OUT & ABOUT

A family on Easter Trail at Blickling Estate, Norfolk, National Trust Images Kezia Everson — Easter fun at Blickling Hall

Let’s hop to it – first up, a run round Blickling, Felbrigg or Oxburgh estates should burn off some of that choc-fuelled energy (just about). Throughout the Easter break there’ll be plenty of nature-themed activities and games scheduled and, of course, an Easter egg hunt or two. Hoveton Hall is also welcoming egg hunters, as is Old Buckenham Country Park on its self-guided trail (both Fri 18 – Mon 21 Apr). And, if the weather’s not playing ball, it’s all aboard the Easter Eggspress courtesy of the Bure Valley Railway (Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr).

Pensthorpe is a sure fire hit, well, any day of the week but they are pulling out the big guns this Easter. Not only will there be a trail of ginormous 4ft, 3D eggs to find, there’s also pond dipping, flamingo talks, crafting, games and, new this year, lambs! Which you can view from an authentic shepherd’s hut, (Sat 5 – Tue 22 Apr). Meanwhile, Banham Zoo is going wild for Easter with a giant, inflatable egg hunt, fun fair, loads of free activities and spectacular live stage show with over 100 amazing animal species set to appear (Sat 5 – Tue 22 Apr).

Of course dino eggs count at ROARR! dinosaur park in Lenwade where Dippy will be doing his best Wonka over the Easter holiday (Sat 5 – Tue 22 Apr). I’m talking golden tickets, fun challenges, mazes, prizes, the works. And if all that wasn’t enough, Peter Rabbit will be making his debut at the park.

Had your fill of chocolate? Never! Kids can have a right royal time scaling the grounds of Sandringham in its Easter egg trail all in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance (Sun 20 Apr). Meanwhile, at BeWILDerwood (Sat 5 – Sun 27 Apr) the hunt is on for pesky bunnies hiding in the woods, with face painting, storytelling and bunny ear craft to keep the kids amused when they’re not climbing and sliding their way around this creative adventure park.

Is it even Easter without some lambs? Get your cute and fuzzy fix at Felbrigg Hall Farm (Sat 12 & Sun 13 Apr and Fri 18 – Mon 21 Apr) and Snettisham Farm Park (open every day) where you’ll see the farmers in action, cuddle some lambs and maybe even witness some live births. How’s that for educational?

For more lambing fun head on over to Wroxham Barns who are also hosting an Easter Adventure – a weekend full of farmyard fun and, for those who just can’t get enough, a chocolate egg or two to spot as well (Sat 5 – Mon 21 Apr).

Sulk-free family fun is guaranteed at Holkham this month which has just re-opened its doors following a winter break. Aside from the big Easter egg hunt, the super-popular grand trailer tours are back, along with the gorgeous Spring Market (Fri 18 – Sun 20 Apr), while the Walled Garden will be playing host to some cute, cuddly and, er, slimy creatures for the kids to pet and learn about.

Gressenhall is also back with a bang this month, and plenty to keep the kids entertained (wahoo!). From self-led trails to nature-themed crafting and a special Earth Day celebration on Fri 11 Apr. Keep an eye on the website for the full schedule.

Kids with someone dressed as the Easter bunny at Holkham Hall — Easter egg hunting at Holkham Hall

There’s some new experiences at the Thursford Collection for all the train mad fams out there. Among them, the Victory Experience, where you’re invited to get hands-on with an original Showman’s steam engine and go for a ride. Throw in some fairground rides, the gondola and some old Hollywood silent movies into the mix and you have a cracking day out. And prepare to be wowed by Circus Fantasia which is pitching its big top at the Norfolk Showground from Wed 2 – Sun 13 Apr for an action-packed new show featuring international acts accompanied by a live circus orchestra. Phew, time to re-fuel.

FOODIE FUN

Easter Afternoon Tea at Byfords Holt — Whatta spread! Easter Afternoon Tea at Byfords

When you get tired of chasing clues for a sweet and chocolatey treat, head over to Byfords in Holt for its Easter Afternoon Tea – a mouth-watering spread of seasonal delights (hello white rabbit chocolate fudge cake). Available from Mon 7- Mon 21 Apr. And to The Assembly House in Norwich for a child-friendly Easter-themed afternoon tea (Tue 1 – Mon 21 Apr). Booking for both, essential.

THEATRE

The Little Mermaid at Cromer Pier — *The Little Mermaid*

The pros have got Easter entertaining covered (phew!). Firstly, for some top-tier family fun, the swashbuckling aquatic acrobatics in Pirates Live! variety circus show is a must Great Yarmouth Hippodrome (Sat 5 Apr – Mon 5 May), as is whip-cracking musical, Calamity Jane, which sees West End regular, Carrie Hope Fletcher taking on the titular role at Norwich Theatre Royal, from Tue 8 – Sat 12 Apr.

Speaking of musicals, this lovely lot will be serenading the county this Easter: The Little Mermaid, Cromer Pier (Thu 10 Apr), Frozen Jr, Sheringham Little Theatre (Wed 16 – Sat 19 Apr), The Sound of Broadway ,Gorelston Pavilion (Fri 4 – Sat 5 Apr) and with a musical montage of music from the iconic film we have The Chicago Blues Brothers, King’s Lynn Corn Exchange (Fri 11 Apr).

Fancy a visit to the quirky Norwich Puppet Theatre? If the answer is a big fat yes then there’s a packed programme of puppetry on the cards including a fun remake of the classic Three Little Pigs; 3 Little Pig Tails (Sat 19 Apr) as well as plenty of non-traditional options like Mess! (Thu 17 Apr) and Snap The Dragon (Sat 12 & Sun 13 Apr).

Pantos are just for Christmas. Oh no they’re not! They’re for Easter too (apparently) and you can catch a lively production of The Wizard of Oz, which sees Britain’s Got Talent alum Steve Royle and the X-Factor‘s Stevi Ritchie take to the Kings Lynn Corn Exchange stage (Wed 9 Apr).

What else? Well, littlies will want to see if there’s any Room on the Broom (seriously, what did we do before Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler?) King’s Lynn Corn Exchange (Sun 6 – Tue 8 Apr), and this lovely production at Diss Corn Hall (Sat 12 Apr) which has been dubbed a Dahl-esque treat! Whether it’s true or not, Green Fingers sounds magical.

Pig Heart Boy on stage — *Pig Heart Boy,* Phot Credit: Ali Wright

Meanwhile, there’s a Big Jurassic Storm brewing in an explosive (and interactive) new show from the Dinosaur Adventure LIVE crew at King’s Lynn Corn Exchange (Sat 12 Apr). Similarly explosive, but with fewer dinosaurs, we have T op Secret – The Magic of Science which will be brewing plenty of magic, and scientific experiments, at Cromer Pier (Thu 17 Apr).

Norwich is pulling out the big guns with this new and glorious adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s fam fave, Pig Heart Boy, Theatre Royal (Wed 23 – Sat 26 Apr) as well as kids Fringe favourite Grow, Stage Two (Sat 19 Apr) and, if you can cope with the beatboxing attempts which will predictably follow, Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids looks a hoot! Playhouse (Fri 11 Apr).

And for some fun the whole family will enjoy we have Juan Solo’s Excellent Adventure in Space, a sci-fi, stand-up mash-up (Wed 16 Apr), and Strictly‘s Nikita Kuzmin dancing the night away with his first solo show, Midnight Dancer (Sun 20 Apr) both at Norwich Theatre Royal, and The Phil’s Family Christmas at the Norfolk Showground (Sat 5 Apr). No festive tunes, don’t worry, just gorgeous Gershwin, lovely Lambert, and marvellous Marquez among others, if this sun is shining, this will be a beaut!

ARTS, CRAFTS & WORKSHOPS

Keep little hands busy with a boredom-busting dose of crafts at Norwich Puppet Theatre with its fabulous, family workshops where you can learn how to make a super-cool stop-motion Easter Bunny (Wed 16 Apr) or a friendly Dragon (Sun 13 Apr). While over at Diss Corn Hall there’s even more fire-breathing fun to be had with Malca Schotten’s Drawing Dragons workshop (Thu 10 Apr).

Drama kings and queens in your midst? Get in quick for the Play in a Day workshops at Norwich Theatre Royal, there’s one for ages 7-10, and another for 11-15’s. Both take place on Thu 17 Apr, meaning a nice little sanity saver for you before the sugar-fulled weekend commences!

Crack open the fun: 50 fabulous things to do this Easter holiday

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