Easter School Holiday Guide 2024: 30 Thrilling Family Activities

The Easter school holiday is here already and already the first quarter of the year is a wrap. Say whaaaat?! Fill your holiday hours with one of these 30 thrilling family activities from Easter egg hunts to wildlife, arts and crafts, children’s theatre, immersive experiences and more. Don’t forget the clocks go forward on Easter Sunday (Mar 31)!

Easter School Holiday Guide 2024: 30 Thrilling Family Activities

BABES CHOICE

The Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
The long-awaited exhibit finally opens at London Zoo over the Easter school holiday. Creep or slither around the globe in the company of some of the rarest creatures on earth, from the king cobra to the Chinese giant salamander. You’ll explore eight unique habitats around the world including the dense rainforests of South America and giant dormant volcanoes in Cameroon. From Mar 29: 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm until Sep 1); adult £27-£33/child 3-15 £18.90-£23.10/under 3s FREE (exhibit opens Mar 29)

Easter Family Fun at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Head to the Southbank Centre for a range of family activities: Simmer Down daytime reggae party for all the family (Mar 29); Paddington the movie in concert (Mar 30); Roof Garden family workshop and performances (Apr 3); fantastical show Dragons and Mythical Beasts (Apr 3-7); Raymond Antrobus and Ken Wilson-Max discussing their picture book Terrible Horses (Apr 4); Patrice Lawrence introducing Jane Eyre for Younger Readers (Apr 4); Plastic Drastic Fantastic dance work (Apr 6-7); a family Ceilidh Jam with Folk Dance Remixed (Apr 7); and a musical journey with the Multisensory Orchestra (Apr 13). All that plus arts exhibitions, outdoor play space, street theatre and the popular Southbank Centre food market (open weekends and Bank Holidays). Various times, ages and prices for activities (Mar 29-Apr 13)

UNIQLO Tate Play: Yoko Ono, Do It Yourself at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG
Inspired by the Yoko Ono exhibition and Yoko Ono’s 1964 book ‘Grapefruit’, this is an invitation to take part in artworks. Whether folding paper, dancing with chairs, making wishes or just whispering, it’s all part of the creative process. Start by folding an origami crane called orizuru, a symbol of peace throughout Japan. This Tate Play session is a call to action to change the world, one wish at a time. All ages welcome 10.30am-6pm daily (10.30am-12pm on Apr 2 & 9), last entry 45 mins before end; FREE (Mar 30-Apr 14)

Fun Family Activities at National Maritime Museum, National Maritime Museum, Romney Rd, Greenwich SE10 9NF(Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail)
There’s a whole programme of family friendly creative workshops in the Easter school holiday at National Maritime Museum. Craft spring flowers and sea life puppets, make preservation paintings, design future sea travels, decorate postcards, create a 3D snow scene, make a collective banner of hope for our waterways, add your handprints to a global migration map and more! All ages welcome. Drop in between 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm; FREE (Mar 31-Apr 14)

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy at 2 Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 0HH (Leicester Square tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
Extended until June by popular demand!! It’s no secret that I LOVED this play and I highly encourage you to catch it, especially if you have tween or teenage boys. From acclaimed writer/director Ryan Calais Cameron and Nouveau Riche company, For Black Boys explores young Black masculinity through friendship, banter, music, mental health and more. Joyful, heart-wrenching and life-affirming. Ages 15+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); from £20 (until Jun 1)

READ MY REVIEW of For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS

Horrible Histories Boat Tours: Terrible Thames, Tower Bridge Quay (in front of the Tower Hotel), E1Q 1LD (Tower Hill tube/rail)
Embark onto the Horrible Histories tour for a riotous romp across the world’s most notorious river. Hear wild tales of famous folk from the past including King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Julius Caesar, the Duke of Wellington, Queen Boudicca, Jack the Ripper and Captain Kidd. All ages welcome. 45 minutes tours starting from 10.45am (check times and availability online); adult ages 15+ £25/child 3-15 £15/family £60-£70/under 3s FREE on parent/carer’s lap (from Mar 27) 

The Passion of Jesus, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS (Charing Cross tube)
Good Friday means another mass gathering in Trafalgar Square to witness the Bible story unfold in real time. Watch The Passion of Jesus this Easter school holiday and trace the journey of Jesus through crucifixion and resurrection. Expect big crowds but you can see most of the action on big screens or live streamed on Facebook. All ages welcome. 12pm & 3.15pm (90 minute show), FREE (Mar 29)

Medieval Mayhem at Tower of London, EC3N 4EE (Tower Hill tube)
Hit the Tower over Easter school holiday break for some fun and frolics on the South Lawn. Some medieval Londoners are preparing to serve the Queen and put on a mini pageant starring ravens and a magical giant. Experience the Tower through the lens of myths, fairytales and medieval storytelling. 10.30am-4pm; included in palace admission – adult from £34.80/child 5-15 from £17.40/under 5s FREE (Mar 29-Jun 23)

Bring Your Baby Guided London Walks and Pub Quizzes, various London locations
Take your baby out and spend time with grownups and bigger kids at these whole (and wholesome) family activities. Over the Easter school holiday, themed walking routes include: Bermondsey History (Apr 1) and Discovering Roman London (Apr 5). If the weather’s tricky, stay indoors for the Bring Your Baby Pub Quizzes, all held in baby-friendly settings around London. Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd places and free sweet treats for each table. Team sizes max 6 (baby-free friends welcome too). Guided walks 11am-2pm/£20; pub quizzes 12pm-2.30pm/from £10 pp (Apr 1-5 and ongoing)

The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks at Lightroom, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4DY (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Take a trip to the moon with Tom Hanks narrating your voyage along with real NASA footage and stunning audio and visual projection. An immersive exhibition that brings the Apollo missions to life at spectacular scale. All ages welcome. Timed slots between 10am-7pm (Sun-Wed) & 10am-8pm (Thu-Sat); adults from £25/child 3-17 £15/under 3s FREE (until Apr 21)

EGG HUNTS AND EASTER BUNNIES

Spring To Life at Battersea Park Zoo, Queenstown Rd, south of Chelsea Bridge, SW11 4NJ (Battersea Park/Queenstown Rd rail, Sloane Square tube)
One of the friendliest zoos for toddlers is hosting another Easter extravaganza. This Easter school holiday, you can join the Det-egg-tive trail (£1.50), hunt for the Golden Bunny, do crafts and activities in the Rabbit’s Warren, hear Keeper’s Talks, get your face painted, and of course take a look at the regular zoo residents. 10am-4.30pm, last entry 4pm (Mar 28-29), then 10am-5.30pm, last entry 4.30pm (Apr-Oct); adult £13.95/child 2-15 £11.95/under 2s FREE (Mar 28-Apr 14)

Easter Egg Hunt on the Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar station CM5 9AB or North Weald station CM16 6BT (via Epping tube)
Bring your bunnies along for a ride on the Easter Express to hunt for eggs along the longest trail in Essex. You’ll need to hop on and off the vintage diesel and steam trains to find all the eggs. Face painting on offer (extra fees) and stay alert for Bertie the Bunny! From around 10am-around 5pm (see timetables online); adult £18/child £10/family of up to 2 adults and 3 kids £47/under 3s FREE (Mar 29-Apr 1)

Zoonormous Egg Hunt at London Zoo, Regent’s Park NW1 4RY (Regent’s Park/Camden Town tube)
Join the hunt around London Zoo for an Easter egg like no other. Discover more than 10,000 animals including the egg-laying creatures and follow the free family trail to solve clues and reveal a hidden Golden Egg. There are Easter crafts too and lucky egg-splorers get a treat for their troubles. Best for ages 3+. From Mar 29: 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm until Sep 1); adult £27-£33/child 3-15 £18.90-£23.10/under 3s FREE (Mar 29-Apr 14)

Easter Lindt GOLD BUNNY Hunt at Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)
Hunt around Henry VIII’s gardens for the Lindt GOLD BUNNY this Easter school holiday. Chocolate prizes available for those who complete the trail (or alternatives on request). For ages 3-12 and families. Please allow 90 minutes for trail. Included in admission fee. 10am-5.30pm; adult from £27.20/child 5-17 from £13.60/under 5s FREE – pre-booking advised (Mar 29-Apr 14)

Museum of Brands: Easter Eggsplorers at Museum of Brands, 111-117 Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, W11 1QT (Ladbroke Grove tube)
Hop around the Museum of Brands on an Easter egg hunt, through the Museum Time Tunnel. Look for items like Bird’s Custard and the One Direction Easter Egg and try making your own Easter egg bunting activity. All ages welcome. NB: Kids Go Free from 29 March – 14 April with a paying visitor for general admission. Use the code KIDSGOFREE at checkout when purchasing your ticket online through Art Tickets. Regular museum hours and prices: 10am-6pm (Tue-Sat), 11am-5pm (Sun); adult £10/child 7-16 £5.50/under 7s FREE (Mar 29-Apr 14)

More Easter Egg Hunting Fun
Follow the Easter Egg Trails at various National Trust properties e.g. Morden Hall Park, Ham House and Garden, Sutton House, Rainham Hall, or Osterley Park and House (various dates, Mar 27-Apr 14); go on an Easter Adventure Quest at English Heritage Sites including Eltham Palace, Chiswick House & Garden and Kenwood House in Hampstead (various dates, Mar 29-Apr 14); hop on a Time Travel Easter Trail around Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich and claim a chocolate prize (Mar 29-Apr 14); and don’t miss the Easter Treasure Hunt at Waterlow Park near Lauderdale House — it’s free! (Mar 31)

FAMILY FRIENDLY THEATRE

I Wish at Unicorn Theatre,  147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube/rail)
Created by Le Gateau Chocolat (Duckie), this enchanting one-person show is performed by Jordan Laviniere. I Wish introduces the Wish Giver who helps wishes come true in quite surprising ways. A tale of self-discovery, joy and acceptance for ages 3-7. Various times from 10am; child under 18 £11.50-£17.50/adult £14.50-£23.50 (Mar 27-Apr 21)

What’s On at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
You can’t go wrong with a trip to this beloved theatre in North Finchley, where the Easter school holiday lineup includes: The Singing Mermaid, ages 3-8 (Mar 30-Apr 1); Wifi Wars, ages 6+ & 11+ (Mar 30); Dogs Don’t Do Ballet, ages 2-6 (Apr 2-7); The Great Stink, ages 7+ (Apr 8); The Brick People, ages 3-12 (Apr 9); The Showstoppers’ Kids Show, ages 5+ (Apr 11) and Princess Smartypants, ages 4+ (Apr 12-13). Various times and prices (Mar 30-Apr 13)

My First Ballet: Swan Lake at Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube) 
Bring your teeny ballerinas and ballet dancers along to this specially adapted ballet telling the familiar tale of princess Odette who has been turned into a swan by a magician. Can Prince Siegried save her from Rothbart’s sorcery? English National Ballet performs this show with a live narrator and a shortened version of Tchaikovsky’s score. For ages 3+. 10.30am, 2pm & 5.30pm (Tue-Sat), 11am & 3pm (Sun); from £12 (Apr 4-13)

Marcel Lucont: Les Enfants Terribles (A Game Show for Awful Children) at Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP (South Kensington tube)
An Edinburgh Fringe favourite and winner of Best Kids Show at the UK Kids Comedy Festival 2022, this quickfire piece of theatre sees Marcel Lucont pitting adults and kids against each other. Who will be crowned the most awful child? Best for ages 6+. 11am & 1.30pm (doors open 30 minutes before show; £12 (Apr 5)

Family Events at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, in and around Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT (Blackfriars/Southwark tube)
Once more, children of various ages (under 5s, 5-8, 5-12, 9-12 and 12+)  are invited for a mix of workshops, storytelling, live shows, sword fighting demos and more. Get stuck into Shakespeare’s famous plays e.g. Romeo & Juliet, A Winter’s Tale, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. You can also watch the current production of Romeo and Juliet, adapted for younger audiences. Various dates and times; from £10 per adult or child /under 3s do not require a ticket if on a grownup’s lap (until Oct 31)

MUSEUMS AND WORKSHOPS

Plants and Poems at London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza (south east corner), WC2E 7BB (Covent Garden tube)
The Easter school holiday at London Transport Museum offers a one-stop shop for kids’ crafting and creativity. There are storytelling sessions for under 7s, a creative writing workshop and an arts and science workshop (ages 7-11), museum gallery tours for ages 7+, All Aboard play space for toddlers, and fun for all ages e.g. riding the vintage Routemaster and hands-on exhibits. For older kids ages 12-16 there’s a full-day stop motion animation workshop (booking essential). All day, museum opening hours 10am-6pm; activities included in regular entry: adult annual pass £24/child 17 and under FREE (Mar 29-Apr 14)

Easter Family Workshops at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
Take part in arts and crafts workshops at Foundling Museum this Easter school holiday. Make fantasy clay homes inspired by the story of the Foundling Hospital; create patchwork memory maps of special places using fabric and simple stitching; make a travel book with simple bookbinding techniques and fill it with your own drawings; or create your own paper backpack! Suitable for kids ages 5-12 + adult companions. Booking essential, includes free admission to museum (accompanying adult free, additional adult charged). 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm; child £3/adult FREE (Apr 2-5)

Family Workshops at Little Angel Studios, Sebbon St, N1 2EH (Highbury & Islington/Angel tube)
Book your child in for a Puppet Playcation for ages 5-9 (Apr 2-4 & Apr 9-11) where kids can spend the day creating puppet crafts. There are also family workshops for ages 2-5 (Easter Bunnies, Apr 6-7) and ages 4-8 (World Space Day, Apr 13-14), grownup companions essential. Puppet Playcation at 10am-4pm, child £56/sibling £28; Family Workshops at 10am, 1pm & 3pm; adult £8.50/child ages 1-17 £8.50 (Apr 2-14)

Young V&A Make-Lab Workshop: Marbling with Naomi Ellis at Young V&A Museum, Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green tube/Cambridge Heath overground)
Make-Lab is a series of workshops allowing adults and kids to work with professional artists and designers and pick up new skills. Here you can let Naomi Ellis show you how to create marbled papers using the traditional Japanese technique of suminagashi (or “floating ink”), inspired by the Myths to Manga exhibition. You’ll work in pairs over two hours to make monochrome marbled papers to take home. Ages 7-14 and paying adult companion. 10.30am-12.30pm & 2pm-4pm; £23-£27 (Apr 6)

Now Play This at Somerset House, The Strand, Aldwych, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube/rail, Covent Garden tube)
The festival of experimental game design is back at Somerset House this Easter school holiday, as part of the London Games Festival. This year’s theme is Liminal: Playing Between Worlds explores borderless spaces, personal relationships and the power of imagination to transcend time and distance. 11am-6pm (Apr 6-7, 11 & 13), 12pm-6pm (Apr 9-10), 12pm-8pm (Apr 12) & 11am-5pm (Apr 14); tickets adult £9/concs & child 12-16 £6.50/under 12s FREE/festival pass £30 (Apr 6-14)

NATURE AND WILDLIFE

Bing’s Nature Explorers at WWT London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT (Barnes rail/Hammersmith tube and overground)
Come and hang with Bing and Flop at WWT London Wetland Centre. Throughout the Easter school holiday, kids can pick up a trail to uncover nature facts and collect a sticker; enjoy an interactive Bing storytelling session; watch a mini show and snap a pic with your favourite characters; and shop for Bing gifts and toys. 10am-5pm (5.30pm from Apr-Oct), last entry 1hr before closing; adult from £15.40/junior 4-11 from £10/family from £43.10/under 4s FREE (Mar 23-Jun 2)

Bluey at Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Meet the loveable Blue Heeler puppy from the popular animated TV series, popping up at Kew this Easter school holiday. Kew guests can take part in fun outdoor games and activities inspired by the show, learn about Kew’s plants and the wildlife found in Bluey’s native Australia. All ages welcome, part of your regular Kew entry slot. Timed entries between 10am-4pm/Bluey costume character 10am-3pm (Mar 31 10.30am-4pm/costume character 11am-3pm); regular admission adult £22/child 4-15 £5.50/under 4s FREE (Mar 29-Apr 14)

Habitat Heroes with Wild Fangs at Horniman Museum & Gardens (Pavilion – near the Bandstand at the top of the Gardens), 100 London Rd, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
Wild Fangs are back at the Horniman Museum giving visitors another chance to get hands-on with some very fascinating creatures. Come along to meet the animals, find out their habits and quirks, and even get to grips with some (if you dare). Best for ages 3+. Various times; child + 1 adult £7.50  (Apr 1 & 8)

Market Explorers Garden at Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL (London Bridge tube/rail)
For three days during the Easter school holiday, Borough Market hosts educational activities to get primary-age kids thinking about the food they consume. Visit three stations where children can try to identify food items from touch and smell alone, choose their own seeds to plant and grow, and decorate a lollipop stick to embed in your new plant pot. Best for ages 5+, all kids must be accompanied by an adult. 11am-3pm; FREE (Apr 2-4)

Jurassic Encounters: Animal Show at Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
Journey back to the Jurassic age at this interactive show. Find out about the animals whose ancestors roamed the planet alongside dinosaurs, then get up close with the lizards, snakes, tarantulas and more. Delivered by ZooLab UK, the UK’s number one company for ethical animal experiences. Best for ages 3+, all kids must be accompanied by an adult. 11am-11.45, 12pm-12.45pm & 1pm-1.45pm; £8pp (Apr 10)

MORE FAMILY FRIENDLY LISTINGS OVER THE EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY

• Boogie Monsters Easter Family Gig at Boxpark Croydon presents live ‘unplugged’ tunes for kids and family to dance along (Mar 29)
• Zippos Circus swings back into town at Blackheath (Mar 29-Apr 14)
• Three Billy Goats at Polka Theatre in South Wimbledon should tickle kids ages 3-7 (Mar 29-Apr 21)
• Enzo Mari at Design Museum is an unmissable retrospective of the popular designer, author, artist and teacher (Mar 29-Sep 8)
• The Boat Race launches the Easter weekend with Oxford and Cambridge competing on the river (Mar 30)
• The Big Life at Stratford East is a Windrush take on Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost and it’s your LAST CHANCE to see it (until Mar 30)
• Barbican Family Film Club offers matinee screenings of Soul, Wonka and more (Mar 30-Apr 13)
• Impossible Images at British Museum teaches green screen techniques to create a family photo, for ages 5+ (Mar 30-Apr 27)
• Easter Family Day at Brixton Windmill offers a chocolate treasure hunt, crafts and an Easter Bonnet contest (Mar 31)
• Big Penny Social’s Easter Family Disco in E17 invites guests ages 3+ with DJs, games, singalong and dress-up (Mar 31)
• Pirate Training at the Golden Hinde is swashbuckling fun for ages 5-10 (Apr 1-14)
• Kids Do Soho at Underbelly Boulevard is a new destination for workshops, magic shows, comedy clubs and family disco (Apr 1-May 18)
• Artizan Library Easter Puppets finger puppets workshop in E1 is FREE to drop in for kids of all ages (Apr 2)
• Super Hot Hot Dog at The Place is an inclusive dance show for performers and audience members (Apr 6)
• Black Culture Market is back for its Spring edition at The Department Store in Brixton (Apr 6-7)
• Family Sundays at Royal Opera House host fun-packed activities for the whole family (best for ages 3-10), £10pp (Apr 7-Jun 30)
• Not Today at Jacksons Lane (ages 4-8) is described as a heartwarming circus tale of an unlikely friendship (Apr 10)
• Sonic Roots: Spring Family Day at Museum of the Home in Hoxton invites all ages to a day of sound and sensory exploration (Apr 11)
• London City Voices at Hackney Empire features 300 singers performing hits by Take That, the Spice Girls and more! (Apr 12)
• Yinka Shonibare: Suspended States at Serpentine Gallery is the artist’s first solo show in 20+ years (Apr 12-Sep 1)
• LED Happy Hula Hooping is a hooping workshop for ages 5+ with Charlene the Hoola Queen at Battersea Power Station (Apr 13)
• Romeo & Juliet at Polka Theatre sees the tale of ‘star-crossed lovers’ told through rap and rhythms, for ages 9-12 (until Apr 14)
• Bear Snores On for ages 4+ kicks off the playful season of Open Air Theatre at Regent’s Park (until Apr 21)
• Rong Bao Is Me is a playful and FREE exhibition at Saatchi Gallery (until May 12)
• StreetHunt: The Case of Colombia’s Finest is a city-wide scavenger hunt for ages 13+ (ongoing) 

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