Easter holidays 2018: 80+ family-friendly events in and around Cardiff

Cardiff
Easter events Cardiff

It’s almost school holiday time here in South Wales with most children finishing this Thursday for just over two weeks. As always there’s plenty going on to keep them entertained. I’ve rounded up everything I can find for the Easter weekend and school holidays plus a few events later in April.

All events are subject to change and cancellation so do check ahead to avoid disappointment.

As always it helps me massively if you give me a like share or comment on social media. Do please share this post with other local parents and grandparents you know who may find it useful.

If I’ve missed anything do let me know in the comments below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page or you can tweet me on @cardiffmummy

Don’t forget to check out Cardiff Mummy Says on Instagram for more ideas for the Easter holidays. 

Easter-themed events

 

Cardiff Castle Easter Trail

Easter trail at Cardiff Castle

Breakfast or Tea with the Easter Bunny

Wyevale Garden Centre St Mellons Cardiff 

Monday 19 March to Saturday 15 April, 9.30am and 3pm

£10.95 per child, limited availability

As well as delicious meal, children will take part in a bunny hunt, decorate their own Easter cookie, receive a cuddly toy and activity sheet, plus chocolate treats.

Plus free family entertainment – no need to book

Friday 30 March and Monday 2 April 12pm – 4pm

Free face painting

Saturday 31 March 12pm-3pm

Magic show

 

 

Easter fun

Hendrewennol Farm Bonvilston, Vale of Glamorgan

Good Friday 30 March-Easter Monday 2 April 10am-3pm

£5.50 per child; adults free with at least one full paid child.

Under 2s free with at least one full paid child in the group.

Search the farm for hidden clues and stamps. Find all the stamps and head back to the coffee shop for your reward!

 

St Fagans Easter Hunt

St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff

Good Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April, 10am-3pm

£3.50 per child

Family Easter trail. Solve the riddles and follow the trail around the site, then head back to the start to claim your egg-citing prize!

Entry to St Fagans is free. Parking costs £5 per car; coins only.

For more of what to expect at St Fagans, read our review here.

Easter Hunt

National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon

Good Friday 30 March to Monday April, 10am-3pm

£1.50 per child

Solve the riddles on the family Easter trail and follow the trail around the site, then head back to the start to claim your egg-citing prize!

Entry to the museum is free. For more of what to expect, read our review here.

 

Easter Hunt

National Museum Cardiff

Good Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April, 10am-3pm

£3.50 per child

Solve the riddles and follow the trail around the Museum galleries, then head back to the Main Hall to claim your egg-citing prize

For more of what to expect at National Museum Cardiff read our review here. The museum is usually closed on Mondays but will be open on Easter Monday.

Easter Trail

Blaenavon Ironworks

Good Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April, 10am-4pm

£2 per child for the trail

A children’s Easter Egg Trail around the historic Ironworks with a prize at the end. For more of what to expect at the Ironworks read our review.

Easter Trail

Cardiff Castle

Good Friday 30 March to Sunday 15 April

£1 per trail

Find the answers to the clues around the Castle grounds and win an Easter prize! If you live or work in Cardiff sign up for a Castle Key which gives you free entry for three years for a £6 admin fee. Free for children 5-16. Under 5s don’t need a key.

Read our review of last year’s trail here.

 

Easter Trail

Chepstow Castle

Good Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April, 9.30am-5pm

Adult, £6.90, Child £4.10, Family £20.00

Hop along to their fun family trail around Chepstow Castle.

A fun family activity that takes you on a trail around Chepstow Castle.

 

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt

Aberdulais Tin Works

Good Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April

£2 per hunt; plus usual entry of £6.50 adults; £3.25 children; £16.25 children; free for National Trust members.

Monster eggs have taken over Aberdulais this Easter weekend. Are you brave enough to discover what lurks beneath the water? Follow their trail, hunt down the clues and keep your eyes peeled for river monster eggs. Plus the chance to get up close and personal with some of our native species

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt

Dyffryn Gardens

Good Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April, 11am to 3.30pm

£3 per child plus admission prices apply; £11 adults; £5.50 children; £28 family or free to National Trust members

Follow the clues to claim your chocolatey prize.

While you’re there check out the amazing new wild play area. Read our review here.

 

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt

Tredegar House, Newport

Good Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April, 11am to 4pm

£2.20 per child plus usual admission adults £10.40; children £5.20; family £26

Follow the clues to claim your chocolatey surprise.

For more of what to expect at Tredegar House read our review.

 

Easter Fun at Mermaid Quay

Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay

Good Friday 30 March to Easter Sunday 15 April

Check out the children’s carousel (£1.50 a ride). Take part in the Easter Egg Hunt competition. Hunt down & solve the eggtastic clues around Mermaid Quay and enter online. Get all 5 right and you can claim 10% off at Cadwaladers and be entered into a prize draw to win free ice cream for a year. Plus, some great live music too

Easter Coin Hunt

The Royal Mint Experience, Llantrisant

Easter Coin Hunt

Saturday 31 March to Sunday 15 April

Adults £13; children £10.50; family £38.50; under 5s free (online advance booking prices). Included in entrance price.

Read our review of The Royal Mint Visitor Experience here.

 

 

Easter Egg Hunt

Tee-rex Golf Old St Mellons

From Good Friday 30 March

£2 per child plus usual golf charges adults £7; children £5; family of 4 £22; family of 5 £24

Join Tee Rex and his friends on the adventure golf course to hunt for clues. Win an egg at the end of the dino hunt.

PLUS

Dino4Hire

Children £11.37; adults £5.98

Dino4Hire will be visiting on Easter Monday 2 April between 10am and 12pm. A chance to meet the baby dinosaur. Must be pre-booked. Price includes full use of softplay during the two hour session.

 

FREE Easter Craft Workshops

St David’s Shopping Centre, Cardiff

Saturday 31 March, 10am-4pm

Free craft workshops with a chance for children to decorate chocolate eggs and make Easter pop poms. Plus free face painting. Head to the Upper Level Eastside near Frankie & Benny’s.

 

Easter Egg Hunt

Bryngarw House

Saturday 31 March to Sunday 1 April, 10am-3pm

£8.50 per child, booking essential

A chance to find hundreds of chocolate eggs hidden around Bryngarw Country Park. Start your session with a craft activity in the visitor centre before hunting for the Easter eggs with the street theatre performers from LaLaLa Productions.

Read more about our visit to Bryngarw Park here. Entry is free.

 

Life With Autism R.C.T Easter Hunt Fundraiser & Autism Awareness Event

Barry Sidings Country Park and CaféPontypridd

Saturday 31 March 11am

A fun family event to help raise awareness of autism.

 

FREE Easter Bunny Hunt

Pyle Garden Village Bridgend

Saturday 31 March-Sunday 15 April 10am-4pm

Ten naughty bunnies have gone missing and we need your help to find them all!

Collect a guide from any of our till points over the Easter Holidays and fill in the names of the missing bunnies. Once completed hand back in to the till point to claim your chocolate prize!

 

Egg Trail and Bonnets

Llanaiach Fawr, Nelson

Easter Sunday 1 April

Adults £8; children £6.95; under 5s free’ family (2+3) £25

 

Easter Fun in Bute Park

Bute Park Education Centre

Easter Sunday 1 April, 1pm-3pm

£2 per child

Egg-citing art, craft activities and Easter egg hunt.

Read more about our trip to Bute Park here.

 

Meet Bing and Flop

The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

Easter Sunday 1 April, appearances at 12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm

Cbeebies favourite Bing Bunny and his carer Flop will be visiting the Red Dragon Centre on Easter Sunday 1 April with appearances at 12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Tag your photos on social media with #IMetBing for the chance to win prizes.

 

Easter Bunny Hunt

Cwmcarn Forest

Easter Sunday 1 April, 10am-3pm

£3.50 per child, booking essential

Celebrate Easter on this fun family trail in search of the Easter Bunny. Follow the trail of carrots around the trail to find your way to the Easter Bunny and claim your yummy prize! Please be aware that some steps and muddy paths are involved.

Entry to Cwmcarn Forest is free; read our review here.

 

Easter Sunday Family Lunch

Inspiration Suite Village Hotel, Cardiff

Easter Sunday 1 April 1pm

£19.95 per adult and £9.95 per child

A family friendly Easter lunch including a three course meal and a children’s disco.

 

Cardiff’s Cracking Easter Egg Hunt by Giovanni’s Restaurants

Across Cardiff city centre

Easter Monday 2-Wednesday 4 April

£1 per map

Giovanni’s have collaborated with retailers in Cardiff for an Easter charity fund raising Easter egg hunt. Stores including Claire’s, The Entertainer, Urban Outfitters any many more will have colourful eggs stuck in their windows. Purchase a map for £1 at Giovanni’s Restaurant in Park Place and get spotting as many eggs as you can. Upload them to Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #GiosEggHunt for a chance to win prizes. Proceeds will to go towards GIOS Charity Fundraising Group which supports various local causes throughout the year.

 

Easter Fun

Cardiff Castle

Saturday 31 March to Easter Monday 2 April

Normal admission applies

A weekend of traditional Easter activities including a craft tent, egg rolling and egg and spoon races; storytelling with Dylan Adams and The Warwick Warriors, who will entertain the crowds with their quick witted banter and dramatic fight sequences; or take your chance at the have-a-go catapults and see how far you can shoot your missiles.

Meet Peter Rabbit

The Royal Mint Experience, Llantrisant

Friday 6 April, 11am-5pm

Adults £13; children £10.50; family £38.50; under 5s free (online advance booking prices)

The mischievous rabbit will be making personal appearances at intervals throughout the day. Plus hear tales of his adventures during storytime sessions. Included in entrance price.

Arts and crafts

Craft Club

The Winding House, New Tredegar

Good Friday 30 March and Friday 6 April, 11am

£2.50 per child

Celebrate a Celtic style Easter with their fun family make and take activities that include egg decorating, finger weaving and pom pom making.

FREE Make Your Own Mark on Merthyr

Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr

Easter Sunday 1 April, 11am-4pm

Create your own works at these artist-led workshops and artist demonstrations.

FREEArts and crafts events

Glanfa Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Puppet Party

Easter Monday 2-Sunday 8 April 11am-4pm

The humble wooden spoon, a faithful item with one use you may think, but no, this simple stirrer can become whoever you want it to be with a little imagination, some string and a few googly-eyes. Come see it for yourself this Easter at the Centre.

Oh bee-have!

Monday 9-Saturday 14 April 11am-4pm

Come and transform the Centre into a beeautiful bee-hive. Make your own flowers and bees and bring the outdoors in!

FREEFlossy and Boo: Recycled Creatures Workshop

Chapter Arts, Cardiff

Easter Monday 2 April

Age 5-10; book in advance

Make some unusual creatures out of recycled materials. From birds in the sky to swamp monsters from the deep, the possibilities are endless.

Torn Paper Landscapes

National Museum Cardiff

Tuesday 3-Friday 6, and Tuesday 10-Friday 13 April, 2pm-4pm

£1per child

Our beautiful Welsh landscapes have been inspiring artists for hundreds of years. Explore some of the fantastic art at the museum and then be inspired to make your own piece of landscape art from collage paper.

FREEFamily Craft Activities

St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff

Tuesday 3-Friday 6, and Monday 9-Friday 13 April, 12pm-4pm

Family friendly craft activities are inspired by springtime animals. Make a mask or a pop up wildlife scene.

Little Green Fingers Easter Chick Workshop

Pugh’s Garden Village, Radyr

Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 April, various sessions between 10am and 3pm; £7 per child

Meet some newly hatched Easter chicks with Sam from Egg Seeds; create a Larry the Lamb pot holder and plant some cress seeds to take home; plus an Easter egg hunt around the centre where children will learn more about spring animals

Family Crafts

The Cardiff Story

Wednesday 4 and Wednesday 11 April, 10am-3pm

£1 per child

Drop in during the Easter holidays for some creative, crafty fun for all the family. Entry to the museum is free; read our review here.

Crafts at Cwmcarn

Cwmcarn Forest

Tiny Tots Crafts

hursday 5 April and Thursday 12 April, 10.30am-11.15am and 11.30am-12.15am

£2 per child, booking essential

Join them for some Easter crafty fun with lots of paint and glue, and make a delightful chick.

Fluffy Chick Masks

Friday 6 April, 11am-11.30am, 12.15pm-1pm and 1.15-2pm

£3.50 per child, booking essential

Come along and decorate a face mask with paints and lots of feathers to create an Easter Chick disguise. (lots of feathers and glue involved).

Blow Art

Tuesday 10 April, 11am-11.45am, 12pm-12.45pm and 1.30am to 2.15pm

£2 per child, booking essential

Why not bring out your creative side with this fun art session using paints and straws to create a unique Easter Egg painting – with mo brushes allowed!

Easter Chick Flower Pots

Wednesday 11 April, Tuesday 10 April, 11am-11.45am, 12pm-12.45pm and 1.30am to 2.15pm

£4.50 per child, booking essential

Go along and make a beautiful Easter decoration in this fun workshop. We will be decorating a flower pot and wooden spoon and turning it into a fluffy Easter Chick and surrounding it with wild flower seeds for colour.

 

Spring Slime Workshops

Insole Court Cardiff

Monday 9 and Friday 13 April; various times

£10 per child plus booking fee; age 5+; children must be accompanied by an adult

Slime-obsessed children will love the chance for an hour of glittery, gooey, sticky, slimy fun. Children can get creative with sparkles, colours, smellies and more and finish up with two tubs of the slimy stuff to take home. All ingredients and equipment will be provided, but please wear old clothes as it could get messy!

 

FREEWho Decides: Museum of the Unexpected

National Museum Cardiff

Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 April, 10am-4pm

Inspired by some of the weird and wonderful artworks in the Who Decides?’ exhibition the Museum will come alive to performers, shows and crafts. Create your own mask, watch circus performers or learn a circus skill yourself, but watch your back because you’ll never know what’s going to be next…!

Historical and museums

Wriggle National Museum Cardiff

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.

 

Medieval Birthday Bash

Caerphilly Castle

Friday 30 March to Monday 2 April, 11am-4pm

Adult, £8.50, Child £5.10, Family £24.60

Join Historia Normannis in marking 750 years of Caerphilly Castle. Cheer as the knights march through the town to the castle. Pick your side as the two camps do battle. Combat displays, siege weapons and stunt teams will make this an unforgettable Easter and a fitting celebration of 750 years of Caerphilly Castle.

 

Easter Fun and Foolery

Raglan Castle

Saturday 31 March-Monday 2 April, 11am to 4pm

Adult, £6.90, Child £4.10, Family £20.00

Head to the Castle for topsy-turvey fun as Easter falls upon April Fool’s Day!  Crazy capers will rule across the three day event so be prepared for unexpected.  Jesters, Fool School, the Lord of Misrule, polar bears, yes polar bears, Cavemen, dinosaurs and lots besides, nothing will make sense. Go along in fancy dress and be part of the festive frivolities.

Under the Sea

Caerphilly Castle

Tuesday 3 April, 10am-4pm

Adult, £8.50, Child £5.10, Family £24.60

Visit a pirate and mermaid, and learn about life under the sea!  With arts and crafts workshops, face painting and glitter tattoos, sea-themed games, pirate and mermaid mascots, a treasure hunt, and facts and talks about life under the sea.

Mr Phoebus Penny Farthing Experience

The Royal Mint Experience, Llantrisant

Thursday 12 April and Friday 13 April, 10am-5pm

Usual entrance fee applies

Ride and enjoy everything about this magical machine that many would only have seen in books or hanging in a museum.

Active families

Hollywood Bowl Cardiff Bay

Half price bowling

Hollywood Bowl, The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

9am-10am daily

Half price bowling at Hollywood Bowl every day during the school holidays when you book to bowl before 10am. Simply use the code EASTER1850 at www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk

You can also join the pink pin ‘Malteaser Bowl over the Bunny’ game every day from 4-6pm during the school holidays. Bowl a strike when the pink pin is at the head position to win Malteaser Mini Bunnies. T&Cs apply.

Easter holiday activities

Treetop Golf, St David’s Shopping Centre, Cardiff

Friday 30th March-Monday 16th April 2018

Usual entry applies but events are free to customers

The Jungle Easter Trail (10am-4pm)

Friday 30 March-Monday 2 April; 10am-4pm

Face painting and glitter tattoos (12pm-4pm)

30 & 31st March; 2, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 & 14th April; 12pm-4pm
Meet the mascot Simi

30 & 31 March, 2, 6, 7, 13 & 14 April; 12pm-2pm

Free arts & crafts – all day everyday)

Pop up library – all day everyday)

https://adventuregolf.com/whats-on

Active Water Sports

Cardiff International White Water, Cardiff Bay

Get up and get active with a host of family activities including family rafting – £25 per person; paddle taster sessions £10 per person; multi activity week five day course £10 per child; paddle school for ages 8-16 £150 per person for five days; 5 day surf school £100 per person; air trail and bike hire £10 per person. Book in advance.

Pizza making workshops

Dusty Knuckle Cardiff

Good Friday 30 and Saturday 31 March; and Easter Sunday 1 April; 12pm-4pm

£10 per child

Children will learn to stretch dough and top their pizza. As well as getting to eat their creation they will also be given a pizza kit to take home including a pizza dough, tomato, cheese and basil. Workshops will be ticketed and run as a drop in between the hours of 12pm-4pm. Spaces limited.

 

 

Minecraft

The Riverfront

Thursday 5 April, 10am-12pm, Monday 9 April, 2pm-4pm and Thursday 12 April, 10am-12pm

£8 per child, ages 7-11

A great opportunity for children to enjoy their favourite pastime but also be social – in a safe OFF LINE environment. Children get the opportunity to join worlds and work in teams to complete a number of exciting challenges. iPads provided.

 

Big Fish Little Fish presents Space is the Place rave

The Tramshed Cardiff

Sunday 8 April 2-4.30pm

A family-friendly rave featuring music from drum and bass legend DJ SS as well as DJ Bunf from Super Furry Animals. Expect some amazing music on the multi sensory dance floor with glitter cannons, bubbles, giant balloons and the legendary parachute dance. Themed craft room, baby chill out with tents and tunnels, soft play and ball pools, toddler chill out with houses and castles to play in, licensed bars and restaurants, face painting, cakes, photo booth, free transfer tattoos, glow sticks and balloon animals.

 

Activity Days

St Donats Art Centre, Vale of Glamorgan

Wednesday 4 April to Thursday 12 April, 8.30am-5pm

£30 per day including buffet lunch and afternoon snack

Children age 8-12 and 13-16 can take part in multi-activity days featuring activities such as climbing, high popes, and orienteering as well as more conventional team and individual sports such as badminton, basketball and indoor hockey using Atlantic College’s newly completed sports hall.

Family yoga

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Sundays 29 April; 27 May and 15 July; 4pm-5pm

£7 per adult/child; £3 per extra child

Experienced yoga teacher Jo Paxton leads these family friendly yoga sessions suitable for ages 3+. Must be pre-booked.

 

Outdoor, nature and animal events

Plant Hunter Expedition

Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan

Saturday 24 March to Sunday 15 April

Usual entry applies £11 adults; £5.50 children; £28 family

Intrepid explorers are invited to take part in a special expedition over Easter in Dyffryn’s evolving woodland of the arboretum. Choose your own path through towering trees and cross perilous terrain to discover fascinating facts and get close to nature. While there don’t forget to check out the brilliant new wild play are. Read our review here.

 

Half term activities

Mountain View Ranch, Caerphilly Mountain 

Good Friday 30 March-Sunday 15 April

Daily events during the Easter holidays include an Easter egg trail; a walk with the funny goats; campfire and marshmallows; archery; plus Wales’ only licensed Gruffalo trail. You can also explore over 1,000 acres of free-range fun with attractions including a fairy village; Hobbit houses and a nest of dragon eggs. Read our review here.

Easter Holiday Events

Margam Park, Neath Port Talbot

Easter Fun, Friday 30, Saturday 31, Sunday 1 April and Wednesday 4 April

Paddle Boarding, Saturday 31 March and Saturday 7 April

Canoe and Kayaking, Sunday 1 April

Amazing Beasts, Monday 2 April

Jungle Animal Masks and more, Thursday 5 April

Come & Build a Raft, Sunday 8 April

Funky Foam Flowers, Tuesday 10 April

Zoolab, Wednesday 11 April

Super Hero Creator, Thursday 12 April

It’s a Bug’s Life, Friday 13 April

Lions and Lilies – Medieval Knights and Archers, Saturday 14 April

 

Animal Encounters

Llancaiach Fawr Manor

Good Friday 30 March, 11am-12pm, 1pm-2pm, and 2.30pm-3.30pm

£5 per child

Meet and learn about fascinating animals including meercats, a possum, a monitor lizard, a kookaburra and a red Legged Siriema.

 

Easter fun at the farm

Amelia Trust Farm Barry

Good Friday 30 March-Sunday 15 April, 10am-4pm

Adults £3; children £1.50; family £5

During the Easter holidays the farm will be piloting asking for a financial contribution from visitors to keep the charity running. Additional activities cost extra.

Feed the baby lambs take a ride on a tractor and cart and take part in the Easter Egg Eggstravaganza Hunt with a prize at the end.

Lamb feeding costs £5 per person; must be pre-booked in advance.

Tractor rides £1 per person. Pay on site.

Easter hunt £2.50 per participant. No need to book.

For more of what to expect at Amelia Trust Farm read our review here.

Easter holiday events

Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran

Good Friday 30 March-Sunday 16 April 10am-5pm

£6.50 adults; £5.40 children 2-16; under 2s free; family 2+3 £23.50

Easter Monday 2 April – free entry for children wearing Easter bonnets plus enter the Easter Bonnet parade at 2.30pm

Activities included in entry price over the holidays include milking demonstrations; cuddle corner with some of the farm’s smaller animals; tractor and trailer rides; meeting new chicks; goat play; make an Easter chick; meet and groom the horses and more.

Read our review of what else to expect at Greenmeadow here.

Animal events

Parc Play Cardiff

Good Friday 30 March – Good Friday Pony Fun

Easter Monday 2-Friday 6 April – meet the Easter bunnies plus take part in a colouring competition and treasure hunt.

Animal encounters – Toddler Fridays

20 April – Meet The Creepy Crawlies

27 April – Owls

4 May – Weird and Wonderful

11 May – Meerkats and exotic mammals

18 May – Reptiles

 

Miniature Railways and Tramways

Heath Model Railway, Heath Park, Cardiff

Easter Sunday 1 and Monday 2 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 £1.80 per person and each ride is £1.80 per person. Under 3s are free.

Pond Dipping

Newport Wetlands

Easter Monday 2-Friday 6; and Monday 9-Friday 13 April; 10.30am-12pm

RSPB members £4.40; non-members £5.50

Every weekday over the holidays Newport Wetlands will run a variety of pond related family wildlife activities, including pond dipping, led by an enthusiastic team who can tell you more about the creatures bursting into life in our pond and wetland areas.  Drop in anytime from 10.30am – 12pm.

Entry to Newport Wetlands is free but parking charges apply. Read our review here.

RHS Cardiff Flower Show

Bute Park, Cardiff

Friday 13-Saturday 14 April, 10am-5.30pm; Sunday 15 April, 10am-4.30pm

£11 adults when booked in advance / £14 on the day (members £10/£12)

Each paying adult may bring two children under 16 for free

The Royal Horticutrual Society’s annual celebration of all things floral and gardening. There’s plenty for families including: their Swift City garden, where visitors can step inside a recreation of the coastal habitat of the Swift; the ever-popular wheelbarrow competition featuring entries from local schools; a Ferris wheel; roaming entertainers including Mr & Mrs Pigeon, Green Fingered Gals Margery and Rosemary, and Mr & Mrs Flora plus more.

 

Sticks and Stones Learning – survival challenge

Porthkerry Country Park Barry

Friday 13 April 10.30am-1.30pm

£12 per child; ages 5-9; must be accompanied by an adult

Have a go at den building, making decorations for your new home and then sit round the fire to enjoy marshmallows and hot chocolate. Although you will have to whittle your own marshmallow stick first!

 

 

Science-based

 Techniquest

Amazing Eggsperiments / Star Tours / Night and Day

Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Wednesday 28 March to Sunday 15 April

Adults £8; children £6.50; under 4s free; after 3pm visit for £3 per person

Planetarium shows are £1.50 extra per person.

Amazing Eggsperiments is a live theatre show featuring daring experiments that will help determine 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. Night and Day is the Planetarium show for under 7s where you can learn more about night time creatures; Star Tours for ages 7+ takes you on a close-up look at distant galaxies and exploded stars.

For more of what to expect at Techniquest read our review here.

https://www.techniquest.org/plan-your-visit/whats-on/

 

Brianiac Live!

Sherman Theatre Cardiff

Tuesday 10 April, 2pm

£16 per adult, £8 per child

Strap on your safety goggles boys and girls. Due to popular demand the live show is returning with a vengeance. Based on the multi-award winning TV show, expect exploding dustbins, combusting microwaves and loads of live daredevil stunts as the Brainiacs delve fearlessly into the mysteries of science and do all of those things on stage that you’re too scared to do at home.

Theatre and performance

 

Almost Always Muddy

The Story Yard outside Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff Bay

Easter Sunday 1 April-Sunday 8 April 11am and 3pm

£7; age 7+

An exhilarating, interactive show where families are invited to let their imagination run wild, creating story props from a treasure trove of materials which the Story Yard keepers then magically weave into their unique, improvised tales. Each performance is completely unique, thanks to the amazing contributions of the young visitors taking part.

This is an energetic performance with loud sounds. It’s an outdoor event but if it’s too wet will take place inside the Glanfa area of Wales Millennium Centre.

Relaxed performances 8 April 11am and 3pm with BSL interpretations.

They show will also be at the FIS event on 6 April Easter Shelter Barry Island

Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Tuesday 3-Saturday 7 April 7.30pm; plus Thursday 5 and Saturday 7 2.30pm

Age 5+; no under 2s

Following the sold-out and critical success of The Red Shoes and Sleeping Beauty, New Adventures return to the Centre with one of their most popular and beloved productions, Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella. It’s a thrilling and evocative love story, set in London during the Second World War, and forms part of the company’s 30th anniversary celebrations. A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz.

Monstersaurus

St Davids Hall, Cardiff

Tuesday 3 April, 11.30am andd 2.30pm

£12 per person, £40 family ticket of 4

This brand new show from the creators of Aliens Love Underpants follows young inventor Monty as he creates a whole world of whacky inventions and incredible monsters, but now he has made them all how is he going to get rid of them? Expect magic and mayhem, original music and plenty of audience participation.

The Flying Bedroom

Sherman Theatre,  Cardiff

Friday 6 April to Saturday 7 April

Friday 4.30pm; Saturday 10.30am 1.30pm and 4.30pm

£9 per person,

Join Elinor and her bedroom on an adventure to far off lands, under the sea and outer space. Discover new friends, battling pirates and hapless astronauts as Elinor discovers her own self-confidence and creativity. Little Light and award-winning author Heather Dyer join forces to present this classic adventure tale through dance theatre, projection and immersive sensory experiences. There will be dance workshops after the performances of The Flying Bedroom on 7 Apr starting at 11.30am and 2.30pm. These will include creative movement exploration based on themes in the show and learning a short sequence from the show. Price £2 per child. Book in advance.

 

Easter Rock School

MusicBox Rehearsal Studios Cardiff

Monday 9 to Friday 12 April 9am-3pm

£130 per child; ages 10-18; beginners welcome; must be pre-booked

Rock Club Wales are running a week long Easter rock school where children will be tutored by professional rock musicians, form their own rock band, learn a rocking set of songs and then perform a gig in front of family and friends on the last evening. All tutors are enhanced CRB checked and Personal Liability Insurance is in place. Main instruments are vocals, guitar, bass, keyboard and drums. Email chrisk@rockclubwales.com for more information.

 

FREE Family Dance Festival

Memo Arts Centre, Barry

Wednesday 4 April, 12pm onwards

A free event featuring four short performances and a chance to dance. Enjoy a jam-packed hour of pop-up dance from three of Wales’ most lively companies and one local dance group and witness the amazing dancers twisting and turning, locking and popping. Take part in a short workshop after the performances and try some of the moves that you’ve just seen!

Brianiac Live!

Sherman Theatre Cardiff

Tuesday 10 April, 2pm

£16 per adult, £8 per child

Strap on your safety goggles boys and girls. Due to popular demand the live show is returning with a vengeance. Based on the multi-award winning TV show, expect exploding dustbins, combusting microwaves and loads of live daredevil stunts as the Brainiacs delve fearlessly into the mysteries of science and do all of those things on stage that you’re too scared to do at home.

Shrek

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Tuesday 10 April-Sunday 22 April; 7pm daily plus 2.30pm on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays

Age 5+

Following a record-breaking UK and Ireland Tour, the smash hit blockbuster musical based on the story and characters from the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks Animation film is back in Cardiff. This hilarious and spectacular production turns the world of fairytales upside down in an all-singing, all-dancing, must-see musical comedy. Join Shrek, (Steffan Harri) and his loyal steed Donkey as they set off on a quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona (Laura Main 10-15 April, Amelia Lily 17-22 April) from her tower, guarded by a fire breathing love-sick dragon. The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artists subject to holiday, illness or events beyond the producers’ control.

The Girl with Incredibly Long Hair

Weston Studio Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Tuesday 10-Sunday 15 April, 11am & 3pm

£7; age: 4+

Relaxed performances: 14 & 15 April @ 11 am, BSL performance: 13 April @ 11am &

3pm. Touch Tour: 14 & 15 April @ 10:15am.

A delightful and unforgettable experience for children aged 4+. A We Made This production in partnership with Blackwood Miners’ Institute and Wales Millennium Centre, the family show reimagines the story of Rapunzel for our times, taking the audience on an imaginative journey through the forest.

 

FREE Family Dance Festival

Outside Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff Bay

Wednesday 11-Saturday 14 April

Wednesday and Friday 10.30am; 12.30pm; 2.30pm

Thursday and Saturday 10.30am; 12.30pm; 4pm

Back by popular demand, Wales Millennium Centre (in partnership with Coreo Cymru, Chapter and National Dance Company Wales) presents the Family Dance Festival, which takes place in front of the Centre for daily performances 11-14 April. A jam-packed hour of pop-up dance from some of Wales’ most animated, mesmerising and lively companies, and a chance to dance for all. This event is free and suitable for all ages.

 

Wind in the Willows

Memo Arts Centre Barry

Saturday 14 April, 2pm

£9 per person

Stunningly brought to life in a spectacular new musical by Oscar-winning screenwriter and creator of Downton Abbey Julian Fellowes and Olivier-award winning composer and lyricist George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, The Wind In The Willows will delight audiences of all ages!

 

Captain Flinn and The Pirate Dinosaur 2 – The Magic Cutlass

The Riverfront

Thursday 5 April, 3pm

£11 per adult, £10 per child, £36 family of 4

When Flinn is in the middle of his school play his old nemesis, Mr T the T-Rex, appears and kidnaps his friends forcing them to hunt for the Magic Cutlass; a sword that grants any wish! The children are whisked away for another fantastic adventure to a world of devious dinosaurs, deep sea dangers and smelly sausages!

 

 

Cardiff Children’s Literature festival

Friday 21-Sunday 29 April

Various prices and times, booking recommended

Celebrated authors and illustrators will once again bring a cast of colourful characters and amazing tales to inspire and entertain book lovers everywhere; from the young to the young at heart. The award winning festival hosts over 40 events for children of different ages in English and Welsh at iconic venues across the city centre including Cardiff Castle, City Hall and National Museum Wales.

Guest authors and illustrators include Petr Horáček, Sibéal Pounder, Tom Percival, Catherine Fisher, Huw Aaron, Tom Palmer, Steven Butler and Jonathan Meres to name a few.

 

Disney On Ice – Worlds Of Enchantment

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff

Wednesday 25-Sunday 29 April

Tickets from £18-£43

The magical world of Disney comes to the Motorpoint as four favourite Disney stories are brought to the ice. Be thrilled by high-speed stunts as the crew of Disney/Pixar’s Cars race across the ice. Dive into The Little Mermaid’s undersea kingdom and catch up with the Toy Story gang as they escape Sunnyside Daycare! Enter the wintry world of Disney’s Frozen with sisters Anna and Elsa and pals Olaf and Kristoff. Plus, warm up at the Fit to Dance pre-show party!

 

 

Regular toddler/family events

 

Baby and Toddler Tuesdays

Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran

Every Tuesday from 6 February until 27 November; 10am-5pm

£6.50 adults; £5.40 children 2-16; under 2s free; family 2+3 £23.50

As well as all the usual farm attractions there’s a range of music, craft and outdoor sessions for pre-schoolers (see website for timetable) all included in the regular admission cost. Read our review of what else to expect at Greenmeadow here.

 

 

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.

 

Toddler events

Parc Play, Cardiff

Animal encounters – Toddler Fridays

20 April – Meet The Creepy Crawlies

27 April – Meet The Owls

4 May – Weird and Wonderful

11 May – Meet the Meerkats and exotic mammals

18 May – Meet the Reptiles

Read more about previous toddler events at Parc Play here.

 

 

FREE Dinky Dragons

Cardiff Story Museum, The Hayes, Cardiff

Friday 13 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 usually 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 Toddler Time

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Friday 13 April; Friday 18 May; Friday 22 June, 11am-2.30pm

Singing dancing playing and creating for pre-schoolers with a special programme of activities for little ones and their parents.

 

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. Read our review of a previous session 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.

 

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.

 

 

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 £2 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 £2.49 per person. Check online for schedule; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

 

Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff

A different family film every week

£4/£3 booked in advance; see website for full listings.

 

Memo Arts Centre Barry

A selection of family-friendly films at weekends and during school holidays.

Adults £6; concessions £4; under 16s £3 when booked in advance. £6.50/£4.50/£3.50 on the door.

 

PIN ME FOR LATER!

 

 

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