80+ family-friendly events in and around Cardiff for the Easter holidays 2023
Schools in Cardiff are out for the Easter holidays from Saturday1 to Sunday 16 April – and with it come a host of events to keep families entertained. It’s great to see big venues and attractions putting on free and low costs events, with a number of trails across the city including Bricklive’s Dino Discovery Trail at St David’s Shopping Centre, the Safari Trail at The Red Dragon Centre, free storytelling and crafts workshops in the Morgan Quarter, a window art trail in Mermaid Quay and a nature trail at Wales Millennium Centre. How To Defeat Monsters (and get away with it) at Riverfront Newport looks like a fun and entertaining interactive theatre experience, while there are egg hunts and numerous attractions across South Wales. Lots of local farm parks, Cadw properties and National Trust properties have Easter egg hunts, plus Fonmon Castle has a medieval Joust event over the Easter weekend and the Heath Park Miniature Railway opens its doors on Easter Sunday and Monday. Active families will welcome the news Lido Ponty is open for the Easter holidays, plus Coed Lan high ropes are back at St Fagans and Celtic Manor has a host of activities. Plus there are lots more events taking place in and around Cardiff.
Keep an eye out on my social media channels and we’ll let you know how we get on at some of these events, plus you can expect reviews of other general days out and ideas of places to visit.
Let me know anything I have missed in the comments below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page, Cardiff Mummy Says Instagram or tweet me on @cardiffmummy
I share events regularly on all these channels so do follow to be the first to know what’s going on locally.
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Family trails in Cardiff
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FREE Spring Safari Trail
The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay
Thursday 30 March-Sunday 16 April
Young explorers and their families are invited to take a walk on the wild side this Easter with The Red Dragon Centre’s Spring Safari Trail. Find all the grass sculptures, collecting each of the letters along the way. Once you’ve found all six, unscramble them to find the mystery word. Scan the QR code on any of the sculptures to be entered into a prize draw to win a family day out at The Red Dragon Centre.
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FREE Spring Fun
Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April
Head to Mermaid Quay for a free art trail, searching for painted windows by the talented Claire from Huxley and Mabel Art.
Each window design will link to a fact on the trail sheet where children can learn spring themed facts. Once you’ve found all the window designs and filled in your facts, submit your entry sheet in the post box in the Atrium next to the Centre Management offices for the chance to win a £50 Nando’s voucher. There will also be a colouring in competition with two £10 Cadwaladers gift cards are up for grabs.
PLUS Thursday 6, Wednesday 12 and Friday 14 April, 12pm-4pm will see free face painting, interactive storytelling, free crafts and colouring in at Unit 9, next to Ken Picton Salon.
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FREE Dino Discovery Trail
St David’s, Cardiff
Monday 3-Sunday 16 April
Dinosaurs are taking over St David’s shopping centre this Easter holidays. 15 brick sculptures are headed to Cardiff, including a 7ft tall Parasaurolophus made from 113,625 bricks and a 12ft long Velociraptor with 46,352 bricks.
The free Bricklive Dino Discovery trail – an ideal choice for families with children aged 4-12, offers a captivating interactive experience, allowing visitors to get an up-close view of dinosaurs while learning fascinating facts about them. Families can pick up a free trail map from the St David’s guest services desk on the upper floor of St David’s 2 from 3rd April. Each child will also get a free dinosaur cardboard hat. The exhibits, presented and built by BRICKLIVE, took a team of 20 designers and master builders over 3000 hours to create. The result is a breath-taking display of colourful dinosaurs that is sure to amaze and inspire visitors of all ages.
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FREE Easter Trail plus craft workshops
Morgan Quarter, Cardiff
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April
Pick up a free trail map at participating retailers, receive a stamp in store for every egg you find nestled in the shop windows, and then receive a chocolate treat on completion of the trail.
PLUS
Pen & Paper, Royal Arcade, Cardiff
Saturday 1 and Saturday 8 April, 11am, 12pm and 1pm
Paint and decorate an Easter egg to take home in this free workshop with stationery experts from Pen and Paper. Book in advance.
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Royal Arcade, Cardiff
Saturday 8 April, 11am, 12pm, 1pm
The Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance for the Morgan Quarter’s Easter Family Fun Day. Meet the magical Easter Bunny and receive a special chocolate treat, plus an opportunity to take a photo of your child with the Easter Bunny. Book in advance.
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FREE Night of the Animal Wall workshops
Royal Arcade, Cardiff
Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 and Saturday 8 April, 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm
Journey into a magical space filled with animals who’ve escaped from Cardiff Castle’s animal wall for a special arts and crafts workshop, guided by local author and artist Jack Skivens, and a storytelling session. Jack will lead an arts and crafts workshop and storytelling session, inspired by Cardiff’s legendary animal wall and Morgan Quarter’s Easter Trail. The arts and crafts workshop will give children the chance to create their own Easter egg illustrations, and will include a reading of Jack’s book, The Night of the Animal Wall. Book in advance.
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Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Monday 3-Sunday 16 April
£1.50 per trail
Spring has sprung at Wales Millennium Centre, and 10 birds have taken over the building. Can you find them? Explore Wales Millennium Centre’s trail for the birds who have made new homes in different locations. Return your completed sheet and receive a reward.
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Easter events and other events at outdoor attractions
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Dyffryn Gardens, St Nicholas, Vale of Glamorgan
Saturday 1-Tuesday 11 April, 10am-4pm
£3 per activity pack plus usual admission. Adults £12.10, children £6.10, family (2+3) £30.30, family (1+3) £18.20 (Gift Aid prices) or free to National Trust members
Pick up your activity pack and explore the grounds of Dyffryn Gardens, taking part in 10 activities to get the family active and creative outside, from dressing up like a baby animal to guessing spring smells and Easter games. Once complete, you can claim your chocolate reward, either a chocolate egg or a vegan/Free From chocolate egg. Both eggs are made using Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa.
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Tredegar House, Newport
Monday 3-Easter Monday 10 April, 10.30am-4pm
£3 per activity pack plus usual admission. Adults £12.10, children £6.10, family (2+3) £30.30, family (1+3) £18.20 (Gift Aid prices) or free to National Trust members
Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. Pick up a trail pack for £3 per trail, which includes an Easter trail sheet, pencil and bunny ears. Once you’ve completed all the activities, you can choose from either a chocolate egg or a vegan/Free From chocolate egg. Both eggs are made using Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa.
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St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Saturday 1-Saturday 15 April
From £1, age guidance 2-11
As well as more than 50 historical buildings to explore at the open air museum, you can also visit St Fagans’ traditional fairground and experience the magic of a bygone era.
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Mountain View Ranch, Cardiff
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April
£8.50 per person aged 2+
Explore on the ranch’s Golden Egg Trail and explore the beautiful Easter Meadow and woodland, complete with giant flowers, wild garlic and fairies. Plus check out the ranch’s classic attractions including the Jumping Pillows, Tree Houses, Ropes Swings, The Gruffalo Trail, and more.
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Fonmom Castle, Rhoose
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April
Adults £13, children £11, six tickets for £55
Wander through the Dinosaur Adventure, meet with dinosaur rangers who will bring the terror of the Tyrannosaurus to life as you help to hunt for the lost dinosaur. Enjoy the recreated Medieval Grange as you learn about Wales’ past and how influential the Black Death was in creating a modern Welsh society. Explore The Mad Hatters’ Tea Garden, The Pirate Adventures, The Woodland Walks, the playparks and playgrounds, walled gardens and lost Victorian horticulture. There are three dinosaur shows a day at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, places limited on a first come, first served basis.
See Historical events section for details of Fonmon Joust, taking place Saturday 8-Easter Monday 11 April.
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Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend
Good Friday 7-Easter Monday 10 April (plus weekends until May 12-14)
Easter weekend kicks off six weekends of deliciousness set in a woodland, by a castle, near the sea. Take in the rich flora and fauna of the Glamorgan Heritage coastline and walk the Big Dipper, Wales’ biggest sand dune all the while working up an appetite to feast at an outdoor global food court featuring the best street food trucks and chefs from Wales and beyond. Plus live music and entertainment.
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Heath Park, Cardiff
Easter Sunday 9 and Easter Monday 10 April, 1pm-5pm
£2.50 entry plus £2.50 per ride, free entry and free rides for children 3 and under
Cardiff Model Engineering Society opens its doors to the public with miniature train rides – steam, diesel and electric – plus tram rides.
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Margam Country Park, Neath Port Talbot
Easter Monday 10 April
Adults £15, children £10.50, children 2 and under free, family (2+2) £45 (plus booking fees). Must be pre-booked
A family fun day at Margam Country Park, with appearances from favourite characters including Peppa Pig and George, Shrek, Titan the Robot. The day will feature live shows and performances, dancing, singing, photo opportunities and more. The day will include a selection of shows, dancing, singing, and photo opportunities. Join in the Princess Celebration, circus and play workshops, storytelling tales of princesses, princes and dragons, meet ‘Prince Charlie’ the King of Bubbles, see fire shows, spot Lightening McQueen and Tow Mater character cars.
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Various locations, Barry
Saturday 8 April
£2 per trail
Barry’s first town-wide Easter Egg Hunt sees dozens of shops across the town creating a giant trail for families. Each online ticket gives you access to the map of venues on the trail. Simply hop along to each venue to get a piece of candy from more than 30 venues across the town. Watch out for the Easter Bunny as you make your way around town and snap a pic at our selfie stages for our photo competition. Put on your best Easter costume for a chance to win prizes; meet various street entertainer characters, plus take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts at shops across Barry on the day.
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Bryngarw Country Park, Bridgend
Saturday 8 and Sunday 10 April
£10.50 per particpant
Back by popular demand, come along and find hundreds of chocolate eggs hidden around Bryngarw Country Park. Start your session in Y Nyth before you hunt for the Easter eggs with the fabulous street theatre performers from LaLaLa Productions. Dress appropriately in suitable footwear and clothing for the ground and weather. Accompanying adults and babes in arms are free of charge and no ticket is required.
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Farm parks, nature reserves and other animal-themed attractions
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The Meadows Farm Village Retreat, Groeswen, Cardiff
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April
Adults and all children 3+ £9.95, children 1-3 £4.95, under ones free
A fun packed Easter, with mascot characters including the Easter Bunny, Paw Patrol and Toy Story on rotation during each day, plus an Easter hunt trail, petting areas with goats, pigs, rabbits and guinea pigs, plus other farm attractions. There’s a selection of add-on activities for an additional cost, including toasting marshmallows, craft activities, face painting, as well as explorer and animal feeing experiences.
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Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter
Cantref Adventure Farm, Brecon
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April
Adults and children, £14, toddler under 93 cm £8, non-walking babies free
An Easter egg hunt with the Easter bunny plus all meet newborn lambs and bottle feed lambs. Have a tractor and trailer ride, petting corner, comedy with Mr Evs in his show, plus indoor and outdoor play, adventure bounce, sand and water play, crazy golf, zip wire, swamp boat ride, sledge ride and lots more.
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Forage Farm Shop, Cowbridge
Easter Egg Trail
Good Friday 7-Easter Monday 9 April
£2 per child
Collect your trail sheet, follow the scenic route, hunt the eggs to discover a hidden word, ad claim your prize, as well as entry into a prize draw for an exclusive Forage Easter Hamper. The 2KM outdoor route takes around 40 minutes; wellies advised.
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Easter Experience
Easter Sunday 8 and Easter Monday 9 April
A range of activities – Lambs on the lawn (free), meet lambs reared at the Penllyn Estate itself, plus the friendly Forage alpacas will be making a visit; petting zoo (Monday only, 12pm-3pm), a chance to meet some smaller animals including giant rabbits, guinea-pigs, hedgehogs, mice, snakes, reptiles and more; static farm display (free) a display of educational farmyard animals alongside machinery to view, with our vintage tractor on the lawn to climb; plus glitter tattoos from £3, 11am-4pm.
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RSPB Newport Wetlands
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April, 10am-4pm
£2 per trail pack; no need to book.
An egg hunt like no other. Meet Gwen the goose and help to find her missing eggs. Along the way there will be activities and puzzles to complete and learn about the wetland creatures making their home on this special reserve. No need to book. Entry to the reserve is free, with parking charges of £4.
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The Gruffalo’s bug buffet – Minibeast hunting
RSPB Newport Wetlands
Wednesdays 5 and 11 April
£6.50 per child non RSPB members, £5.30 members
Become a nature detective this half term on a bug hunt like no other. The activity will follow the story of the Gruffalo to get little ones in the bug hunting mood. They will then discover what the Gruffalo likes to eat and hunt for all things creepy and crawly.
The Wetlands itself is free to visit; car parking £4 for non-members, free for members.
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RSPB Newport Wetlands
Tuesday 4, Thursday 6 and Wednesday 11 April
Age guidance 4+
£7.50 per child non RSPB members, £5.30 members
Discover the life underwater at Newport Wetland this Easter. See what creatures you can catch, with staff on hand to help you identify your finds. You will have exclusive access to the pond dipping area, your own equipment and identification charts.
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Yogi Duck and the Little Chick – Storytelling event
RSPB Newport Wetlands
Thursday 13 April
£7.50 per child non RSPB members, £6.30 members
Yogi Duck and the Little Chick is a story written exclusively for the Wetlands, by local artist Isabel Benavides. The book shares the adventures of a moorhen chick and the event brings its adventures to life in a storytelling event. As well as getting to know some fabulous characters, the story’s theme is one of mindfulness and calm… immersing ourselves in the wonderful nature around us.
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Amelia Trust Farm, Barry
Monday 3-Thursday 6 April
Online prices children £7.50, adults £4.50 (£8/£5.50 on the door entry)
An Easter trail, with a chocolate prize for all children who complete it. Plus all the usual farm activities, including seeing the animals, exploring the woodland trails, playing in the park, tractor rides, lawn games, face painting and lots more.
Plus see the website for details of Teddy Bear Time, a bear building activity where children will make and name their bear, and make a t-shirt for their bear to wear. Cost £30 per child.
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Castles, museums, and other historical attractions, including Easter events
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The Royal Mint Visitor Experience, Llantrisant
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April
Adults from £13.50, children from £10.35, family of four from £40.49
As part pf the regular Royal Mint Experience tour, take part in an Easter egg hunt throughout the exhibition. Find all 11 eggs, solve the riddle, and claim a prize.
From Friday 7 to Monday 10 April, visitors can take part in Easter arts and crafts, including designing your very own Easter egg, on the café area.
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Chocolate making workshop
Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 April
£15 per child
Get creative with chocolate in chocolate-making experience for children, from Chocolate House. Children will be able to decorate brownies with chocolate and sweet treats, make a chocolate lollipop and design their own Easter biscuit. Workshops are 45 minutes. Tour of The Royal Mint Experience is not included in the price but book together for 33% off.
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Science Made Simple
Wednesday 5 April
£15 per child
What exactly do engineers and scientists do? How do planes fly? How can we see through the dust in space? How do engineers make playgrounds safer to play in? How are they saving lives, and the planet? Meet six real-life young engineers and scientists working in the UK. Each one has made a short video about their job and what they enjoy most about it. The presenter weaves these stories together with discussion and interactive demonstrations involving volunteers from the audience. The show introduces students to a wide range of careers and shows them that engineers and scientists are people just like them. Tour of The Royal Mint Experience is not included in the price but book together for 33% off the price.
Animal Encounters
Thursday 13 April
Take part in a wild adventure with A&S Animal Encounters. Get up close and personal with some weird and wonderful creatures, while learning about their natural habitats and how you can play your part in ensuring their preservation. Tour of The Royal Mint Experience is not included in the price but book together for 33% off the price.
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Chepstow Castle
Saturday 1 April-Sunday 16 April. 9.30am-4.30pm
Adults £8.70, children 5-17 £6.10, under 5s free, family (2+3) £28.20 or free for Cadw members
Search the castle for features old and new, and be the first one in your family to shout … BINGO!
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Caerphilly Castle
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April, 11am-3pm
Adults £10.60, children 5-17 £7.50, under 5s free, family (2+3) £34.30 or free for Cadw members
Seasonal activities at Caerphilly Castle include a hunt for eggs around the castle, colouring-in activities, and the chance to make your own card.
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Castell Coch, Tongwynlais, Cardiff
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April, 11am-3pm
Adults £8.70, children 5-17 £6.10, under 5s free, family (2+3) £28.20 or free for Cadw members
Take part in a castle trail over the holidays, plus the bank holiday weekend visitors can enjoy face painting and storytelling.
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Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths
Monday 3 April, 11am-4pm
Adult £5, children 5-17 £3.60, family (2+3) £16.30,
Join in with the Easter Duck Trails around the Roman Baths to win a chocolate treat to take home.
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Chepstow Castle
Adults £8.70, children 5-17 £6.10, under 5s free, family (2+3) £28.20 or free for Cadw members
Wednesday 5 April, 10am-4pm
A day of wildlife activities and information provided by Living Levels Landscape Partnership. Activities include making your own wildlife habitat and pollinators, plus a wildlife spotters trail around the castle.
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Blaenavon Ironworks
Friday 7-Friday 14 April, 10am-4pm
Adults £6.90, children 5-17 £4.80, under 5s free, family (2+3) £22.50
Take part in an Easter Egg trail at Blaenavon Ironworks, with an egg prize for each completed trail.
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FREE Meet A Roman Doctor
National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon
Friday 7, Monday 10, Tuesday 11, Thursday 13, Friday 14 April; 10.30am-11.30am, 12pm-1pm, 1.30pm-2.30pm & 3pm-4pm
Visit the Roman Army Doctor and learn about the plants and techniques that were used to treat Roman soldiers over 2,000 years ago. Pick from an ‘unlucky dip’ of Roman illnesses and accidents to discover your treatment.
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William Marshal’s Visit to Tintern Abbey
Tintern Abbey
Saturday 8-Monday 10 April, 10am-5pm
Adults £8.70, children 5-17 £6.10, under 5s free, family (2+3) £28.20 or free for Cadw members
An interactive introduction to medieval life, for all ages. The Household is encamped at Tintern, with its array of medieval crafts and characters. From soldiers and knights to monks and cooks, the Household will demonstrate the typical itinerant household under William Marshal, patron and benefactor of Tintern Abbey.
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Fonmom Castle, Rhoose
Saturday 8-Easter Monday 1
Adults £13, children £11, six tickets for £55
The Knights of Albion Jousting Team and Plymouth Medieval Society Historical Encampment present a day of historical re-enactment, including combat displays and dancing, medieval surgery talks, archery displays and encampment. The Medieval Grange will be pen with onsite historians and talks.
The usual Fonmon attractions including The Castle, The Walled Gardens, The Story trail, The Mad Hatters’ Tea Garden, The Dinosaur Walk, The Pirate Adventures, The Woodland Walks, the playparks and playgrounds, Acres of woodland walks and regeneration areas, will also be open.
See Outdoor Attractions section for details of regular Easter holiday activities at Fonmon Castle.
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Raglan Castle
Sunday 9-Monday 10 April, 11am-4pm
Adults £8.70, children 5-17 £6.10, under 5s free, family (2+3) £28.20 or free for Cadw members
A blue police box has appeared at the castle and is causing a stir!
Meet otherworldly creatures and see performances from Thingumajig theatre’s Hieronymus the Hippopotamus on wheels.
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Tintern Abbey
Saturday 15-Sunday 16 April, 10am-4pm
Adults £8.70, children 5-17 £6.10, under 5s free, family (2+3) £28.20 or free for Cadw members
See majestic birds of prey in flight. Learn how the Tudors used birds of prey and why falconry was the most popular sport of the day, and how birds of prey live. Have your photo taken with the birds for a unique souvenir.
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Museum of Cardiff
Friday 14 April, 10am-3pm
A free monthly event for babies, toddlers and their grown ups. Drop in 10am-3pm for soft play and messy play. Rhymetime/Storytime 11am and 1pm
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National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans National Museum of History, National Waterfront Museum, Big Pit National Coal Museum, National Roman Legion Museum, National Wool Museum, National Slate Museum
Good Friday 7 April-Easter Monday 10 April, 10am-3pm
£4 per trail (the Museum is free to visit)
Complete a craft activity to become a detective bunny, then set off on your way to search for bunnies hiding around the Museum. Includes a chocolate treat (dairy free option available). The trail is available at all National Museum sites and is the same at each site. Trails are bilingual.
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Cultural events (museums, galleries, arts and crafts etc)
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FREE BBC 100 in Wales
National Museum Cardiff
Until Sunday 16 April 2023
Explore 100 years of the history of the BBC in Wales at the Nationa Museum Cardiff. From its birth in the 1920s into a new digital age, discover how Wales has, and will continue, to contribute to the making of the BBC.
Experience a walk through time to discover more about the history of the BBC in Wales and how 100 years of broadcasting has evolved, as well as an opportunity to see the technology, programmes and costumes of the past through objects and archive footage.
Tickets are free. Advance booking is recommended although there will be some on-the-day availability for those who arrive at the Museum without advance bookings.
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FREE The Sea Horizon
National Museum Cardiff
Saturday 18 February-Sunday 10 September 2023
The Sea Horizon features 40 photographs by Garry Fabian Miller (one of the most progressive figures in fine art photography), all of which were made between 1976-77. Across eighteen months Fabian Miller photographed the view from the rooftop of his home in Clevedon, looking out across the Severn Estuary towards the coastline of Wales. Each photograph has the same square format with the line of the horizon dividing the sea and the sky. Compositional changes in light and weather disrupt the otherwise controlled elements of the work. The result is a group of forty portraits, all technically identical, yet all representationally unique. A powerful meditation on time, place and belonging.
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FREE The Rules of Art?
National Museum Cardiff
Until Sunday 4 June
The Rules of Art? brings together 500 years of painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, film and ceramics to pose questions about representation, identity and culture. Works of art will be displayed in a way that questions social and political power and shows how artists have pursued a shared purpose: to push, subvert, question and reimagine what art can be. Vertigo Sea by John Akomfrah, one of a number of major new acquisitions, will be displayed among other featured artists such as Rembrandt, Thomas Jones, Pablo Picasso, Gwen John, Maximilian Lenz, Clare Woods, Bedwyr Williams, Caroline Walker and Clémentine Schneidermann.
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St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Until 17 April 2023
Supporters of Wales’ national football teams are called The Red Wall. Dressed in their bucket hats and replica shirts, belting out chants from the stands, they’re often described as the 12th player on the pitch.
To celebrate Cymru qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, this exhibition shines a spotlight on some of the people and communities of The Red Wall. Fashion, music, identities and politics are all here, cemented together by a sense of belonging.
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FREE Refugees from National Socialism in Wales: Learning from the Past for the Future
Senedd, Cardiff Bay
Saturday 18 February-Saturday 18 April
This new exhibition traces the history of refugees in Wales from the 1930s until the present day. It tells the stories of those who fled from National Socialism in Central Europe to find sanctuary, drawing parallels with modern-day refugees.
The exhibition includes artworks, objects, photographs, and literature created by refugees and those working alongside them. An exhibition film created by filmmaker Amy Daniel is also on display, which explores the lives of refugees past and present.
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Bedwellty House, Tredegar
Easter Bunny breakfast
Monday 3-Friday 7 April, 10am-12pm
Adults £8, children £9
Age guidance 4-12 years
Soft play, an Easter themed activity book and a special visit from the Easter Bunny! Children will have a cooked breakfast and adults will have a bacon or sausage roll followed by a pastry. Juice and tea or coffee will also be available.
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The Chocolate Detectives with Looby Lou
Tuesday 4 April, 11am-12.15pm and 1.30pm-2.45pm
£8.25 per child, age guidance 4-10 years
Storytelling fun this Easter. A curious, chocolate shaped mystery has appeared before the detectives. Every bar, bag and egg has vanished without a trace. Easter is fast approaching and without a sugary, sweet supply to fuel the nation, Easter faces great peril! Can you assist the detectives in solving this peculiar crime before it’s too late? Grab your magnifying glasses and sharpen those suspect finding skills, as you embark on this brand-new Louby Lou adventure.
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Experimental Science Workshops
Wednesday 5 April, 11am-12pm
£9.50 per child, age guidance 4-12 years
Join the Experimental Science team for a fun filled science workshop with a twist this Easter, exploring Magical Materials
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Cirque Du Silly with Louby Lou
Tuesday 11 April, 11am-12.15pm and 1.30pm-2.45pm
£8.25 per child, age guidance 3-8 yearas
Cirque Du Silly is in town and this isn’t any regular circus. Join the Ringmaster as they get ready for the greatest show on Earth, but be warned, these acts are silly by name and silly by nature. With clumsy clowns and amusing acrobats roaming around, the Ringmaster will need your help to get the show back on track. Get ready to giggle, wiggle and cheer in this brand-new Louby Lou adventure.
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Experimental Science Workshops
Friday 14 April, 11am-12pm
£9.50 per child, age guidance 4-12
Join the Experimental Science team for a fun filled science workshop with a twist this Easter, exploring some Fab Physics.
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Techniquest
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April
£2 per person per activity in addition to usual entrance fees (adults £12, children £10, family £42 (Gift Aid prices), under 3s free)
Star Tours is a 25 minute show in the digital planetarium, exploring familiar constellations, the planets, how stars are born and how they die. Journey through space for a close-up look at some of nature’s most beautiful sights such as distant galaxies and exploded stars. Age guidance 7+.
Rocket Science (Monday 3-Thursday 6 and Tuesday 11-Friday 14 April)
Rocket Science is a 45 minute workshop where children will discover how vacuum voids affect our bodies, whether sound and light can travel through space, study samples of rocks you might find out in the wilds of the solar system — and even build their very own ‘pop’ rocket to take away and launch at home. Age guidance 7+.
Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 April, 9.30am and 1pm
£6 per person, £20 group of 4
Citrus Arts host this creative workshop where families can make lanterns.
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Llanrumney Hall Community Trust
Monday 3 April, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
£10 per child
A host of favourite superheroes will be bringing their superpowers to Llanrumney Hall, with all children having the chance to meet the heroes, play some party games and have their photo taken with the characters. Why not dress up as your favourite superhero outfit too?
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Llanrumney Hall
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FREE Children’s Arts and Crafts
Tuesday 4, Friday 7, Tuesday 11, Friday 14 April, 11am-12pm
Ages 4-12
Participants will experiment with a variety of mixed media, such as painting and creating mini sculptures, bringing out their creative and artistic sides
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Teen Nature Club
Monday 3 and Monday 10 April, 10am-12pm
Ages 12-18
Learn about nature whilst getting your hands dirty, making bird boxes and looking at other ways to increase the wildlife in Llanrumney and at the hall.
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Dance Workshop
Tuesday 4 and Monday 10 April, 11am-12pm
Ages 4-11
A fun Street Dance class, from the principal of KOKO Dance Academy. Learn a dance routine and explore creativity while building confidence.
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Ugly Duckling Workshop
Tuesday 4 April, 10am-11.30am and 12.30pm-2pm
Ages 4-7
Brought to you by the same people who delivered the Stickman Workshop in February half term, join in as a family to learn about the story of the Ugly Duckling through fun and engaging activities.
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FREE Easter Scavenger Hunt
Wednesday 5 April, 1pm-2pm and 2.30pm-3.30pm
Age under 11
Pick up a worksheet to help you find the farm animals on wooden discs. Once all 10 farm animals are collected, collect your free chocolate treat, thanks to sponsors Cardiff and Vale College and Blue Self Storage. This outdoor trail must be booked in advance.
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FREE Ministry of Life Education Music Workshop
Tuesday 4 and Tuesday 11 April, 2pm-4pm
Ages 11-18
A fun and interactive music workshop which will see professional music instructors using high-end equipment to teach young people how to make music, provide DJ skills, develop live performance skills, lyric writing, music production, videography and more.
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FREE Family Gardening Club
Wednesday 5 and Wednesday 12 April, 10am-12pm
Suitable for all ages; under 12s must be supervised by an adult
Get your hands dirty and learn how to garden, making like-minded friends whilse you’re digging away.
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Under 5s Story Time and Colouring
Wednesday 5 and Wednesday 12 April, 10am-11am
Story time and colouring. A fun and relaxing experience, giving children the chance to learn a story and get creative.
Age guidance: 3+
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Cooking Demo
Thursday 6 April, 10am-11.30am
Join Donna and Cat and sit back and relax as they cook dishes from The Pantry. They will take you from start to finish on how to make some classic dishes which you can feed your family with on a low budget.
FREE Teen Club
Monday 3, Wednesday 5, Sunday 9, Monday 10, Wednesday 12 April
Mondays and Wednesdays 2pm-4pm. Sunday 3pm-5pm
Ages 13-18
Learn a wide range of new skills and make new friends at the same time, with crafts, gardening, DIY and games to keep teens busy this half term.
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Easter Bonnet Making / Eater Crafts
Celtic Manor Resort, Newport
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April
10.30am and 1.30pm / 11.45am and 2.45pm
£10 per person
Creative Easter activities for families.
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Museum of Cardiff, The Hayes, Cardiff
Saturday 1 April, 10am-3pm
Celebrate the Museum of Cardiff’s 12th birthday with a family fun day filled with art and craft activities.
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Beth Morris Workshop: Matilda the Musical
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff
Monday 3 April, 10am-3.30pm
£20 per child, age guidance 9-16
Watch the film with workshop leader Beth Morris (film included in price) and learn how to make art that will resonate with children everywhere. Participants will be making work based on the characters and some famous quotes from the film, including official demonstration placards like the ones the pupils use in the story.
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FREE Crafty Wednesdays
Museum of Cardiff, The Hayes, Cardiff
Wednesday 5 and Wednesday 12 April, 11am-3pm
Drop in on Wednesdays during the Easter holidays for some creative, crafty fun for all the family.
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Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff
Tuesday 11-Friday 14 April, 10am-1pm, age guidance 9-14
£75 per child for the four sessions, discount rate available for siblings and those experiencing financial hardship
A performance and design workshop for young people aged 9-14 years, inspired by Joon Dance’s upcoming show Fabulous Animals. Participants will explore dance, theatre, drawing, designing and making, as they aim to express themselves and move more fluidly, confidently and instinctively. This is an improvised dance session and you don’t need to have any previous dance experience to enjoy it. At the end of the week you’ll have created an original dance together and your own costume to wear when you share the work with your family and friends.
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Active families
St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Saturday 1-Sunday 16 April, 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm
£15 per person;
Tackle CoedLan’s 18 obstacles, including a balance beam, zig zag bridge, cargo net and a zip wire. No need to book in advance – buy your tickets in advance or on the day from the reception desk on a first come, first served basis.
Participants must be 110cm tall and aged 6 or over in order to take part. Children between 110cm and 130cm must be accompanied by an individual over 130cm and aged 12 years old or over. The maximum weight is 18 stone.
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Lido Ponty, Pontypridd
Free for children under 16, adults £3. Activity passes £2.50 per person
The National Lido of Wales features three pools – a main pool, an activity pool and a splash pool. For just £2.50 per person, visitors can also enjoy everything from fun inflatables to Aqua Peddlerz and Water Walker. For smaller visitors, the splash pool is complete with an umbrella water fountain that your little ones will love. They can bring their buckets and watering cans and play in the warm water in this safe and happy environment.
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Celtic Manor Resort, Newport
A wide range of adventurous activities for families. Must be booked online in advance. Age and height restrictions apply.
Forest Nets – £16.50 per person (age 3+)
Adventure Golf – from £9 per person
Low Ropes – £14 per person (minimum height 1.2m)
High ropes – £24 per person (minimum height 1.4m)
Laser Combat – £16.50 per person (age 6+)
All Bounced Out – £16.50 per person (6-15 years)
Archery – £16.50 per person (6+years)
Laser Clay – £10 (age 8+)
Archery Tots – £8 per person (3-6 years)
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Cardiff City Stadium
Wednesday 12 April, 10am-2pm
Tickets are free but must be booked in advance
Watch Cardiff City’s men’s first team in training. Fans will be able to take part in a special Q&A session with members of the first team squad, along with the chance to get some autographs from the Bluebirds players. There will be plenty of prizes to be won, plus other Easter activities and competitions available for all the family to enjoy. Cardiff City FC Women – who were recently crowned Adran Premier champions for 2022/23 – will also be attendance to meet and greet fans and give away some great Easter prizes.
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Theatre and performance
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Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Tuesday 28 March-Saturday 1 April
From £15, age guidance 4+; no under 2s
Starring Ian McKellen, live entertainment spectacle Mother Goose is full of fun, musical comedy, star power and surprises that will make you honk out loud. This cheeky fairytale is exactly “the kind of knockabout entertainment that we all need” (The Times) and “infectious fun” (Time Out) from start to finish. Get ready for fairies with hefty vocal chords, puppets with tap dance qualifications and impeckably constructed mayhem that will quack up those aged between 3 to 103.
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How To Defeat Monsters (and Get Away With It)
Riverfront, Newport
Saturday 1-Saturday 15 April
From £5, suitable for all ages
This interactive, immersive theatre experience is something like an escape room mixed with a theatre show mixed with an adventure playground, and comes from the acclaimed Flossy and Boo theatre company in conjunction with and The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre Co-Production. It is a wild and wonderful family experience that will have you scrambling around spaces, rummaging through research and delving into a hidden world to become the best Monster Seeker you can be.
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Depot, Cardiff
Thursday 6 April, 10am, 12.30pm, 3pm,
Adults £13.45, children £11.25, under 2s free, family (2+2) £42.50
The award winning Teach Rex team return to Cardiff with their new Velociraptor Show. Teach Rex uses life-like dinosaurs to perform their 45-minute show, teaching children about the anatomy and life of one the most mesmerizing creatures that have ever roamed our planet. The show is teamed with effects, music and gives children and their families the chance to get up close and personal with these fantastic, realistic beasts. Children will be greeted by baby dinosaurs and given a ‘Dino Booklet’ which includes a variety of educational activities.
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Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Friday 7 April (10.30am and 2pm) and Saturday 8 April (10am and 1pm)
Running time: 55 minutes with no interval
From £15
Hey Duggee – The Live Theatre Show is touring for the first time, featuring Duggee, the Squirrels plus many more favourite characters. Betty wants to make costumes, Happy wants to sing, Tag wants to make music, Norrie wants to dance, Roly wants jelly and they all want you to join them at the Clubhouse. This vibrant interactive production is bursting with music, puppets and barrels of laughs along the way.
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Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
Wednesday 5 April, 5pm
£5
When a brother and sister find themselves in the Snow Queen’s castle they begin to learn about her dark past. A mysterious voice guides them on a journey of discovery and heartbreak, revealing the secrets hidden amongst the snow and the thread that connects them all. Did they all really live ‘happily ever after’? Local Kinetic School of Performing Arts present this fairytale with a creative twist.
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New Theatre, Cardiff
Saturday 8 April, 1pm
VIP meet and greet £29.50, standard £21
A magical, musical spectacular starring four fabulous fairy tale princesses who just love to sing. The show features a soundtrack of top pop hits from artists such as Little Mix, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor and Miley Cyrus, plus all the best songs from all your favourite films and musicals.
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Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Tuesday 11-Saturday 22 April
From £17.50; age guidance 12+
Telling the story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Jersey Boys is the smash hit musical which has won 65 major awards been seen by almost 30 million people worldwide. They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story – a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. The show features hits including Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Oh What A Night, Walk Like A Man, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and Working My Way Back To You.
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Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Wednesday 12 April, 2pm
Adults £10, children £8, group of 4 £32
Age guidance 3+; running time 60 minutes
Molly and Bingo the puppy are having a birthday party and, best of all, you’re invited. There’ll be a terrific treasure hunt, favourite sing-along songs and lots of fantastic games to play, including Molly’s favourite, I Spy With My Little Eye. A sweet surprise and photos with Bingo and the birthday girl will be available after the show so grown ups should bring along their cameras to capture the smiles.
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Blackwood Miners’ Institute
Friday 14 April, 2pm
Adults £11, children £9, family of 4, £32
Age guidance 4+, running length 60 minutes
From the peaceful pleasures of Ratty’s beloved river bank to the fearful frights and wicked weasels of the Wild Wood, join Mole and Ratty on their marvellous adventures, along with gruff old Badger and magnificent Mr.Toad. A beautiful new adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s much loved classic by award winning theatre company Box Tale Soup, featuring wonderful puppetry, innovative theatre and a charming original score.
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Riverfront Newport
Friday 14 April, 11.30am and 2.30pm
£18 per ticket or four for £70
Milkshake! Monkey is back and can’t wait to put on a spectacular new Show, joined by some of his favourite Milkshake! friends plus two Milkshake presenters. Join Paddington, Daisy & Ollie, Milo, Noddy, Pip and Posy, Blue’s Clues & You! and of course Milkshake! Monkey for an unforgettable family time at Milkshake Monkey’s Musical. Learn songs and dances with your favourite Milkshake! friends and watch as the music, the lights, the costumes and the stage brings Milkshake! to life.
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Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Thursday 13 April, 7pm
£10-£12
Puppetry, magic and storytelling combine in a unique, Olivier Award-winning stage adaptation of the best-selling novel.
After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, a 16-year-old boy named Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?
Filmed live in London’s West End and featuring state-of-the-art visuals, the epic journey of endurance and hope is bought to life in a breath-taking new way for cinemas screens.
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Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Monday 3-Thursday 6 April, 11am
Adults £6, children £5
Epic Tails tells the story of super smart mouse Pattie and her feline friend Sam, as they embark upon an exciting adventure of paw-some proportions through Ancient Greece. With a little help from ageing hero Jason, the animals’ quest brings them face to face with some of the most bizarre and dangerous creatures from Greek mythology, as they race to halt the threat posed to their city by Poseidon himself.
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Chapter Ars Centre, Cardiff
Daily during school holidays and every Saturday
Trolls World Tour (U)
Saturday 1, Thursday 6 and Tuesday 11 April, 11.30am
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (PG),
Monday 3, Saturday 8, Wednesday 12 11.30am and Saturday 15 April, 12.15pm
Lyle Lyle Crocodile (PG)
Tuesday 4, Friday 7 and Thursday 13 April, 11.30am
Minions: The Rise of Gru (U)
Wednesday 5, Monday 10 and Friday 14 April, 11.30am
Free films for families daily during school holidays – please note these sell out FAST! Speak to the Box Office for returns. Chapter continues to offers free family films every Saturday; see website for information. Free but donations welcome to keep this scheme running.
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Cineworld, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff
The 10.30am weekend and school holiday Movies for Juniors showings are just £2.50 per person. Check online for schedule; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.
First week of Easter holidays: Matilda The Musical and Disney’s Strange World
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Vue Cinema, Millennium Plaza, Cardiff
The 10am weekend and school holiday Movies for Juniors showings are just £2.49 per person when booked online or £3.49 on the door. Check online for schedule; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.
First week of Easter holidays: DC League of Superpets
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Let me know anything I have missed in the comments below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page, or Cardiff Mummy Says Instagram or tweet me on @cardiffmummy
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