Children in Wales are nearly off school for the Easter holidays and there are plenty of activities and days out on offer in Cardiff to keep their two weeks filled with fun.
We've done a round up of just some of the things taking place to keep you busy from April 1 to April 16, including some free options. To get What's On stories straight to your inbox, subscribe to our dedicated newsletter here.
1. The Big Museum Easter Trail
National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans National Museum of History are hosting an Easter Trail from Friday, April 7 to Monday, April 10. The trail includes three 'eggciting' challenges including counting eggs, spotting the difference between Easter bunnies and finding a golden egg for your child to enjoy.
The Big Museum Easter Trail costs £4 and is suitable for children aged four and above. It is available at: National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans National Museum of History, National Waterfront Museum, Big Pit National Coal Museum, National Wool Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, National Slate Museum. Find out more here.
2. Easter at Cardiff Library
Trying to fill two weeks with activities for your children during the holidays can become expensive, which is why free fun-filled days at local places can come in handy.
Cardiff library are hosting free crafty days throughout this Easter with Easter Fun and Easter Lego club. Easter Fun will include activities, games, crafts and more for children to enjoy on Tuesday, April 4 and April 11 at 2pm. Their Easter Lego club allows children to build imaginative creations for ages five and over. These will take place on Thursday, April 10 and April 13.
3. Spring Safari Trail
There are a number of different places to explore at the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff including Hollywood Bowl, Odeon cinema and a load of restaurants to try. This Easter they have put together a free Spring Safari Trail where children and families will explore the centre to find grass sculptures of wild animals.
As the sculptures are found you will collect letters along the way to solve the mystery word, and you can submit your answers to be entered entered into a prize draw to win a family day out at The Red Dragon Centre including a meal at Five Guys and a fun day out at Hollywood Bowl. Find out more here.
4. Easter family fun day at Cardiff City
For lovers of the Bluebirds, the club are welcoming its supporters to watch the first team in training at their Cardiff City Stadium in Leckwith. Fans will also be able to take part in a Q&A session with the players as well as a chance to get autographs from the Bluebirds players.
The club said: "The lads will also be giving away plenty of prizes, with many other amazing Easter activities and competitions available for all the family to enjoy!"
Players from Cardiff City FC Women will also be attending to meet fans and give away Easter prizes. The Easter family fun day at the Cardiff City Stadium is free of charge on Wednesday, April 12and can be booked here.
5. Dyffryn Gardens
Dyffryn Gardens in St Nicholas is hosting 10 Easter themed activities for all of the family to enjoy over the holidays. Visitors are welcome to join their trail which includes activities for you to do along the way. The Easter adventures gives you the chance to spend time with your family as well as exploring the beautiful gardens at Dyffryn.
There will be Easter games, dress-up and challenges at Dyffryn including an activity sheet. Once the activity sheet is completed you can choose from either a chocolate egg or a vegan and Free From chocolate egg as your reward.
The Easter adventures take place from Saturday, April 1 to Tuesday, April 11 at £3 per trail as well as standard admission fees. Find out more here.
Read more: Easter holiday 2023: The best things to do in the Valleys and Bridgend during the school break
6. Techniquest
Although children are off school for two weeks, they can continue learning with a visit to Techniquest in Cardiff Bay.
Techniquest is Wales' largest science discovery centre, with over 100 exhibits that allow children to explore and learn through play - and there's lots to do there this half term. On the exhibition floor, you could try your hand at virtual surgery, create digital fireworks, feel the full force of a hurricane or the tremor of an earthquake and much, much more. With over 100 great interactive exhibits and puzzles to experience, there’s plenty to keep curious minds captivated for this Easter.
You can add the Star Tours planetarium show to your ticket and learn about constellations, planets and how stars are born and how they die. The show is £2 on top of general admission and is recommended for children seven and over and will last around 25 minutes. Find out more here.
7. Easter Eggtravaganza at Insole Court
Insole Court is a Grade II listed mansion house with a rich history and a vibrant atmosphere run by the Insole Court Trust. This Easter, children will get the chance to meet some of their favourite characters including, Spider-Man, Rapunzel and Elsa as well as the Easter Bunny!
The characters will entertain the children with live singing and Easter themed games. There will be lots of interaction, a chance to get the autographs from characters and a raffle. Each child will be given an Easter afternoon tea picnic filled with sandwiches, cakes and treats as well as cake for adults.
The Easter Eggstravaganza will take place on Tuesday, April 4 at Insole Court in Cardiff, at £10.50 per individual ticket. Find out more here.
8. Dino Discovery Trial
Inside St David's Arcade in the city centre, dinosaurs will be taking over the shopping centre this Easter.
Young explorers will have the chance to hunt for 15 prehistoric beasts, from a 7ft parasaurolophus to a 12ft-long velociraptor and other dinosaurs made from bricks courtesy of BRICKLIVE.
They said: "BRICKLIVE is focused on creating an environment that encourages interactive play, fosters creativity, collaboration and physical experiences in an inclusive and safe environment."
The event will take place from April, 3 to April 16 on the Upper Grand Arcade of St David's arcade. Find out more here.
9. Art Trial at Mermaid Quay
As well as a fun activity for your children, you could also be in with a chance to win a £50 Nando’s voucher at Mermaid Quay this Easter for free.
A new spring themed art trail will be available at Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay between April, 1 and April 16. Visitors will be able to search for painted windows by artist Claire from Huxley and Mabel Art. Each window design will link to a fact on the given trail sheet where children will have the chance to learn spring themed facts. Once all window designs are found and the facts are filled in, you will be able to submit the form in order to be up for the chance of winning a £50 Nando’s voucher.
10. Easter egg hunts
An Easter egg hunt is a classic activity for families to take part in at home over Easter but why not try one in your local area.
There are many egg hunts available to join around Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan including the Barry Easter egg hunt. The Barry egg hunt is the first Barry town-wide Easter egg hunt, taking place on Saturday, April 8. Dozens of venues across Barry are taking part to create the egg hunt for children to enjoy. Find out more here.
Other Easter egg hunts will take place in venues such as:
- IKEA Cardiff
- Cardiff Riding School
- The Pen and Wig in Park Grove
Llanrumney Hall
And many more!
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