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Easter activities 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 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.

 

 

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!

 

Nature Hunt for Kids

It’s spring! That means it’s time to head outdoors and go on a nature hunt! See how many of these activities your child can tick off this spring:

• Go cloud-spotting
• Find a twig shaped like a letter
• Search for animal tracks
• Hunt for mini beasts and bugs
• Look for a tree with blossoms
• Count the daffodils
• Follow the snail trails
• Draw a picture of a wild flower
• Search for spider webs
• Look for a squirrel

 

Mums and dads: why not take photos of what you find on your nature adventures this spring and share these with our other readers on Primary Times Facebook Norfolk?

 

 

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

Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that happens on or after the Spring Equinox on 21 March. That means Easter can be celebrated at any time between 22 March and 25 April.

 

 

 

Walks for Little Legs

Families are being encouraged to put one foot in front of the other onto the streets, forests, parks, beaches and countryside in May. The choice of walks in the county is vast and if you’re needing a little direction there are plenty of great websites to look at that are filled with ideas for several walks of varying difficulty – from easy circular routes in the woods to strenuous lengthy stretches of the coastline.

For ideas see –

Across Norfolk: www.norfolk.gov.uk - short-and-circular-walks

Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/peddars-way-and-norfolk-coast-path

Cromer: www.walkcromer.co.uk

Norwich: www.visitnorwich.co.uk/get-to-know/out-and-about/walking

Thetford Forest: www.forestry.gov.uk/thetfordforestpark

Norfolk Broads: www.broads.co.uk

Keep up the exercise by walking to school too - see www.livingstreets.org.uk

 

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

Join the donkey fun at Redwings this Easter

“We Love Donkeys” is returning to Redwings Horse Sanctuary this Easter with three jam-packed weekends filled with activities - and best of all, entry is completely free.

Starting on Friday 30 March at Redwings Aylsham, north of Norwich, and Redwings Caldecott, near Great Yarmouth, you can meet donkeys nose-to-nose and even have a go at donkey grooming yourself.

Both visitor centres have a children’s play area, café and gift shop, and are open every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, from 10am to 4pm. For more information, visit www.redwings.org.uk

 

Have an eggs-traordinary time at Holkham Hall 

Hop along to Holkham Hall for four days of fun-packed entertainment between 30 March and 2 April. There will be brain-teasing quizzes, challenges and conundrums and hopping-mad crafts for everyone to enjoy.

Add a dash of cup cake decorating with Kiddy Cook, storytelling, ‘silly sniffing’ and a children’s entertainer who will help the Easter bunnies practice some circus skills - you’re sure to have an eggs-traordinary time. For more information and to book online (with a 10% discount) visit www.holkham.co.uk

 

Easter Arrivals at Church Farm

Easter is always a very special time of year at Church Farm, as visitors can see lots of new-born woolly wonders in the Lambing Yard. There will be several bottle-feeding sessions throughout the day and you may even be lucky enough to see a lamb being born.

Easter also sees the arrival of the Easter chicks - cute, fluffy and a perfect size for children to hold. Plus, there’s an Easter Quiz Trail and a fabulous indoor play area to explore.

The other usual attractions will be open during the school holiday including the popular pedal tractor trail, ground level trampolines, straw play barn, giant sandpit and more. For details call 01366 382162 or visit www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk

 

An egg-mazing Easter Treasure Hunt at Hoveton Hall Gardens 

Visit Hoveton Hall Gardens for an egg-mazing Easter Treasure Hunt on Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April. Children can follow an enticing trail around the gardens ending at the tearooms to collect their Easter prize. Hoveton Hall's Easter Bunnies will be on hand to help little ones in a special Easter Egg Hunt in the walled gardens. Garden entry including the Easter Treasure Hunt is £7.50 per adult, £4 per child (4 -16 years), OAPs £6.50 and under 4s free. Visit www.hovetonhallestate.co.uk

 

Bunnies, Birds and Clay at Norwich Puppet Theatre

This Easter holiday, Norwich Puppet Theatre are offering two skills-workshops alongside their usual fantastic puppet making sessions. Children can enjoy a wonderfully messy Clay workshop on Friday 6 April, followed by a Bunnies and Birds Sewing workshop on Thursday 12 April. It’s a perfect way to learn some new techniques or develop skills further. Both workshops are £9.50 and tickets can be booked online at www.puppettheatre.co.uk or by calling 01603 629921.

 

Spring is in the air at Norfolk Lavender Animal Gardens

Spring is in the air at Norfolk Lavender Animal Gardens this Easter holiday, so why not pay this tranquil attraction a visit and meet the kid goats, chicks and ducklings or venture into the brand-new Critters Cabin to meet all sorts of bugs, reptiles and amphibians. Join in with the fun in the barn at the rabbit ranch or watch the prickly porcupines at feeding time. Plus, with arts and crafts, animal handling and lots of Easter activities, it’s a wonderful time to visit. Visit https://norfolk-lavender.co.uk

 

Easter Time at the Zoo

One of Norfolk’s leading attractions, Amazona Zoo in Cromer offers a unique day out where children can explore and learn about a varied and fascinating selection of animals native to South America.

The zoo is home to over 200 tropical animals, a large, well-equipped indoor play area, ‘Jungle Tumbles’ an outdoor adventure play area with jumping pillows and a lakeside café where squirrel monkeys and ring-tailed coatis perform acrobatics a few feet away as you enjoy your meal.

Plus, there's an educational stamper trail where children can spot each of the animals and birds. Amazona Zoo also gives feed talks so that the children get to see the animals being fed and learn about them more. Plus, this Easter each child will receive a free cream egg! Amazona Zoo is located on the north Norfolk coast at Cromer and is just a few minutes’ drive from Cromer town centre. Visit www.amazonazoo.co.uk

 

 

The Cadbury Bunny hops over to Felbrigg Hall

This spring, the Cadbury Bunny has been hopping around the West Garden and meadow at Felbrigg Hall, leaving a trail of clues for you to solve. On the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt you'll need to come up with the right answers to win a scrumptious chocolate treat. Go along to visit Felbrigg for plenty of spring fun throughout the Easter holiday, with the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts taking place over the Easter weekend, from 11am to 3.30pm. Call 01263 837444 for details

 

Free firework display at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach: 4 April

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 with its rides. From rollercoasters to bumper cars, from a revamped fun house to water attractions, there is plenty to keep the family happy for hours.

As a special treat, there’s a free firework display this Easter on Wednesday 4 April. The Pleasure Beach is open seasonally from late March till October. Visit www.pleasure-beach.co.uk or call 01493 844585 for the latest opening times and information.

Easter Eggstravaganza at Pensthorpe Natural Park

With Spring in the air, it’s a fabulous time to hop over to Pensthorpe. During the school holiday, from 29 March to 15 April, an eggciting Easter trail awaits, as well as craft making activities for families to make something Easter-themed.

Pensthorpe Natural Park is a multi-award winning modern-day nature reserve, inspiring the next generation to enjoy wildlife and the great outdoors. It offers a perfect day out for wildlife lovers and bird watchers, nature and gardening enthusiasts. For information call 01328 851465 or see www.pensthorpe.com

 

Go on an Easter adventure at Fairhaven Garden

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham, in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, has a busy programme of events during the Easter Holiday. A fun Scavenger Hunt will take place from 29 March to 15 April, and the popular Easter Egg Hunt returns on Good Friday.

Have fun in the special Den Building area and get close to wildlife in the garden in the two bird hides. Aside from the daily boat trips, there's also a Dawn Chorus boat trip, which includes a cooked breakfast in the tearoom on 7 April and a Woodland Night Adventure on 14 April for children over 8 years. Both events must be booked in advance. Call 01603 270449 or see www.fairhavengarden.co.uk

 

Easter at High Lodge, Thetford Forest

Searching for the perfect family destination this Easter? Visit High Lodge at Thetford Forest, which will be packed to the rafters with surprising gems. Thetford Forest plays host to a Sound Trail and a high-speed cycling track, as well as a WildPlay playground and towering play structures for children. There’s also Go Ape’s 3 adventure courses to experience, including Tree Top Junior, Forest Segways and the classic Tree Top Adventure for the over 10s. Make a whole day of it this Easter at High Lodge - visit www.forestry.gov.uk/highlodge

 

Hop into Easter Holiday Activities with Alive Leisure

There is something for everyone to get eggcited about at Alive Leisure Centres this Easter holiday, with breakfast clubs, swimming, gymnastics, roller-skating, football archery and loads more. So, whether you are looking for some fun activities for your little ones to try, or you have to work over the holiday, then look no further than Alive Leisure. View the full Easter holiday activity brochure at www.aliveleisure.co.uk/alive-leisure

 

All aboard the Easter Eggspress!

Hop on board the Easter Eggspress at the Bure Valley Railway, from 30 March to 2 April, for an “eggciting” day out. Each child, when accompanied by a full fare-paying adult (maximum 2 children per adult) will receive a free Easter Egg; plus, colouring activities and a decorated Whistlestop Café add to the Easter themed event. For further information see www.bvrw.co.uk

 

Easter Fun and Adventure at Blickling Estate

Visitors to Blickling Estate, from 24 March to 15 April, can enjoy an Easter nature adventure around the garden and find out about plants and animals during spring awakening. Each adventurer will receive a delicious shortbread bunny upon completion of the trail. A special adult garden ticket of just £8.25 will be available, with children and National Trust members going free. The trail price of £3 will apply to all who take up the challenge and each will receive a handmade Easter shortbread. For information call 01263 738021.

 

Take your seat at the Mad Hatter’s table at Pleasurewood Hills

If you’re looking for a great family day out, Pleasurewood Hills in Lowestoft has it all. With over 35 rides, shows and attractions there’s something for everyone whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or not!

This Easter, join Alice and the Mad Hatter for a frolicking, fabulous, fun interactive dining experience.

Take your seat at the Mad Hatter’s table, listen as Alice recalls her tales of Wonderland, tuck into tea and cake but make sure you escape before the Queen of Hearts shouts “Off with their heads!” Book your seat today at www.pleasurewoodhills.com

 

Get Arty at Houghton Hall this Easter

Spot the difference at Houghton Hall, near King’s Lynn this Easter and be inspired by Damien Hirst’s new Colour Space paintings which are set to transform the 18th Century William Kent interiors. New works, never been seen in public before, will adorn the walls on the State Floor. Also, in the House and in the grounds, some of Hirst’s most visually arresting sculptures will be on display. Book tickets online at www.houghtonhall.com. Children under 17 years go free.

 

Wild Things at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen and RSPB Titchwell Marsh

Find the wild things at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen and RSPB Titchwell Marsh this Easter holiday. Look for wild things that creep, crawl, flap and slither as you follow the wild things trail. Take part in activities such as nest and den building, egg and spoon races, egg decorating and more. Join in the fun of Wild Things at Easter, every day from Good Friday 30 March to Sunday 8 April. Normal reserve prices apply plus there’s a small charge of £2.50 per trail sheet. For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk/wildthings

 

Easter at Elveden Estate

Plenty of egg-citement is in store at the Elveden Estate this Easter. Over the Easter weekend, on the Saturday and Sunday, there will be pony rides and Imprint Face art will be in the Courtyard between 11am-3pm. On Easter Sunday there will be an Easter word hunt around the Nature Trail where little ones can earn a chocolate treat from the Easter bunny who will be visiting between 11am-3pm. After all the fun, enjoy a tasty bite to eat in the restaurant. Visit the website to see the specials available in the restaurant on Easter Sunday. Visit www.elveden.com

 

Easter Holiday Sportscamps at Sportspark

If you’re wanting fun-filled weeks packed with sports, activities and crafts, take a look at Sportspark’s Easter holiday Sportscamps, from 3-6 April and 9-13 April. Standard and extended day options are available, and a packed lunch is included in the price. Sportscamps also include new Xtreme activities. The Xtreme drop-in sessions will be available during the holiday or the Xtreme activities are a perfect option for a birthday party if you have one coming up soon… Find Sportspark at the University of East Anglia. Call 01603 593048 or see www.sportspark.co.uk

 

Norfolk Spring Fling – Tuesday 10 April

The Norfolk Spring Fling, on Tuesday 10 April, is a fun filled, educational day out at the Norfolk Showground, where families can learn about food, farming and the countryside.

There will be plenty of stands and animals; including cows, goats, owls, ponies and the dancing sheep in The Sheep Show. Visitors will be able to see the Showground from a tractor, plus sheep dog demonstrations and birds of prey. Tickets are priced at £9.50 and include a hog-roast. Numbers are limited, and only online advance tickets are accepted. For more details go to http://springfling.rnaa.org.uk

 

Hop aboard the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway

Every day, from 29 March to 15 April, children will be able to hop along the White Rabbit Easter Trail at the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway and join Alice in Wonderland to hunt for clues down the line. During the Easter weekend, from Good Friday to Easter Monday, children will receive a boxed Easter Egg for every completed trail (for an extra £1). Booking is available for groups of 12 or more, and there will be 4 trains daily. For enquiries call 01328 711630 or visit www.wellswalsinghamrailway.co.uk