By Kate Hodges
29th March 2023
EVENTS HOLIDAY FUN
The spring holidays are the starting pistol for events across the UK, particularly those held outdoors. Immerse yourself in nature (and catch the Spring migration) at an RSPB reserve – the society is celebrating a Big Wild Easter, including wild challenges, pond-dipping, spring trails and dinosaur egg-stravaganzas. Or go totally quackers and become a duck detective at WWT sites.
It’s the most egg-citing time of the year for chocolate fans! The National Trust’s Easter events start this week. Try blossom festivals, spring trails, and, of course, egg hunts! Find fun near you here. Or step into spring at an English Heritage site; get involved in traditional games, activities and races. If you’re in Wales, you’ll find sensory play, high ropes and hunts at museums including St Fagans, the National Museum, and the National Waterfront Museum. The RHS’ trail at Wisley windras around giant painted eggs, while in Scotland, there are easter eggs to be found at 22 venues across the country, from Brodie Castle in the Highlands to Greenbank Garden in Glasgow.
Meanwhile, watch that cup of tea closely; this week, the colossal titanosaur stomps into the Natural History Museum. Four times heavier than Dippy, and 12 metres longer than the museum’s blue whale, you’ll get the chance to know this gigantic prehistoric beast very well (there’s even a chance to smell its poo!) Ticketed
Edinburgh Science festival starts this weekend; enjoy two weeks of boffin-pleasing fun. Head to the National Museum of Scotland for FutureFest; an opening weekend of technology, robotics, AI, coding, computers and space. There are tons more innovative workshops, talks, trails and installations taking place across the city; find the full programme here.
In Newcastle? Why not head to see Hew Locke’s spectacular and moving The Procession at the Baltic Gallery? Be sure to time your visit with one of the venue’s excellent family artist-led workshops or young adult creative groups.
Celebrate Black history and culture in Britain with the Caribbean Social Forum at the National Maritime Museum this Saturday. From steel pan drumming to characters to meet, calypso songwriting workshops and civil rights talks to music and dance performances on the Great Map, it’ll be a vibrant day that celebrates the fusion of cultures from Africa, the Caribbean and Britain. Best of all, the treasure that is Floella Benjamin will be there! Free.
Now Play This, the celebration of experimental game design, returns to Somerset House this week as part of the city-wide London Games Festival. This year the theme is love, more specifically bell hooks’ ethical definition of love, rooted in care and growth. Explore how to be more loving through play; ‘walk through’ family homes, try cutting-edge construction kits, and lounge on the Cushion Commons interactive installation or find unique play spaces in the colourful Rainbow Paths outside the venue! Ticketed.
EVENT NATURE’S GLORY
David Attenborough fans rejoice (that’s everyone on their feet, then). This weekend the BBC Earth Experience opens in Earl’s Court, London; an epic, immersive journey through seven continents. With narration from the man himself, plus footage projected onto giant, multi-angle screens, it’s sure to be an eye-popping experience, if a little sobering. Ticketed.
EVENT, MAKE AND RECIPE ROOT-TI-TOOT
4th April is International Carrot Day! Three cheers for the orange root vegetable. Why not hold a carrot party to mark the occasion? It would make a marvellous excuse to make this cute carrot costume or these kawaii felt carrot plushes.
It’s a great spur for trying something new with your stash of carrots. How about carrot ice-cream, infusing oil to make your own natural beauty ingredient or even using them as a clothes or craft dye.
If you’d prefer something more traditional, we have recipes for carrot juices, carrot cake, dairy-free honey and carrot cupcakes, and carrot and coriander soup.
DO HOW’S TRICKS?
Our kids are obsessed with playing pranks, so we’re expecting the full salt-in-a-cup-of-tea, bucket-over-the-door treatment this Saturday morning, on April Fool’s Day. We’re probably not doing you any favours, but The Beano has a great archive of tricks. There’s a good compilation of gentle pranks to pull on your children here, but we’d recommend reading through these wise thoughts on whether it’s a good idea or not to fool your child first. However the morning pans out, why not take your family’s enthusiasm for the day to explore the event’s history? This funny, interesting list of classic hoaxes, could be used as a starting point for a discussion about truth and trust in the media, and ‘fake news’.
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EVENT BUNS AND FUN
It’s World Autism Month, which begins with Sunday’s World Autism Awareness Day. It’s a chance to share stories and help increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism. Pledge your support and upload a photo to become part of a worldwide mosaic of unity and collaboration or submit your story. The National Autistic Society has labelled this year’s theme as being about colours, as it believes people should be proud of their differences and not shy away from an autism diagnosis. Join the colour challenge here!
WHAT WE’RE EATING Here’s a super quick and easy recipe for an Easter treat, which is simple enough that the tiniest bunny can get involved in the baking. They make a lovely gift too, nestled in a box, tied up with ribbon. Find the recipe here
WHAT WE’RE READING Spring cleaning chores for kids, by age: “Although spring cleaning may not top your list of choices for fun family quality time, it’s an endeavour that will leave you and your kids with a sense of satisfaction. While allowing you to get rid of things that have been taking up space, it’s a chance for the entire family to collaborate in sprucing up your home and taking pride in it. When choosing chores for your kids, select tasks that are appropriate for their age and stage in life. By making sure your child will be successful in chores—and bonus points for making it fun—you will build their confidence while instilling life skills.” Read more here
Do you live in Dundee? Or know a family who does? Our next city guide will focus on the Scottish city. We’re looking for tips for fun places to play, family-friendly cafes, cool collectives and creative hubs. We’re also looking for one reader from each city to give us a whistle-stop guide to their favourite family spots. Always happy to plug small, eco businesses or social media channels! Please email [email protected] or comment below if you or someone you know might like to take part.
