternatives also available).

Aimed at kids aged three to 12, the trail is designed to take around 90 minutes to complete. Prebooking is recommended, included in palace admission tickets, with the trail running from March 23-April 14.

Check out my review of our day out following the Easter trail on a previous visit to Hampton Court Palace

For more ideas of Easter days out in London with kids, check out my top picks

Zoonormous egg hunt at London Zoo & Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire

Tackle an Easter egg trail with a difference and enjoy an eggcellent day out (sorry) at both London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, the UK’s largest zoo this Easter.

Instead of the everyday chocolate kind, the Easter bunny has hidden eggs of all sizes and colours around the zoo, from egg-laying creatures including birds, reptiles, fish and butterflies.

Track them all down and unscramble the clues to lead you to the location of a secret golden egg. Plus you’ll learn lots about the zoos’ different animals as you make your way past the different enclosures and into the walk-through exhibits.

There are Easter crafts too, with the trail included in entry. Runs from March 29 to April 14. Tickets must be prebooked.

For more tips on visiting London Zoo with kids, check out this post

Bluey at Kew Gardens, London

Calling all Bluey fans! The hit TV series is being brought to life at Kew Gardens this Easter, with lots of interactive activities inspired by the showl

Kids can also learn more about some of the plants and wildlife found in Bluey’s native Australia (and at the royal botanic gardens themselves) between games inspired by some of the favourite episodes of the show, chosen by fans. You can even meet Bluey at regular intervals throughout the day.

The spring flowers will also be in bloom this Easter, plus there are the usual attractions and Children’s Garden play area. Included in entry to Kew Gardens. Runs from March 29-April 14. Get discounted tickets using my code, MUMMYTRAVELS6, if you buy from Tiqets.

Check out my tips on visiting Kew Gardens with kids

Wakehurst, West Sussex

The Bluey trail will also be running at Kew’s sister site Wakehurst in Sussex as an alternative day out with kids (or if you just can’t get enough of everyone’s favourite TV dog fun).

It’s also running for slightly longer, from March 27 until April 23. There are daily storytelling sessions twice a day, and a chance to make your own Bluey-inspired nature crown.

For another fun Easter day out in West Sussex, head to Borde Hill, where Bertram Bunny’s Easter Pirate adventure trail runs from March 23-April 14, priced £4 for the trail – follow his adventures as you explore the gardens, solving puzzles along the way. Aimed at kids aged 3-8.

Easter Egg app trail at Drusillas Park, East Sussex

Have an ‘appy Easter’ at Drusillas in East Sussex with a new free in-app Easter Egg trail as well as the usual animal attractions.

Follow the interactive app map along the zoo route between March 29 and April 14 to hunt for giant eggs hidden among the animals.

And if you can solve the family-friendly clues and snap a selfie at the end, you’ll be in with a chance of winning a prize.

The Adventures of the Lost Lamb at Heligan, Cornwall

Head to the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall for a fun Easter hunt that’s all about celebrating spring.

Follow Lowenna the Lost Lamb, with a trail booklet available with admission, to discover the lamb;s adventures in its pages and the story boards along the way. At each stop, there’s a stamp to collect for your booklet.

At the end of the trail, there are crafts and activities (and maybe a chocolate treat) in the Play Meadow Tent. Runs from March 29-April 14, included in admission.

Plus there are the usual woodland walks, fairytale gardens and farmland, so it’s not hard to fill a family day out at Easter at the 200-acre natural playground (not forgetting the actual Adventure Play Area).

Canoeing Easter Egg hunt, New Forest

For an Easter egg hunt with a difference, head out to the New Forest, where you can hop into a canoe and explore along the river on a guided two-hour adventure.

As you paddle, keep your eyes peeled for Easter eggs – and there are treats for the whole family (grown-ups included). Runs on select dates from March 23-April 12, must be prebooked.

Check out our experience canoeing in the New Forest with kids, fun even without chocolate involved…

Easter Quest at Leeds Castle, Kent

Forget Easter bunnies… if you head to Leeds Castle in Kent, you’re invited to join Lady Baillie’s Great Danes, Danny and Boots as you hunt for the treasure they’ve lost.

Along the way, you can discover treasures belonging to some of the other animals that call Leeds Castle home, before a race to unlock the treasure chest.

With interactive installations and puzzles to put your wits to the test, if you can crack the clues, you’ll be rewarded with an Easter treat that’s much more egg-citing than dog biscuits! Runs from March 29-April 14, with an added cost of £2.50.

Don’t miss the castle’s other attractions while you’re there, including a walk through the spring flowers in the gardens and parkland, a change to meet the birds of prey, and a visit inside the castle, which has been transported back to the 1930 – or chance to travel event further back in time with the Queens with Means experience on the royal women who owned the castle through history.

For more ideas of great days out in Kent with kids, check out my top picks

stEGGosaurus Easter at Colchester Zoo, Essex

As well as spotting some of the 200 species that live at Colchester Zoo (everything from bears and Komodo dragons to orangutans and tigers), there’s some roarsome new dinosaur-themed fun on offer.

This Easter, you can journey through the brand new Dinosaur Realm to discover species from the past, as well as a string of special activities and dino-themed face painting during the school holidays.

Plus coming face to face with a range of animatronic dinosaurs, including a Brachiosaurus that stands just under 5 metres high, as well as other prehistoric creatures from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous period. Imagine the size of their eggs!

Runs from March 29-April 14, included in admission.

For more ideas of things to do in Colchester with kids, check out my top picks

Kentwell Hall, Long Melford, Suffolk

Find the huge wooden eggs dotted around the gardens and woodland on this special Easter trail at Kentwell Hall, before unscrambling the clues to crack the code, as part of the Egghead challenge to win the giant egg.

Or if you don’t feel like anything too tricky, you can just wander through the grounds seeing how many you spot, and join in anyting from egg rolling and throwing to an egg & spoon race with a difference as you explore the 30 acres of gardens and woodland for visitors to find.

You can also meet some of the Hall’s living history experts along the way, enjoying a Tudor Eastertide – there’ll be Tudor hot cross buns being produced at the bakehouse – as well as spotting some of the Hall’s newborn lambs

Running from March 29-April 1, prebooking is strongly advised.

Pesky bunnies at Bewilderwood, Norfolk & Cheshire

There’s plenty of magic to be found at Bewilderwood year-round, between boggles, twiggles and the scary lake.

But at Easter, you can also meet the Easter bunny on the storytelling stage, as well as finding where some rather peskier bunnies have hidden their eggs.

There’s a prize if you track them all down, plus crafting and face painting. Runs from March 28-April 14 in both Norfolk and Cheshire.

For more things to do in Norfolk with kids, check out my top picks

Top Trumps Trail at ROARR!, Norfolk

Swap bunnies for dinosaurs with the mega-sized Top Trumps Trail at ROARR!, the UK’s largest dinosaur-themed adventure park.

Dippy the Diplodocus is throwing the doors open to his Chocolate Factory Sensory Amazing-Maze from March 28-April 1, with live actors in the new immersive experience. You can also spot golden tickets hidden around the park, which can be exchanged for prizes – anything from toys and games to free tickets and vouchers.

From April 2-14, there will also be giant Top Trumps cards hidden around the park with fun facts about ROARR! – if you track them all down and get the answers you need, you can collect a limited edition Top Trump card from the gift shop.

For another Easter day out in Norfolk, discover if you’re a hero or a villain at Holkham, where the trail runs in the garden from March 31-April 3, plus arts and crafts and a new interactive show

Easter extravaganza & dragons at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

There’s more hunting for eggs at Blenheim Palace over the Easter weekend, with a whole string of fun activities to help burn off the sugar rush.

Running from March 29-April 1 in the Walled Garden, you’ll find everything from circus skills and balloon modelling to bubble performances, bungee trampolines and even a vintage variety show. The Easter Bunny promises to put in a few appearances throughout the weekend as well.

Then head off on the Easter egg hunt around the grounds, with chocolate treats to win – included in admission to park & gardens, or with palace, park & gardens tickets.

But that’s not all to enjoy this Easter. In the Adventure Play area, there’s a set of dragon-themed activities from March 29-April 14 inspired by the How To Train Your Dragon books, with something from smaller hatchlings up to the more ferocious little visitors. Separate ticket required.

Check out my review of a day out at Blenheim Palace with kids for more of the site’s family attractions

Bunny trail Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire

Head to the home of the codebreakers for Easter activities including proper codes to crack – happily nothing too complicated, so you won’t need your own Enigma machine to solve the puzzles at Bletchley Park.

On the Easter Bunny trail, you’ll need to collect the secret codes to work out the hidden words, with bonus puzzles and brainteasers along the way.

There are also family tours on selected dates, some other family activities and the usual chance to check out the museum’s fascinating exhibitions on the top secret work carried out during the Second World War.

Free for under-12s, the activities run from March 29-April 12 and all activities are included with admission. There’s also free return visits for a year as standard with tickets.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at Bristol Zoo Project, Bristol

Who needs to hunt eggs when you could head out on a Bear Hunt? Bristol Zoo Project’s new Easter trail is inspired by the much-loved children’s story, where you can swish, splash and squelch your way through the scenes.

Plus, there is a real-life bear at the end of it! Running from March 23, it will be taking place through spring and summer until September 1, if you don’t have chance to check it out during the Easter holidays.

All together… You can’t go over it, you can’t go under it, you’ve got to go through it! Look out for giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, lemurs, baboons and more as you go too.

Need a new copy of the story before you go? You can find a board book version as well as the paperback

Easter at Wookey Hole, Somerset

You’ve heard of the Easter bunny, but have you heard of the Easter witch? Head to Somerset’s Wookey Hole where the Witch of Wookey Hole loves to celebrate Easter just as much as Halloween.

There’s an Easter Egg Hunt with a treat at the end, plus live shows at the Wookey Hole Circus in the onsite theatre as well as a new experience at the 4D cinema and of course, the caves themselves to explore. Runs from March 23-April 14.

Bowood’s Big Spring Adventure, Somerset

Head to historic Bowood House for more Easter fun, including an Easter egg hunt with a special Easter weekend bonus.

From March 29-April 14, try to track down the 10 large eggs hidden by the Bowood Easter Bunny throughout the grounds – when you find them all, unscramble the letters and guess the word to win a prize. Included with entry.

And on Easter weekend itself, from March 29-April 1, there are an extra five golden eggs hidden each day around the park – you need to hunt one out and get back to the entrance gate by 4pm to get a chocolate Easter egg.

Plus there’s one special rainbow egg tucked away to win a family season ticket pass – this one is in disguise so be prepared to look everywhere to try to find it.

It’s also the perfect time to see some of the bluebells flowering in the woodland, as well as enjoying the gardens.

Check out what we thought of a visit to Bowood House during an Easter trip along the Great West Way

Giant Easter Egg Hunt at Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire

Who needs chocolate eggs when you can see the largest real egg in the world? There’ll be a rare Elephant Bird egg to spot at Sudeley Castle as part of their Easter celebrations.

First you need to hunt for a different type of giant egg with the Cracked It! Giant Easter egg hunt around the historic castle grounds and gardens, featuring a dozen brightly painted eggs – most have a Queenly theme, although four have been designed by pupils from local schools, with one drawing inspiration from the egg-laying crocodile.

Each contains a clue and a challenge which leads you to the Elephant Bird egg, originally found in Madagascar.

Best of all, there’ll be half-price tickets for kids over the Easter holidays, from March 23–April 7, costing £5, as well as extra events from March 29-April 1 over Easter weekend including an egg and spoon race.

Keep an eye out for other celebratory events throughout the year, as the castle commemorates the 50th anniversary of the castle’s Chatelaine, Lady Ashcombe, the longest serving steward in the estate’s history.

mEGGastars Easter Treasure Hunt at Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire

Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire is enjoying double the celebrations this year, with the mEGGastars Easter Treasure Hunt to mark its 200th birthday.

Find the clues hidden around the castle and grounds to win a chocolate treat at the end, as well as all the usual outdoor attractions.

Running from March 24-April 4, there are limited ticket numbers so you must prebook tickets for the castle & grounds (grounds-only tickets are not available).

Discover what we thought of a day out at Eastnor Castle during a weekend in Herefordshire with kids

Easter adventure at Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

There are thrills galore at Warwick Castle this Easter, from birds of prey and dragons to Britain’s largest siege machine.

The action-packed Legend of the Trebuchet show sees the castle’s trebuchet at the forefront of its defence, with live action and special effects helping you discover the its awsome power, able to launch 90kg projectiles up to 300m through the air.

Meanwhile, The Falconer’s Quest is the UK’s largest bird of prey display, where the audience sits in the flight path of some of the fastest – and largest – birds of prey on earth.

It’s not just eagles and falcons to watch out for… because here be dragons – yes, the Zog trail is also running, with kids setting out on the Quest for the Golden Star, as well as enjoying the Zog Playland, also inspired by Julia Donaldson’s book, including Dragon Wing Zip Wires, Princess Pearl’s Tower and Dragon slide and swings.

Read my review of the Zog trail at Warwick Castle

The 3D interactive trail, Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star, includes stamps to collect after completing lessons from Madame Dragon’s school, with kids able to capture a princess, fly (while remaining safely on the ground) and try their own blood-curdling roars. Not to mention the usual attractions at the historic site.

Check out my tips for visiting Warwick Castle with kids

Cadbury World, Birmingham

It’s not Easter without chocolate – and with Cadbury celebrating its 200th anniversary, two centuries after opening its first shop in Birmingham, it’s the perfect time to visit.

As well as the usual tempting attractions at Cadbury World, you can see a chocolate recreation of the first ever store, plus there’s a new immersive experience called Cadbury Chocolate Quest opening this spring.

Visit between March 23 and April 7 to enjoy Freddo’s Easter Egg-stravaganza too – a new show with plenty of audience participation as Freddo attempts a series of challenges with get a mystery prize. There’s also a trail on Easter weekend.

For more things to do in Birmingham with kids, check out my top picks

Dinos on the Farm at Cockfield’s Farm Park, Oldham, Manchester

More ferocious family fun at Cockfield’s Farm Park in Oldham with their special Dinos on the Farm Easter event.

From March 29-April 1, you can see dinosaur racing or snap a selfie with one of the dinos wandering (prowling?) around the farm, join the egg hunt to get a chocolate prize, watch dinosaur shows, and even spot more dinos from the Safari tractor ride.

Plus some smaller creatures to meet too, with hands-on experiences with bunnies (and guinea pigs) in Cuddle Corner, as well as more exotic reptile and creepy crawlies. You can hand feed the cows, llamas, alpacas, goats and sheep too, as well as enjoying the outdoor play area.

Small Animals of the Ice Age trail at Creswell Crags, Nottinghamshire

Head to Creswell Crags for the Small Animals of the Ice Age trail, with 10 small animals hidden away around the crags.

Each has a secret letter which you need to collect and rearrange to discover the mystery word, as well as learning more about these creatures and their frozen world.

Once you’ve solved the clues, you can collect your prize – including a chocolate Easter egg or chocolate bunny (with free-from options available). Available while stocks last with an alternative treat substituted if they run out.

The trail runs from March 9-April 12, and tickets cost £3.50 each. No prebooking required, just pay at reception for a trail sheet. Access to the Visitor Centre, meadow and gorge is free, with a charge for cave tours and exhibition entry, as well as parking.

Easter bunny & Shaun the Sheep at Tatton Park, Cheshire

There’s not one but a string of Easter events planned at Tatton Park, including two separate trails – one for the gardens, one for the mansion.

Running from March 29-April 14 in the house, help the Easter Bunny find his friends around the mansion, with a trail taking you through the state rooms and servants quarters, with games and dressing up along the way.

Keep an eye out for the colourful eggs and write down the letters to reveal a springtime word as well – and if you visit between March 29 and April 1, there’s a chocolate treat to take home.

Or head into the gardens to discover Shaun the Sheep – in fact, quite a few Shauns, with a string of colourful sculptures on the outdoor trail. All painted by local and regional artists, some have been inspired by flower sna dplants to be found in the gardens, including a blossoming Shaun by the Japanese Garden.

Trail sheets cost £1 to see if ewe can find them all (sorry) as you explore some of Tatton’s 50 acres. Solve the puzzle and there’s a sticker as a reward for this too. Runs from March 29 until June 23.

Throw in a silent disco, a chance to meet Shaun, storytelling and more events and it’s an action-packed Easter.

Prebooking is advised (and saves 10%) but you can buy tickets on the day. The mansion trail is included in entry.

Blackpool Brick Festival, Lancashire

Trade eggs for bricks at the Blackpool Brick Festival event in Blackpool’s Norbreck Castle Hotel this Easter.

The fun Lego event on April 6 includes a dedicated building area, some spectacular displays, competitions and of course the chance to get your hands on sets of all kinds.

Prebooking is strongly recommended and you get a free mini Lego gift on entry. Or for more ideas of things to do in Blackpool with kids, check out my post.

Book the Blackpool Pick’n’Mix pass with 1, 2 and 7-day entrance into the 8 Blackpool attractions, priced from £35, including the chance to meet Peppa Pig at Sea Life Blackpool, as well as entry to Madame Tussaud’s, the Blackpool Tower Dungeons and Blackpool Tower among others

Chocolate Festival, York

York has a long chocolate heritage, so Easter is a great time to visit the city especially from March 27-31 when the five-day Chocolate Festival takes place.

Some of this year’s highlights include a chocolate sculpture gallery, Easter egg hunt, chocolate egg bar decorating, as well as a chance to try a string of sweet treats from chocolatiers, bakers and local traders.

Easter adventure at Stockeld Park, Yorkshire

There are some Easter Adventures coming to Stockeld Park for Easter 2024, as well as the return of the giant Easter Egg hunt.

If you head into the Enchanted Forest, the string of brightly coloured bunnies are waiting to be found again along with the eggs – complete the trail and there’s a chocolate treat as a reward.

The Easter bunny will be out and about too, or enjoy laughing at some of the Easter ‘yolks’ as you get lost in the maze. Runs from March 23-April 14, included in admission. Tickets must be prebooked.

For more fun things to do with kids in Yorkshire, check out my top picks

Dino Discovery at Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland

Bamburgh Castle might be famous for its resident dragon, Hope (as well as its Viking past) but its dinosaurs which are taking centre stage this Easter.

Go on a Dino Discovery Adventure on April 2-3 and 9-10 as you’re transported back to the golden age of dinosaur discoveries, including a chance to handle fossils from some of the more fearsome prehistoric animals.

Or younger kids can craft their own dinosaur mobile on April 4-5 and 11-12, with a special drop-in session aimed at younger children, aged 3+.

And last but not least, there’s a chance to join Professor Foss-Cecil and the Jurassic Safari team who’ve just made a miraculous discovery, and can’t wait to share the news as well as tips on everything from fossil rubbing to digging for treasure and more fun. Runs April 6-7 and 13-14 – free daily show, but admission to the activity tent is £5.50 per child (payment by card/contactless, no prebooking).

All other activities are included in admission and don’t need to be prebooked, though it’s first come, first served.

See what we thought of a day out at Bamburgh Castle with kids

Science Festival, Edinburgh

There’s more science on offer in Scotland too, with the Edinburgh Science Festival returning from March 30-April 14, focusing on the theme ‘Shaping the Future’.

With plenty of the usual experimentation and invention, the festival looks at the power and potential of creativity, collaboration, innovation and play, and how they could change our world for the better.

Taking place in around 30 venues across the city, it’s perfect if your kids love getting hands on, including the workshops and activities at the City Art Centre, which gets transformed into a science palyground – a day pass lets you access as many events as you like, with up to three activities available to prebook (recommended) and unlimited drop-in sessions.

Everything from the Easter trail at Edinburgh Zoo to Medical History tours at Mary King’s Close and a whole lot more is on the list for the two-week festival, so there’s guaranteed to be something for all ages.

For more things to do in Edinburgh with kids, check out my top picks

Easter Fair at Traquair House, near Peebles

The oldest inhabited house in Scotland pushes out all the stops for its Easter event, and the 2024 celebrations at Traquair House are no exception, although the event has a new name – Easter Fair at Traquair – and some new additions.

The biggest Easter Egg hunt in the Borders will still be going ahead with over 5,000 eggs to be found in the maze – itself the the largest hedged maze in Scotland, plus an extra egg hunt this year where the family hunt lets kids under 7 look with an adult or older sibling (prebooking strongly recommended).

And there will be more workshops for kids to enjoy, more creative activities in the garden and performers during the Easter celebrations on March 31 – enjoy everything from egg painting and Easter bonnet making to circus workshops and face painting.

Energy Unleashed at Techniquest, Cardiff

If you’re looking for a great day out in Cardiff this Easter, it’s time to unleash your kids.. with the special holiday events at Techniquest.

The special half-hour Energy Unleashed shows run from March 23-April 7 (as well as weekends in April and May) with a chance to explore the energy in our foods, in the gases around us, and even in the elements that make up the world.

Looking at how energy behaves, how we use energy in our bodies, how energy is used in the modern world and what happens when we unleash it, the shows are aimed at kids aged 5+

Tickets cost £2 in addition to standard admission, and prebooking is strongly recommended.

Days out at UK theme parks at Easter

If you want a bit more excitement than searching for chocolate, check out the special events and new rides coming to some of the country’s theme parks.

Hoppy Easter, Paultons Park, Hampshire

Get ready for a Hoppy Easter at Paultons Park between March 29 and April 14, meeting Bobtail Bunny and Betty Bunny at the entrance, before heading inside to check out the rides and Easter decorations.

Younger kids will love the gentler fun at Peppa Pig World, while there are more thrills in the main park for older ones, including some of the newer rides and experiences at Tornado Springs, the 50s Midwest-themed section of the park.

Discover everything from the Farmyard Flyer – an aeroplane-themed adventure – for kids over 0.9m tall to a free-spinning rollercoaster which swirls passengers around over 20m above the ground.

Check out my tips for visiting Peppa Pig World if you’re planning a day at Paultons Park with younger kids

Easter fun at Camel Creek, Cornwall

There are more than two weeks of activties taking place at Camel Creek Family Theme Park in Cornwall from March 29-April 15, as well as three new attractions.

Take on Shipwreck Shores Adventure Golf, explore Merlin’s Magical Playground, and indulge in treats at the Hidden Garden Café and Indoor Play, as well as Easter activities until April 7, including an Easter trail and Easter Bunny show, plus more family entertainment for the second week.

Crealy Adventure Park and Resort, Devon

Forget dragons and bunnies – Crealy Adventure Park in Devon has an pirate-themed Easter egg hunt from March 29-April 14.

Swashbuckle your way around the theme park on the egg hunt, to win a chocolate egg for all kids under 14, before making the most of the – reopened Twister & Tidal Wave (for the brave) or one of the other 60 rides and attractions, and the much gentler Sooty show.

For more things to do in Devon with kids, check out my post for family days out inspiration

Lightwater Valley, Yorkshire

Go safari at Lightwater Valley, with a wild adventure all on an animal theme – and not just rabbits – from March 28-April 14.

Resident dragon Ebor has a singalong safari stage show, there’s a Jungle Jam disco plus free face-painting before you set out on the Safari egg hunt to track down 12 missing animals on your trail sheet.

If you’re brave enough to hold a snake or spider, Jungle Animal Encounters are for you (Easter weekend only) – and Rex the Valleysaurus, Ebor’s friendly-ish cousin, is back too and looking forward to meeting (or is that eating?) the guests.

First published 2015, updated 2024

PIN FOR LATER: EASTER DAYS OUT WITH KIDS

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Main image, Beaumaris Castle, Leeds Castle, Blenheim Palace, Sudeley Castle, Easter egg, Tatton Park, Beaulieu river and rollercoaster courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels

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