THERE’S lots going on in Leicester during the Easter break, with a programme of events at city council venues that are mostly low-cost or free of charge.
Little bunnies and their families can hop along to the Bunny Fun Day at the Guildhall on Sunday 2 April, where they can follow the Easter Bunny’s trail around the museum and enjoy some bunny-themed craft activities.
Drop in any time between 11am and 3pm. £3 for activities.
Also taking place at the Guildhall is a chance for youngsters to make their own wooden puppet. Places on the Knights & Fairies puppet-making workshop cost £6 and must be booked in advance. Sessions will run at 11.15am, 1pm, and 2.15pm on Thursday 13 April. Call the Guildhall on 0116 253 2569 for more information.
Leicester’s Abbey Pumping Station hosts a Railway Day on Saturday 1 April, when visitors will be able to enjoy a ride on the museum’s narrow gauge railway and have fun with a slot car race track.
Light refreshments will be available from the café or people can bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn. The Railway Day & Slot Cars event runs from 11.30am to 4pm and train rides cost 50p (cash only please).
If you miss that one, there’s another chance to enjoy a Railway Day on Tuesday 11 April, when another special event will also be taking place at the pumping station.
Artist Mandeep Dhadialla will show people how to use recycled and found materials at a free Creative Bookmaking workshop. Places on the workshop, which runs from 1pm to 3pm on Tuesday 11 April, should be booked in advance online. Call the Abbey Pumping Station on 0116 299 5111 for more information.
Leicester’s historic Belgrave Hall will be welcoming visitors for free guided tours on Saturday 1 April and Sunday 2 April. Tours of the early 18th century house will take place at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm on both dates, and free places should be booked online or by calling Belgrave Hall on 0116 299 8181.
Later in the week, on Wednesday 5 April, Belgrave Hall will host a special Easter event for younger visitors, with arts and crafts and an Easter Bunny trail. Hoppy Easter runs from 11am to 3pm, with a £3 charge for activities (cash only please).
The following Wednesday – 12 April – there’s an outdoor family event at Belgrave Hall, where youngsters will be able to plant a seed, make a bee hat, and follow the bug trail around the beautiful gardens.
Bugs and Butterflies runs from 11am to 3pm on 12 April. Drop in any time - £3 charge for activities (cash only please).
At Newarke Houses Museum, families can enjoy a traditional Punch & Judy show – with a family-friendly storyline – on Thursday 6 April. There will also be puppet-making, storytelling and other fun activities. Places at one of the five Punch & Judy performances must be booked in advance and a £3 charge applies.
Puppet Playtime is part of Newarke Houses’ spring exhibition called Play Time, which showcases dozens of children’s toys – most of which are more than 100 years old – from the museum’s collection. Admission to Play Time – which continues until 17 September – is free of charge.
More information about what’s on at Leicester’s museums is available at leicestermuseums.org
There’s also lots going on at Leicester’s libraries this Easter, with plenty of free bunny-themed crafts to keep young visitors busy. A full list of what’s on at Leicester’s libraries during the Easter break can be found at leicester.gov.uk/libraries
For outdoor adventure, drop in to one of the three free events taking place as part of the Saving Saffron Brook nature conservation project.
Youngsters will be able to play nature games and become citizen scientists by recording the wildlife they see at the Washbrook Nature Area on Wednesday 5 April (meet on the green), at Brocks Hill Country Park on Wednesday 12 April (meet behind the visitor centre), and on Friday 14 April at Knighton Park Spinney. No need to book – just drop in and join the Saving Saffron Brook project team between 10am and 1pm at each free event.
More ideas for things to do in Leicester during the Easter break can be found at visitleicester.info