Family-Friendly Things to Do at Easter

Here we go again! We might be tentatively creeping towards 'normality' but unfortunately, Easter weekend 2021 still falls within a national lockdown. However, there are a few options this Easter to keep you busy with online activities for the kids as well as the return of outdoor fun at certain venues around NewcastleGateshead! 

This year, families have the option to get outdoors and enjoy the spring weather at outdoor attractions who are running self-led trails around their grounds. Booking will be required for most family outings so it's worth taking a look early to book your slot. From 29 March, meet up with another household or within the rule of 6 to have a picnic in one of the region's beautiful parks or at the coast. Wherever you are in the world, you can still enjoy a slice of Newcastle with some online alternatives to enjoy as a family from home.

Find out what your favourite NewcastleGateshead attractions are planning for Easter 2021.

Easter with Discovery Museum

Newcastle's Discovery Museum is a brilliant day out for all the family. However, with government restrictions still in place - Discovery Museum have gotten creative with ways to keep you busy online instead. There are plenty of family-friendly activities to take part in online or try at home this Easter thanks to Discovery Museum including the Egg Drop and Egg Catapult virtual workshops and downloadable instructions to build your own Rocket steam engine. 

You have until 7 April 2021 to get your thinking caps on and enter a competition to combine recycled material and one egg (real or egg shaped materials) to create your own invention or replicate an invention that may already exist. Find out all the details about how to enter Play + Invent Easter Challenge on the Discovery Museum website.

Life Goes ONline at Easter

Alongside a whole host of great activities and experiments to try at home, Life Science Centre invite you to go on a virtual tour of their exhibitions as part of their packed Life Goes ONline virtual series. All activities use stuff you'll probably already have in the house so have a go and let Newcastle's popular science attraction know how you get on using #LifeGoesONline on social media. 

Creative Writing with Seven Stories

Older kids can escape into a whole new world of imagination with the help of Seven Stories and students of the Children's Literature Unit at Newcastle University. On Saturday 3 April, children can join an online creative writing workshop which promises to be a lot of fun as well as an excellent way to encourage a desire for writing. Recommended for children aged 7-11, £10 per household. Book online here.

Get arty with Laing Art Gallery

Catch up on a whole heap of creativity with Laing Art Gallery's Little Artists at Home series and find lots of easy ways to encourage your kids to have a go from home. Get your crayons out and have fun colouring in Laing Art Gallery's masterpieces! Choose from two colouring in sheets which can be downloaded here and then see the original artwork that hangs in Newcastle's city centre gallery using their online collection catalogue. 

Crack the code with Great North Museum: Hancock

Great North Museum: Hancock need you to get your thinking caps on to crack their Ancient Egyptian inspired activities. Download their Ways to Play booklet and crack the code using hieroglyphics or take a stab at their Egyptian Codebreaking task? You could colour in your own Ancient Egyptian headdress to wear while you puzzle your way through the codes too! 

If you are itching to do something different and start exploring NewcastleGateshead again - you're in luck! This Easter, some of your favourite outdoor attractions and venues with plenty of open space will reopen to visitors for the first time in 2021 and there will be some family-friendly activities to enjoy while you're there. Make sure you book a timed slot in advance as venues are working hard to ensure safety for all staff and visitors with limited capacities and careful management of their sites. When you are at the venue, it is important to respect social distancing and be aware that there may be limited access to facilities like toilets and cafes, although many will provide a takeaway hot drink here and there!  Please check with the individual attractions and businesses before you visit to make sure you have all the up to date information ahead of booking your visit.

Easter Quest at English Heritage Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens

English Heritage Belsay Hall in Northumberland has spectacular gardens making it an excellent choice for families who want to enjoy a change of scene and get some fresh air in the shadow of the castle and hall. For a little added incentive - children can head out on an Easter Adventure Quest to crack the clues and discover hidden dragon eggs. Entry tickets must be pre-booked. Only the grounds will be open but there will be access to the cafe for takeaway drinks. 

Adventures in Wonderland at Beamish Hall Hotel

Jazz up your family walk with a visit to Beamish Hall Hotel to complete their Easter outdoor trail through the woods. Adventures in Wonderlands promises to be whimsical and definitely keep the kids walking! Once again, pre-booking is essential and children go free! 

Easter trails at Gibside National Trust 

The National Trust invite families to follow an Easter trail around their grounds and gardens this spring. There will be Easter activities inspired by nature at each site which will take place over the bank holiday weekend. Families need to pre-book their ticket to Gibside, Cragside, Wallington or Seaton Delaval Hall before they visit. Find out more about Easter at North East National Trust attractions here.  

Family Kayaking with CBK Adventure Co

Take to the waves in a kayak or atop a paddleboard this Easter with CBK Adventure Co. Whether you want to book onto a guided tour or splash out on an adventure as a family at the coast - there are plenty of options to tie you out from 29 March. Book now! 

Duck Hunt at Alnwick Garden 

Alnwick Garden in Northumberland challenge families to go on a Duck Hunt around their gardens this Easter. Download an activity sheet before you visit and see how many decorated ducks you can find. There will also be some very special visitors joining the antics over the Easter bank holiday weekend when Northumberland Zoo bring their furry friends and exotic creatures to meet you. Find out what's on at Alnwick Garden at Easter here. Entry tickets must be pre-booked for Alnwick Garden find out how to book here. 

Walk the grounds at Alnwick Castle 

Soak up centuries of local history and take a walk around the grounds of Alnwick Castle this Easter. The historic attraction will reopen its grounds only from 29 March for visitors to take a walk and enjoy a takeaway hot drink. Tickets to Alnwick Castle must be pre-booked. 

Keep an eye on our social media channels across Twitter and Facebook for more ideas of what's on and how you can keep busy virtually doing the current lockdown. Stay safe and happy Easter!