Here’s a list of things to do with the kids when they’re off school to keep everyone happy this Easter – including meeting fluffy animals, easter egg hunts and a variety of fun, family shows.
1. See the fluffies at city farms
Farms are never as charming as they are in springtime when each pen, field and nest is home to fluffy newborns.
You don’t have to travel to the countryside to see some farm favourites either – not when Vauxhall City Farm is nestled in south London.
The farm offers meet-and-greet vouchers, letting those aged four and up pet rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens, and those upwards of seven stroke goats, lambs, pigs, alpacas and more.
Vauxhall City Farm, 165 Tyers Street, London SE11 5HS.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Admission: £30 gets you a 20-minute meet-and-greet for two people but entry is a donation basis
Surrey Docks Farm is also open every day during Easter (including bank holidays) and is free to visit. They have fluffy rabbits and guinea pigs, along with lots of other animals – plus two new calves as an extra sight for visitors to see.
Surrey Docks Farm, Rotherhithe St, South Wharf, London SE16 5ET.
Monday – Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm.
Admission: Free.
2. Book club for ages 5 and under
At Peckham Levels’ Moon Bear Book Club, parents and tots are invited to celebrate classic stories through messy play, crafts and sensory fun.
Each week, a new book is explored in a session run by a qualified primary school teacher.
Your little one will join a group book reading before taking part in some planned activities designed to help develop their motor skills and communication.
Suitable for ages 6 months – 5 years.
Peckham Levels, Centre Carpark, F1-F6, 95A Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST.
April 14, 10:45am – 11:30am.
Admission: £12.
www.peckhamlevels.org/event/the-moon-bear-book-club-easter/
3. Dive underwater with The Singing Mermaid
If you’ve got primary school-aged kids, there’s a good chance The Singing Mermaid is one of their favourite reads.
Bringing Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ beloved book to life this Easter Holiday is Wimbledon’s Polka Theatre.
Through music, puppetry and storytelling, the show takes little audiences underwater to meet a mermaid, who has been lured into the circus by the promise of an exciting life, only to find it isn’t what she expected – and she might need some help getting away.
Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, London SW19 1SB.
March 31 – April 8, performance times vary.
Admission: £10 – £18.
www.polkatheatre.com/event/the-singing-mermaid-2023/
4. Go to a sensory concert
One for relatively new parents who are feeling nostalgic about their nights spent tearing up the dancefloor: Groove Baby is coming to your rescue, presenting a grown-up concert your little one (aged 5 or under) can dance along to.
Expect funk, jazz and electronic soundscapes as this sensory dance hall is lit up by bespoke animations.
Groove Baby’s concerts have been selling out since 2013, so you’ll want to nab your tickets in advance.
Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX.
April 8, 11 am & 2:30 pm.
Admission: £12/£9 child.
5. Visit the Spring Fair at the Horniman
A carousel of fun awaits at the Horniman Spring Fair this Easter weekend.
In a garden decorated with bunting designed by local schools, look forward to a programme of live music, crafting, competitions, rides and even cooking demonstrations.
Little ones can get their face painted and those good with their fingers can take part in the Spring Bonnet Parade and competition.
If it all gets too much, peel off and take a tour of the Horniman gardens.
Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ.
April 8, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm.
Admission: £2.50 (Ages 3-16), £5 (Adults), Under 3’s (Free).
www.horniman.ac.uk/event/horniman-spring-fair/
6. Watch The Three Billy Goats Gruff live at Unicorn Theatre
Come and step into the magical, fairy-tale world of The Three Billy Goats Gruff in this perfect first musical for young families.
Baby, Middle and Big are three very hungry goats, and there is absolutely no grass left to eat on their side of the valley. Come on their adventure as together with Little Bo-Frilly they hatch a plan to cross the bridge to the lush green grass on the other side, they just need to outwit that horrible tricksy troll first.
Directed by Justin Audibert, with music from award-winning composers Stiles and Drewe. Suitable for ages 3-7.
Unicorn Theatre (Weston), 147 Tooley St, London SE1 2HZ
Sun 12 Mar – Sun 23 Apr
Admission: Under 18s £10 – £18 / Adults £13 – £26.50
7. See the Easter Bunny in Castle Square
This Easter, Castle Square is hosting a free event for families, with face painting, workshops and an appearance from the Easter Bunny.
Throughout the day there will be activities and workshops for the whole family to get involved in, including face painting and Easter Egg decorating workshops, which can be taken away.
Local groups will put on a range of performances, including UpSideDown Dance Academy, School Dance Talentos and the Elephant and Castle Community Choir.
Castle Square, 40 Elephant Road, SE17 1EU.
April 8 from 11 am – 5 pm.
Admission: Free.
8. Hunt for eggs at Borough Market
Children can take part in the Big Borough Market Easter Egg Hunt where the first 50 children to complete the trail each day will receive chocolate treats from the Market’s trader So Chocolicious.
There is also a ‘Colours of Borough Market’ treasure map along with free colouring pages and pencils available from the Borough Market Store – ideal for younger children. On Thursday 6 and Friday 7 April, children can enjoy free face painting at Market Hall.
Big Borough Market Easter Egg Hunt 4-8 April, 11 am – 3 pm.
Borough Market, 8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL – open daily from 10 am – 5 pm (closed Easter Sunday and Easter Monday).
Admission: Free.
9. Create your own show and perform it live at Blackheath Halls
This Easter, help to create your very own show based on the theme of ‘rain or shine’ and experience the excitement of performing live on our Great Hall stage at Blackheath Halls.
Led by industry professionals from the West End and beyond, enjoy five full days of singing, dancing, theatre-making, creating, devising and stagecraft. Make friends, gain confidence and much more.
This project is presented jointly by Blackheath Halls and the Trinity Laban Musical Theatre Department, which has developed an unrivalled reputation for its creative and dynamic performance training which has led to many graduates working in London’s West End and across the globe.
Suitable for ages 8-16 (no audition necessary).
Course Fee: £140 for 5 days (£28 per day).
10. Learn to read and write music
Kids can learn to ‘read, write and love music’ with keyboard classes across venues in south London.
Funky Monkey’s keyboard workshops teach kids to read, play and write notes C-A alongside learning keyboard techniques and countless music-based activities.
For ages 4-8: The ‘Funky Chicken’ Easter Workshops
All 10 am – 1:30 pm
April 3rd: Streatham, SW16 3PY.
April 6th: Herne Hill, SE24 0BS.
Admission: £40 for 1 child, £30 for subsequent siblings.
For ages 5-9: The ‘Keyboard Superstars’ Easter Workshops
April 11- 14 from 10 am – 1.00 pm every day.
Herne Hill, SE24 0BS.
Streatham, SW16 3PY.
Admission: 4 days, £109, £90 for subsequent siblings.
There is also free African Drumming for SEND children in Southwark.
“Family fun with African drumming + singing + dancing + play area. Refreshments included.”
April 13-14, 11 am – 2 pm.
Booking is essential. Click here to reserve a spot.
St Giles Parish Hall, 161 Benhill Road, London SE5 7LL.
Admission: Free*
*must be a Southwark resident and the child must have an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP), a special educational need (SEN), and attends school in Southwark. A non-SEND sibling may attend as well.
11. Head down to Greenwich Kid’s Theatre Festival
A much-loved highlight of the venue’s annual programme since it launched in 2007, the latest edition features lots more performances and a selection of workshops to keep your youngsters engaged and fulfilled throughout the Easter Holidays!
The festival kicks off on April 1st with The Ministry Of Science – a Greenwich Theatre debut by Mark Thompson Productions – about the ingenuity of boffins who have helped shaped our world. For those who like their science with bangs, this is definitely for you.
Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London, SE10 8ES.
April 1 – 16.
Admission: £10-£15.50.
https://greenwichtheatre.org.uk/whats-on/
12. Go to a show at Southbank
This Easter, Southbank presents: Marty and the Party – an accessible, fun performance designed for children aged 2-6.
“Marty is heading to the best party there has ever been in the history of ever. Follow them there for an adorable, cheeky show about fun, friendship and finding your groove.”
Southbank ensures their shows are accessible and meet different needs, so the morning performance on April 8 is Sensory Adapted – meaning it has lower levels of lighting and sound effects, so may be especially suitable for audiences with sensory sensitivities. This may include those with neurodivergence such as autism, learning difficulties or other sensory or communication needs.
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
Fri 7 Apr 11 am and 2.30 pm.
Sat 8 Apr 10.30 am, 1 pm and 3.30 pm.
Admission: Adult £12, Child £9 *