Easter events and activities for children in Norfolk

 

Gardens, parks, attractions and even houses will be scattered with Easter eggs this March and April as eagle-eyed youngsters go on the hunt for these oval shaped objects, and hope for a surprise and a treat! 

To read about Easter events and activities in Norfolk click here...

 

 

Easy to Make: Easter Wreath

Christmas isn’t the only time of year when people dress their doors with decorative wreaths. A recent trend has seen many people sprucing up their front doors with displays of bright colour and spring materials in the shape of an Easter wreath! Creating one is really simple and something the children can add an extra special little touch to. Take a look at Pinterest for some inspiration on materials and design.

 

Easy to Make: Easter Bunny Bunting 

Decorate the walls and window frames with these bright little bunnies. To make: buy a variety of patterned card, place a basic bunny template on top of each piece of card and draw around it. Cut this out and glue on a small ball of cotton wool for a tail. To finish, attach each bunny to a natural piece of string using mini wooden pegs.

 

Easy to Make: Eggy Lambs 

These funky-looking lambs will look a treat perched on a mantelpiece or sideboard. Plus they’re so easy to create – simply roll small pieces of cotton wool into balls and glue these to the surface of the egg. Cover the whole egg with cotton wool, leaving a space at the front where you can add a funny face!

 

Easy to Do: Painting Easter Eggs 

Very young children may wish to use hard-boiled eggs, whilst slightly older-children may use hollowed-out eggs. Cover the smooth glass-like surface of egg with acrylic paint. Using a mixture of soft brushes, coat the egg in a base colour. To add detail, use a fine brush dipped in paint or glitter, or use finely-tipped pens.

 

Easy to Make: Easter Nest Cakes

You’ll need some nests to cradle all those tasty eggs this Easter. So how about making these equally tasty nests:

Ingredients:  Shredded Wheat; Cooking chocolate; Milk Chocolate Mini eggs

Crumble up the Shredded Wheat in a bowl. Then melt the cooking chocolate in a separate bowl placed in a pan of boiling water. Carefully remove the bowl and slowly pour the melted cooking chocolate over the crushed Shredded Wheat. Combine together. Then get the kids to shape the mixture into nests in the cake cases. Finish, by placing 2 or 3 chocolate mini eggs onto the top of the cooled down nests.

 

So, why is Easter on a different date each year?

Have you ever wondered why Easter falls on a different date each year? Well, the reason for this lies with the decisions made by the first council of the Christian church, also known as the Council of Nicaea, in the year 325 AD.

This council used a complex formula to calculate the future dates of Easter.

The council decided that Easter should be celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on, or just after, the spring equinox.

The church set a fixed date for the spring equinox as 21 March and established that Easter can take place between 22 March and 25 April. This year, Easter Sunday is on 21 April.

Yet, this year, the full moon and the spring equinox actually occur on Wednesday 20 March. So, shouldn’t Easter be held on Sunday 24 March instead?

Astronomically speaking, yes it should.

However, the ancient calculations did not consider lunar motions for our times. The key point here is that an ecclesiastical full moon does not necessarily happen on the same date as the actual full moon.

In 2019, the first full moon after 21 March occurs on 19 April, so consequently Easter will be celebrated on Sunday 21 April.

 

Easter egg hunts with a difference:

The Easter Egg Hunt is usually pretty-high up on the Easter activity list but what are the alternative options to searching for chocolate eggs?

Primary Times has been on its own ‘hunt’ for fun ideas that will get the kids active, listening and counting… Here they are:

 

 

Matching Sound Egg Hunt

Test your child’s auditory processing ability by creating a game that will encourage them to match a sound in an egg case to an image of the item that is making the sound (in the egg case) on a printed sheet of paper.

You can fill the egg cases with items such as coins or pasta shapes or seeds.

Once all the eggs and sounds have been matched, the children can be rewarded with a treat.

 

Make the Kids Work for their Chocolate Treats!

Lay on some fun energy-burning Easter egg hunts for the kids.

Simply hide several plastic empty egg cases around the house, garden or local park and fill them with little notes inscribed with a physical activity to complete.

Each egg has a fun mini exercise challenge for the kids. For example, this could be: do ten star jumps; run on the spot for 2 minutes, do a roly-poly.

After all that exertion, the kids will have earnt their chocolate treat!

 

Colour Matching and Maths Egg Hunt Game

This is a simple game where children hunt for coloured eggs.

You may wish to use mini chocolate eggs wrapped in different coloured tin foil and hide them around the garden.

Once all the eggs have been collected they can be separated by colour and counted – and then consumed!

 

The Story of the Easter Egg

The humble egg is the food most synonymous with Easter. It symbolises the start of new life, rebirth and fertility. Many people associate the egg with Christian values at Easter, yet the egg also played a role in lots of pre-Christian festivals celebrated by the Ancient Egyptians, Persians and Romans.

In the Middle Ages when people were unable to eat eggs during Lent they began to decorate and store them for Easter Sunday and the tradition of the egg hunt began.

The first chocolate Easter eggs were made in France and Germany in the early 19th Century, and in 1873 the first British chocolate Easter egg was produced by Fry’s.

Cadbury quickly followed producing a chocolate egg in 1875 and by 1892 produced 19 different types of eggs.

Today, the UK chocolate Easter egg market is worth more than £220 million with sales growing every year. Cadbury’s Crème Egg is the most popular and over 500 million eggs are made every year.

 

Easter Adventures

Easter trails, scavenger hunts, egg and spoon races, bottle-feeding lambs, beach cleans – you name it – there’s plenty of adventures to be had this spring.

Easter Egg Hunts are usually a big hit with youngsters who simply love becoming mini-explorers and what’s more, this fun activity can be affordable.

You have the choice of hosting an egg-citing Easter Egg hunt in your back garden or local park, or alternatively head to a local attraction and enjoy the novelty of the occasion with lots of other families.

During the Easter school holiday, should the weather allow, go outdoors each day for some free fun.

It’s easy to distract children with uncomplicated activities such as spotting and naming clouds, searching for mini-beasts or seashore critters, visiting and perhaps bottle-feeding newborn lambs, watching a spider weaving a web, and following slimy snail trails. It’s all great fun and doesn’t cost a penny!

 

Find out what's going-on this Easter in Norfolk here...

 

**Gary these are all advertorials**

 

Visit Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach this Easter

Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, a free entry amusement park is situated at the South end of Great Yarmouth’s famous Golden Mile dominating the seafront skyline with its rides. From rollercoasters to bumper cars, gallopers to water attractions they have something to keep the family happy for hours. Don’t miss the free firework display this Easter on Wednesday 15 April. The Pleasure Beach is open seasonally from March till October.

For discounts and latest info please visit www.pleasure-beach.co.uk

 

Wildlife Activity Day in Attleborough

The Children’s Wildlife Activity Day at Peter Beales Roses in Attleborough is a fun packed day full of wildlife themed crafts, activities and face painting held within their beautiful rose and wildlife gardens As well as many free crafts, Hodmedod’s Hedgehog Support will also be attending and offering some fantastic activities! Wednesday 8 April, 10am to 3pm. Free entry and no need to pre-book!* *A small charge will apply for face painting.

Visit www.classicroses.co.uk for further information

                                                                         

An Eggtastic Easter at Norwich Puppet Theatre

Join Norwich Puppet Theatre for some Dr Seuss style fun this Easter, with Garlic Theatre’s zany new show, Eggs on Legs from Thursday 9 - Saturday 11 April (ages 3+). Families can also get crafty with some eggstremely eggciting egg creations in an Eggstravaganza workshop to accompany the show. Then on Sat 18 April, the Theatre is playing host to some runaway sheep, with Knuckle and Joint Theatre’s interactive and sensory show The Adventures of Bo Peep (ages 2+).
Visit www.puppettheatre.co.uk or call 01603 629921 for more information and to see the Theatre’s full list of events.

 

An egg-mazing Easter Treasure Hunt at Hoveton Hall Gardens

Enjoy a great day out this Easter and keep your children entertained with the Easter Treasure Hunt at Hoveton Hall Gardens (near Wroxham) from 10th to 13th April. Children can take part in the Easter Treasure Hunt. Following the clues, the treasure hunt will take you all around the gardens ending at the tearooms to collect a prize. There is also a mini Easter egg hunt around the walled gardens for the under 5's.

Entry to the gardens is £7.50 per adult, £4 for children aged 4 -16, concessions £6.50, under 4’s are FREE. Once you have paid your admission the Easter Treasure Hunt and Toddler Egg Hunt is free to take part. The gardens are open from 10.30am to 5pm.

For more details of this event and of the gardens please visit their website www.hovetonhallestate.co.uk

 

Easter fun at Norfolk Museums

From family trails and wild play days to costumed characters and craft activities, there’s plenty to see and do this Easter. Star Wars fans of all ages will be thrilled by a new exhibition at Time and Tide. May The Toys Be With You is a stunning collection of over 300 classic toys, original cinema posters and collectables. Enjoy their great discount offer - get £1 off admission for up to six people at any of our museums. Download the voucher at museums.norfolk.gov.uk/primary-times

 

The Stody Family Fun Day returns on Sunday 24 May 2020

Stody Lodge Gardens once again invites Norfolk’s youngsters for another magical day amongst its 14-acres of rhododendrons and azaleas. There will be goats, lambs and calves to admire as well as face painting, games on the lawn and ice creams. A fantastic treasure hunt throughout the garden will test the wiliest of pirates and Stody’s much-loved resident Shetland, Mitch the Titch, will be hoping for lots of helpers to brush out his thick winter coat.

Find out more here: www.stodyestate.co.uk

 

Donkey fun at Redwings this Easter!

If you love long ears, then Redwings Aylsham, north of Norwich, and Redwings Caldecott, near Great Yarmouth, are the places to be this Easter when “We Love Donkeys” activities return. Kicking-off on Friday 3 April, you can meet rescued donkeys nose-to-nose, including much-loved, long-eared Adoption Stars Esther, Wiggins and Wacko. You can also join in with lots of activities, including fascinating talks and tours, perfect for the whole family. Both centres are open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, from 10am until 4pm. Entry is free and dogs on leads are welcome too! For more information, visit www.redwings.org.uk

 

See your child flourish.

Langley Preparatory School at Taverham Hall is a co-educational, inclusive day school for ages 2-13. Within 100 acres of ancient woodland, just outside Norwich, the stunning green campus allows children time and space to grow. The warmth and family feel allows pupils to flourish at their own pace, whilst the school continues to be aspirational and forward-looking.

They are extremely proud to be the first school in Norfolk to receive the prestigious FSA Recognised Forest School Provider award. With extensive woodland, outdoor classroom and pizza oven they provide the perfect environment for children. As a community they pride themselves on their inclusivity, kindness and wellbeing provision, and were delighted to receive the Wellbeing Award for Schools from Optimus Education.

 

Next Open Morning: Saturday 16 May 2020

Contact: prepadmissions@langleyschool.co.uk

 

Find out more here: www.langleyschool.co.uk/prep/

 

Indoor fun options at Labyrinth Norwich

While you might be hoping for good weather this Easter break you can’t always count on it. A fun indoor option for the kids off school is Labyrinth laser tag! Family tag is running 11am-12pm every day during the holidays plus a second session on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. Toddler tag is Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am-11am and 1pm-2pm (suitable for children aged 2-6). The play cafe is open as usual 9:30am-2pm every day, serving a great range of food and drinks including a new menu for special diets, with free use of the movie shed and under 4s play areas.

 

Sportspark are excited to announce their new Learn2 system for SPlash[LS1] Learn to Swim!

Their new monthly direct debit system will provide a number of benefits such as: a smoother transition between stages and classes, improved parent, teacher and facility communications and online “Home Portal” access to monitor participation and progression.

They have group lessons available throughout 46 weeks of the year, for both children and adults of all abilities. Not sure what stage to book on to? Why not contact Katie Collins on k.collins@uea.ac.uk for a FREE swim assessment!

 

Easter at Fairhaven Garden

Head to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham to go Scavenger Hunting in the woods every day during the Easter holidays. There's also a special Dawn Chorus boat trip and breakfast on Saturday 4 April, with an early start – 6.15am. Don't miss the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Good Friday 10 April. Hunt for the colourful eggs on the trail, which lead to a chocolate egg prize. There's also face painting and Easter craft activities. Booking recommended for the Easter Egg event.

Find out more at: 01603 270449 and www.fairhavengarden.co.uk

 

Norfolk Snowsports Club – Your Next Adventure Is Closer Than You Think!

No need to head to the Alps to make the most of family fun on the slopes, come to Trowse Mountain! One of the biggest dry slopes in the Country in one of the flattest Counties; home to skiing, snowboarding and tubing.

Great for fitness, great for fun, great for families! Your little ones can try skiing from 5 years, tubing from 6 years or snowboarding from 8 years old. Once you’ve tried a taster session or beginner lessons and caught the ‘bug’, you can join for as little as £75 for an annual family membership. You’ll be able to attend loads of Clubs to develop your skiing or boarding, have access to discounted private lessons and reduced rates in our fully licenced Alm Bar!

 

Mummy-Saurus go FREE for Mother’s Day at Norfolk Dinosaur Park

MUMS and grandmas can experience a T-Rex-cellent day out this Mother’s Day as Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Lenwade is offering them free admission to the park on Sunday 22 March.

For every mother and grandmother accompanied by one full-paying person or season ticket holder, the 85-acre park is offering a free voucher, which can be downloaded before their visit.

Predator High Ropes, the Dinosaur Trail and indoor soft play area Dippy-Ville will be open, as well as the park’s Secret Animal Garden, home to a variety of farmyard animals and reptiles.

Take part in the Facebook photo competition on the day. To be in with a chance of winning a family ticket, children and families can share fun-filled photos of their mums and grandmas on social media.

To redeem, guests should download the voucher from the Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure website before their visit and present it at the admissions gate on arrival.

For more information about the event and to book tickets, visit: www.roarrdinosauradventure.co.uk/mothers-day/

 

Link Contact Services

Having problems to spend time with your children or send them gifts? Look no further, Link Contact Services can help you!

 Link Contact Services can help your children to see their non-resident parent. They offer supervised contact, supported contact and indirect contact by passing gifts, letters and cards

They offer contact services throughout East of England.

Whatever your contact needs, they are here to help. Give them a ring on 07782333123or email us: referrals@linkukcare services.co.uk

 

[LS1]Olwen – this looks like a typo but is correct.

 

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