25 family-friendly events in and around Cardiff for the rest of April 2016

The holidays are over, the children are back in school. But there’s still plenty of family events taking place in and around Cardiff this month. From book festivals to bake offs, and classical music to Disney favourites, there’s plenty to keep you busy this month.

Please note, all events are subject to change so I recommend checking ahead with the organisers to avoid any disappointment. Do feel free to add any more events you know of in the comments section below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page  or by tweeting me on @cardiffmummy 

Make sure to follow me on Facebook for more posts on events in and around Cardiff.

Treasures: Adventures in Archaeology

National Museum Cardiff

Until Sunday 30th October 2016

Adults £7, concessions £5, 16s and under free – book online beforehand

An Egyptian mummy, Roman treasures, a crystal skull from the film India Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, plus human skulls from Viking-age burials on Anglesey are among key exhibits in this celebration of archaeological discoveries. The museum is not open on Mondays.

FREE Wildlife Photographer of the Year

National Museum Cardiff

Until 24th April 2016

Wrestling komodo dragons, ethereal egrets and thirsty squirrels are among 100 images shortlisted for Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015. The exhibition is on loan from the National History Museum in London and shows the diversity of life on our planet, as well as challenging the way we think about the natural world. The museum is not open on Mondays.

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.

FREE Clore Explorers

National Museum Cardiff

Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm

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

FREE Toddler Time

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Friday 15^th April, 11am-2.30pm

Free singing and craft sessions throughout the day for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers at this monthly free event. See the website for full details.

FREE Family Saturdays

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Saturdays 16^th, 23^rd, 30^th April, 11am-4pm

Puppet Mania, The Wishing Line and The Colour Of Spring are the themes for the following three Saturdays. Just drop in to enjoy some family-friendly arts and crafts in Wales Millennium Centre’s foyer.

Toddler Tuesdays

Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran

Tuesdays 12^th, 29^th, 26^th 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 National Gardens Open Day

Dyffryn Gardens, Vale of Glamorgan

Friday 15^th April, 10am-6pm

A chance to explore the National Trust property and gardens for free, as part of the National Gardens Open Day.

RHS Flower Show

Friday 15th-Sunday 17th April

Bute Park, Cardiff

Inspirational gardens, stunning plants and flowers in the RHS’s annual show. There’s plenty for children including a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-inspired garden making 100 years of the birth of Roald Dahl in Llandaff, plus a schools’ wheelbarrow competition to view, celebrating his other much-loved characters.

Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival

Various venues, Cardiff city centre

Saturday 16^th to Sunday 24^th April

The fourth annual celebration of children’s literature sees over 50 book-related events in the Welsh capital. Highlights include acclaimed author Jacqueline Wilson talking about her best-selling books, CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell discussing her Harper books, a Roald Dahl party and a celebration of Harry Potter, as well as Welsh children’s poet Anni Llyn. Most events are ticketed, but there are also a number of free events taking place too, including story time at John Lewis and free craft sessions in St David’s shopping centre

Peter And The Wolf – The Mariinsky Orchestra

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Sunday 17^th April, 12pm, (£8.50-£22.50)

Age guidance: 5+

Peter And The Wolf is a perfect way to introduce children to the instruments of the orchestra, with different instruments representing the different characters. Narrated by Valery Gergiev of the famous Mariinsky Orchestra, we meet Peter (represented by the string section) happily playing in the meadow. A bird (flute) sings in a tree; a duck (oboe) swims in the pond; then a cat (clarinet appears). Peter’s grandfather (bassoon) warns him not to go outside as a wolf (French horn) is lurking outside. Peter And The Wolf will be performed alongside Tchaikovsky’s Suite from The Nutcracker, making for a double bill of beautiful classical music.

Disney on Ice – Silver Anniversary Celebrations

Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

Wednesday 20th-Sunday 24th April (tickets range from around £19 to £50)

Celebrating 25 years of the Disney on Ice experience in Europe, this show promises breath-taking choreography and a musical score filled with familiar Disney hits. Tour guides Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck take audiences on a tour of the magical worlds of The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and the number one animated feature film of all time, Frozen.

The King, The Cat and The Fiddle

St David’s Hall, Cardiff

Friday 22nd April, 11am, 1.30pm; Saturday 23rd April, 2pm (£5-£7.50)

Can Joachim the cat help the hapless king how to fiddle and restore both music and happiness back to the kingdom before it is too late? This hour-long musical performance from folk group Calan and based on the classic children’s book is suitable for primary school aged children and their families, as well as those with special educational needs.

Wild Mapping

Linda Vista Gardens, Abergavenny

Saturday 23^rd April, 10.30am-12pm

Age guidance: 0-7; £4 per ticket

As part of Abergavenny Writing Festival, Wild Tots host this event for the under sevens. Inspired by the Childish chapter in Robert MacFarlane’s book Landmarks, children will explore and enjoy outdoor spaces together. The children’s drawings and anecdotes will be collated to produce a child’s view of the ways and spaces within the park to inspire future visitors.

Hollywood Bowl Family Fun Fest

The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 23^rd-Sunday 24^th April, 12pm-4pm

Hit the lanes at Hollywood Bowl and enjoy a host of extra activities, including face painting, glow bowling, balloons and treasure hunts. Regular bowling prices apply.

Penarth Mayor’s Children’s Day 

The Kymin, Penarth

Saturday 23rd April, 11am-3pm

A day of family fun, including a treasure hunt, craft sessions, storytime sessions, circus play, and more. £1 per child and free for accompanying grown-ups.

Miniature Railways and Tramways

Heath Model Railway, Heath Park, Cardiff

Sunday 24th April, 1pm-5pm

Cardiff Model Engineering Society open their doors over the Easter weekend. The whole family can go for rides on miniature steam, diesel and electric trains, plus a tram. Entry is £1.50 per person and each ride is £1.50 per person. Under 3s are free.

Reptile Show – Toddler Event

Parc Play, Curran Embankment, Cardiff

Friday 29th April, 10.30am-1.30pm

A chance for pre-schoolers to get up close and personal with reptiles, insects and other exotic animals at Cardiff’s famous indoor/outdoor play centre. Usual entrance prices apply.

Meet A Superhero

The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 30^th April-Sunday 1^st May

To celebrate the release of Captain America: Civil War, Captain America, Iron Man and Spider-Man tributes will be meeting and greeting fans at The Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay. The hero trio will be there for 30-minute sessions at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm each day.

FREE Bringing In The May

St Fagans National History Museum

Saturday 30^th April-Monday 2^nd May, 11am-4pm

Traditional Welsh celebrations mark the arrival of May, with music, folk dancing and the raising of the maypole. Entrance to the museum is free, but car parking is £5. Coins only.

May Day Celebrations

Tredegar House, Newport

Saturday 30^th April-Monday 2^nd May, 11am-2pm

The National Trust property celebrates May Day with family-friendly activities. Regular entrance fees or membership apply.

The Great Roath Bake Off 2016

St Andrew’s Church, Wellfield Road, Cardiff

Saturday 23^rd April, from 10am

Budding Cardiff bakers are invited to enter the 6^th annual The Great Roath Bake Off, with money raised from the event benefitting local charities, as well as funding workshops for children to learn about baking. Celebrity judges include BBC weather presenter Sue Charles, Big Brother’s Glyn Wise and Heart Radio presenters Jagger and Woody, while musical entertainment will come from local acts as well as more established singers.

Doors open 10am, cakes to be entered by 1pm, judging starts at 2pm, with winners announced at 5pm. All cakes £4 to enter; all junior cakes (under 16), £3.

Family-friendly cinema screenings

I’m focussing on the cheaper early-morning film screenings here and special events, rather than the latest big films

Odeon Kids

Odeon Cinema, The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

The 10am weekend and half term 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 half term 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 half term 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.

The Lion King (U)

Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th April, 11am and 3pm

Sunday 24th April, 3pm

Cinderella (U)

Saturday 30th April, 11am and 3pm

Do feel free to add any more events you know of in the comments section below, on the Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page  or by tweeting me on @cardiffmummy 

Make sure to follow me on Facebook for more posts on events in and around Cardiff.