MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry shares some of the best free and cheap Easter days out and activities this April
The Easter school holidays are a welcome break from school for the kids – but can mean extra pressure on parents’ pockets. The good news is there are plenty of cheap and free days out to be had, including some Easter themed ones to enjoy the spring holiday vibe.
Holker Hall Easter Egg Hunt
Holker Hall in Cumbria has an exciting egg hunt with over 100 eggs hidden in the gardens, alongside a range of activities across the long Bank holiday weekend such as egg painting and egg rolling competitions. Entrance to the Hall is free for under 12s, and £15.50 (house and garden) or £11.50 (garden only) for adults. The egg hunt is £2 per person.
The Big Egg Hunt, London
A free city-wide trail across London in aid of charity Elephant Family, discover over 100 decorated large scale eggs at iconic locations and landmarks. Families can track down the eggs and tick off as many as they can find by downloading the free app. You can also join the silent auction to buy an egg, with money raised going towards conservation work in South Asia.
Some venues are running extra activities to coincide with the egg hunt, too. Battersea Power Station will run its inaugural chocolate market, The Chocolate Station, while family-friendly activities will be available such as easter basket and plant pot decorating and rides like bumper cars. This runs from 18th – 21st April and is free to attend but some events may be ticketed (such as the Sharky & George game show sessions).
Medieval Easter, Leeds Royal Armouries
Leeds Royal Armouries can always be relied upon to put on a great show (literally) during school holidays. Even better, it’s FREE. This Easter, learn about the medieval arms race between swords and body protection, watch a sword master demonstrate 15th Century combat techniques, or witness a two-handed sword fighting demonstration. Hear battle stories like the Battle of Towton, Bosworth Field, or Agincourt, and watch knights fight with pollaxes.
Craft your own medieval style heraldry, or decorate a flag, or decorate a shield and sword with your own design. You can do all of this, for free, between 5th and 17th April. There is also the Crossbow Challenge for older children, which is £8 for 8 bolts to try and be a sharp-shot hero.
Free English Heritage Sites
English Heritage have sites across England, but what many people don’t know is a lot of them are completely free to visit. Lots of sites will be running Easter special activities across the school holidays, such as egg hunts and activity trails, too. Places like English Heritage sites are great days out with the family, as there is often a lot to do and see. They actively encourage families to bring their own picnics too, which is a brilliant way to save money on a day out. For other countries in the UK, look at Historic Environment Scotland, Cadw Wales, or Historic Ireland. There are reciprocal memberships between these organisations too, giving free or discounted entry to each.
Kids Eat Free Deals
Loads of restaurants and cafes run Kids Eat Free or for £1 deals during the school holidays, and it’s one of the best ways to entertain the kids and get out of the house for a bit on a budget. You need to feed them anyway, so why not get out and about for a bit to do so! Check your favourite local restaurants for deals, or look to chains like Bella Italia, Hungry Horse, Bill’s, Beefeater and TGI Fridays for plenty of deals to save money on eating out with the family.
Cheap Cinema Deals
Make the most of cinema deals to save on a family outing to see a film, like Minecraft Movie which comes out on April 4. Grab a kids screening ticket at Odeon cinemas, valid every day during school holidays, for just £2.75. Go through the MyOdeon app for the discount – and free booking (which is otherwise £3.50). Or, opt for a Vue trip if you’re an O2 or Virgin Media customer, getting two adult tickets for £9, and 10% off food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Grab a Discount with National Rail
If you want to get out and about with the family this Easter holiday, check out the deals you can nab through National Rail for travelling by train. Get a third off entry fees to loads of attractions across the UK, such as SEA LIFE Centres, the Dungeons, the Blackpool Tower Eye, or Chessington World of Adventures (with a Giant Easter Egg Trail).
Or get two-for-one tickets at Birmingham Science Museum, Bletchley Park, or the Cutty Sark. To claim, choose the attraction and either print your vouchers or buy your tickets online, travel by train to the destination attraction, and show your train tickets to get the discount.
Head to the Library
Libraries are brilliant places for families and individuals alike to spend time without spending money. Not only can you browse and borrow books for free, but you can often borrow plenty of other things like boardgames and computer games. Your local library is also likely to run free or cheap events and activities during school holidays, from crafting workshops to storytelling sessions. Look up your local library events – you might be surprised what’s on offer!
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