The Easter holidays are an exciting time, as spring is in the air and all the flowers and trees are coming back to life. It is also when you need to keep your kids entertained while they are off school.
If money is tight, finding things to do can be difficult. So, here are five suggestions for places you might look to take your own kids on a budget this Easter. Don’t forget to check out the bonus entry at the end.
An Animal sanctuary
Many animal sanctuaries open their doors over Easter, such as Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood, Essex. Tickets are usually budget friendly, and you can see a range of animals that have been rescued from various locations.
Some of the animals you can stroke and feed, and there’s even the option to sponsor an animal if you wish. This can give children a great insight into animals and how they are looked after.
As well as animal sanctuaries, you might also consider visiting local farms. They will often have Easter Egg Hunts running, along with the opportunity to see the spring lambs. If you are especially lucky, you may even see one being born.
A National Park or garden
There are many parks and gardens all over the country that offer free entry and usually have events running for Easter. The National Trust among others run Easter egg hunts through their parks and offers prizes as well.
Younger children love Easter egg hunts, and the adults can look at the amazing gardens getting ready for summer.
If you go at the right time, you may even manage to go on a bluebell walk. The bluebells all start to appear around Easter time, and seeing them blanket the ground as you walk around is a spectacular experience.
A local museum
Museums will often be free to enter, so all you need to do is pack a lunch and head out. You may find that your local museums will be running Easter events that will either be free or cost a small fee.
If you want to journey further afield, then there are some amazing exhibits at places like the British Museum in London. They will hold special events and exhibits throughout the year – so always check before you go to make sure you don’t miss them.
For those that are interested in art, there are also many art galleries you can visit for the day. For older children, these can be a great way to see different types of art from famous painters.
Simply… go travelling!
Sometimes, the biggest adventures happen when you are travelling. Taking the kids on a train journey can be huge fun for them, and if you choose to go somewhere that has events planned, this can add to the experience.
If you are travelling around London, there are deals you can get from your train tickets. National Rail’s Days Out Guide shows where some of those deals are, so that you can find one close to where you are heading.
Do something active as a family
If you love the great outdoors, then you will probably love taking the kids and their bikes and going for a cycle through the park or woods.
You will find many dedicated cycle paths in your local parks, and it also gives you the opportunity to explore the countryside.
To make things more interesting for the kids, you can create a checklist of the most common things you will find, such as flowers or birds. They will have a lot of fun trying to find them and checking them off their list.
Or, for a bonus suggestion… go to the cinema
Many cinemas around the country are putting on special screenings for children over the Easter holidays. They will often be discounted and can vary from cartoons to movies for older kids.
It is worth checking with your local cinema to see what events they are planning, so that you can book your tickets in advance. If they have friends that also want to go, you may even be able to get a special deal. You can usually take your own snacks, but there will often be deals on refreshments over Easter.
Conclusion
Finding places to take the kids for a family day out over the Easter holidays can become difficult, especially if the weather isn’t too nice. However, most of these ideas are great for whatever the weather may throw at you over the holidays.
Don’t forget to check if you need to book in advance, so that you know you can get into your chosen venue and won’t be left disappointed.
