24 things to do with kids this Easter

1. At-Bristol will be entertaining visitors from out of space this Easter with their ‘out of this world’ Alien Tours activity. Dress up in alien costumes and follow their expert robot tour guide around At-Bristol to learn about the bizarre species ‘humanity’, seen through the eyes of visitors from another world. Back on earth, At-Bristol will also be enjoying spring both in the greenhouse and the kitchen with their hands-on, make and taste drop-in until June 10. Activities include planting and investigating seeds and shoots, scrambling eggs inside their shells, creating your very own stuffed pasta, and learning the art of the chocolatier in a chocolate tasting masterclass. Floating up to the sky, you can learn about the science of bubbles with Bubble Blast in the Studio – pop! 
www.at-bristol.org.uk

2. St Werburgh’s City Farm are inviting families to walk or cycle to their family activity day on Tuesday March 31, from 11am to 3pm, where activities include creating bicycle-powered smoothies, spin painting, badge making, a pop-up café and the opportunity to swap those outgrown children’s bikes, as well as Dr Bike assisting with your bike maintenance needs.
www.swcityfarm.co.uk

3. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery is offering chance to get up close and personal with some of their archaeology collection’s most precious objects, and find out what you can – and can’t – call treasure. April 25, 2.30pm to 4pm. 
www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery

4. Bristol Aquarium has already enjoyed a spring treat with the hatching of baby thornback rays in mid-March. This Easter holiday, go on an egg hunt at the aquarium and find out about creatures that lay thousands of eggs and help create a wall collage. In their daily programme, don’t miss the Learning Lab at 12.15pm, where you can find out about the creatures recently been born at the aquarium – such as sharks and those baby rays. Also, the Sandpit Search at 3.15pm, where you can hunt for eggs in their mini beach sandpit. Apparently, there is also to be a very special Octonauts guest appearance, too. www.bristolaquarium.co.uk

5. M Shed will be running dockside steam train rides on Saturday 4 – Monday 6 April, 12:00 – 17:00. Ride behind one of their Bristol-built locomotives, either Henbury or Portbury who will be pulling you along – both of which once worked on the docks railway system at Avonmouth. 
www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/whats-on/train-rides/

6. Tyntesfied have a raft of activities on this Easter, including the chance to explore the New World like a Victorian Eggsplorer, uncovering ancient relics, mysterious creatures and geology. Children aged 6+ can explore those incredible trees at Tyntesfield, with the Big Tree Climbing team. Booking essential via www.bigtreeclimbing.co.uk. Older kids can enjoy some seasonal treats and delicious cheeses and fresh bread while perusing the jewellery and ceramics at the Food and Craft Market on Easter Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield/

7. Dyrham Park are hosting an Easter trail, which includes a Cadbury chocolate prize (£2 trail). The family nature trails are now open too, so enjoy some ‘pond-dipping or bug-hunting and spotting the deer’.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park/

8. Leigh Woods is inviting families to discover and explore the homes of the hard workers of its woodland, in The National Trusts’ ’50 things’ family hunt for bugs on Thursday, April 2. Search for bugs in Leigh Woods’ minibeast paradise and set up a snail race. Use The National Trust’s equipment and expertise to work out exactly what you have discovered, before safely returning the creatures back to their homes. Recommended for aged 4+. Booking is essential. On Tuesday, April 7, drop in to the woods anytime between 10am and 2pm and make your own personalised kite in a kite making masterclass – your kite is guaranteed to fly, we are told. Booking advisable.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leigh-woods/

9. Prior Park are putting their big hills to seasonal use on Saturday, April 4 between 11am and 4pm, by using them as egg rolling tracks. Families are invited to bring their own home-decorated eggs to see who will roll the winner. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/prior-park/

10. Taste Chocolate will be showcasing the best chocolate producers and artisans from Bristol and the South West from April 5 to 6, 10am to 4.30pm. The free event, held at Brunel’s Old Station, includes live music, street food, a prosecco bar, and cookery theatre showcasing top chocolatiers and chefs, including Romy of Romy’s Kitchen in Thornbury, Winner of the Best Local Confectioner at the 2014 Bristol Good Food Awards, Zara Narracott, and Kelly Sealey, head tutor at Bourdeaux Quay’s Cookery School.
www.tastechocolate.co.uk 

11. Bristol Zoo have new and enormous residents, including some of the world’s most popular species such as the Mexican Red Kneed Tarantula, the Red tailed Bumble Bee and the 7-spot ladybird. Each of the life-like animatronic Big Bugs will be dwelling at the zoo for the summer. A chance to get up close to some favourite bugs. 
www.bristolzoo.org.uk

12. Bristol Ferries’ Easter Bunny Boat will be running on Saturday 4 April, for 45 minutes of entertainment to have the kiddos bouncing for joy. Includes a super quiz, chocolate for the children and Easter songs. Don’t  forget to keep eyes peeled for the baby ducks paddling about. 13:00 and 14:00pm, sailing from Arnolfini. Kids £10 (including chocolate eggs), adults £8.
www.bristolferry.com

ART 

13. Arnolfini learning team is inviting families to join them in exploring artist Emma Smiths artwork, 5Hz in which she explores how we use and respond to the human voice and how voices can bring us closer together. Activities are free and run over the Easter weekend, April 4 to 5 from 1pm to 5pm. Enjoy inventing new languages and experimenting with new ways to communicate. Recommended for aged 5+, but all ages welcome. 
www.arnolfini.org.uk

14. RWA will have on Scribble and Sketch Extra, taking place on Saturday, April 4. This includes an Introduction to Drawing Inspiration led by Sarah Smith. Parents can drop off their children at Scribble and Sketch and look around the current Drawn exhibition, or just have a coffee in the café whilst their little ones scribble and sketch to their heart’s content. £10 per child.
www.rwa.org.uk

15. At the Watershed you can build your own Shaun the Sheep clay model. Aardman’s expert model makers will be on hand at the workshops and there will be a chance to ask questions about Aardman Studios and hear about the animation process. Once home, animate models using Aardman’s Animate It! software. Adults and children aged 5+ can join us for a workshop on Thu 2 or Thu 9 April 2 and 9 at 10am, 1pm or 3.30pm. Shaun the Sheep the Movie will also be screened from March 27 to April 12.
www.watershed.co.uk

THEATRE

16. Room on the Broom
Tall Stories zoom into Bristol with their magical, musical stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s much-loved tale. The witch and her cat are flying happily along on their broomstick when a stormy wind blows the witch’s hat, bow and wand away into the night. A helpful dog, bird and frog find the witch’s lost things and all hop on the broom for a ride. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – crack! – it snaps in two! When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone?
March 31 – April 2, Bristol Old Vic
www.bristololdvic.org.uk/roomonthebroom.html

17. Two, Four, Six, Eight! 
Immerse your little ones in the joy of numbers with this delightful show for ages 4-7 by Bristol’s Shoofly Theatre. Craig has been invited to his best friend’s Birthday Party. There is an invitation to read, presents to wrap and cakes to buy. Who will explain the rules of Musical Chairs? And will there be enough balloons? Shoofly are designer Katie Sykes and performer Craig Edwards, who have worked together on previous early-years hits including ‘How Cold My Toes’, ‘Aesop’s Fables’ and ‘The Ugly Duckling’.
March 30 – April 2, Brewery Theatre
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/detail/two_four_six_eight 

18. Arthur’s Dream Boat
One night, Arthur has an amazing dream about a beautiful pink and green boat with a stripy mast. He can’t wait to tell everyone about it – but no one is interested. In fact, they don’t even notice that this very same boat is growing on his head, getting larger and larger by the minute. Soon, Arthur is bouncing along the waves in his very own dream boat. Long Nosed Puppets’ show is for ages 2 and above, and features beautiful puppets and a score by Tom Gray of the Mercury Award-winning band Gomez. Shows at 11am and 2pm.
April 8, Circomedia
www.circomedia.com/events-at-st-pauls-church.html

19. Mr Gotalot’s Gotalot Shop
Want something? Need anything? You’re bound to find it in the magical Mr Gotalot’s Gotalot Shop, which sells everything and anything you could ever think of. Join shopkeeper Mr Gotalot, his eager assistant Sidney and the cantankerous landlady Mrs Barnet on a hilarious adventure as they try and help a superhero find some brand new pants of power… Monkey Trousers’ show is suitable for ages 3 and up.
April 4 & 5, Kelvin Studios, 253b Gloucester Road
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/detail/mr_gotalots_gotalot_shop_the_pants_of_power/ 

20. The Amazing Bubble Man
Louis Pearl is, we’ll have you know, the world’s leading Bubbleologist – and has been delighting family audiences with his unique show for nearly 30 years. Pearl explores the dynamics of bubbles, and his live show mixes comedy and artistry – and will feature a whole range of glorious creations including square bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, solar system bubbles and, yes indeed, edible bubbles.
April 12, Factory Theatre
www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/detail/the_amazing_bubble_man/

CINEMA

21. Cinderella
Disney’s lavish live-action version of the classic fairytale is directed by none other than that great thesp Ken Branagh. Downton Abbey star Lily James takes the title role, while Helena Bonham-Carter plays the Fairy Godmother and Robb Stark himself (Richard Madden) is Prince Charming. 

22. Home
Screening in 2D and 3D, this new animation from the team behind How to Train Your Dragon has a cute alien befriending an Earth girl as they embark on a mission to save the planet from colonisation by his race.

23. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water
SpongeBob’s second movie sees him coming over all 3D. He and the gang set out to save Bikini Bottom by leaving the ocean to do battle with Burger-Beard the Pirate (Anotnio Banderas) in this blend of live-action and animation.

24. The Tale of Princess Kaguya
Eight years in the making, this Oscar-nominated animation from Japan’s world-renowned Studio Ghibli is based on 10th century folk tale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. James Caan voices the elderly bamboo cutter, who finds a tiny girl (Chloe Grace Moretz) in a shoot and raises her as his own.
www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/6508/the-tale-of-the-princess-kaguya