The holidays are upon us and rather than staying glued to one spot, why not get out there and enjoy some of the best family activities around the Capital.
Take your pick from our hot list of 20 things to do with kids this Easter.
1. Follow that Egg!
Check out our Easter Egg trails guide
2. Catch a Family Film
Current showings include Rio, a parrot’s tale from the makers of Ice Age; a bunny thing happening in Hop; and the classic Alice in Wonderland as part of Disney 50 at BFI
3. See a Live Show
We fancy Gobbledegook: Planet of the Beetlebuns for ages 0-5 at Sadler’s Wells (Apr 22-23) and Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories for ages 4+ at Pleasance Theatre, N1 (Apr 5-25)
4. Shop for a Good Cause
Spend with intent at Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief Pop-Up Shop (proceeds to the Prince’s Trust) at Westfield Shopping Centre (Apr 6-13) and Annie Lennox’s
5. Make your own Bird of Paradise
All the family can join in this workshop to help create a colourful collage of exotic birds and animals from 11am-1pm & 2-4pm (Apr 9 & 16) at Somerset House, WC2
6. Go Fly a Kite
It’s Streatham Common’s annual Kite Festival where designs of all shapes and sizes take to the skies in a colourful display. (Apr 10)
7. Get Crafty
Make butterfly mobiles, decoupage eggs, and more at Make Do Easter Kids workshops, Make Do, 9 Princes St, W1. Mon-Fri 10.30am-12pm & 2-4pm, from £5, ages 3+ (Apr 11-22)
8. Have Fun at the Farm
Meet newborn lambs at Kentish Town City Farm, where pony rides and Easter egg blowing are on the menu. Activities also at Freightliners Farm in Islington (Tue-Sat) (Apr 11-24)
9. Drop-In at the Museum
Popular workshop sessions run throughout the holidays at Geffrye Museum, Museum of London, V&A Museum, Tate Museum, Horniman Museum. Check back for our London museums guide.
10. Battle Robots
Robots: Extreme Wars comes to the O2 Centre in Greenwich. Catch the action live (Apr 23-24) or build a robot, rocket or other invention in the Kids Shed pop-up workshop for ages 4-11 at Shacklewell St Community Garden, off Brick Lane, E2. 10am-4pm (Apr 13-24)
11. Join the Circus
Marvel at the spectacular show by the Netherlands National Circus in Alexandra Palace (Apr 14-25) then learn tricks of your own at the Beyond Circus workshop at the Albany in Deptford (Apr 17)
12. Visit the Funfair
Dodgems, carousels and teeth-gritting rides for thrill seekers at Carters Steam Fair, Finsbury Park and Hampton Court Palace. See our April Calendar for listings
13. Party like it’s 1599
Enjoy a day of jousting, feasting and games at the Right Tudor Knees Up at Sutton House in Hackney, E2. 2-4pm (Apr 15-16)
14. Paint the town Orange
It’s the Holland House Festival in Trafalgar Square with kids activities, face painting, food stalls and more in a free celebration of Netherlands culture. 12-6pm (Apr 16)
15. Break a Record
Cadbury’s Spots vs. Stripes launches race season with a Guinness World Record contest based on everyday challenges. At Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherd’s Bush, W12. Free entry (Apr 16-17)
16. Watch the Time Eating Clock
Experience relative time with this dramatic invention by clockmaker John Harrison. Free entry (opens Apr 18) at the Science Museum, SW7
17. Celebrate St. George’s Day
Join the huge free party in Trafalgar Square, 12.30-6pm or go for a quieter affair at V& A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green E2, 11.30am-4pm, Free (Apr 23)
18. Get your Skates On (main pic)
The Easter Skate ’11 Eggstravaganza in Hyde Park, W1 promises four days of skating fun, free lessons, Easter bunny dress-up and choc egg and spoon racing. Fri 7pm; Sat tba, Sun 2pm-6pm onwards, Mon 2pm, all Free (Apr 22-25)
19. Don’t Forget to bid for tickets for the London Olympics in 2012. Deadline is April 26, 11.59pm.
20. Oh yeah and did somebody mention a Royal Wedding? Check out our events countdown to Will & Kate’s happy day
Photos via listed event web sites
