100+ family-friendly events in and around Cardiff this April – including Easter

Cardiff

Wow! It took me forever to put the April listings together, because with Easter weekend and the school holidays there’s just so much going on! I’ve rounded up everything I could find, but if I’ve missed anything, let me know.

As always, all events are subject to change so do check with organisers to avoid disappointment.

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Follow the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page for more ideas of local family-friendly activities, visit the Cardiff section of Cardiff Mummy Says, Cardiff Mummy Says on Instagram or @cardiffmummy on Twitter

 



 

CHARITY

Mad Hats: A Tea Party

The Kymin, Penarth

Saturday 8th April, 2-5pm

Adults £5, children £2

A family events fundraising for charities helping babies born prematurely – Noah’s Ark/ Tiny Lives Appeal, Cwtch Baby Bank, Tear Fund and Tros Gynnal Plant.

Organised by TV and radio presenter Bethan Elfyn, whose second daughter was born prematurely, live music on the day will come from Ofelia, Little Folk, Cw Cw, Hana and Rebecca Hurn. There will also be vintage tea, coffee and cake, an egg hunt, a bouncy castle, a prize raffle, and an Easter bonnet parade with a Mad Hatter twist.

 

FREE Family Easter Fun Day

All Nations Church, Sachville Avenue, Cardiff

Tuesday 11th April, 1pm-4pm

Easter activities for children of all ages incuding an Egg Hunt, Easter themed crafts and for the first time, a Bunny Bop disco!  Entry to the event is free, as are refreshments, but donations towards supporting the children receiving treatment at the Children’s Hospital for Wales, Cardiff, are welcome

 

Regular toddler/family days

Toddler Day – Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Friday 7th April, 9.30am-4.30pm

Teddy Bears’ Picnic is the theme this month as the famous hands-on science centre opens its doors to the pre-schoolers of Cardiff and beyond. As well as more than 100 exhibits, you can expect teddy bears’ picnic themed drawing, colouring and crafts, as well as story time and a disco. Under 4s are free, with accompanying adults paying £5.50 entry. Read our review of a previous toddler day here.

 

FREE Family Saturdays

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Saturdays, 11am-4pm

Drop in to enjoy some family-friendly arts and crafts in Wales Millennium Centre’s foyer, with a different theme every week.

 

Toddler Events

Parc Play, Curran Embankment, Cardiff

Fridays 7th and 28th April

Usual admission charges apply. No need to book. Read our review of a previous Parc toddler day here.

Friday 7th April – Easter crafts and bug hotel build

Friday 28th April – Animal Zone

Friday 5th May – Magic Stu

Friday 12th May – Beach party

Friday 19th May – RPSB Giving Nature A Home

Friday 26th May – Captain Jack Sparrow

 

FREE Toddler Time

National Museum Cardiff

Every Friday during term-time, 1.30pm-4pm

The museum welcomes pre-schoolers every Friday afternoon, with special boxes of toys, games and books hidden in different galleries to help parents and children explore the museum through play. Read our review of a previous  Toddler Time here.

 

FREE Clore Explorers

National Museum Cardiff

Saturdays and Sundays during term time, 2pm

Free workshops give families the chance to find out more about objects from the museum and take part in a crafty activity.

 

FREE Super Saturdays

National Roman Legion Museum Caerleon

Saturdays from, 11am-4pm

Every Saturday, visitors can discover what life was like for a soldier in the Roman army. Visit the reconstructed barrack room and learn more about the weapons and armour, as well as try on some replica armour. Families can also dress up and play games in the Capricorn Centre, a relaxed hands-on area of the museum. Both areas are closed on Sundays but are open during some school holidays.

Read our review of the National Roman Legion Museum plus other Roman sites in Caerleon here.

 

Baby and Toddler Tuesdays

Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran

Tuesdays 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th April

Events and workshops for the pre-school crowd, including singing, crafts and guest sessions from local pre-school classes. Usual entrance fees apply, but all workshops are free on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

FREE Dinky Dragons

Cardiff Story Museum, The Hayes, Cardiff

Friday 14th April, 10am-3pm

The Cardiff Story is a fascinating hands-on exhibition exploring the history of Cardiff. You can read our review here. The monthly Dinky Dragons free family days are great fun, taking place on the second Friday of each month, between 10am and 3pm. As well as the usual exhibits and dressing up clothes, there will be toys to play with, detective trails, crafts, messy play and rhyme time and story time at 11am and 1pm.

 

FREE Story and Rhyme Time in Welsh for Babies

Big Pit National Coal Museum

Thursdays during term time,10am-11.30am

Storytelling and singing for parents and babies, through the medium of Welsh, as well as soft play equipment for youngsters. Suitable for 0-4 years. In partnership with Menter Iaith Blaenau Gwent.


 

Easter-themed events

Breakfast or tea with the Easter Bunny

Wyevale Garden Centre, Cardiff

Saturday 1st-Thursday 23rd April

£9.99 per child; age guidance 3-8

Enjoy an Easter meal in the company of the Easter bunny, plus Easter cookie decorating, a cuddly toy gift and an activity sheet.

A minimum of 1 paying adult per booking; large meal £7.99 or small meal £3.99.

 

Easter Activities

Treetop Adventure Golf

St David’s Shopping Centre, CArdiff

Friday 7th-Monday 24th April

Free face painting – 12th-17th, 20th-21st, 12pm-4pm

Meet The mascot Simi – 10th, 12th, 14th, 1th, 19th, 21st April, 11am-4pm

Free arts and crafts – 7th, 18th, 19th, 22nd, 24th April, 12pm-4pm

Plus a new pop up library thanks to Cardiff Central Library, all day

Read our review of Treetop Adventure Golf here.

 

Easter Eggstravaganza

Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran

Saturday 8th April-Sunday 23rd April

10am-5pm

A daily schedule of events including meeting giant Easter bunnies, Easter-themed crafts and an Easter Bonnet parade on Easter Monday, plus cuddle corner with the farm’s smaller animals, milking demonstrations, tractor rides and more.

 

Easter Trail

Cardiff Castle

Saturday 8th-Sunday 23rd April

Find the answers to the puzzles in the house and the grounds and win an Easter prize.

£1 per trail, as well as normal admission or valid Castle Key.

See more of what to expect at Cardiff Castle here.

See below for details of Easter weekend fun.

 

Prize Easter Trail

National Roman Legion Museum Caerleon

Saturday 8th-Sunday 23rd April, 10am-5pm

£1 per person

No need to feel ‘sheepish’ when you hunt down the escaped flock around the museum and then claim your prize! Read more about our trip to the museum here.

 

Easter Events

Cwmcarn Forest, Crosskeys 

Sunday 9th-Thursday 20th April

For more of what to expect at Cwmcarn Forest, see our review.

Easter Pottery Workshops, Sunday 9th April, £5 per child

Easter bunny pots, Monday 10th April, £4.50 per child

Bird Seed Cookie Workshops, Wednesday 12th April, £2.50 per child

Easter Toddler Crafts, Thursday 13th April, £2.50 per child, 18 months+

Easter Hunt Name Trail, Sunday 16th April, £4.50 per child (based on the story of The Boy Who Lost His Name, follow the clues around the forest)

Spring cupcake wreaths, Wednesday 19th April, £3 per child

Easter toddler crafts, Thursday 20th April, £2, 18 months+

Various sessions available; all must be pre-booked.

 

Easter crafts

Big Pit National Coal Museum

Monday 10th-Wednesday 12th and Monday 17th-Wednesday 19th April, 12pm – 4pm

Entry to the museum is free but a small charge will apply

Drop in sessions to make pop up Easter cards, lamb masks and Easter egg hanging decorations.

 

FREE Storytelling and crafts

St Fagans National Museum of History

Monday 10th, Wednesday 12th and Wednesday 19th April, 2.30-4.30pm

Free family sessions from Cardiff Libraries with reading, storytelling and craft activities.

 

FREE Easter craft workshop

The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

Good Friday 14th April, 12pm-4pm

Join in the free Easter craft workshop and then show off your masterpieces to Mr and Mrs Bunny, who will be meeting and greeting at the centre at 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.

Peppa and George tributes will be at the centre on Easter Monday 17th April, at intervals between 12pm and 4pm, to celebrate the release of Peppa Pig: Mu First Cinema Experience.

 

Easter Crafts

The Winding Museum, Caerphilly

Good Friday 14th April,

£2.50 per child; booking essential

Get creative with family arts and crafts.

 

Easter Family Crafts

The Cardiff Story

Wednesdays 12th and, 19th April, 10am to 3pm

£1 per child (entry to the museum is free)

As well as all the hands-on exhibitions bringing the history of Cardiff to life, families can drop in for creative Easter crafts. Read our review of The Cardiff Story here.

 

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt

Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan

Friday 14th-Monday 17th April

£2 per child, on top of usual admission charges

Follow the clues to explore the gardens, find the chocolate treats hidden by Bunny that will lead to a Cadbury treat at the end. read our review of Dyffryn Gardens here.

 

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt

Tredegar House, Newport

Friday 14th-Monday 17th April

£2 per child, on top of usual admission charges

Follow the clues to explore the gardens, find the chocolate treats hidden by Bunny that will lead to a Cadbury treat at the end. Read our review of Tredegar House here.

 

Easter Fun including The Warwick Warriors

Cardiff Castle

Saturday 15th-Easter Monday 17th April

The Warwick Warriors will be entertaining the crowds with their dramatic fight sequences and quick-witted banter.

Easter activities include card making, egg rolling, egg decorating (Saturday and Sunday only), and egg and spoon races.

Normal admission applies, or valid Castle Key

Pre-book for egg decorating; £5 per child plus one adult; £2.50 per additional person

Read our review of Cardiff Castle here.

 

Easter Egg Hunt

St Fagans National Museum of History

Good Friday 14th-Easter Monday 17th April, 11am-2pm

£2.50 per child

Family Easter trail. Solve the riddles and follow the trail around the site, then it’s back to the start to claim your egg-citing prize! See our review of St Fagans here.

See Historical section for details of Victorian school day events.

 

Easter Egg Hunt

Bryngarw Country House

Saturday 15th-Easter Sunday 16th April

£7.50 per child advance booking necessary.

Come along and find over 7,000 chocolate eggs around Bryngarw Park. Start your session with a craft activity in the visitor centre before you hunt for the Easter eggs. Read our review of Bryngarw Country Park here.

 

Lunch With Nutty Noah

Village Hotel Cardiff, Coryton

Easter Sunday 16th April, 12pm-4pm

Adults £25, children £12.50

A family Easter celebration, featuring a three-course meal and a lively, interactive show from Nutty Noah.

 

Easter Egg Hunt

Caerphilly Castle

Sunday 16th April, 11am-4pm

Adults £7.95, children £5.2, family £23.70 (2+3)

An Easter egg hunt around the castle.

See our review of Caerphilly Castle here.

 

 

Easter Fun

Victoria Park Bandstand, Cardiff

Easter Sunday 16th April, 2pm-4pm

£1 per child

Get creative at one of Cardiff’s most famous parks with Easter arts and crafts with the community park ranger.

 

Easter Trail

Castell Coch

Sunday 16th April, 11am-4pm

Adult £6.50, children £4.20, family £19.30 (2+3)

An Easter trail around Wales’s famous fairytale castle.

See our review of Castell Coch here.

 

Children’s Arts and Crafts and egg hunt

Llancaich Fawr Manor

Easter Monday 17th April, 11am-4pm

£5 for children. First adult free, extra adults £1

Easter-theme crafts to make plus an egg hunt.

 

Easter Craft Sessions

St Fagans National History Museum

Tuesday 18th-Friday 21st April, 12pm-4pm

£2 per child

Family friendly drop-in craft sessions with inspiration from objects in the museum’s collections as well as the animals, flowers and trees.

 

FREE Springtime Family Trail

National Museum Cardiff

Friday 14th-Monday 17th April, 10am-4pm

Explore the Museum for signs of spring with the family Easter trail. Pick up your free trail guide from the Clore Discover Centre

 

Easter Duck Trails

Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths

Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th April, 11am-4pm

£2 per trail. Entry to the Baths are free.

Join our Easter Duck trails around the Roman Baths and ‘hook a duck’ along the way, to win your own duck balloon and Easter egg treat to take home.

Read more about our visit to the Roman sites of Caerleon here.

 

FREE Easter Trail and Teddy Bear’s Picnic

Blaenavon Ironworks

Saturday 15th April, 11am-4pm

Easter trail, Teddy Bear’s picnic, and storytelling for children. Fun for all the family, with a free egg for the first 200 children to complete the Easter Egg Trail.

Children can bring their own teddy bear and picnic snack, and listen to stories together in Stack Square. Easter Egg Trail:  11am – 4pm; Storytelling and picnic: 1-3pm

 

Nature-themed and the Great Outdoors

 

FREE Wriggle – The Wonderful World of Worms

National Museum Cardiff

Until June 2018

A fascinating look into the weird and wonderful world of worms, this has plenty of interactive exhibits, perfect for children. Read our review here. Please note the museum is not open on Mondays.

 

RHS Flower Show Cardiff

Friday 7th-Sunday 9th April

Bute Park Cardiff

Adults £10 in advance (£9 RHS members) £13 on the door (£11); accompanying children under 16 free

The annual floral spectacular, the RHS Flower Show Cardiff, embraces Wales’ Year of Legends with a host of themed-gardens and features to spark the imagination. There’s plenty on offer for little ones, with tree climbing, den building, the popular annual school’s wheelbarrow competition, a chance to get up close and personal with giant wicker bug sculptures, plus making and decorating wood cookie name tag necklaces to take home.

 

 

Explorer Dress Up Day

Dyffryn Gardens

Saturday 8th April, 10am – 6pm

Adult £9.60, Child £4.80, Family £24

Don your safari jacket, explorer hat and muddy boots as you set off through the wilderness, following lost diary extracts of legendary plant hunters and facing challenges along the way. All those dressed to impress will receive a treat. Read more of what to expect at Dyffryn Gardens in our review.

 

Easter holiday activities

Tredegar House, Newport

Saturday 8th April – Sunday 23rd April, 11am-4pm

Adult £9.20, Child £4.60, Family £23

A range of family activities throughout the house. (See Easter section above for details of egg hunt.) Read our review of Tredegar House here.

 

Little Green Fingers Bunny Hop Easter Workshops

Pugh’s Garden Centre, Radyr

Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th April, 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm

£6 per child; age 3+

Gardening and nature workshops for children. Decorate a plant pot, turn it into a bunny, and plant some cress seeds; make a bunny photo-booth style bunny selfie mask, and then go on a bunny hop hunt vegetable treasure hunt around the garden centre.

Read our review of a previous Little Green Fingers workshop at Pugh’s

 

Easter Holiday Events

Newport Wetlands

Monday 10th-Friday 14th and Monday 17th-Friday 21st April, 10am-12pm

RSPB Members £3 / non-members £5

Daily family wildlife activities such as pond dipping and minibeast hunting, led by the reserve’s staff who can tell you more about the creatures bursting into life in our ponds and meadows.

 

Easter Holiday Activities

Margam Park

Monday 10th-Sunday 23rd April

Daily family-friendly activities. For more on what to expect at Margam Park, see our review.

Monday 10th April, Pondnet Spawn Court, 10.30am, FREE

Monday 10th April, Easter Crafts, 11am FREE

Tuesday 11th April, Egg-Cellent Eggs, £3 per person

Tuesday 11th April, Archery

Wednesday 12th April, Zoolab: Springtime and Archery, various times available, £3 per person

Thursday 13th April, Super Soapy Soap Socks felt making, various times available, £3 per child

Thursday 13th April, RSPB, 10am-4pm Castle Lawn, FREE

Thursday 13th April, Margam Tales Myths and legends, FREE, get ticket from cabin on arrival

Thursday 13th April, Stand up Paddle Boarding, age 7+, 1-hr beginner sessions, £12, various times available, pre-book

Easter Sunday 16th April Lions and Lilies – Medieval Knights and Archers

Adults £7.00, Children £5.00, Family (2 +2) £23.00.

Easter Monday 17 April 2017, 10:00 – Charge of the Dark Knight’ Family Fun Day

Adults £7.00, Children £5.00, Family (2 +2) £23.00.

Tuesday 18th April, Funky Foam Door Hangers, £3 per child, various sessions available

Tuesday 18th April, Archery

Wednesday 19th April, Zoolab Mini Beasts, £3 per child

Wednesday 19th April, Archery

Thursday 20th, Family Bushcraft – Fire Through The Ages, various sessions available, £3 per child, age 5+

Thursday 21st April, RSPB, 10am-4pm Castle Lawn, FREE

Thursday 21st April, Castle Tour, 2om, Margam Tales, Myths and Legends

Friday 21st April, It’s A Bug’s Life crafts, 11am-3pm FREE

Friday 21st April, RSPB, 10am-4pm Castle Lawn, FREE

Saturday 22nd April, Try Canoeing, £12 per person, 1 hr beginner session, book in advance, 7+

Sunday 23rd April, Try Kayaking, £12 per person, 1 hr beginner session, book in advance, 7+

 

Animal Encounters and Falcons Flying

Llancaich Fawr Manor

Good Friday 14th April, 10am-2pm; 2pm to 4pm.

Up close and personal with a fascinating range of animals. Pre-booking essential

 

FREE Otters in the City

Blackweir Bridge, Bute Park

Saturday 15th April, 10.30am-4pm

Learn more about otters in Cardiff, with Wildlife Trust if South and West Wales and Cardiff University Otter Project.

 

Flying Kites and Lazy Owls

Caerphilly Castle

Wednesday 19th April, 11am-4pm.

Adults £7.95, children £5.20, family £23.70

Experience birds of prey up close with Pembrokeshire Falconry. Learn about hunting with birds, as well as why owls are so silent in flight. There will be photo opportunities throughout the day for a small additional charge. Flying displays 12pm and 3pm. The birds can be viewed throughout the day when not flying.

 

 

FREE Monthly Nature Ramble

Forest Farm, Cardiff

Saturday 22nd April 10am-12pm

Butterflies, bees and birds! Spring is an amazing time for birds, with migrants coming from far and wide to holiday in Wales. Discover flitting chiffchaffs, buzzing bumble bees and experience the unique song of the wood warbler in one of Cardiff’s hidden treasures.

Read more about our walk at Forest Farm here.

 

Bat Walk

Newport Wetlands

Friday 21 April, 7pm-late

RSPB members £6 / non members £8; booking essential

A guided walk around Newport Wetlands using a bat detector to search for the bats that make their home at the nature reserve.  You’ll then use a moth trap, wine roping and sugaring to see what different species you can trap and identify throughout the evening. Includes fire with toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate. Don’t forget your torch!

 

Spring Flowers in Coed Y Felin

Coed y Felin Woods, Lisvane

Saturday 22 April 10.30am
Explore the superb ancient woodland of Coed Y Felin and discover the amazing queen bees feasting on the nectar rich meadows.

 

May Bank Holiday Weekend

Tredegar House, Newport

Saturday 29th April-Monday 1st May, 11am-4pm

A three day weekend of outdoor fun, giving children the chance to tick off some of the National Trust’s 50 things to do before 11¾. Celebrate Screen-Free Week by getting stuck in in the great outdoors.

 

THEATRE, PERFORMANCE AND CULTURAL

 

Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival

Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd April

Events across the city

Highlights of the second weekend of the festival include Shoo Rayner with Dragons, Chris Haughton and his new books Goodnight Everyone, Jenny Nimo, author of the Snow Spider talking about Welsh myths, David Solomons, author of My Gym Teacher is an Alien Overlord, Geek Girl author Holly Smale, and TV presenters Lucy and Rhodri Owen, author of Boo-a-bog in the Park.

Sessions cost £4 per person.

 

Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic

Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

Wednesday 5th April-Sunday 9th April

6.30pm daily plus 10.30am and 2.30pm on Saturday and Sunday

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and a host of Disney princesses lead the celebrations as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 years of Disney magic. Sing along to more than 30 songs from classic Disney films such as The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Frozen, plus Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story and Finding Nemo.

 

Welsh Wrestling Live

Memo Arts Centre, Barry

Saturday 8th April, 7pm

An evening of glitz, glamour and bodyslam mayhem as the Welsh Wrestling roadshow invades for one night only! See the over the top stars of the wrestling world collide in a night of super slamming action at this fun, crazy, family entertainment show.

 

Legally Blonde The Musical

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Monday 10th-Wedneday 12th April, 7.30pm, Wednesday matinee 2pm

Adults £14, concessions £12, children under 16 £10

Kinetic Theatre Arts present a musical stage adaptation of the film Legally Blonde. It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrols at Havard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend…. and finds herself successfully defending an exercise queen in a murder trial.

 

The Scarecrows’ Wedding

Riverfront Theatre, Newport

Tuesday 11th April

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-selling book is brought to the stage in this heart-warming musical adaptation by Scamp Theatre. Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay are scarecrows in love and about to be married. Until, that is, the smooth Reginald Rake swoops in to try to take Harry’s place. Will Harry make it back in the nick of time to save their special day?

Age guidance: 3+

National Youth Boys Choir

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff

Wednesday 12th April, 3pm

A spring showcase from the National Youth Boys Choir, featuring a range of music from many cultures and traditions. The boys, who are aged 9-15 and hail from around the UK, will perform on the back of a week’s rehearsals at Llandovery College in West Wales.

 

Don’t Dribble on the Dragon

Pavilion Theatre, Porthcawl

Thursday 13th April, 2.30pm

This musical adventure about growing up and the importance of family follows Tom, a toddler with a cool older problem, a secret dragon and a dribbling problem that looks set to threaten his friendship with his brother. Can the dragon’s magic help them put it back together again or will it make things worse? This is a new musical based on the new book by Steven Lee and with magic designed by Paul Daniels.

Age guidance: 2+. Running time: 1 hour

 

You’ve Got Dragons

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Thursday 13th and Friday 14th April, 6.30pm, Saturday 15th April, 2pm and 5pm.

Taking Flight Company present this delightful tale of one child’s journey to come to terms with their inner dragon… the worries, fears and anxieties which sneak up on us at one time or another. An inclusive and accessible take on Kathryn Cave’s book, this a fully accessible intergenerational show featuring creative captioning, BSL and audio description.

Age guidance 4+

 

Jason and the Argonauts

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Friday 14th April, 7.30pm

Saturday 15th April, 2.30pm and 7.30pm

A new version of the classic legend sees Jason, an ordinary human in a world bursting with gods, monsters and superheroes. Assembling a team of mighty Argonauts, he tales the ship Argo on the ultimate adventure – the quest for the Golden Fleece.

Age guidance: 7+

 

Feztival of Magic and Comedy – a celebration of Tommy Cooper

Caerphilly Castle

Saturday 15th April, 11am-4pm

Adults £7.95, children £5.20, family £23.70 (2+3)

As part of the Year of Legends, Caerphilly Castle is celebrates on of the town’s great legends – Tommy Cooper, with a ‘feztival’ of magic and comedy.

 

FREE Family Dance Festival

The Riverfront, Newport

Tuesday 18 April 3pm & 5pm

Wednesday 19 April 12pm & 3pm

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Friday 21st April, 3pm & 5pm

Saturday 22 April, 12pm & 3pm

No need to book

This jam-packed hour-long pop-up dance show is a great way to introduce families to contemporary dance. Four short dance acts will be followed by a chance for kids to take part in a workshop and try some of the moves they’ve just seen. Presented by Chapter & Coreo Cymru, in partnership with National Dance Company Wales, the show is touring Wales throughout April.

 

The Tap Dancing Mermaid

Riverfront Arts Centre, Newport

Thursday 20th April, 11.30am and 2.30pm

Puppetry, original live music and tap dancing combine in this magical tale about a tap dancer. Marina Skippett can’t dance at home because her evil aunt banned it, so every night she creeps down to the boardwalk to shuffle and stomp to the sounds of the sea. One night she meets a mysterious watery boy and her life is never the same again.

Age guidance: 3+

 

Naomi Wild & Scary

Naomi’s Wild and Scary

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

Friday 21st April, 2.30pm

Children’s TV presenter Naomi Wilkinson presents a show packed full of fun and surprises as Naomi is joined on stage by ‘Animal Mark’, and some of his scariest creatures. Join Naomi as she recalls some of her most exciting wildlife experiences from the far flung corners of the world and even introduces the audience to some of the most fierce and frightening animals she met along the way.

Age guidance: 5+

 

The Wizard of Oz – Easter Panto

The Riverfront, Newport

Friday 21st April, 3pm and 7pm

Saturday 22nd April, 1pm and 5pm

Dorothy and her adventures with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and the munchkins are given the panto treatment, with plenty of engeretic dance routines, well-known pop songs, lots of audience participation and humour for all the family.

 

Don’t Dribble on the Dragon

Memo Arts Centre, Barry

Sunday 23rd April, 2.30pm

This musical adventure about growing up and the importance of family follows Tom, a toddler with a cool older problem, a secret dragon and a dribbling problem that looks set to threaten his friendship with his brother. Can the dragon’s magic help them put it back together again or will it make things worse? This is a new musical based on the new book by Steven Lee and with magic designed by Paul Daniels.

Age guidance: 2+. Running time: 1 hour

 

Northern Ballet: Goldilocks & the Three Bears

New Theatre, Cardiff

Friday 28th April, 12pm and 2pm

A great way to introduce children to live ballet, music and theatre. The tale of mischievous Goldilocks and her run-in with the three bears is brought to life in one of Northern Ballet’s acclaimed Short Ballets for Small People. Running time: 40 minutes.

 

Alice In Wonderland

Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl

Friday 28th April, 7.30pm

Lewis Carrol’s much-loved children’s classic is turned into a ballet as Alice tumbles into Wonderland. Guided by the White Rabbit, she meets an array of astonishing charaters, including the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and the mischievous twins, Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

 

National Dance Company Wales: Discover Dance

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Saturday 29th April, 2pm

Learn some moves, get on stage with the company dancers, watch a short performance and ask the dancers anything you like.

Running time: 90 minutes. Age guidance: 7+

Dinosaur World

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

Saturday 29th April and Sunday 30th April, 11.30am and 2.30pm

This show will take the audience across unchartered territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan and Segnosaurus, to name a few!

Age guidance: 3+; Running time 50 minutes plus 15 minutes ‘meat and greet’ with the dinosaurs. Limited number of Danger Zone seats available.

 

Meet Bing & Flop

Hamleys Cardiff

Saturday 22nd April, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Meet TV favourites Bing and Flop, and join in with Bing’s treasure hunt around the store.

 

Meet Doh-Doh!
Hamleys, Cardiff

Saturday 15th April, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Doh-Doh, a Play-Doh mascot will be helping youngsters have fun moulding, squidging and making marvellous creations – pllus 25% off Play-Doh! Products.

 

 

HISTORICAL, MUSEUMS, STEAM TRAINS ETC

Tintern Abbey

FREE From Wembley to Wales: Celebrating Cardiff City’s 1927 FA Cup Victory

The Cardiff Story

4th March-4th September 2017

Celebrating 90 years of Cardiff City Football Club’s FA Cup win, discover more about the match, the players and the fans of the club’s most famous victory. (See below for details of a family day on 23rd April.)

 

April Fool’s Day – True or False

Caerphilly Castle, Cardiff

Saturday 1st April, 9.30am-5pm

Adults £7.50, under 16s £5.20, family £23.70 (2+3)

How much do you know about the castle? Take the True or False quiz for April Fool’s Day and find out. Read our review of Caerphilly Castle here.

 

Stickin Gladiators

Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths

Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th April, 10am-4pm

£2 per child (entry to the museum is free)

Create and customise your own Roman Gladiator using stickers. Learn about different gladiators before creating your own unique fighter.

Read about our day out to the Roman sites in Caerleon here.

 

 

Victorian School Days

St Fagans National History Museum

Monday 10th-Thursday 13th April, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm

£2 per person; museum entry is free, £5 parking

Find out what schooldays were like 1890s style. Be on your best behaviour for the super strict Victorian schoolteachers though! Read our review of St Fagans here.

 

Brother Thomas, the Cellarer

Tintern Abbey

Good Friday 14th-Easter Monday 17th April, 10am-4pm, with tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm

Adults £6.50, children £4.20, family (2+3) £19.30

Disover more about the daily life and duties of a Cistercian monk at Tintern Abbey in the 14th Century as ‘Brother Thomas’ tells visitors all about his life as a monk at Tintern Abbey.

Read our review of Tintern Abbey here.

 

Warwick Warriors

Cardiff Castle

Saturday 15th-Easter Monday 17th April

The Warwick Warriors will be entertaining the crowds with their dramatic fight seqences and quick-witted banter.

Easter activities include card making, egg rolling, egg decorating (Saturday and Sunday only), and egg and spoon races.

Normal admission applies, or valid Castle Key

Pre-book for egg decorating; £5 per child plus one adult; £2.50 per additional person

 

Easter Weekend events

Blaenavon Heritage Railway

Friday 14th-Sunday 17th April

Adults £10, children £5, family £25

Travel the 3½ miles of track in the World Heritage Site on the edge of the Brecon Beacons.

Travel from the main station at Furnace Sidings to the Big Pit National Mining Museum for an underground tour. The second journey takes passengers to Coed Avon and Blaenavon (High Level) where you can alight to explore the Heritage Town and Ironworks.

 

Legends of Jurassic Rock

Raglan Castle

Saturday 15th-Monday 17th April, 11am-4.30pm

Adults £6.50, children £4.20, family £19.30 (2+3)

Step back in time for Stone Age Easter fun with dinosaur walkabouts, caveman characters, a prehistoric trail, face painting for the children and more. Visitors can meet Tiny, a 125 million years young dinosaur brought to life by the wonders of modern science. Tiny is accompanied by a palaeontologist who presents a lively and informative natural history show.

 

Medieval Fun

Caerphilly Castle

Easter Sunday16th and Easter Monday17th April, 10am-4pm

Adults £7.95, children £5.20, family £23.70 (2+3)

Two archery shows, a weapons show, have-a-go archery, hands-on weapons and an armour

 

History Trail

Castell Coch

Easter Monday 17th-Friday 21st April, 9.30am-5pm

Adults £6.50, children £4.20, family £19.30

Explore the castle’s history from two different periods, from its medieval incarnation to being attacked and destroyed, before rising up once more centuries later.

 

Miniature Railways and Tramways

Heath Model Railway, Heath Park, Cardiff

Easter Sunday 16th and Easter Monday 17th April, 1pm-5pm

A chance for the whole family to ride on miniature steam, diesel and electric trains, plus a tram, as Cardiff Model Engineering Society open their doors. Entry is £1.60 per person and each ride is £1.60 per person. Under 3s are free.

Check out the rest of Heath Park while you are there – here’s our review.

 

Family craft – 90 year anniversary of Cardiff City winning the FA Cup

The Cardiff Story

Sunday 23rd April, 10am -3pm

£1 per child

A sport-inspired family craft day celebrating the 90th anniversary of Cardiff City Football team winning the FA Cup in this sport inspired, family craft day! £1 per child. The accompanying exhibition From Wembley to Wales: Celebrating Cardiff City’s 1927 FA Cup Victory runs at the museum until 4th September where you can find out about the match, the players and the fans to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the FA Cup win. Entry to the exhibition is free.

 

The Winding Engine

The Winding House, New Tredegar

Saturday 29th April, 12pm

The Winding House is a museum built on the site of the former Elliot Colliery. Its centre-piece is the original Victorian winding engine, which used to operate the cages which transported men and coal between the surface and the mine below. Visitors can see the huge engine in operation for 10-15 minutes at 12pm on the last Saturday of the month.

 

Medieval Mayhem

Caerphilly Castle

Sunday 30th April-Monday 1st May, 10am-4pm

Adults £7.95, children £5.20, family £23.70 (2+3)

A weekend of medieval fun and mayhem with the good people of Bowlore. Learn archery skills and then watch an archery display, watch a weapons display, visit sword school, plus hands-on weapons and armour displays throughout the day.

 

Mixed Traction Weekend

Blaenavon Heritage Railway

Sunday 30th and Monday 1st May

Adults £10, children £5, family £25

A mix of diesel and steam engines will be running over the weekend. Train route as above.

 

Lions and Lilies – Medieval Knights and Archers

Margam Park, Port Talbot

Easter Sunday 16th April, 10am

Adults £7.00, Children £5.00, Family (2 +2) £23.00.

A weekend of archery, combat and sword demonstrations. The Knights and Squires in the Lions and Lilies have been trained by a renowned sword Master, great medieval fun!

 

Charge of the Dark Knight’ Family Fun Day

Margam Park, Port Talbot

Easter Monday 17 April 2017, 10:00

Adults £7.00, Children £5.00, Family (2 +2) £23.00.

Knight jousting between the Black Knight and the Heroic Knight from the Lions and Lillies re-enactment group who display the colour and pageantry of the Kingdom of Edward III.

Read our review of Margam Park here.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Star Tours, Night and Day, Amazing Eggsperiments

Techniquest

Satrurday 8th-Sunday 23rd plus Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th April

As well as the usual hands-on science exhibitions, there are three shows at Techniquest this month. Star Tours (7+), which focuses on constellatiobs, the planets and how stars are born and die; while Night and Day (under 7s) asks where the sun goes at night. Both are in the digital planetarium and cost of £1.50 extra per person. Amazing Eggsperiments is a live science show of experiements which will show how strong an egg is, why they turn solid when heated, and how to tell if an egg is boiled or raw, rotten or fresh.

Weekend of 1st/2nd April – shows are Switched On, Space Hunters and Mars.


Techniquest

ARTS, CRAFT AND CREATIVE (non Easter-related)

FREE Bingo Fflamingo!

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Monday 10th-Saturday 15th April, 11am-4pm

Once again, Wales Millennium Centre’s foyer will become a giant collaborative art work, as visitors create a giant colony of extraordinary flamingos. The event is bilingual and suitable for all ages. No need to book, just turn up, although at busy times there may a wait.

 

FREE Taking Flight Theatre BBC Get Creative Workshop

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Sunday 9th April, 10am-5pm

Create a model box of a miniature house and make it as touchy feely as you can! It even has a tiny light inside to make it really magical. The event is part of BBC Get Creative and is free.

 

FREE Painting Colours and Shapes

National Museum Cardiff

Saturday 8th-Thursday 13th April 11am, 1pm, 3pm

Gillian Ayres is one of the most important abstract painters of the 20th century, famed for her paintings of shapes and bright colours. This workshop will explore her paintings inspired by the landscapes of Wales, inspiring children to create their own painted work of art. This messy art workshop is particularly suitable for young children!

 

The Project Animation

Roath Church House, Waterloo Road, Cardiff

Tuesday 18th-Thursday 20th April, 10am-4pm

Age 9-16; £110

A three-day animation workshop suitable for all levels. You will learn how to storyboard, character design, build your characters, animate, sound record and edit your ideas, using HD industry animation technology.

Manga Drawing Workshop

Friday 21st April 2017, 10am-4pm

Age 10-16, £40

This Manga drawing workshop teaches you how to draw and create characters in the popular Japanese style. You will be taught construction techniques to strengthen your artwork and how to pose your Manga characters. You will explore how to draw Manga and Chibi heads including facial expressions.

 

 

 

 

FREE Botanical Illustration Family Workshops

National Museum Cardiff

Tuesday 18th-Friday 21st April, 11am, 1pm, 3pm

Botanical illustrations are paintings or drawings (usually watercolors) of plants and flowers that show scientific detail. They are an important scientific resource but also very beautiful. This family workshop will show you how to paint in the style of a botanical illustrator and find out more about the important plant life on the museum’s urban meadow.

 

Family craft – 90 year anniversary of Cardiff City winning the FA Cup

The Cardiff Story

Sunday 23rd April, 10am -3pm

£1 per child

A sport-inspired family craft day celebrating the 90th anniversary of Cardiff City Football team winning the FA Cup in this sport inspired, family craft day! £1 per child

The accompanying exhibition From Wembley to Wales: Celebtating Cardiff City’s 1927 FA Cup Victory runs at the museum until 4th September where you can find out abiut the matchm the players and the fans to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the FA Cup win. Entry to the exhibition is free.

 

Get Active!

Big Fish Little Fish

The Tramshed, Cardiff

Sunday 9th April, 2pm-4.30pm

All tickets £7.50; pre-walkers free

Big Fish Little Fish’s family rave returns to Cardiff with a Space is the Place theme. Alex Paterson from The Orb will DJ, while intergalactic planetaries, space cadets and little aliens can get busy on the multi-sensory dance floor with club visuals, glitter and bubbles, giant bouncy balloons and the legendary parachute dance. There’s a craft room, a giant colouring mural, a chill out area with soft play and Wendy houses, plus licensed bars and restaurant with special kids menu created for the event, free glow sticks and transfer tattoos, cake stall, photo booth, face painting and more!

 

Roller Disco

Willows High School, Cardiff

Wednesday 12th April, 12pm-2pm

£4.50 including skate hire. All ages and abilities welcome.

 

 

Outdoor pursuits

Margam Park

Daily family-friendly activities. For more on what to expect at Margam Park, see our review.

Thursday 13th April, Stand up Paddle Boarding, age 7+, 1-hr beginner sessions, £12, various times available, pre-book

Thursday 20th, Family Bushcraft – Fire Through The Ages, various sessions available, £3

Saturday 22nd April, Try Canoeing, £12 per person, book in advance, 7+

Sunday 23rd April, Try Kayaking, £12 per person, 1 hr beginner session, book in advance, 7+

 

 

CINEMA

I’m focusing on special film events and cheap family screenings at holidays and weekends here, rather than regular cinema screenings.

 

Odeon Kids

Odeon Cinema, The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

The 10am weekend and school holiday showings are £2.50 per person. Films to be announced; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

 

Movies for Juniors

Cineworld, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff

The 10am weekend and school holiday Movies for Juniors showings are just £1.75 per person. Check online for schedule; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

 

Mini Mornings

Vue Cinema, Millennium Plaza, Cardiff

The 10am weekend and school holiday Movies for Juniors showings are just £1.99 per person. Check online for schedule; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

 

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Family friendly film screenings of classic films, every weekend and during school holidays. See website for full listings.

PLUS Crafty Pictures (ages 7-12)

Saturdays, 1.50pm

£6 including ticket to the 3pm film

 

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