The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
The Easter Holidays are a great time for chocolate eggs and bunnies and chicks, and quite frankly anything vaguely springlike that can be made into chocolate, not that we’re complaining! They’re also a great time to do things in London and the rest of the UK, so we’ve gathered together some of the best activities to get stuck into over the break.
The new magical garden at Hampton Court Palace. March 13 2016.
The sun is out so why not take a trip to Hampton Court Palace where, not only can your kids learn loads about history, but they can now also have fun at the brand new Magic Garden. Described as a place of discovery and exploration for kids aged 2-13, it looks amazing.
The Southbank is famous for its skatepark so where better for your kids to try out skating on four wheels for the first time? Mylittleboarders are a group of highly trained tutors so your kids will be mini Tony Hawks in no time.
The annual exhibition returns as the Museum erects its tropical butterfly house on the lawn. A firm favourite with kids, visitors will be able to take on butterfly challenges, games and activities as they witness one of the planet’s most amazing life cycles and experience the magic of walking among hundreds of free-flying tropical butterflies.
PLAYING UP is an artwork by Sibylle Peters, exploring the potential of Live Art to bridge generations. Drawing on key Live Art themes and seminal works, PLAYING UP takes the form of a game played by adults and kids together.
PLAYING UP will be launched at Tate Modern, London, with a three day free public ‘play-in’ in the Turbine Hall on 1, 2 and 3 April 2016.
Workshops for kids inspiring them to create their own fantastic seafood using fake fruits of the sea. Including fish and chips, scampi, cockles and mussels alive alive-oh!
Instead of hunting for eggs this Easter, The View from The Shard invites kids to play a real life search and find game to spot intrepid explorers Wally, Wenda, Woof, Wizard Whitebeard and Odlaw as they journey through the attraction and busy city skyline. Kids can play daily from 10am until sunset and activity sheets will be available to complete and hand into a draw where the prize includes an overnight stay, a helicopter flight, a theatre show and a RIB ride on the Thames.
Get yourself down to the London Eye on the South Bank as they transform their pods into an immersive family experience based on the West End telling of Roald Dahl’s beloved Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. Families will take a ride with Willy Wonka’s assistant, Professor Pop, as the popular show is hoisted 135m into the air, complete with storytellers, actors and workshops. You also get to see the 4D film and kids get goodie bags. Prices start at £26.
If you’ve not been lucky enough to see the Olivier award-winning theatre production of E. Nesbit’s iconic children’s story The Railway Children complete with real train – then now is your chance.
For one day only the production will be screened in all major cinemas nationwide. Check press for times and ticket prices.
Complete the Easter Trail and be in with the chance of winning a hamper. Buy your trail at admissions for £1 and follow each step from the Milestones of Flight Gallery, through to the Bomber Hall and into Historic Hangars. Complete your details on the back of the trail, hand it into reception to be recycled and be entered into a prize draw to win a fantastic Easter hamper prize!
Back for it’s 8th year is The Goat Race which sees two goats – one representing ‘Oxford’, the other ‘Cambridge’ – racing around Spitalfields City Farm. Gates open at midday and there’s food, drink, music and other fun. The race is scheduled between 2pm and 5pm and is dependent on the mood of the goats. Check availability as this event sells out fast.
Oscar gives the Tower of London a K-Rating of 10
If you are visiting London with your kids for the first time, why not follow in the foot steps of Topsy and Tim? Cruise the Thames, see the beautiful flowers in bloom at Kew Gardens and learn about 1000 years of British history at the Tower of London, plus receive your own copy of Topsy and Tim Visit London. A perfect way to fit loads into your trip and have the maximum fun!
Cutty Sark, an official K-Rated attraction © National Maritime Museum
Join in the hunt to spot the eggs laid by the Cutty Sark chicken all over the ship for the chance to win tickets to everyone’s favourite family festival, Camp Bestival this summer.
In honour of the 600th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death take a very special City Cruise. Depart from the new Bankside pier by the Globe Theatre. Actors will wonder around the boat performing some of the Bard’s most famous lines. The boat will pass the Tower of London and of course the Globe.
Cats at Zippos Circus
The theme of Zippos Circus this year is Celebration marking its 30th year on the road. Plus there’s some added “catitude” as the Circus presents Roseline and her talented family of pet cats in a feline display high on natural agility, balance, comedy and cuteness.
Wicked Women at the London Dungeons
Infamous ‘Chocolate Cream poisoner’, Miss Christiana Edmunds is the sickly sweet leading lady in a cast of notoriously ‘wicked’ women at the London Dungeon this Easter. From Friday, March 25 to Sunday, April 10 she will be dishing out her deadly confectionery to any guest willing to listen to her poisonous tale. But beware…behind her charm lies a nature toxic enough to turn even the sweetest treat sour … this is Easter, London Dungeon style!
Speaking of cats, a new lion enclosure has landed at London Zoo. The exhibit covers 2500m2 and will take you on an adventure all the way to India. The exhibit will house a pride of endangered Asiatic lions. By visiting this Easter, you can guarantee to be one of the first to see the stunning big cats.
K-Rater Jack (4) poses outside Buckingham Palace
Want an Easter Egg Hunt fit for a king or queen? Make and decorate an Easter basket and then follow a treasure trail to find eggs hidden around the Royal Mews.
Some giant rubber ducks have been let loose at the London Wetland Centre and it’s down to you to help find them. There are chocolate prizes for everyone. Plus a great range of Easter themed arts and crafts. You can even borrow a net and go pond dipping.
Inspired by his hilarious children’s book Shh! We Have a Plan, illustrator Chris Haughton leads this special family workshop. Join him on a fun adventure to capture a beautiful bird perched high in a tree, using puppets and collage.
BB-8 Sitting with Madame Tussauds London Sculptors Dan Woodley and Alex Garnett
To celebrate the Force Awakens new arrivals to the Star Wars experience this year, Madame Tussauds invites you to dress up as your favourite Star Wars character during the Easter weekend. This entitled you to a free BB8 toy and puts you in the running to win a BB8 app-enabled droid worth £130.
via youtube.com
My First Ballet are a company that introduces ballet to a whole new generation. Watch Issy’s review of Coppelia here. In 2016, ballet-loving kids will be able to see Sleeping Beauty. Watch the trailer here.
With courses for kids from 4 to 12, if you want to give your kids a head start to coding and all things computers blue{shift}coding camps are the thing to book for Easter. Kids can create create robots and laser guitars.
Hidden in the Bank of England Museum is a giant golden egg and three little chicks. Every kid who follows the trail to find them is rewarded with a chocolate egg. Kids can also take part in arts and crafts activities to make masks of their favourite Easter animals.
Issy gives the Horniman a K-Rating of 10
Easter bunnies, food and drink, an Easter egg trail and a special arts and crafts market. The farmers market will be there on the Saturday as always.
Jack gives the Roald Dahl Museum a K-Rating of 10 and Oscar gives it a K-Rating of 9
Of course a museum dedicated to the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was going to be a must-visit destination over Easter. Not only can you learn more about Willy Wonka’s factory as you explore the museum but there are some awesome choc-tastic activities to get stuck into. Plus there’s even an Oompa Loompa Party party on the 31st!
Where better to go to celebrate the new life of spring than an actual farm? Not only are there cute animals to see and cute lambs to bottle feed but Easter marks the return of Odds Farm Tractor and Trailer rides (weather permitting, of course!). There’s also an Easter trail with a yummy treat at the end. Easter is all about the chocolate after all.
This Easter at the “loveliest castle in the world” there’s so much to do! Wonderland fans can enjoy spotting their favourite characters as they join the 11am hunt for the White Rabbit. Take part in the Easter quest for chocolate prizes.
Issy gives Windsor Castle a K-Rating of 10!
Learn about 300 years of royal fashion from Henry VIII to George III, sadly not Prince George who routinely sports fab looks. There’s an Easter trail everyday plus opportunities to try on beautiful replica costumes.
Roman Baths
Find out how the Romans kept healthy and well in the beautiful setting of the Roman Baths. We wouldn’t recommend trying these cures at home.
Dressing up at the Fashion Museum
Invent your very own large fruit design. It could be a hat, a print for a dress, jacket or shirt. The possibilities are endless. Perfect for budding fashion designers.
Younger kids will love to create spring flowers and make a spring collage while olders kids can come back a few days later to question what makes a good poster and then create their own artistic posters using images and words.
In desperate need of some delicious sustenance after lots of culture? Head to the Pump Room. With ‘drink me’ milkshakes and ‘eat me’ cupcakes, plus rabbit gingerbread biscuits and jam tarts, not to forget sandwiches, the Mad Hatter’s Tea is perfect for all hungry kids especially those who love Alice in Wonderland.
Experience the first Visual Reality rollercoaster in the UK at Alton Towers. Galactica takes you on an incredible adventure into outer space.
Kids love Diggerland an official K-Rated attraction © Diggerland
This Easter get 25% off when you visit Diggerland with our exclusive voucher. Kids will love the tractor rides. Hopefully the weather will be good, but prepare to get muddy if the April showers hit!
Honor gives Bletchley Park 8/10
Can you see what they did there? Cracking, codes, Easter, eggs, get it? The pun-tastic title is enough to win us over, but with crafty codes free workshops, nifty number trails, afternoon tea and so much more, Bletchley Park really will be a great day out with the family this Easter.
Thank you kidrated, that’s us sorted for the Easter holidays!