The Easter holidays start on April 15, giving children two weeks off school to enjoy themselves. And there’s plenty of fun to keep little ones happy...
Tredegar House (Picture: Roger Fuller)
National Trust are hosting a ‘Wake Up with Tredegar House’ event, from 10am to 4pm, until April 28.
After a sleepy winter, Tredegar House in Newport is springing to life. Engage your senses and adventure through the house and gardens on a trail to discover the spring blooms and wakening wildlife, before ticking off some of their ‘50 things’ activities.
This event is free but normal admission prices apply. Dogs, on leads, are welcome.
Plus, over Bank Holiday weekend – from April 18 to April 22 – there will be Cadbury Easter Egg hunts at Tredegar House, for £2.50 per child.
For more information, or to book either of these events e-mail tredegar@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01633 815880.
Bedwellty House (Picture: GoogleMaps)
The elegant Bedwellty House & Park, in Tredegar, has plenty to do throughout the Easter Holidays.
Kids can enjoy soft play and crafts with their favourite big-eared pal, at Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on April 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20. The event has proved popular, with Monday tickets sold out.
Starting at 10am, the buffet breakfast will include bacon or sausage roll, pastries, pancakes, fruit platter, teas, coffees and juices. All children get a small gift from the Easter Bunny.
Pre-booking, which is essential for all events, is £12.50 for children and £8.50 for adults, can be done by calling 01495 353397.
Plus, story-teller Louby Lou is returning to Bedwellty House & Park for a dinosaur egg hunt on Friday April 19 and a unicorn egg hunt on Thursday April 25. Both exciting hunts are at 11am and 1pm on the day, and £15 per child.
There will be a Princess Pyjama Party on Tuesday April 16, complete with singing, princess pampering, glitter tattoos, games and snacks. These will be at 11am and 2pm. Plus, kids can battle it out at Fortnite themed Nerf Wars on Tuesday April 26, at 10am and 12.30pm. Both are £15.50 per child.
For the younger ones, there’s a Mini Movers Parent & Toddler party on Wednesday April 17 and a Little Learners Messy Play Easter Eggstravaganza on Friday April 26. For more information call 01495 353397 or visit bedwelltyhouseandpark.co.uk
The Met, in Abertillery, will host the Magic of Wonderland for one day only, on Wednesday April 17.
Join Alice and her friends, from 1.30pm, on a madcap adventure down the rabbit hole, in a show packed with magic, illusions, comedy, puppets and songs. Tickets are £7 from 01495 355945 or online at the-met.co.uk
Caldicot Castle (Picture: Brian Bartram)
Caldicot Castle has bundles of family-fun in store for Good Friday, which is on April 19, between 10am and 3pm.
There will be Easter activities, games and crafts, with face painting and refreshments on offer from the Castle’s Tea Room.
Word has it that the world’s most famous rabbit, The Easter Bunny, will be attending with an Easter Egg hunt with all children who take part winning a prize.
For those looking to get the creative juice flowing, the day will also have a free Easter bonnet contest, with prizes for the best three entries and certificates for each child who enters.
Entries should be e-mailed beforehand to caldicotcwt@outlook.com and the winners will be announced at 1pm on April 19.
This event is organised by Caldicot Community, working together and supported by MCC and Caldicot Castle. It is sponsored by The Good Measure.
Entry is just £2 per child, with adults gaining free access.
A family fun day is being hosted at Malpas Community Centre, on Saturday April 20.
From 12pm to 3pm guests can enjoy arts and crafts, karaoke disco, a dance-off, an Easter hat competition, tombola, and a prize draw. Entry is £4, which goes to the Make-A-Wish foundation, and includes refreshments.
Meerkats will be on display in Caerphilly (Picture: Francis Franklin/Wikimedia)
On Saturday April 20, youngsters can walk on the wild side at Castle Court Shopping Centre, in Caerphilly.
Between 11am and 4pm, Wildlife Displays will be on hand with an abundance of animals – including a rabbit, guinea pig, chicks, ducks, meerkats, chinchillas, hedgehogs and a barn owl – and learn more about them.
“Who doesn’t like seeing rabbits, guinea pigs and meerkats close up?” said Manager of the Castle Court Shopping Centre, Marika Jones.
“We hope families visiting the Centre on Easter Saturday will enjoy the visit by Wildlife Displays.”
Castle Court Shopping Centre has free parking, with buses stopping directly outside the entrance for those commuting.
(Picture: Raver Tot)
Party animals can blow off some steam dancing at Raver Tots on Sunday April 21.
Taking place at The Neon, on Clarence Place in Newport, from 2pm to 4pm, this family-friendly rave is a great opportunity to bust some moves, with Wideboys headlining.
Fun includes face painting, UV lights and glow sticks, bubbles, balloons, confetti and giant parachutes in a rave style atmosphere with some of the UK's top DJs at a safe volume.
No adults are admitted without a child, with a maximum of three adults per child. Tickets must be booked in advance and are available at fatsoma.com/ravertots/mugdmiqo/raver-tots-newport with a percentage of all profits going to charities that support children with Autism and ADHD.
Children enjoy a racecourse (Picture: Dan Abraham/racingfotos.com)
As part of the holidays, under 17s can enjoy horseracing, with extra entertainment, for free across Wales, including at Chepstow Racecourse.
The venue is hosting an Easter Monday Family Raceday on April 22. There will be seven horse races on the card, with family fun to include live music from a Little Mix and Ariana Grande tribute, a Panic Circus to practice their circus skills, fair rides, face painting, a fire engine, go-karts and more.
Advance family discount tickets, admitting two adults plus kids going free, are £25 or £30 on the day. Single adult entry is £17 in advance, or £20 on the day. Those aged 17 and under gain free entry.
Chepstow Racecourse, on St Lawrence Road in Chepstow, has free parking. Find out more or book your place by calling 01291 622260.
(Picture: Robert Day)
Which came first: the dinosaur or the egg?
From Tuesday April 23, there’s some dino-mite fun to be had at Riverfront Theatre in Newport.
Dinosaur World Live, a West End interactive show suitable for 3+ will have some amazing puppetry, including the terrifying tyrannosaurus rex, joined by a triceratops, giraffatitan, segnosaurus, and more.
Fearless fans can come on stage to feed the Jurassic giants, with a meet and greet following the show.
Extra tickets were released following an initial sell-out, with Dinosaur World Live at Riverfront Theatre on April 23, 24, 25 and 26. Tickets are £14. You can book online at: tickets.newportlive.co.uk or phone Riverfront Theatre’s Box Office on 01633 656757.
Anything we've missed? There's still time to spread the word!
E-mail leah.powell@newsquest.co.uk
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