10 things to do during the Easter Holidays

On Friday my boys break up from school for the Easter Holidays and I always get stressed wondering what on earth we're going to do for two whole weeks. This time though I'm getting prepared, I'm making lists of things we could do during the holidays and I thought I'd share some of my ideas with you.



Family Attractions


Alton Towers is a great place to visit during the holidays, a day out at a theme park. This year we've bought Merlin Annual Passes again, we've had them before and really enjoyed visiting the attractions. With the boys that little bit older we decided to get them again, while they're expensive there are loads of attractions around the country and it makes our days out much more interesting if we can visit a different attraction without extra cost. 

10 Things To Do During The Easter Holidays | Alton Towers is a great place to take the kids during the holidays.
The photo was taken in October during half-term as you can tell from all the pumpkins.



Alton Towers is one of the places that you can visit with your Merlin Annual Pass and it's fairly local to us. Well actually it's quite a drive away but it's in between us and the in-laws so we tend to visit "on the way". Theme parks are a great day out during the Easter holidays, the weather is usually nicer so you can walk around outside without feeling like you'll freeze and you (or the kids) get to enjoy going on lots of rides. My boys are thrill-seekers and love the roller-coasters, I'm not and don't, but it is lovely to watch them racing off to the next ride and see their smiling faces as they exit.



English Heritage


10 Things To Do During The Easter Holidays | Bolsover Castle is such a wonderful place to revisit, it reminds me of our wedding day.
Bolsover Castle will always hold a place in my heart.


English Heritage own lots of castles and buildings around the country and if you're a member it is free to enter. I've written before about Bolsover Castle, we've visited many times and it's always lovely to return because it's the place the Hubby and I got married. There are lots of places to visit in the East Midlands but also around the country and if you take a weekend trip somewhere you'll probably find there's a local English Heritage place!

10 Things To Do During The Easter Holidays | English Heritage has some interesting building to explore.
Another English Heritage property - Kirby Hall in Corby.



Cinema


We rarely visit the cinema but when we do we make it something special. A big screen, popcorn, drinks, and a great movie, it's a great way to spend an afternoon. 



Game time


Now if you have children that are anything like my boys then game time is essential, it's the thing they're most looking forward to; uninterrupted game time.





Life is more fun if you play games.

Roald Dahl





While I don't let the boys play constantly for days on end I do let them have a little more time than usual. BP plays games that he can talk to his friends while playing and LP plays almost anything. He likes to try out games, driving games, fighting games, it's all fun. 

And of course I have to allow time for myself to play games too!



Bowling


Over the last few months we've been bowling a few times and enjoyed it every time. The boys have competitions between themselves, and the Hubby and I try to beat each other (the Hubby usually wins). Fun times for the whole family can be had at your local bowling place, and you could probably enjoy some food while there too!



Soft Play


When you have older kids it's more an activity centre than soft play but near us it's the same place. Somewhere for them to run around, work off some of their excess energy while you sit and have a coffee, it's certainly not a peaceful coffee but at least you get to sit! I tend to take my Macbook and work while the boys play, it's an easy way to get some work done during the holidays while the boys think they're having a great time.

To add an extra bit of fun why not meet some of the kids' friends there?



Visit Family


This really depends on whether your family works or if they're close by. My dad lives about 90 miles away so the holidays are the perfect time to visit. I take a whole day, drive to Grimsby and spend the day with my mum and dad. The kids get spoilt by their grandparents and I get to chat and be with my parents for a day. It doesn't happen nearly often enough but I do make the most of it when we get the chance.





Family is not an important thing. It's everything.

Michael J. Fox





Go for a walk


We have canals, forests, and footpaths near us so we only have to step outside to find somewhere interesting to walk. Getting outside does you all good and it gives the kids a chance to burn off some energy. If you live in a city you could try going to a local park where the kids could kick a ball around and you could take a picnic with you. 



London


LP has been saying for a long time that he wants to visit London, he wants to see the buildings, the London Eye, basically everything he's seen on the TV. With the Easter holidays coming up it's the perfect time to visit so we'll be taking a couple of days, staying in a hotel, and hopefully doing all the touristy things in the capital of our country. I'm sure LP will love it, and he'll learn lots too - bonus!

10 Things To Do During The Easter Holidays | London is a great place to go, for a day trip or even a weekend.



Shrek Adventure


This has been on our to-do list for a while and with it being included in the Merlin Annual Pass it would be crazy to not do it while we're in London. The Hubby and I loved Shrek and the boys like all the Dreamworks movies so it's a perfect adventure for us. I can't wait to see what they have there.

10 Things To Do During The Easter Holidays | Activities for you AND the kids to do during the Easter school holidays!



What exciting adventures do you have planned for the Easter break?




If you can't find something you want to do here then check out my post 10 things to do during half-term, it has 10 more things for you to check out!