Our Easter in London guide makes me slightly panicky that we’re already quarter of the way into 2017. Whaaaat?? But I’m happy for the break and thrilled the weather looks warm(ish).

As ever, the Oxford and Cambridge boat race will have spectators lining the banks of the Thames this Sunday (Apr 2). However, East London’s uber trendy Oxford and Cambridge goat race is sold out. Meh.

But never mind, there is SO MUCH HAPPENING over Easter Holiday and Easter Bank Holiday weekend. From Sadler’s Wells Family Weekend to Moomins at Kew, brand new jellyfish displays at London Aquarium, to breakdancing at Southbank Centre, we’ve got you covered. Have a cracking Easter!
 

Easter in London: 30 Things to do with Kids

 

 

FEATURED PERFORMANCE: Sadler’s Wells Family Weekend

 
Sadler’s Wells Family Weekend: Aracaladanza, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R (Angel/Old St tube)
Fly to extraordinary heights of the imagination over Easter weekend with Vuelos (meaning flight), a stunning new show from Aracaladanza. The award-winning company has created a playful, enchanting dance piece inspired by the inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci and his obsession with human flight. Video projections, movement and a fun set come together to bring the master’s work to life.

Before and after the show there’s a wide range of workshops for all ages to explore: from Ceilidh dancing (in Lilian Baylis Studio) to flight-themed movement workshops, storytelling, screen printing, origami bird making and more. Grab a bite to eat in the family-friendly café too. 3pm (Fri), 11am & 3.30pm (Sat); adult £18/child £12 (Apr 13-14)

Exclusive offer for Babes About Town: £10 tickets (usually up to £18) for Family Weekend at Sadler’s Wells

£10 for the 11am performance of Aracaladanza’s Vuelos on Sat 15 April. Ticket price includes the games, activities and crafts in our foyers and Lilian Baylis Studio before and after the show. To book call 020 7863 8000 and quote “vuelos 10” offer, or book online at sadlerswells.com using the promotion codevuelos10

*Subject to allocation availability. Offer valid for selected date only. Not available retrospectively or in conjunction with any other offer. £3 transaction fee applies for telephone booking; £1.95 for online bookings; no fee if booking in person. Must book by Sat 14 April.

 

Easter in London: BABES CHOICE

 

 
Jurassic Kingdom at Osterley Park, Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 4RB (sat nav TW7 4RD) (Osterley tube/Isleworth rail)
Grrrr! Get ready for a roaring good time this Easter in London as more than 30 animatronic dinosaurs take over Osterley Park. Jurassic Kingdom is the UK’s first outdoor dino experience of its kind and features every species from Pterosaurs and Triceratops to good old T-Rex. You can learn prehistoric facts, watch a documentary on a giant screen, and dig up some cool finds including dinosaur bones. The Easter holiday experience in London kicks off a UK tour. All ages welcome. 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm); adult £13.50 adv, £15 door/child 3-16 £11.50 adv, £13 door/family £46-£52/under 3s FREE (Apr 1-17)

 

 
Urban at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Southbank Centre’s hymn to urban culture is one of our best places to hang out every year. It was at the B.Supreme b girl takeover a few years back (and this Sat Apr 1) where we first set eyes on then 6-year-old hip hop whirlwind B Girl Terra! Urban is a dizzying mix of breakdancing battles, dance residencies, family events and more. Fun DMC will be throwing a FREE funk, disco and hip hop party for kids and families (Apr 9). Other highlights include Tongue Fu improv poetry session; Urban Pram Jam and a free social dance for all ages, where you can pick up some dancehall moves. From around 9am daily, many events are FREE (Apr 1-17)

Tall Ships Regatta, in Greenwich (Greenwich Cutty Sark DLR) and Woolwich (Woolwich Arsenal DLR, rail)
Easter Holiday weekend sees the return of Tall Ships Regatta, culminating in a parade of more than 40 tall ships sailing along the Thames (Sun Apr 16 5pm, from Greenwich to Woolwich). There will be two Tall Ships Festival Villages – in Greenwich Town Centre and in Royal Arsenal Riverside in Woolwich – where kids and families can enjoy a range of activities, from live entertainment to street food. On Cutty Sark in Greenwich, little sailors are invited to make nautical crafts to take home. Various times and prices, festival activities are FREE. Visiting larger ships moored in the Thames via ferry shuttle, ferry leaves every 20 mins from 9.30am-4.45pm (Thu-Sat) & 9.30am-12pm (Sun); adult £10/child £8/family £30 (Apr 13-16)

National Army Museum Reopening: Robotics Easter Challenge, Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HT (Sloane Square tube)
The homepage of Chelsea’s National Army Museum this month greets you with ‘Britain’s most highly decorated ass’. This cheeky sense of humour might be part of the £23 million refurb at the museum, that shut down one of London families’ most popular spaces for a couple of years. Having reopened on March 30, they have a great programme for Easter. Robotics Challenge missions include collecting easter treats with your robotic arm, and using the same piece of equipment to make an eggcellent work of art. 45 min sessions from 10.30am-4pm; FREE. You can also book in for sessions in their Play Base play space for ages 0-8 (£4.50 per 1hr session, daily). (Apr 1-17)

We also like
Science Museum Robots exhibition (until Sep 3) is still going strong and you can also spend a good half day in the Wonderlab exhibition (ongoing); and there’s more robotic action at the Horniman Museum’s Robot Zoo (until Oct 29); see DC creations come to life, LEGO style at the Art of the Brick: DC Super Heroes on the South Bank (ongoing); and while you’re at the Southbank don’t miss out on the immersive experience, Adventures in Moominland (ongoing)

 

Easter in London: SPECIAL EVENTS

 

 
Spring into Hamleys, 188-196 Regent Street, W1B 5BT (Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus/Tottenham Court Rd tube)
Hop to Hamleys this Easter in London for a bunnytastic load of fun daily for kids of all ages. Take part in arts and crafts workshop, stock up on sweet treats, look out for surprise guests, hunt for goodies in Bing and Flop Easter Hunt, and join in the free Easter party with Bunny Bear and Friends. 12pm-4pm daily, FREE (Mar 31-Apr 16)

Curiouser and Curioser: Alice in Wonderland at Sutton House & Breaker’s Yard, 2 and 4 Homerton High Street, Hackney, London, E9 6JQ (Hackney Central overground, Hackney Downs rail)
Search for a White Rabbit in this Wonderland themed event at Sutton House & Breaker’s Yard. Look out for singing flowers, family arts and crafts and an Alice themed photo exhibition. And of course a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party! All ages welcome. 12pm-7pm; free with regular admission adult £6/child £3/family £13 (Apr 1-16)

Zippo’s Circus (pic), Blackheath, Shooters Hill Road, SE3 0UA (Blackheath rail)
Ready for some action? Runaway with some circus clowns in Blackheath, where Zippo’s are back for more mayhem including daredevil motorbike riding, trapeze acts and other death-defying stunts. Don’t worry, it’s all good clean fun. 3pm & 7pm; £10.50-£27.50/child age 2-14 £9-£21.50/under 2s FREE (Apr 5-18)

The Kids Who Can: Hackney Arts Easter Holiday Club, varying locations around Hackney including Geffrye Museum
There’s everything from breakdancing to beekeeping on the menu at The Kids Who Can, a special holiday series for bigger kids. Try your hand at making photographic prints using ultraviolet light from the Sun, paper and fabric; create handmade cards; or have a go at djembe drumming. Tons of creative fun for ages 8+. Book any three ‘The Kids Who Can’ Easter Holidays club events and receive an arty goody bag from our friends at Cowling & Wilcox. As a social enterprise, Hackney Arts is offering FREE tickets to select kids who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford the workshops. Workshops varying times from 10am onwards; £21.83 per child (Apr 5-13)

The Passion of Jesus, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS (Charing Cross tube)
Easter in London wouldn’t be complete without a Passion reenactment and the annual staging in Trafalgar Square is still pulling the crowds. Follow Jesus on his journey through crucifixion and resurrection, as a costumed cast of more than 100 (and one donkey) create an epic retelling of the Biblical drama. Miss it on Good Friday? You can catch the whole thing again on Guildford High Street on Easter Saturday (12pm and 2.30pm). All ages, prepare for a huge turnout. 12pm & 3.15pm, FREE (Apr 14)

We also like
Go on a hair-raising adventure on the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the world’s tallest, longest tunnel slide (daily); or whizz around the Easter Funfairs at Crystal Palace Park (Mar 24-Apr 9); Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Apr 1-17); Clapham Common (Apr 1-23); and Hampton Court (Apr 13-18)

 

Easter in London: MUSEUMS & WORKSHOPS

 

 
Discover Story Centre: Easter Holidays, 383-387 High Street Stratford, E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/overground/DLR)
There’s a packed programme at the wonderful Discover Children’s Story Centre over Easter holidays with highlights including Dr Seuss Goes Pop! workshop with Kids Do Art; a stitching workshop with Sam Harvey to create your own critter; writing workshop with Harriet Whitehorn; authors and illustrators Jo Williamson, Lucy Rowland, Adam Frost and more. On Easter weekend, you can go on a Green Eggs and Ham inspired egg hunt in the Story Garden. Varying activities for different ages, from babies and upwards. 10am-5pm; adult/child £6.50; concs £5.50; family of 4 £22; under 2s FREE (Apr 3-17)

Geffrye Museum: Spring is in the Air, 136 Kingsland Rd, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
Looks like the weather should be warm enough for some outdoor fun in Geffrye Museum’s fabulous gardens. Celebrate the season with a variety of hands-on activities such as mini beast model making, beeswax candle rolling, creating a jack-in-the-box, or crafting a ’selfie’ from natural materials. Workshops for varying ages from 2+ to 11+, some suitable for all. 10.30am-12.30pm & 2-4pm, drop-in, FREE (Apr 4-7)

Museum of London: Layers Deep at Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN (Barbican/St Paul’s tube) & Museum of London Docklands, Museum of London Docklands, No.1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL (Canary Wharf tube/West India Quay DLR)
Dig in at Museum of London this Easter for a series of engaging, hands-on, archaeology-themed family workshops. You can learn the history of objects, craft your own and discover a world beneath the landscape we live in. In London’s Layers (Apr 3 at Museum of London Docklands/Apr 6 at Museum of London), under 5s and their adults can find out what’s really going on way beneath the pitter patter (or stomp stomp) of tiny feet. Varying times and dates (museum open from 10am); FREE (Apr 4-16)

London Fire Brigade Museum Pop Up,The Workshop, Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7JS (Behind the current Lambeth fire station) (Vauxhall tube/rail)
Here’s one for your fire engine lovers: a pop-up museum dedicated to London fire brigade where you can explore modern engines and equipment, and browse rare photo and video archives. This Easter in London, kids can make mini animation videos, design fire-marks, or go home with a fire-engine greeting card designed by their own hands. Ages 3+. 10am-4pm, drop-in, FREE (Apr 5-12)

Somerset House: Now Play This (pic), Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
Coinciding with the London Games Festival, the three day event returns to Somerset House, going deeper into games, the psychology behind them and what brings us together in the spirit of play. Discover the Cabinet of Impossible games filled with experimental plans and designs for board games that were never produced. Enter the Ten Second Room filled with challenges to be completed at top speed. Explore pre-released tabletop, board and digital games, join in courtyard games, and make stuff up yourself! 10am-8pm, last entry 7.15pm (Fri-Sat), 10am-6pm, last entry 5.15pm (Sun); adult day ticket £8/£6.50, unlimited entry £23/£15, up to 2 under 12s go FREE (Apr 7-9)

We also like
British Museum has an Easter programme packed with family activities, from learning about money to digital dress up (Apr 1-16);
imaginary friendships, mini model home making and family portraits inspired by the exhibition Searching for Ghosts at Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green (Apr 3-7 & Apr 10-14); go behind the mask and explore surrealist portraits in workshops for ages 5+ at National Portrait Gallery (Apr 3-7); the Eagles have landed at RAF Museum in Hendon, watch stunning bird of prey displays (Apr 3-8); join kids author Jon Burgerman for a storytelling and doodling workshop at Tate Museum (Apr 5, 2.30pm-4pm)

 

Easter in London: FAMILY THEATRE

 

 
Little Angel Theatre: What’s On at Easter, 14 Dagmar Passage, Islington, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
There’s a gorgeous mix of puppet theatre over Easter in London at Little Angel Theatre. We especially like the sound of The Curious Adventures of Pinocchio (ages 5-11), telling the story of the wooden boy who longed to be real (until Apr 2, 10.30am, 1pm, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, adult £10/child £8). And The Homeless Panda (ages 3-7), following the journey of lonely Xióngmāo in her search for friendship and new roots (Apr 9-10, 11am & 2pm, adult £10/child £8). Crafty kids can take part in Easter Puppet Passport Puppet Making Workshops, to make different styles of puppets from around the world. Ages 5+, packed lunch required. (Apr 3-6, 10am-4pm, from 1 day £45-4 days £150, concs £30/£100). Visit the web site for full details. (Mar 31-Apr 15)

Arts Depot: Easter Holiday Programme, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Bookmark Arts Depot for tons of theatrical family fun this Easter: kick (or crawl) off with The Very Hungry Caterpillar (ages 3+) featuring a menagerie of 75 puppets, inspired by Eric Carle’s loveable picture books (Apr 1-6, , 11am & 2pm, £8-£12). If you hurry, you can still nab tickets for the pre-show Very Hungry Caterpillar craft workshop. While you’re visiting, have a go on the interactive installation Geometric Playground (Apr 2-15, 10am-4pm, FREE). There’s a certain Tiger coming to Tea (Apr 8-10), Comedy Club 4 Kids (Apr 9), circus comedy The Party (Apr 11) and immersive show The Adventures of Little Ghost (Apr 13) that includes elements of parkour! Visit the web site for full details. (Apr 1-13)

Half Moon Theatre: Glisten (pic), 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND (Limehouse DLR/Stepney Green tube)
We love these shows for tiny ones and Glisten is aimed at the youngest audience members. Performer Daniel Naddafy creates a multi-sensory landscape for crawlers and toddlers, using reflective materials, colour, sounds and surprises. A gentle introduction to theatre for your baby age 0-18 months. 20 minute show plus play session. Also showing at Half Moon Theatre for bigger kids: Princess and the Pea (Apr 1, 3pm) & The Elves & the Shoemaker (Apr 8, 11am & 2pm). Glisten is at 10am, 11.30am & 2.30pm; adult and child £7 each (Apr 6)

Also see: Duvet Days for ages 0-18 months at Polka Theatre (Apr 5-13)

Jacksons Lane: Around, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Something truly spectacular awaits audiences who visit Jacksons Lane over Easter for their magical show Around, making its debut as part of the Sirkus Finnish showcase. Hula hooping, acrobatics, sword swallowing, juggling, clowning and a guitar-playing monkey are all on the line-up! Ages 4+. 3pm & 7pm (Wed), 11am & 3pm (Thu); £12.95 (Apr 12-13)

Shoreditch Town Hall: We’re Stuck, 380 Old Street, EC1V 9LT (Old St tube)
Kids are invited on a code-cracking adventure at Shoreditch Town Hall, inspired by the latest in educational neuroscience on the best ways to stretch our brains. We’re Stuck takes young minds on a mathematical journey, filled with fun and robots! It’s created by Sarah Punshon, in collaboration with designer Joanna Scotcher (The Railway Children), performers Seiriol Davies (star of last year’s Edinburgh Fringe smash hit How to Win Against History) and Daniel Bye. For ages 7-12. 10.30am & 1.30pm (Wed-Fri) & 11am (Sat); adult £12/child £8 (Apr 12-15)

We also like
Catch performances of The Velveteen Rabbit plus enjoy a cream Tea with Rabbit on stage, all part of the vibrant Easter holiday line-up at Unicorn Theatre (Apr 1-17); the absolutely fabulous Insect Circus are dazzling audiences at The Albany in Deptford (Apr 4-8); BAFTA award winning CBeebies duo Sarah and Duck are having a Big Top Birthday at Polka Theatre (Apr 6-May 14); and don’t miss engaging Shakespeare for younger audiences in Hamlet For Free, a FREE festival for under 25s at Almeida Theatre in Islington (Apr 10-13)

 

Easter in London: FAMILY FILMS

 

 
A selection of movies from some of our favourite family friendly cinemas in London.

Barbican Cinema Framed Family Film Club, Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Framed Film Club – Andy Stanton presents: My Neighbour Totoro (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Apr 1)
The Aristocats (Apr 8)
ET (Apr 15)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Ponyo at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Apr 1)
Kubo and the Two Strings (Apr 8)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Apr 15)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
The Wizard of Oz at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Apr 1)
Ballerina (Apr 8)
Hop (Apr 15)

NB: Phoenix Cinema is also screening The LEGO Batman Movie daily through the holidays (Mon Apr 3-Fri Apr 7) with a special POW! superhero workshop for ages 8-11 (Mon Apr 3, 10am)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
101 Dalmatians at 11.30am; £1.75 (Apr 1)
Lady and the Tramp (Apr 8)
The Sword in the Stone (Apr 15)

Prince Charles Cinema: Family Friendly Screening, 7 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music (PG) at 1pm; non-member£16/child £9.50 (Apr 9)

 

Easter in London: NATURE & OUTDOORS

 

 
Sensational Butterflies at Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
Those fluttery creatures return for another season at Natural History Museum’s sensational (and sensationally popular) walk-through exhibition. Go past chomping caterpillars, shiny chrysalises and busy feeding stations as you encounter butterflies from Central and South America, Africa and Asia. All ages. 10am-5.50pm, adult/child £5.85, family £19.80, advanced booking recommended (Mar 17-Sep 2017)

Moomin Adventures at Kew Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Kew Gardens is glorious at any time of year and this Easter in London you can go on the hunt for Moomins! Grab a Moomin newspaper and follow the Moomins Easter Trail to help The Hemulen find his missing plants. Make crafts with all the family in the Moomin Festival Camp. And catch Mischief and Mysteries in Moominvalley, a magical puppet show for ages 4+. Varying activities for all ages. 10.30am-4pm daily, free with regular admission adult £15.50/£14, child 4-16 £2.50/under 4s FREE (Apr 1-17)

London Zoo: Dear Zoo trail at ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY (Camden Town/Regent’s Park tube)
Almost every child growing up in the UK has read Rod Campbell’s picture book Dear Zoo, beginning ‘I wrote to the zoo to send me a pet…’ Celebrating the 35th anniversary of the book at London Zoo with an interactive trail, storytelling, Dear Zoo live team encounters, family activities and of course a chance to meet some real life zoo creatures. Easter in London is also a great time to visit the Land of the Lions. All ages. 10am-5pm daily; free with regular zoo admission (online discount prices) adult from £24.30/child 3-15 from £18/family of 4 from £75.80/under 3s FREE (Apr 1-17, zoo open daily)

Ocean Invaders at Sea Life London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7PB (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Meet brightly lit and potentially dangerous sea creatures at the brand new permanent exhibition Ocean Invaders: Enter the World of Jellyfish. Find out what makes this weird and wondrous species (s)tick and sting, and if you’re brave enough, enter the walk-through zone of wall to wall jellyfish! All ages. Easter opening hours from 9.30am-7pm daily, last entry 6pm. Tickets from adult £20.40 online, £26 door/child £16.30 online, £21 door/under 3s FREE (Apr 1-17 and ongoing)

Hyde Park Discovery Days & Nature Explorers, at The Lookout, Hyde Park, W2 2UH (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Head to Hyde Park for wild sessions including Hedgehog Heroes, where you can design a habitat and go on hedgehog hunting (Apr 5-6, 11am, FREE); Nature Explorers, an action packed day for ages 8-11 (Apr 11, 10am, £15); and Spring Surprises (Apr 12-13, 11am, FREE) with anything from pond dipping to clay bird making, for all ages. (Apr 5-13)

Our Easter Egg Hunts guide will be out soon!

Featured image: Pram Jam at Urban Southbank Centre