Family-Friendly Things to Do at Easter

The spring has returned and the Easter holidays are on the horizon. There are plenty of family-friendly activities to keep children busy during Easter in NewcastleGateshead from hands-on workshops and craft sessions to new exhibitions at your favourite attractions. Families looking for things to do during the school holidays will be pleased to hear that there are also a great range of free events taking place.

As if the Easter holidays couldn't get any more exciting, children can now travel for free during the holidays on buses across the North East, making NewcastleGateshead the perfect place for a family Easter getaway. From April 12th - 27th up to three kids aged 11 and under can travel for free when accompanied with an adult with a valid ticket. 

Read on for more Easter getaway tips, and our full guide to keeping your kids busy during Easter in Newcastle and Gateshead.

Have an art filled day out this Easter and explore BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. Get creative with the little ones and take part in a number of free family friendly workshops as part of the brand new BALTIC Family Programme. 

Join artist Sue Loughlin for Paint! a workshop exploring different paint techniques using a mixture of tools and materials. 

Learn all about sculpturing during Sculpt! with Zoe Allen, and make a personal monument to tell the world all about you. This workshop is perfect for families with children aged 5-12! 

If you're feeling inspired after the workshop, why not take a look at the free exhibitions taking place across each floor?

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The abundance of museums in NewcastleGateshead means you will be never short of educational days out. Many of the Tyne and Wear Museums are free entry too, meaning the day out doesn't have to break the bank. Head to Discovery Museum for the Brick Show LEGO® weekend. See some of the newest LEGO® models and displays, take part in a range of fun STEM and speed build activities as well as browse specially selected LEGO® traders and sellers.

Head to Great North Museum: Hancock for the return of the Moving Parts Puppetry Festival. This colourful and fun festival is taking place in a variety of venues across the city, including Great North Museum. There are free drop-in activities happening such as Toon Underground Parade exhibition which will show a selection of the giant puppets, costumes and masks that will have taken part in the exciting parade earlier in the week. 

Budding scientists can enjoy a day out at Life this Easter where there are many 'egg-cellent' events taking place. Make your own ‘egg’ catapult in the Making Studios, delve into the science of how to win an egg rolling contest and much more this Easter!

Plus, enjoy thrilling, interactive exhibits in Wow Zone, including the 6-metre-tall ‘Big Machine’! Other highlights include Space Zone, complete with a replica of part of the International Space Station and Play Zone for under-7s.

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With its authentic period buildings, working farms, vintage trams, and costumed characters, Beamish provides an immersive experience that allows visitors to take a step back in time. From wandering through the cobbled streets of the Edwardian town to exploring the bustling shops of the 1940s, Beamish offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of people in the past. There will be traditional Easter themed events taking place throughout the Easter holidays, so don't wait to get involved!

Beamish is hosting a whole weekend of Easter celebrations, travel back in time and discover how this event was celebrated in the 1820's and throughout the 1900's. Enjoy delicious Easter treats fresh from the past, such as traditional fish and chips from Davy's or Middleton's chip shops or treat yourself to baked goods from Joseph Herron's Bakery and the vintage tea rooms. 

If you're looking further afield, head to South Shields and hop into a magical Easter adventure filled with laughter, love, and enchantment! Visit The Customs House for a fun-filled pantomime retelling of Beauty and the Beast, perfect for the whole family to enjoy this Easter season. 

With the help of a hilarious cast of characters—including a mischievous Dame, a charming but vain villain, and the clumsy Dennis who can’t stop causing trouble— this family favourite tale is re-told and brought to life live on stage.

Packed with catchy songs, plenty of laughs, and interactive fun for everyone, this Beauty and the Beast pantomime is an Easter treat you won’t want to miss.

Get your tickets today and make this Easter unforgettable before the last petal falls!

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Join INNSiDE for a fun-filled experience where you’ll step into the shoes of a Gino D’Acampo pizza chef! Start with creating a chocolate pizza alongside chocolatier Oli The Choc, then move on to decorating your pizza with one of our very own Gino pizza chefs.

Finally, sit back and enjoy your delicious creation with your family. It’s the perfect activity for all ages and a chance to make lasting memories. For this event we have partnered with Children with cancer UK for this event and £2 of all ticket sales will go to them, along with any donations on the day. Book tickets here.

Join Elmer and friends for a perfect family afternoon at Seven Stories, the national centre for children's books! Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, a much-loved series by British author David McKee, is brought to life during this family-friendly afternoon tea from the Seven Stories team this Easter. Enjoy a special story time followed with delicious jungle inspired sandwiches, dazzling drinks and rainbow sweet treats as you explore the magical world of Elmer. 

Expect colourful fun, imaginative play and delicious treats suitable for children of all ages.

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