Easter Holiday in London: 30+ Cool Things to Do

 

 
Easter holiday in London comes round quick as a flash, next thing you know it’s summer term! Embrace the holidays (and hopefully some warmer weather) with my bumper guide for what to do with the kids in London.

What’s hot this Easter: A mini festival at Sadler’s Wells, a beast of an exhibition at Museum of London, brand new Harry Potter experience, the Passion of Christ in Trafalgar Square, Science Museum becomes a gaming zone again, and there’s loads on at Underbelly on the South Bank. Have an eggcellent Easter and look out for our cracking Easter egg hunt guide!

 

Easter Holiday in London: 30+ Cool Things to Do with Kids

 
 

 

 

FEATURED: Sadler’s Wells Family Weekend

 
This Easter holiday in London, steal away with your kids into a dreamlike universe, where anything can happen. See swans floating, balloons in flight, and fantastical costumes as multi award-winning Spanish company Aracaladanza take over Sadler’s Wells. Their latest production, PLAY, draws audiences into a world of enchantment, filled with dazzling projections, puppets, music, rhythm and movement. Watch Play in action, and take part in dance workshops for all ages and abilities (Apr 19-20, 1.30pm & 2.30pm, £2 per person). It’s all part of Family Weekend at Sadler’s Wells, the annual mini festival when the world famous theatre hosts games, crafts and backstage fun for young and old. Best for ages 4+, younger viewers welcome too. Foyer activities from 1pm-4.30pm (Fri) & 10am-5pm (Sat). Performances 3pm (Fri), 11am & 3.30pm (Sat); adult £18/child £12 (Apr 19-20)

 

BABES CHOICE

 

 
Underbelly Festival, Southbank, Belvedere Road Coach Park, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube, rail)
The giant purple cow is head over heels for Southbank Centre once again. And it’s the first ever Underbelly Family Fest, with shows especially for little ones, headlined by dazzling acrobatic troupe A Simple Space (Apr 5-May 5). This Easter holiday in London, catch The Wind in the Willows (Apr 7); AniMalcolm, the adaptation of David Baddiel’s bestseller (Apr 8); Shakespearience (Apr 11-13, then multiple dates)l The Gruffalo, The Witch and The Warthog with Julia Donaldson (Apr 11-13); Monstersaurus (Apr 15-22). Also playing will be Basil Brush (September) and throughout summer, see favourites Morgan & West, The Amazing Bubble Man, Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance hall & brand-new Baby Cabaret, Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids, Trash Test Dummies, Arr We There Yet, The Noise Next Door, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, Shark in the Park and many more. All ages welcome (some age restrictions apply for certain acts). Varying times, dates and prices from £8.50; book ahead (Apr 5-Sep 29)

Beasts of London (top image) at Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN (St Paul’s/Barbican tube)
Enter an epic new adventure at the museum, as told by creatures that have shaped London history. Go back in time to the Roman era, through Medieval era and up to the modern day in a special tour narrated by the beasts themselves. You might recognise some of the voices of these animals (Brian Blessed, Kat Moss, Pam Ferris, Nish Kumar, Stephen Mangan, Angellica Bell and Joe Pasquale among others). This is a fully immersive digital installation with video projection mapping, created in partnership with Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Guaranteed to thrill you and your wild things ages 7+ (younger ones welcome but parental discretion advised for some scarier bits). 10am-6pm; adult £8/child £4 (Apr 5-Jan 5, 2020)

Let’s Play Easter Festival at King’s Cross, around Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Swanky goods on sale and kids’ activities are on offer at Coal Drops Yard and Granary Square over Easter holiday in London. Get crafty with the Amazing Art Cart, make an Easter tote bag, learn about urban gardening at the Skip Garden, try balloon art, or ride the Easter Express around Granary Square. On Easter weekend, there’s the Easter Canopy Market, with lots to buy and eat, live music and performance, petting zoo and more. Plus you can hunt for Easter eggs or adopt a chocolate bunny from Alain Ducasse. Around 10am-5pm, mostly FREE (some activities ticketed) (Apr 6-22)

The Making of Harry Potter: Gringotts Wizarding Bank Opening (pictured), Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
It’s the Studio Tour’s biggest opening to date and we just can’t wait (although we’re not visiting until May). This Easter in London, head to the home of the Harry Potter movies, to see Gringotts Wizarding Bank open for business. See towering marble pillars, walk through the Lestrange vault, check out goblin ledgers and quills, and learn how the creative team dreamed up this visual extravaganza. The Prop-making Department, led by Pierre Bohanna, created over 210,000 coins for the final two films alone! A priceless experience for all ages. 9am-10am first tours, last tour 4-6.30pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour); adult from £43/child from £35/family £140/ages 0-4 FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (from Apr 6, ongoing)

Potter fan? Older kids will enjoy the all-night Harry Potter Marathon at Prince Charles Cinema

 

SPECIAL EVENTS

 

 
Zippo’s Circus (pic), Blackheath, Shooters Hill Road, SE3 0UA (Blackheath rail)
The hugely popular Zippo’s Circus return to Blackheath for more high-wire and daredevil action. Grip your seats and hold your breath, as the trapeze swingers, motorbike tricksters, crazy clowns and other acts create a show to dazzle and bewilder. All ages welcome. Previews 3pm & 7pm (Mon-Sat), 12pm & 7pm (Sun), FREE open house Tue Apr 3 (11am-12pm); from £10.50-£27.50/child age 2-14 from £9-£21.50/under 2s FREE on parent/carer’s lap (Apr 4-22)

Atomic 50: Time Travels in Tin (pictured), ATOMIC 50 Factory, Leyton Sports Ground, 4 Crawley Road, E10 6RJ (Leyton Midland Rd overground)
Visit a brand new immersive event for kids, part of Waltham Forest’s celebrations as the London Borough of Culture 2019. Blackhorse Workshop and acclaimed artist Abigail Conway and set designer Soraya Gilanni Viljoen have transformed a disused school building into a ghost factory. Kids can clock in as factory workers, then be led by performers on an exhilarating journey through time and metalworking. They’ll tour different rooms and installations to learn about tin making as a sustainable alternative to plastic, and even produce their own tin objects. Ages 7-11 + accompanying adult. 10am, 12.30pm & 3.30pm; £5 per person – hurry, tickets selling out fast! (Apr 6-20)

FAM EAST Family Social, Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, E1 6EW (Shoreditch High St overground/Liverpool St tube/rail)
Fancy something a little different? Head to this three day family social with cool stuff for your whole crew, from street food feasts to 30+ market stalls. Creative workshops for kids include Andy Warhol and Friday Kahlo-inspired art, funky face painting, mindfulness for kids, puppets and skate deck illustration. Drop in with your preschooler, or drop-off for kids ages 5 to 12, and even teens can find stuff to do, buy or munch on. 10am-5pm, mostly FREE (some events ticketed up to £15) (Apr 15-17)

The Passion of Jesus, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS (Charing Cross tube)
This Easter holiday in London is your chance to experience a live reenactment of one of the greatest stories of all time. Central London on Good Friday makes way for Jesus and his disciples, replaying his journey through crucifixion and resurrection. This powerful piece of street theatre features a cast of 100 (plus a donkey), and also plays at Guildford High St on Easter Saturday (12pm and 2.30pm). There are huge screens at the event, and live streaming available for your home or church. All ages welcome, do prepare for massive crowds. 12pm & 3.15pm (90 minute show), FREE (Apr 19)

Fun DMC: Easter Bank Holiday Party at Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Rd, SW9 8PQ (Brixton tube)
It’s a takeover at Pop Brixton by the daytime block party crew Fun DMC over Easter holiday in London. DJs Spin Doctor and Mattman will be getting everybody young and old to throw their hands in the air like they just don’t care. Expect cool tunes with a hip-hop mood, along with food stalls, dance teacher, hip hop colouring fun, graffiti, dance contests and much more. Older partygoers can stick around for the Doctor’s Orders groove until midnight! All ages welcome (from 6 weeks to 60) for Fun DMC at 12pm-3pm; FREE (Apr 21)

WrestleMania at Kidzania, Westfield London (1st floor between M&S and Gap), Ariel Way, W12 7GA (Shepherd’s Bush tube/overground)
WrestleMania is back at KidZania this Easter holiday in London! Gearing up for WrestleMania 35 (airing on Apr 7 on Sky Sports Box Office and the WWE Network), the indoor city for kids invites young wrestling fans to experience the fun in action. Pose in the WWE Academy ring, design and create your own WrestleMania superstar, explore what it takes to produce a live show with costumes, sound, lighting and performance. Plus there’s full coverage of WrestleMania at Metro newspaper and Global Radio Studio. Best for ages 4 to 14, all ages welcome. Daily 4 hour slots available from 9.30am-7pm (times may vary, check website in advance); online prices – adult from £15 online/£18 door, child 4-14 from £18 online/£38 door, child 1-3 £10, under 1s FREE but booking required (until Apr 22)

We also like
Ride the world’s longest tunnel slide at ArcelorMittal Orbit, for ages 8+ (daily); or get dizzy at Easter Funfairs in Crystal Palace Park (daily until Apr 14); Clapham Common (Apr 5-28), Shepherd’s Bush Green (Apr 6-22) or Hampton Court Palace (Apr 19-23); rediscover Narnia through storytelling, tours and crafting with Aslan at Westminster Abbey (Apr 9-11); or go on an Easter trail at Fulham Palace (Apr 6 & 21); go to a daytime concert with your kids at Wake Up Gigs: Halfsies with Chloe Foy + Dede at Ace Hotel, Shoreditch (Apr 21)

 

 

 

FAMILY THEATRE

 

 
Tabby McTat at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road Coach Park, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube, rail)
Freckle Productions adapts another Julia Donaldson picture book, following acclaimed productions of Zog, Stick Man and Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales. Meet Tabby McTat, a busker’s cat, who sings along with his mate Fred until they get separated. How will they ever get reunited? A ‘tail’ of loneliness and friendship put to the test, with heartwarming songs for all ages. 11.30am & 2.30pm; adult £16/child £12 (Apr 6-13)

Arts Depot: Easter Programme, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Head to north London this Easter in London for a variety of cracking family theatre. Coming up: Elmer the Patchwork Elephant Show (Apr 6-10); Comedy Club 4 Kids (Apr 7); Family Music Making Workshop (Apr 11, sessions for ages 3-6 and ages 7+); Young Herbert’s Horrors (Apr 14); the Chit Chat Chalk Show (Apr 15-16); Chit Chat Chalk Show Family Dance Workshop (Apr 16). Various times and prices for shows. Visit artsdepot.co.uk for full details on all events (Apr 6-16)

Morgan & West’s Magic Show for Kids and Childish Grownups, at Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, E1 8JB (Tower Hill/Aldgate East tube, Shadwell overground/DLR)
Get ready for more mystery, magic and mayhem with the time-travelling duo, taking over the fabulous music hall. It’s another heart-stopping, brain-boggling, mind-frying, furniture-rearranging extravaganza, will illusions, hyper-reality and a whole lot of silliness too. Great fun for ages 5 to 105. 12pm; £4-£8.50/conc. £2-£6.40 (Apr 10-12)

The Cat in the Hat, Rose Theatre Kingston, 24-26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL (Kingston rail)
Look out, that pesky cat is about. Dr Seuss’s frisky feline gets up to mischief again at Rose Theatre Kingston. Sally and her brother are up to nothing much, when the Cat in the Hat steps onto the mat, and it’s a world of trouble – and fun. Lots of rhyming entertainment, circus and music for ages 3+ and nostalgia for adults. Various show times around 10.30am, 11am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30pm (Tue-Sun); £15-£30 (Apr 10-21)

Screaming with Laughter: Live Comedy for New Parents (pictured) at Underbelly, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Hey new mama. When was the last time you had a really good laugh? Grab your bubba (and mates/other half) and head to Screaming with Laughter, the original daytime comedy club for parents with babies under 1. You’ll catch some of the top acts in town, and shake off the sleep-deprivation blues. The new line-up at Underbelly features Josie Long, Hatty Ashdown this Easter holiday in London (and Scummy Mummies in July!). And there’s no toning it down for the kiddies, so upper age limit for children is 13 months (too young to understand rude language). Baby mats, bubbles and baby change provided — plus buggy parking outside seating area. 1pm-2pm; adult (age 16 and over) £10, baby (13 months and under) FREE (Apr 20)

Little Angel Theatre: What’s on over Easter, 14 Dagmar Passage, N1 2DN (Angel tube)
Lovely shows at the puppet theatre this Easter holiday in London: Prince Charming (until Apr 7); The Flying Bath (until Apr 20); Out of this World (until May 5). Varying show times; adult £13.50-£14/child under 15 £11.50-£12/babies under 1 are FREE, admitted at baby-friendly performances; Friday Fives offer – all tickets £5 at Fri 5pm (until May 5)

We also like
Polar Bears Go Go Go! and Easter holiday club at Unicorn Theatre (Apr 6-21); go on a family tour at Shakespeare’s Globe, perfect for ages 7-11 (Apr 6-21); improv comedy troupe The Noise Next Door put on a show for ages 8+ at The Albany, Deptford (Apr 9-10); see shows for under 8s at Lyric Hammersmith – Out of the Hat (Apr 13) & The Three Billy Pigs (Apr 20); there’s cooking, puppetry and music for ages 3-8 in Chicken Licken at Jacksons Lane, Archway (Apr 14); catch Peut-Etre theatre’s enchanting dance piece for ages 3+, Shh…Bang! at Stratford Circus (Apr 20); the The Insect Circus is at Puppet Theatre Barge (until Apr 28)

 

MUSEUMS & WORKSHOPS

 

 
Somerset House: Now Play This (pic), Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
Get more game time at this three-day event, part of the London Games Festival and back for another run at Somerset House. Discover the psychology of games and why we play them, and have a go at a variety of gaming zones. From team game Octopod, a 1980s console reimagined, to outdoor games like the conceptual Labyrinth. All ages welcome. 10am-6pm (Mon-Tue, Sat-Sun), 11am-9pm (Wed-Fri); adult day ticket £8/£6.50, unlimited entry 3-day pass £35/1-day pass £12, up to 2 under 12s go FREE (Apr 6-14)

Slime Planet: Slime Surprise Eggstravaganza, Arch 494, Rathgar Road, SW9 7EP (Loughborough Junction rail)
Get slimy over Easter holiday in London at Slime Planet with their latest eggs-pediment. You’ll be creating a Slime Surprise egg with a hidden toy inside! First you’ll get to learn about the gooey science of slime, then you’ll make your egg which you can customise with foam beads, glitter and delicious scents (just don’t eat the chocolate slime). Teamwork and fun for ages 2 and up (parent supervision needed for ages 5+). 11am-12pm, 1pm-2pm, 4pm-5pm (Mon-Sun); child £12.50/adult FREE (Apr 6-21)

Science Museum: Power Up (pictured), Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube)
It’s back. The super popular gaming event at Science Museum offers hundreds of video games to play across 160+ consoles. Try your hand at everything from Minecraft to Pac Man, Mario Kart, Sonic, VR games and loads more. There’s also a special Relaxed Session (Apr 20) for people who might need a quieter environment. Power Up is recommended for ages 5+ but brilliant for all ages. NB: All kids under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Power Up single daytime 90 minutes sessions at 10.45am & 12.30pm (morning), 2.15pm & 4pm (afternoon); adult £10/child age 5+ £8/family discount £2 off per ticket/under 4s FREE; half-day passes available for 2 x 90 minute morning or 2 x 90 minute afternoon sessions; adult £18/child age 5+ £14/family discount £2 off per ticket/under 4s FREE (Apr 6-22)

Cypher Coding Camps: Heroes of the Future, multiple London locations
Are your kids ready for a cool holiday camp, that will empower them with the tech skills they need for the future? Cypher, a STEM education start-up is holding coding camps at multiple locations in London. Kids can discover superheroes of the ancient world, make a Wonder Woman style smart-bracelet, try out hero masks using live face-tracking, code an external LED ring to make an Iron Man style arc reactor, create a superhero bedside lamp, and much more. 10am-4pm; from £165 daily per child – minimum 3 days booking recommended (Apr 8-12 & Apr 15-18)

Wallace & Gromit at The Postal Museum, 15-20 Phoenix Place, WC1X 0DA (Farringdon, Russell Square, Chancery Lane tube; King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Enjoy a Grand Day Out this Easter holiday in London, as the Postal Museum joins forces with Aardman experts for arts and crafts fun. Make your own Shaun the Sheep or Gromit model; design a tote bag; create a stamp-inspired selfie sculpture; or watch a family screening of classic films Wallace and Gromit: A Close Shave (Tue Apr 9, 9.30am-10am & 5pm-5.30pm) or Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers (Thu Apr 18, 9.30am-10am & 5pm-5.30pm). Of course it’s a great chance to tour the Postal Museum, discover the history of our postal service, ride the underground Mail Rail, or for your littlest family members, play in the Sorted! zone. Postal museum regular opening hours are daily 10am-5pm; adult online from £16/child under 16 from £9/child with Sorted! from £11/under 3s FREE (Apr 9-21)

Marvellous Machines! at Ragged School Museum, 46-50 Copperfield Road, E3 4RR (Mile End tube)
This East End museum offers a Victorian classroom for your nippers to learn about history in a fun, engaging way. Get your juices flowing at this series of arts and creating experiments, as you uncover how machines were used back in the day. Be amazed at the many inventions under Queen Victoria’s reign, from moving pictures to Meccano, typewriters to Tower Bridge, using clockwork, steam and even pedal power. Look through the classroom, check out the East End kitchen, and let the little ones run free in the Under 5s Ragamuffin Room. 10am-5pm, FREE (Apr 10-11 & Apr 16-17)

Horniman Easter Fair at Horniman Museum, 100 London Rd, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
One the best things you can do this Easter holiday in London is head to Horniman for their annual Easter fair. Watch a storytelling performance, hop along for Lindy Hop dance workshops, dare to enter the Wild Fangs animal corner (members’ exclusive), shop the farmer’s market and stalls. Plus there’s an Easter egg hunt, bouncy castle, tea cup rides, and the Horniman bunny visiting. You can also book in for Brick Wonders, the huge LEGO exhibition at Horniman Museum (additional charges apply). All ages welcome. 10.30am-4.30pm; entry to museum and gardens is FREE, £1 for egg trail + additional fees for aquarium and select exhibitions, Horniman membership available (Apr 20-21)

We also like
There’s always great stuff over Easter holiday in London at Museum of London Docklands (Apr 5-21); watch pop-up performances or try Dior-style crafting at V&A Museum (various dates, Apr 6-21); be inspired by manga, Minecraft and Munch at British Museum weekend family activities (Apr 6-21); get into pirate activities at V&A Museum of Childhood (Apr 6-22); take a trip to London Transport Museum in Covent Garden for some Easter holiday fun (Apr 6-22)

 

FAMILY CINEMA

 

 
Head to Prince Charles Cinema by Leicester Square to join in their Sing Along: The Little Mermaid screening (6.10pm, adult £13.50/child £10. All together now ‘Under the sea…!’ (Apr 6)

On the big screen, there are lots of family films worth checking out: brand new releases Shazam!, Missing Link and Peppa Pig: Festival of Fun (from Apr 5); plus the live action Disney remake of Dumbo, Captain Marvel, The Kid Who Would be King, The LEGO Movie 2, Instant Family, Fighting with My Family.

Find Kids Club screenings, for less than a fiver on our LONDON FAMILY CINEMA page.

 

NATURE & OUTDOORS

 

 
London Zoo: Mini Keepers at ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY (Camden Town/Regent’s Park tube)
Join the zoo staff as a Mini Keeper over Easter holiday in London, and get your hands dirty. You’ll be mucking out cages, trying your hand at animal dentistry, and learning everything you need to know about taking care of the zoo’s residents. Uniforms and checklists provided. Ages 4-11. 10am-4.30pm daily (activities on the hour, at quarter past and half past every hour); ; free with regular zoo admission (online discount prices) adult from £26.59/child 3-15 from £17.28/under 3s FREE – book online 2 days in advance for discount prices, otherwise regular gate fees apply (Mini Keepers from Apr 6-22, zoo open daily throughout the year)

Polar Adventure at Sea Life London Aquarium, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7PB (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Chill out with your cubs this Easter holiday in London at the brand new Polar Adventure at the aquarium. You’ll trace the footsteps of an augmented reality polar bear, come nose to nose with animated seals, and meet other creatures from above and beneath the ice. Gawp at the simulated Northern Lights and turn your tongue blue with a slushy from the Polar Point refreshments. And of course you can discover real life underwater creatures, from jellyfish to penguins and sharks. All ages welcome. From 10am daily; adult from £27 online/family ticket from £26 online/fast track entry from £37 online/child discounts available, pre-booking advised (Apr 6-ongoing)

Hyde Park Discovery Days & Nature Explorers, at The Lookout, Hyde Park, W2 2UH (Hyde Park Corner tube)
The popular Hyde Park activities are back for Easter holiday in London. Go on a wild expedition with Nature Explorers, for ages 8-11 (Apr 16, 10am-3pm, £20). For all ages, you can join in free Discovery Days to meet Marvellous Mammals like hedgehogs (Apr 10-11, 11am-3pm, FREE); or Spring to Life with pond-dipping and nature-based arts and crafts (Apr 17-18, 11am-3pm, FREE). Booking essential for Nature Explorers, other activities register your interest, or just turn up (Apr 10-18)

The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace (main pic), East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)
Take a day trip to historic Hampton Court Palace gardens and visit this vibrant play space with mythical beasts, towers and battlements, and a secret grotto! Inspired by the fairytale quality of Hampton Court Palace, the garden is lots of fun for young ones before or after exploring the palace and maze. All ages. Open daily 10am-6pm from Mar 1 until Oct 31. Maze and Magic Garden entry only: adult £8/child under 16 £6/family £23.40 (2 adults and up to three kids); Magic Garden entry free with regular entry to Hampton Court Palace: adult from £21.30/child under 16 from £10.70/under 5s FREE (ongoing)

We also like
Explore Walthamstow Wetlands for free, with Easter egg hunts (Apr 20-22), springtime fun (Apr 8-10) and an open afternoon (Apr 7); book in for popular kids’ holiday activities at Holland Park Ecology Centre (Apr 8-19); families can enjoy a daytime Dinner with Dinosaurs (Apr 11) and Chocolate Tuesday (Apr 16) at Chelsea Physic Garden; let your monkeys loose on a treetop adventure at Go Ape in Battersea Park (ongoing)

Or if the weather’s grim, burn off some energy at Clip ’n’ Climb in Chelsea; Oxygen Freejumping in Acton; Flip Out Trampoline Park in Brent Cross, Barking or Wandsworth; or Sobell Centre Trampoline Park (advanced booking essential).

**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue before making a trip!**

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