Family fun for free at Easter
FOR EVERYONE
1 If you fancy a bit of star spotting, head to Cineworld Broad Street in Birmingham to catch a glimpse of David Tennant. The Doctor Who actor, 46, will be appearing on the red carpet for the premiere of his new film, You, Me and Him, tomorrow at 6.30pm. He’ll be joined by co-stars Sally Phillips, his wife Georgia Tennant and singer Jack Savoretti.
2 Always fancied a road trip? Take advantage of the long weekend and head out on the highway... roadtrips.visit
scotland.com has 13 spectacular driving routes, all of which take the top sights (including Arbroath Abbey) for your ultimate Thelma and Louise moment (without the cliff, of course). 3 Seeing the sights in London doesn’t have to be pricey. Take a trip to Buckingham Palace and check out the Changing of the Guard. ■ Visit changing-guard.com for times, troop movements and where best to stand if taking children. 4 If you’re facing spending the holidays on your own, why not take advantage of countless volunteering opportunities up and down the country? It’s bound to put a smile on your face, by putting one on someone else’s. ■ Visit volunteeringmatters.org.uk, volunteering-wales.net or volunteerscotland.net 5 Don’t know your weeds from your Watsonia? Head out into the garden and prepare it for summer. Get free advice on how to make the most of your green space, no matter what size at www.gardenadvice.co.uk
GREAT FOR KIDS
6 Traditional crafts and activities will bring St Fagans National History Museum in Cardiff alive – with workshops where craftsmen and women show off their skills. Between now and April 13 the museum will also be hosting a makers’ market from 10am to 5pm where you can meet the makers and find out more about their crafts as they run taster sessions and demonstrations. Entry into the museum is free. ■ Visit https//museum.wales 7 Want to learn how to survive in the jungle, surrounded by tall trees, bugs and snakes? Then head to the National Army Museum in Chelsea, South West London. It’s holding a free family activity where you can learn about the skills needed to survive, including creating your own waterproof jungle shelter. It’s running daily between 10.30am and 4.30pm, from now through to April 15. ■ Visit nam.ac.uk 8 Calling all future David Attenboroughs! You can search for aquatic mini-beasts at a ponddipping event at the RSPB Newport Wetlands Centre, which lies between the Severn Estuary and the River Usk on the South Wales coast. Explore the wet and wonderful landscape, and bring binoculars to spy on birds such as the bearded tit and little egret. From Monday to April 13. ■ Visit rspb.org.uk
ancing, anterns, and hula t some of hings you e Sharrow ival in Sunday. Free make your ke place tomorrow, 0am and 1.30pm at The hool in South View e parade starting at ount Pleasant Park. It will eld General Cemetery for and music. creativeaction.net
All aboard for fun at Coventry Transport Museum! Admission to the museum is free but they’re hosting a range of children’s activities over the holidays, from arts and crafts to introducing the world of science, technology, engineering and maths. Children aged under two get in free. transport-museum.com
Fancy meeting Peru’s cutest bear? Paddington himself will be appearing outside the Vue cinema at Meridian Leisure Park in Leicester at intervals between 11am and 4pm on Sunday, as part of a free family event.
myvue.com
Bluewater shopping centre in Dartford, Kent, is inviting little ones to embark on an adventure alongside explorers Rhys and Rosie with the arrival of the free Dinosaur Trail. Kids will come face to face with roarsome dinosaurs around the mall. Once all the dinosaurs have been found you’ll receive a prehistoric prize. On today and tomorrow.
bluewater.co.uk
Ride on the Easter Eggspress and visit the parcel van for story time with Wilhelmina Wonka at the Stephenson Railway Museum in North Shields, Tyne & Wear. It’s free entry into the museum, which has craft activities. stephensonrailway museum.org.uk
Forget the Easter bunny! It’s all about the flamingos in Bristol Shopping Quarter. More than 50 of the colourful birds, that have been decorated by children from across Bristol, have been hidden around Broadmead, The Galleries, the Arcade and Cabot Circus, with the theme of the trail being love and tolerance. Once you’ve found the flamingos, a chocolate treat awaits! visitbristol.co.uk
Head to the Ice Cream Farm in Tattenhall, Cheshire, today and on Easter Monday for an extra special Golden Ticket Hunt. The farm, which makes 40 flavours of ice cream, will be selling its special Creme Egg variety, and staff will also be unveiling a brand new flavour, Pink Bubblegum, with a chance for visitors to sample it in the huge ice cream parlour.
theicecreamfarm.co.uk The York Easter Family Festival runs until Monday and includes a free pantomime, where you’ll go on a virtual hunt for eggs with the Easter Bunny. Visit www.visityork.org
Cheer on hundreds of riders on mopeds, motorbikes and scooters, as they take part in the Motorcycle Egg Run. The procession starts at 12.30pm today at Stadium Way, Tilehurst, and heads through Reading to Emmer Green, Berks.
Watch the release of 5,000 rubber ducks into the River Irwell for the annual Manchester Duck Race today.
Learn about Aberdeen’s history from its pirates to Lord Byron, with a free 90-minute walking tour. Visit www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
Head off on one of the 16 trails managed by The National Trails, from short walks to 630-mile hikes. Visit www.nationaltrail.co.uk
Are fire juggling, stilt walking and fire breathing your kid’s thing? Head along to the free street theatre taking place at the seafront in Ballycastle, County Antrim, on Monday. Call 028 7034 7234 for information.
Take part in an Easter egg hunt at Enniskillen Castle. A range of events will be running between midday and 4pm tomorrow. Other activities include face painting.
Visit www.fermanaghomagh.com