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EASTER HOLIDAYS
9 - 29 aprilHoliday Activities Things to do during the holidays. Please mention Primary Times Somerset when booking activities. REMEMBER, things may change at short notice so make sure you check before you go. Wildflower seedbomb crafting and falcons at the Palace
Happy healthy holidays in Somerset
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Thousands of children and young people eligible for free school meals in Somerset can enjoy free fun activities during the holidays. Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) in partnership with Somerset County Council coordinate the initiative across the county, with bookings for this Easter’s activities open. There are a total of 12,000 places available, with more than 70 venues offering a wide range of activities from kayaking to music workshops, swimming and climbing. Go to www.sasp.co.uk/happyhealthy-holidays for details.
Tuesdays 12 & 19
Go to the Community Garden at the Bishop’s Palace, Wells to join in the crafting sessions. Seed bombs originated in New York City in the 1970s as a way to encourage wildflowers in the city. These make a wonderful family activity and a lovely springtime present. From 11am to 3pm. Plus:
Monday 18 - Falconry Day
Enjoy seeing amazing birds with skills that have been used since medieval times. Display leader, Tony, will be bringing a selection of his finest falcons and owls to show off their marvellous moves in front of visitors on the South Lawn. Visitors will have the chance to get up close with some of the birds and handle them whilst finding out all about them from their handlers. Displays at 12 and 3pm, weather permitting.
Follow the Hoppy Easter Trail at Ferne
Visit Ferne Animal Sanctuary, near Chard this Easter to take part in the Hoppy Easter Trail and learn all about rabbits and the things they need to stay happy and healthy. Then sample some Easter treats in the café.
Adventure Play and family fun at Clarks Village
Families can enjoy the outdoor King Arthur’s Forest Adventure Play Park and landscaped gardens at Clarks Village in Street. There are also restaurants, cafes and grab and go kiosks for delicious diversions.
Children’s Entertainment
Dinosaur Valley: LIVE! Saturday 9 - Sunday 24 Dinosaur Valley is taking over Avon Valley Wildlife Park for a totally ROARsome, interactive eggstravaganza. Visit the South West’s largest collection of animatronic dinosaurs, including a 15 meter T-Rex in their beautiful riverside home. Follow a self guided trail and complete the quest; visit the Dinosaur Research Lab with a theatrical experience; meet baby dinosaurs; enjoy fossil excavation activities; build a dinosaur teddy; take a mini jeep safari and miniature train ride and meet all the animals. From 10am to 4pm, adults and toddlers £25, children £35.
Magic at the Museum Wednesdays 13, 20 Special Holiday Activity Days for families at the Helicopter Museum, Locking Moor Road, Weston-superMare with different activities every week. Watch a live magic show, witness incredible balloon modelling, marvel at the slight of hand illusions and climb into the pilots seat of some of the helicopters, try on a pilot’s helmet. Plus Sunday 24 - Silly Sunday Children’s Show A fun packed day of craziness with morning and afternoon family shows for under 10s. Live interactive show, expect funny magic, talking puppets, custard pies and general mayhem. our guides will be running ‘Kids Only - Open Cockpit Sessions’, climb into the pilots seat of some of the helicopters, try on a pilots helmet and have the controls explained to you by an experienced guide. The cafe will have a special Children’s Party themed menu. Details online or on 01934 635227.
Children’s Easter Party Sunday 17 Party for accompanied children with dances, PDJ Disco and a special guest appearance from Peter Rabbit and Peppa Pig. Each child will go home with an Easter Egg. From 2.30pm in the Assembly Rooms, Frome. Children £8, adults free.
Meet Peter Rabbit Wednesday 20 Peter Rabbit will be appearing during story time sessions, led by a narrator, on the platform at Cranmore Station at quarter past the hour from 11.15am to 3.15pm. There will also be a Punch and Judy to entertain you. You can ride the steam train on East Somerset Railway, as many times as you like and look around the Engine Shed and workshop. Book online or on 01749 880417.
SOME FACTS ABOUT Dinosaur Eggs
WE tend to think a lot about eggs this time of year, usually concentrating on chocolate ones. THE idea of the chocolate egg comes from nature - we know birds, most reptiles, amphibians and fish and three mammals lay eggs, but did you know that every dinosaur hatched from an egg? WE know quite a lot about dinosaur eggs even though very few have survived as they were extremely fragile. HErE are some things scientists have discovered so far:
• Each female dinosaur would lay lots of eggs at one time, from as few as three to as many as 20.
• Other dinosaurs loved to steal eggs and so usually lots were laid at one time, in the hope that some would survive and hatch.
• The largest dinosaur egg found so far is 18 inches in diameter, the smallest is about 1 inch.
• Herbivores, the plant-eating dinosaurs, laid round eggs… why? Nobody really knows. • Some dinosaurs dug nests and protected the eggs from other dinosaurs.
• Dinosaur babies grew very fast, perhaps doubling in size in the first six weeks, in order to have a chance of surviving.
• No T. Rex eggs have been found … so far!
GET Creative
Celebrating Spring Saturday 9 - Saturday 23
Enjoy activities celebrating spring and Easter at the Museum of Somerset, Taunton Castle. Explore the museum on the Easter Egg Trail. Find the objects in the egg-shaped pictures to win a prize (£1 per child). Plus: Saturday 9, Sunday 10, Monday 18 - Sow and Grow Sunflowers. Tuesday 12 - Easter Card Making Wednesday 13- Egg Cup Decorating Thursday 14 - The Life of Bees Friday 15 - Stained Glass Crafts Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 - Making Bunny Ears Tuesday 19, Friday 22- Mosaic Crafting Wednesday 20 - Flower Crafts and Trail Thursday 21 - Eggy Activities Saturday 23 - Easter Decorations From 10am to 5pm, all activities £1 or £2 per child. Booking advised at museumofsomerset.org.uk .
Easter on the Farm Saturday 9 - Sunday 24
Explore Easter on the Farm at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Chilkwell, Glastonbury. Saturday 9 - Old Fashioned Cooking Demonstration Tuesday 12 - Easter Bonnet Making Wednesday 13 - Chick Crafts Thursday 14 - Egg Cup Decorating Friday 15 - Hot Cross Bun Toasting Saturday 16 - Suncatcher Making Sunday 17 & Monday 18 - Egg Hunt Collect the plastic eggs and receive a prize Tuesday 19 - Daffodil Crafts Wednesday 20 & Friday 22 -Spring Cleaning Day Thursday 21 - Hen Day Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 - Sow and Grow
From 10am to 5pm. Booking is advised. Go to swheritage.org.uk or call 01458 831197 for details.
Easter Fun
Tuesday 12 - Thursday 21 Follow the clues around the Brick and Tile Museum, Bridgwater and find some Easter ink stamps along the way. A version is available to suit younger children. Then enjoy some family paint and clay activities: Tuesday 12 - Bunny Bowls Thursday 14 - Pottery Painting Tuesday 19 - Paint Easter Decorations Thursday 21 - Clay Name Plaque Painted items can be taken home. Clay will need to be fired, will be available around 3 weeks after activity. Must be booked at swheritage.org.uk, £3.50. Details on 01278 426088.
Join Bertie Bird for Easter at Hestercombe
Saturday 2 - Sunday 24 Bertie bird and his feathered friends have taken up residence at Hestercombe Gardens and they’ve planned plenty of egg-citing spring activities to keep your little chicks entertained. Join Bertie the blackbird in the landscape gardens on his mission to find the best nest and learn some fabulous feathery facts along the way. Bertie has created his very own egg hunt around the formal gardens too. Tuesday 12 - Petting Zoo (11am - 3pm) Thursday 14 - Paper Kites (12 - 4pm) Saturday 16 - Bunny Marshmallow Workshop (11am - 3pm) Wednesday 20 - Pinwheels Craft (12 - 4pm) Friday 22 - Science Butterfly Workshop (10am - 3pm) Drop in, no need to book.
Paint a Fairy Door
Wednesday 20 Go to Yeovil Country Park for a morning of fairy door painting. Two doors per child, paint, brushes and fairy doors provided. These can be left with the rangers to use as replacement doors for the Playzone woodland fairies or taken home as a gift for the garden fairies. For accompanied 3 year olds and above from 10am to 12pm, meet rangers in the gazebo on the grass next to Ninesprings cafe.
Family Art Class
Tuesday 12 Adults and children go to Somerset Skills and Learning 15 Palmer Street, Frome and enjoy a fun session to create an Easter craft to take away. From 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Cracking Fun
Saturday 9 - Sunday 24
Get your wellies on and go to the American Museum , Claverton Manor, Bath and hunt for the creative and colourful nest installations throughout the gardens and parkland. Pick up an activity pack on arrival and join the scavenger hunt (additional fee applies). Then visit the crafting station for some fabulous Easter themed crafts. Booking online recommended, especially over the Easter weekend. Details on 1225 820868.
Animal Magic
Monday 11 Calling all animal lovers. Investigate how the Romans used animal images in decoration. Make a fridge magnet inspired by these creatures. From 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 4pm at the Roman Baths in Bath.
