Quick summary: Easter Sunday is 5 April 2026. Schools in England and Wales break up 30 March and return 13 April. Scotland is off 2–17 April. The best activities for families this Easter include egg hunts, theme parks, farm visits, zoos, safari parks, free outdoor days and rainy-day indoor experiences. Book popular attractions early — Good Friday and Easter Monday are the busiest days of the holiday.
Easter 2026 is nearly here, and if you’ve got kids at home wondering what’s happening for the next two weeks, we’ve got you covered! Whether you’re after classic Easter egg hunts, big days out at theme parks, muddy adventures on a farm, or ideas that won’t cost a fortune, this is your ultimate guide to the best Easter activities for kids in 2026.
Key dates to know: Easter Sunday falls on 5 April 2026. Good Friday is 3 April and Easter Monday is 6 April. Most schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland break up on 30 March and return on 13 April. Scottish families get a slightly longer break, with most schools off from 2 April to 17 April.
With two whole weeks to fill (lucky you!), the key is variety. Mix a big day out with some free local adventures, throw in a bit of crafting at home, and you’ve got yourself a holiday to remember. Let’s get into it!
What’s in this guide:
- Easter egg hunts across the UK
- Theme parks open for Easter 2026
- Farm days out
- Zoos, safari parks and aquariums
- Free and budget-friendly Easter activities
- Rainy day ideas
- Tips for booking and saving money
Easter Egg Hunts for Kids 2026
No Easter holiday is complete without an egg hunt! The good news is that 2026 has no shortage of them, from grand estate trails to local park hunts that the little ones will absolutely love.
National Trust Egg Hunts
The National Trust runs its famous Easter egg trails at hundreds of properties across the UK every year, and 2026 is no different. Kids follow a trail around the grounds, answer clues, and earn a chocolate reward at the end. It’s brilliant for burning off energy while sneaking in a bit of history and nature. You’ll need to check your local National Trust property for specific dates and booking details, as they vary by location.
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts
Cadbury partners with the National Trust to run egg hunts at sites across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Expect chocolate, trails and plenty of Easter-themed fun. These are incredibly popular and often sell out, so booking early is strongly recommended.
Estate and Garden Trails
Many stately homes, castles and gardens run their own Easter egg trails independently. Chatsworth House, Blenheim Palace, Leeds Castle and Longleat are among those that typically offer Easter family events. Keep an eye on their websites as the holiday approaches for confirmed 2026 activity listings.
Local Egg Hunts
Don’t overlook your local area! Community Easter egg hunts pop up in parks, farm shops, garden centres and village halls across the UK every year. These are often free or very low cost, and a great option for toddlers and younger children who don’t need a huge day out to have the best time.
Top tip: Search “Easter egg hunt near me 2026” in the weeks leading up to the holiday for the most up-to-date local listings. Many events are only announced a few weeks in advance!
Theme Parks Open at Easter 2026
Easter is the moment the UK’s theme parks properly wake up for the season, and 2026 is shaping up to be a brilliant year for thrill-seekers of all ages. Most major parks open their gates for the Easter school holidays, with many running special seasonal events and extended hours.
The Big Hitters
Here’s a quick look at the theme parks that are typically open and buzzing over Easter:
| Theme Park | Best For | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Alton Towers | Thrill rides, teens and older kids | Book tickets |
| LEGOLAND Windsor | Kids aged 3-12, LEGO fans | Book tickets |
| Chessington World of Adventures | Mixed ages, younger kids | Book tickets |
| Thorpe Park | Teens and thrill-seekers | Book tickets |
| Disneyland Paris | All ages, magic guaranteed | Book tickets |
Book early! Easter is one of the busiest periods of the year for theme parks. Tickets sell out, queues are longer, and prices rise as the dates get closer. Booking in advance through Day Out With The Kids guarantees you the best price.
Don’t Forget the Smaller Parks!
The UK has a brilliant selection of smaller, family-friendly theme parks that are often less crowded at Easter and just as much fun. Watermouth Castle in Devon, Flamingo Land in Yorkshire and Paultons Park (home of Peppa Pig World!) in Hampshire are all well worth a look if you’re after something a little different.
Farm Days Out at Easter
Easter and farm visits go together perfectly. Spring is when the countryside truly comes alive, with newborn lambs, fluffy chicks and all the muddy, brilliant chaos that kids absolutely adore. A farm visit is one of those Easter activities that works for every age group, from wobbly toddlers to curious tweens.
What to Expect at an Easter Farm Visit
Most family farms ramp up their activities over the Easter holidays. Alongside the usual animal encounters and tractor rides, you can expect:
- Lamb feeding sessions (an absolute Easter classic!)
- Easter-themed trails and activities
- Egg hunts across the farm grounds
- Craft workshops for younger children
- Outdoor play areas and adventure zones
Great Farm Attractions to Visit This Easter
Godstone Farm in Surrey is one of the most popular family farm days out in the South East, with animals to meet, outdoor play and plenty of space to run around. National Forest Adventure Farm in Staffordshire is another brilliant option, especially if you’re based in the Midlands.
Further afield, Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Shropshire combines animal encounters with a dose of prehistoric fun, while Little Growers Farm is ideal for younger children who want a gentler, more hands-on experience.
Bear with us here! Farm visits sell out faster than you’d think at Easter, especially for weekend slots and the Good Friday and Easter Monday bank holidays. Get those tickets booked as soon as possible!
Zoos, Safari Parks and Aquariums
A trip to the zoo is one of those Easter holiday classics that never gets old. Spring is genuinely one of the best times to visit, with animals more active in the warmer weather and many parks welcoming new arrivals. Safari parks and aquariums are equally brilliant options if you want something a little different.
Top Zoos to Visit at Easter
Chester Zoo is consistently one of the UK’s most popular family attractions, and Easter is a fantastic time to visit. With over 35,000 animals and 500 species across 128 acres, a full day is the minimum you need to do it justice. Tickets start from £34.21 and can be booked instantly online.
Twycross Zoo in Warwickshire is another brilliant choice, home to a huge range of primates and currently running its spectacular Lanterns of the Wild evening event. Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire is the UK’s largest zoo by area and is perfect for a big family day out.
Safari Parks
Want something a bit more wild? Safari parks are an incredible Easter experience! Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent offers a free safari truck ride with entry, where you can spot giraffes, rhinos and lions roaming freely. It’s the kind of day that genuinely leaves kids speechless.
Aquariums
If the weather turns (it’s April in the UK, so always have a backup plan!), aquariums are a perfect indoor alternative. The SEA LIFE centres have locations across the country, from London and Manchester to Brighton, Blackpool and beyond. They’re brilliant for all ages and a great way to spend a few hours whatever the weather.
| Type | Best For | Example Attraction |
|---|---|---|
| Zoo | Full day out, all ages | Chester Zoo |
| Safari Park | Unique wildlife experience | Port Lympne Safari Park |
| Aquarium | Rainy days, under-5s | SEA LIFE Centres |
| Farm Zoo | Hands-on animal encounters | Howletts Wild Animal Park |
Free and Budget-Friendly Easter Activities
Big days out are brilliant, but two full weeks of them would leave most family budgets in tatters! The good news is that some of the best Easter activities for kids cost very little, or nothing at all.
Get Outdoors for Free
Spring is the perfect time to explore the great outdoors, and the UK has no shortage of incredible free spaces to enjoy.
- Nature walks and woodland trails – bluebells start appearing in April and woodland walks are genuinely magical at this time of year
- Beach days – the coast is far less crowded in April than in summer, and kids love it just as much
- National Parks – the Peak District, Lake District, South Downs and Brecon Beacons are all free to explore and stunning in spring
- Local parks and playgrounds – sometimes the simplest option is the best one
- Kite flying – April breezes are perfect for it!
Free Museums and Galleries
The UK has some of the world’s best free museums, and many run special Easter holiday activities and workshops for children. In London, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the British Museum all offer free entry. Many regional museums also offer free admission and Easter-specific programming.
Easter Crafts at Home
Don’t underestimate the power of a good craft session! Decorating hard-boiled eggs, making Easter baskets, baking hot cross buns or creating Easter cards are all brilliant activities. Best of all, they keep kids entertained without spending a penny. Think you need a big day out every day? Think again! A morning of baking followed by an afternoon at the park is often just as memorable as a theme park visit.
Geocaching
If you haven’t tried geocaching as a family, Easter holidays are the perfect time to start! It’s essentially a real-world treasure hunt using GPS, and it’s completely free to get started at geocaching.com. Kids absolutely love it, and there are caches hidden all over the UK.
Rainy Day Ideas for Easter 2026
April weather in the UK is, to put it politely, unpredictable. So having a solid list of indoor activities up your sleeve is absolutely essential. The good news is that there are some genuinely amazing indoor experiences out there for families!
Indoor Climbing and Active Play
Rock Up climbing centres have locations across the UK and are brilliant for kids of all ages. With 25+ climbing walls and soft play for the little ones, it’s a full morning or afternoon of activity whatever the weather. Similarly, trampoline parks like Flip Out and AirHop are always a massive hit and are great for burning off that Easter chocolate energy!
Family-Friendly Immersive Experiences
Easter 2026 has some incredible immersive experiences on offer across the UK. Cadbury World in Birmingham is a chocolate-themed adventure that is genuinely perfect for Easter! The Paddington Bear Experience in London is another brilliant option for younger children. Both need to be pre-booked, so don’t leave it to the last minute.
Immersive Experiences for Older Kids and Teens
For older kids and teens, escape rooms, VR experiences and immersive theatre-style attractions are a brilliant Easter option. Check out Prison Island London for a unique challenge-room experience, or head to one of the many DNA VR locations for a seriously impressive virtual reality adventure.
Rainy Day Activity Ideas at a Glance
| Activity | Age Group | Great For |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor climbing (Rock Up) | 4+ | Energy, confidence, fun |
| Trampoline park | 3+ | Burning off steam |
| Cadbury World | All ages | Easter-themed magic |
| Escape rooms / VR | 8+ | Older kids and teens |
| Aquarium | All ages | Learning and wonder |
| Cinema | All ages | Easy afternoon out |
Tips for Planning Your Easter Holiday 2026
A little bit of planning goes a long way at Easter. Here are our top tips for making the most of the holidays without the stress!
Book Early to Save Money
This is the single most important thing you can do. Easter is one of the busiest times of year for UK attractions, and prices almost always increase as the date gets closer. Booking through Day Out With The Kids means you’re always getting the best available price. Instant mobile tickets are delivered straight to your inbox the moment you book.
Spread Your Big Days Out
With up to two weeks off school, there’s no need to cram everything into the first few days. We’d suggest planning one or two bigger days out per week and filling the gaps with free or low-cost activities. This keeps the excitement going right through the holidays without exhausting the family budget.
Visit Midweek if You Can
If your schedule allows it, midweek visits to popular attractions are almost always quieter and more enjoyable than weekend visits. Good Friday (3 April) and Easter Monday (6 April) are the busiest days of the entire holiday period. If you’re planning a theme park visit, Tuesday to Thursday is your sweet spot.
Check Opening Times Before You Go
Many attractions update their opening hours specifically for Easter. Always check the attraction’s website or your booking confirmation before setting off to avoid any disappointment. Some venues also close on Easter Sunday itself, so it’s worth double-checking!
Plan for All Weathers
April in the UK means you could get glorious sunshine or persistent drizzle, sometimes on the same day! Always have a backup indoor plan ready and pack layers. Keep an eye on the forecast in the days leading up to your planned days out.
Save up to £400 a year on family days out with a Day Out With The Kids VIP Pass. Members get exclusive discounts at hundreds of attractions across the UK, making those bigger days out much more affordable!
Make Easter 2026 One to Remember!
Easter 2026 has everything going for it. A two-week school break, a brilliant long bank holiday weekend, and an incredible range of activities across the UK to suit every age, budget and taste. Whether your family goes all in on theme parks and big days out, or keeps it simple with egg hunts and countryside walks — the most important thing is making memories together.
Ready to start booking? Browse the full range of Easter attraction tickets at Day Out With The Kids and secure the best prices before the Easter rush. From zoos and safari parks to indoor climbing and immersive experiences, we’ve got thousands of family days out covered.
Happy Easter from all of us at Day Out With The Kids!