What to do with the kids during the Easter holidays

School’s out! And while kids may be looking forward to time away from the classroom, parents will know it probably won’t take long for boredom to set in.

Luckily, there are many places in the UK ideal for a school holiday treat, whether you’ve got little ones willing to don bunny ears for an Easter egg hunt or older kids whose too-cool-for-school façade will melt at the sight of some adorable baby animals.

Plus, with tons of free and cheap activities on offer, cost need not be a problem if you’ve got a whole brood to entertain.

Here, we look at some of the best family-friendly activities for to enjoy during the Easter holidays.

Easter-themed events

1. National Trust Easter trails

Visit your nearest National Trust property these school holidays for a tot-friendly traipse through some of the UK’s loveliest spots. Follow the nature trails and complete the ten activities on the way. As your little ones make homes for local wildlife and hop like the Easter bunny, you’ll get closer to the tasty chocolate egg prize at the end. It’s £3 per child for the trail map, pencil and prize.

2. WWT wetland centres Easter duck trails

It’s duck season at Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust locations across the country – rubber duck season, that is. Pack your binoculars, pick up a trail card and crack the clues to find these little yellow friends hidden in the wetlands. As you go, you’ll pick up some fantastic facts about their real-life counterparts, too.

Other activities on during the school holidays include pond dipping, where you can take a look at life underwater, and drop-in craft sessions. Event schedules vary by location, so check what’s on at your nearest wetland centre before you go.

3. The Pesky Bunnies at BeWILDerwood

BeWILDerwood’s Pesky Bunnies are hopping into both its locations these Easter holidays to entertain the kids with an all-new stage show. It’s included in the price of your ticket, as are the woodlands’ other Easter activities; face painting, Easter-themed crafts and an egg hunt are all on the agenda.

All Eastered out? Once your little ones have their bunny whiskers all painted on, you’ll be hoppy to know there’s plenty more to keep them busy. Giant swings and zip-lines will get hearts racing, while BeWILDerwood’s wonky treehouses are ideal for a little exploration.

4. The Superworm at Kew Gardens/Wakehurst

Both Kew Gardens and Wakehurst are welcoming a special guest this Easter – the ever-wiggling Superworm! Join in the fun and help Superworm find the magical flower in this interactive adventure trail through Wakehurst’s gardens and woodland.

There's also daily story-telling sessions, a Mighty Microbes Mission and a Wormery Workshop to get stuck into - all focused around Superworm and his adventures. All the activities are included in the price of entry to the gardens, but you'll need to pre-book.

5. The Eggsplorers Trails at GreenWood Family Park

Little explorers will delight in the egg hunt at GreenWood Family Park in North Wales. Follow the trail guide and decipher the clues to find every egg hidden in the park, then work out the winning password to get your chocolate treat.

Plus, with more than 30 rides, slides and activities is in the park, it’s easy to make a whole day of it.

Adorable baby animals

6. London city farms

Farm animals and busy London don’t seem like a natural match, but you’ll find more than a handful of these mini sanctuaries across the city – and many have already started welcoming their spring baby animals!

Farms from Mudchute and Vauxhall to Spitalfields and Hackney are inviting visitors to meet their new arrivals these Easter holidays (think piglets, lambs and ducklings). Entry is usually free, but some animal encounters have a small fee. Check their websites before you go.

7. Hatton Adventure World

Hatton Adventure World near Birmingham has a full Easter programme this year, but the star attraction has to be their new baby animals. Chick handling sessions run every day during its Easter Spring Spectacular (April 1 - 16, 2023), and you can cuddle hamsters all year round.

You’ll also be able to spot newborn calves, goats and pigs, though handling is best left to the experts here. Tickets are £16.95; children under 2 go free.

8. Pennywell Farm

Thought miniature pigs couldn’t get cuter? That’s because you forgot about newborn miniature pigs! Pennywell Farm’s much-loved residents are starting to welcome their spring arrivals, and you can cuddle them in the farm’s Pets Corner for as long as you like.

If you can be tempted away from these tiny favourites, you’ll also be able to bottle-feed lambs and goats, hold chicks and rabbits and meet mini donkeys and ponies – too cute!

9. Hall Hill Farm

Piglets and chicks are Easter icons but at Hall Hill Farm in County Durham, you’ll also get to meet and bottle-feed adorable lambs – March begins the spring lambing season. These curious cuties are joined by newborn goats, so you’ll have plenty of baby animals to go gaga about.

Holding chicks and rabbits and feeding the farm’s friendly sheep, donkeys, and even wallabies should also be high on your must-do list.

10. Wimpole Home Farm

This National Trust estate is home to a huge flock of sheep and when lambing season starts later this month, you can expect to see several hundred (yes, really) lambs join them.

This working farm also has all the regulars: children can spot tons of cows, pigs and goats here, though there aren’t any handling opportunities. Our recommendation? Seek out the Shire Horses, the farm’s beautiful gentle giants – they’re a favourite among all visitors.

Other things to do

11. Museums

Visiting a museum is a classic school holiday activity for more than one reason: not only are many free to enter, but it’s an educational day out for all the family.

Top kid-friendly picks include the Natural History Museum and Science Museum in London, the World Museum in Liverpool and the Great North Museum in Newcastle. Check their websites before you go – many museums have free drop-in activities over the holidays, and you may need to pre-book your ticket.

12. Cheap movies

You may know that many of the big cinemas offer cheap tickets for kids on the weekend, but did you know they often extend the discounts to all days during the school break? That’s right. At cinemas include Vue, Cineworld and Picturehouse, you can get discounted tickets each and every day of the holidays (dates align with the local school terms).

At Vue and Cineworld, tickets start at £2.49 per person for kids and adults alike; Picturehouse’s prices start at £3.30. Book online to secure your tickets.

13. Outdoor adventures

Burn off some of that pent-up energy by getting outdoors for a springtime ramble. The best part? It’s totally free! National Trust has some great inspiration for family walks and short trails for little legs.

If they don’t take your fancy, other outdoor activities in the UK include everything from canyoning and surfing to stand-up paddleboarding and cycling.

14. Last-minute staycations

Who said staycations were so 2020? Snap up a last-minute deal for a few nights’ stay and treat yourself to a getaway right here at home. Some of the UK’s best family-friendly destinations include North Wales and Cornwall, but a quick UK city break is always a good option too.

There’s still a number of UK cottages available over the Easter school break so you may just find the property for you.