THERE’S lots going on in Leicester during the school holidays this Easter that’s completely free for children and families to enjoy.
As well as sessions to make Easter cards and spring bonnets at the city’s libraries, this year there’s an opportunity for youngsters to take part in something truly unique.
Celebrated visual artist Olivier Grossetête will be creating an enormous cardboard reconstruction of the entrance to Leicester’s Roman forum for the city’s Old Town Festival – but he needs local families to help him build it.
From Easter Monday (21 April) until Friday 25 April, the artist will lead a series of free workshops at the Highcross shopping centre, where those aged nine and over will be able to help him make the arches, balconies and roofs required for the giant structure.
People of any age are then invited to drop in to Jubilee Square on Saturday 26 April to help the artist tape the cardboard sections together – returning on Sunday 27 April to take part in the artwork’s dramatic dismantling.
Those wishing to help create something special for Leicester and take part in the pre-construction workshops should email festivals@leicester.gov.uk to reserve their free space.
The Old Town Festival itself (26-27 April) will incorporate traditions to mark St George’s Day, including a fire-breathing dragon and a gallant knight, as well as a celebration of the city’s fascinating Roman heritage, with Olivier Grossetête’s spectacular cardboard archway at its heart.
Taking place on Jubilee Square and sites within the city’s Old Town, the free festival will feature a living history Roman camp, an artisan craft market, hands-on archaeology and themed storytelling.
There will also be face-painting and a dressing-up booth for young festival-goers, while a fearsome dragon will be on the loose in Cathedral Gardens, alongside stilt-walking jesters, magical wizards and a trio of clumsy knights.
The Haymarket shopping centre will be going Roman too, with lots of free activities taking place in the Easter holidays - including a free family event on Thursday 24 April that will feature a walkabout dragon, mosaics and toga-making.
And there’s a Roman theme for a free guided bike ride on Sunday 20 April, with Leicester’s Roman heritage brought to life by Hidden Histories’ Jim Butler. Places must be booked at letsride.co.uk/rides and children under 16 must wear a helmet and be accompanied by an adult.
On Saturday 26 April, the whole family is invited to join the Old Town Festival’s Roman Bike Parade – an easy circular ride that starts at the Town Hall Bike Park at 12 noon. Book your place on the parade at letsride.co.uk/rides
Away from the Romans, there’s plenty of holiday fun for young children to enjoy during the school break.
There are free creative activities at venues across the Cultural Quarter on Saturday 12 April, including the chance to perform at Curve, make a movie at the LCB Depot or have a go at printmaking at the Leicester Print Workshop. Suitable for those aged 10 and under, CQ Earlies runs between 12 noon and 4pm.
The Kingfisher Youth & Community Centre on the Saffron estate is hosting a Safer Saffron Community Day on Monday 14 April, with everyone welcome to join free activities including sport, music and games between 12 noon and 4pm.
Booking is required at a free event at Braunstone library on Monday 14 April, when youngsters will be able to decorate wooden eggs, bunnies and Easter bonnets. The same day, there’s a drop-in session to make bunny hats and Easter wreaths at Beaumont Leys library from 2pm-3.30pm.
On Tuesday 15 April, there are Easter crafts at both Evington and Highfields libraries (booking required), there’s Easter fun at Knighton and Braunstone libraries (booking required), while Belgrave library invites those aged seven and over to use their STEM skills in a free Gangsta Granny activity (booking required).
At Newarke Houses Museum, also on Tuesday 15 April, youngsters can make their own bunny mask and follow the Easter trail. Tickets for the Easter Eggstravaganza are £4 when booked online (£5 on the door).
The following day – Wednesday 16 April – there’s an Easter Fun Day at the Guildhall, with arts and crafts and the chance to make a hatching chick and a mini Easter basket. Tickets are £4 when booked online (£5 on the door).
Belgrave Hall hosts its Hoppy Easter event on Thursday 17 April, with bunny races on the lawn, face painting and lots of garden games. Tickets are £4 per child when booked online (£5 on the door).
Railway enthusiasts will be able to hop on board the train at Abbey Pumping Station on Tuesday 22 April, with a special Easter Holiday Railway Day. Rides on the pumping station’s narrow gauge railway are just 50p and the fun runs from 11.30am to 4pm.
There’s the chance to play with clay at Belgrave Hall on Wednesday 23 April, while the Guildhall hosts its Arty Play Fun Day on Thursday 24 April, when children will be able to create a fun design on a t-shirt brought from home. For both events, tickets cost £4 per child when booked online (£5 on the door).
More ideas for free and low-cost fun in Leicester during the Easter holidays can be found at families.leicester.gov.uk/Easter-fun
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