School holidays come around so fast don’t they?
Luckily, we’ve got you covered on how to entertain the kids this Easter break – from dinosaur adventures to Easter Egg decorating, there’s plenty to do come rain or shine.
Dunham Massey’s Easter Adventures
Designed with children of all ages in mind, Dunham Massey’s Easter Adventures trail features 10 activity stations which explore the fascinating world of pollinators. From bees to butterflies, wasps to beetles, join the fun at the National Trust park and discover the busy lives of mini beasts.
Easter Holidays at Oxygen MediaCity
Head down to Salford Quays this Easter break as Oxygen Activeplay welcomes families to take advantage of the MediaCity site’s Easter Holiday Pass. For £30, the pass holder can visit the park on any five days of the two-week break, including weekends and bank holidays, for 60 minutes of open play. Perfect for the school holidays, the new play zone invites kids to bounce their way across epic trampolines, inflatables, and challenge their friends in the interactive strike arena. Older kids can test their skills on the high ropes course, climb obstacles and take part in the indoor aerial Sky Rider.
Spring Holidays at Science and Industry Museum
Spring (ahem) into action with a sense-sational programme of free, hands-on family fun at the Science and Industry Museum. Inspired by their new blockbuster exhibition, Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You, families can discover the superpowers of animals in their lively new science show Wild Senses. Join the museum’s expert explainers at the tasting station and discover how bees taste and smell. You can also hang out in their Bat Cave and learn more about the nocturnal creatures or get crafty and make your own bat to take home.
Adventures in Wonderland at Z-arts
Z-arts is inviting families to tumble down the Rabbit Hole to experience their own magical Adventures in Wonderland this Easter. Created in partnership with Macmillan Children’s Books, the new immersive play experience celebrates the 160th anniversary of one of the most loved children’s books of all time Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Greeting you as your storyteller is the White Rabbit, and from the shape shifting Cheshire Cat to a game of croquet with flamingos, there are scenes that will be familiar, including the chance to take your place at the Mad Hatter’s tea party. Tunnels to crawl through, mazes to get lost in, fairground mirrors to amuse and a ball pool to ‘splash’ into, plus interactive games and sensory areas, all bring Lewis Carroll’s fantastical world to life.
Story Seekers: Animals and War at IWM North
Explore the inspiring animal heroes of the Second World War through objects, photographs and stories at IWM North this Easter. Families can learn the stories of Rip the Dog and his ARP service, and Frankenstein the Cat, HMS Belfast’s heroic mascot. Discover the ways animals supported and saved humans during wartime, and the different animals that were involved.
Easter holidays Kids Eat Free at Sexy Fish
Sexy Fish has just launched its new children’s menu, in time for the Easter holidays. This school break, families can head down to the Spinningfields eatery where children under 11 eat free. Available from Monday 7 to Thursday 17 April, Monday to Friday, little ones accompanied by a paying adult can get a free dish – including chicken yakitori, grilled salmon udon noodles, popcorn shrimp AND a selection of ice cream.
People’s History Museum celebrates 90 years of Penguin Books
Join the People’s History Museum as they celebrate 90 years of the legendary Penguin Books this Easter. Families are invited to make mini books inspired by a revolution in publishing and the change-makers whose stories are told in the museum’s galleries. Taking place in PHM’s Playful Protest Space, children will be given a series of fun challenges to help them create their mini masterpieces to add to their bookshelves at home.
The Dino Adventure at East Lancashire Railway
Join the eccentric and knowledgeable palaeontologists at East Lancashire Railway as they take you on a Jurassic journey packed with thrilling discoveries. Families are invited to hop on board this Easter to unearth prehistoric secrets, find out all about dinosaurs and become top dino detectives. Whilst steaming through the countryside, children can meet the on-board prehistoric stars, including Tina the Triceratops, Vernon the Raption and Trevor the T-Rex. Food and drink will be available to purchase from the station café on Platform 3/4 at Bury Bolton Street Station and from the Rawtenstall Buffet.
Willow Weave Easter Basket Workshop at Moregeous Mansions
Get crafty this Easter and enjoy a basket weaving workshop at Moregeous Mansions. Join expert willow weaver Joe Gregory to learn new skills and make friends at this creative class. Hosts Sian Astley, TV property project manager and interior designer, and Martin, aka Mr Moregeous, will welcome you into their homely, expertly designed space in South Manchester. Over this one day course, guests will learn the techniques to create their own frame basket and use different willows (there are over 250 different varieties of basketry willow alone) to create a sturdy unique basket. The session is suitable for both beginners and those with some weaving experience.
Easter Saturday Workshop at Refuge
Join The Refuge for a fun-filled Easter Saturday activity at The Den, in collaboration with Clocktower Florist. Taking place at the workshop space in the restaurant, all children attending will have the opportunity to get creative by decorating their own terracotta pots, before planting a flowering plant to take home and watch grow. Each child will also receive a Grandpa Greene’s Ice Cream as part of the experience. The workshops are suitable for children aged four and above, and every child must be accompanied by an adult.
PLAYHOUSE PROJECT ‘La Familia’ POP-UP at The Refuge
The Refuge celebrate Easter and the Bank Holiday by serving up Sunday favourites with a sprinkle of Playhouse Project magic. From Monday, head over for the La Familia pop-up, where Playhouse Project will be providing the feel-good family vibes, including circus skills, colours corners and great music all day long. From 2.30pm, Pablo Blanquito and La Presidenta provide the soundtrack, and after 5pm, its the return of Nossa to the party.
After-hours with The Mermaids at SEA LIFE Manchester
There’s some very special visitors coming to SEA LIFE Manchester this Spring. Visitors can explore the aquarium whilst the real-life mermaids return to swim amongst the waters at SEA LIFE over the Easter holidays. Get a rare chance to marvel at the mermaids as they join the sea turtles in the ocean display.
