Top 10 things to do at Easter

Easter is a fantastic time for the kids to have a holiday from school, as spring is springing and the weather tends to be pleasant (if a little April showery). If you’ll be joining them and taking some much-needed leave over Easter, it’s time to start planning some fun, family-friendly Easter activities - and we’ve got some great ideas.

When Do Kids Break up for Easter?

Easter Sunday this year is on 9th April 2023. Although the dates may vary between regions, most schools break up for Easter on Friday 31st March. Most children will then get a whole two weeks off.

Things to Do With the Kids This Easter

If you’re worried about the kids being bored over the two-week Easter break, don’t panic. There are lots of fun, educational things you can do together. Make the most of the great outdoors and enjoy spending time together for free, where all you’ll need is a waterproof jacket and a sense of adventure. Here are some ideas:

1. Easter Animal Tracks Activity 

This is a great crafting activity to do with your little ones, there are two different ways in which you can make these animal feet depending on what materials you have available, either cardboard or sponge. For both will need to print our Animal Feet PDF for this activity.

 Cardboard

1. First, print out your desired animal tracks. Then, cut out two rectangle pieces of cardboard, making sure it’s bigger than your little one’s foot.
2. Using the printable animal foot template, draw around the template onto cardboard, then cut out the animal track.
3. Next, make two vertical incisions into each piece, then thread through some ribbon so the two ends are on top of the foot.
4. Now stick on your pieces to the cardboard once the glue has dried, tie the footprints to your little ones feet with the ribbon.
5. Paint the bottom of their footprints in a paint colour of their choice.
6. Finally, roll out a piece of long paper and let them walk up and down leaving colourful foot- prints in their tracks.

Sponge

1. First, print out your desired animal tracks. Then, cut out two rectangle pieces of cardboard, making sure it’s bigger than your little one’s foot
2. Using the printable animal foot template draw around the template onto the sponge, then cut out the animal track
3. Next, make two vertical incisions into each piece, then thread through some ribbon so the two ends are on top of the foot.
4. Now stick on your pieces to the cardboard once the glue has dried, tie the footprints to your little ones feet with the ribbon.
5. Paint the bottom of their footprints in a paint colour of their choice.
6. Finally, roll out a piece of long paper and let them walk up and down leaving colourful foot-prints in their tracks.

2. Go Bird Watching

Wrap up warm, pop on some raincoats and wellies and hit your local countryside to spot some birds. Spring is a great time to see a variety of species, as it’s breeding season. Take a tick list or even a colouring sheet and see who can spot the most species. And don’t forget your picnic!

3. Start a ‘Get Active’ Challenge

If you feel your family spends just a little too much time snuggled up on the sofa watching TV, why not use the Easter holidays as an opportunity to get moving? Challenge your family to do at least half an hour of vigorous activity a day, whether it’s walking, running, swimming or even disco dancing in the kitchen. Keep your regime varied so you don’t get bored, and let the kids play a part in choosing the activity for the day. It’s also the perfect way to burn off all those Easter eggs.

4. Easter Bunny Pots

1. Firstly, create a pair of bunny feet using white felt, cutting out two equal sized ovals.
2. Then, use a pink pen or paint to add four small dots on top of a larger pink circle on each oval. This will create the paws.
3. Now you can start adding your greenery. For this next step, you can either forage for flowers and foliage to add to your pot, or purchase some artificial flowers so they last all spring.
4. To make the Curious Bunny simply stick a larger pom pom onto the pot, attach your bunny feet by gluing the feet (opposite side to the pink paws) sticking the feet to the pot, so that they hang over the edge of the pot.
5. Next, take the smaller pom pom sticking it to the top of the bunny body. As if it was burrowing it’s head in the ground.
6. Finally add your Easter treats to the surrounding pot area. These are perfect for your Easter decorations and make a cute little gift too!
   

5. Fly Kites on the Beach

Many people don’t plan trips to the seaside until summer, but you could be missing out. The UK’s coast is beautiful in spring, with a smattering of sunshine and refreshing breezes to blow those cobwebs away. Take your kites, buckets and spades, ball games and perhaps even the family pooch for an Easter day out at the beach.

6. Plan a Walk or a Cycle Ride

Get out and explore your local area, challenging your family to plan a different route every day (or every other day, if you need a rest). It could be a woodland walk, a canal-side cycle path, a day in the park or whatever you like.

Even More Easter Activities for Kids

We’ve already looked at six brilliant ways to spend your Easter holidays as a family, but now it’s time for the big ones - Easter egg hunts, bonnet making and other egg-tastic activities!

7. Easter Egg Hunt

It wouldn’t be Easter without an egg hunt. You can either join an organised hunt in your local area or plan your own in the back garden.

8. Egg Rolling

Sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the best. Teach your kids the centuries-old game of egg rolling, which starts with decorating your eggs in whatever creative way you like. When they’re done, roll them down a nearby hill to see whose egg makes it down first and in one piece!

9. Bonnet Making

This is a fun and creative way to spend time over Easter, making a beautiful Easter bonnet decorated with feathers, paint, glitter or whatever else you like. Don’t forget to have a little fashion show at the end!

10. Easter Crafts

As well as bonnet making, there are lots of other Easter crafts you and the kids can do - from creating cards for loved ones to making Easter chicks and even baking.

How to Make an Easter Egg Hunt

The key to planning a good Easter egg hunt is simplicity, especially if younger children will be taking part. Don’t hide too many eggs (or they’ll never be found) or make the clues too difficult. You can try to keep order by getting the kids to work in teams. Hide your eggs around the garden - or the house if it’s raining - and consider having one main chocolate prize at the end rather than using chocolate eggs. If over excited kids eat as they go, you could end up with a sugar-related meltdown on your hands.