Easter – it’s that time of year when we start to venture outdoors again after the colder months, and family outings are definitely back on the agenda. To help you organise your Easter break, we’ve had a look at some of the best family-friendly Easter events available this year.
The National Trust for Scotland and Cadbury are organising events throughout Scotland
National Trust Easter egg trails: The National Trust and Cadbury are re-running their hugely popular Easter egg trails in 45 sites across Scotland this year from Friday 18 to Monday 21 April. Participating venues nearest Stirling are the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre, Alloa Tower, and House of the Binns near Linlithgow. For 2014, the theme is adventurers – children will receive a make-it-yourself pith helmet, a Trail Journal containing all the clues needed to complete the trail and an Eggsplorer Passport to be stamped along the way. On completing the trail they will be rewarded with a Cadbury Egghead. For more details, prices and events near you: http://www.nts.org.uk/Easter and https://www.eastereggtrail.com/
The Macrobert: Stirling’s leading venue for cinema and the arts kicks off the Easter holidays with their Big Dance Day on April 5. This ambitious event includes dance workshops at the Macrob, dance trails for all ages around Stirling, and free ‘pop-up’ performances in Stirling city centre. Join in! For details and bookings, see: http://www.macrobert.org/letsdance.htm For a laid-back Easter weekend after all that, children will love Rio 2 or Tinkerbell and the Pirate Fairy in the Macrobert’s kid-friendly cinema theatre on 19th and 20th April. Or there’s the live performance of The Adventures of Robin Hood on Saturday 19th at 2pm, suitable for children 7 years and over. For bookings and further info on all these events, see: http://www.macrobert.org/
The Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway has lots of Easter fun lined up for its little passengers
Easter Special Steam Trains: If your children love the excitement of trains, then head to Bo’ness and Kinneil Steam Railway for Easter Egg Special Trains from 18 to 21 April. Every child passenger receives an Easter Treat, and those wearing Easter bonnets can win a prize too. Easter egg hunts are taking place in the museum after your train ride. Book soon: these events are really popular! For details and tickets: http://www.bkrailway.co.uk/your-visit/events/
Easter at Stirling Castle: One of Scotland’s most magnificent castles is opening its doors for a family-focused Easter this year on 20th and 21st April. The weekend includes live shows, children’s activities, Hamish the Highlander and Pickles the Bear, games in the gardens, and you can even become a court jester for a day. All Easter activities are included in the normal ticket price. For details and fast-track booking, see the website here: http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/
The Falkirk Wheel plans a busy schedule this Easter
The Falkirk Wheel: Alongside the normal service of rides on the Wheel, there is lots of Easter-themed fun at the Falkirk Wheel for the Easter weekend of 19-21 April. There will be a visit from the Easter bunny who needs help to find his friends hidden round the wheel, and there will be a choice of children’s games and crafts, including creating Easter cards and bunny masks, as well as a visit from the Bird of Prey Centre and a ‘special guest’. Check the Wheel’s website and Facebook page for info and prices: http://www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk/events-at-the-falkirk-wheel/easter-fun-at-the-falkirk-wheel
Callendar House in Falkirk: The house offers a series of great, free Easter events throughout the holidays. Children can make their own fluffy Easter chicks on 8th, 10th, 15th and 17th April. Or, you can sample tradition Easter foods including simnel cake, hot cross buns and hot chocolate 7th to 21st April (2-4pm) in the Georgian kitchens. There will be a lamb roast cooked over an open fire on Saturday 19th April – go along and have a sample. These activities are all free. For further details, download the House’s brochure (see top right on the following web page): http://www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/venues/callendar-house/
Have a fabulous Easter everyone!
Image credits:
- Falkirk Wheel: Stanley Howe [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
- Boness and Kinneil Railway: Elliott Simpson [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons