This Easter, West Suffolk Council are working with 19 providers, offering a mix of Newmarket pony riding, rugby, roller skating, swimming, archery, gym sessions for teenagers, outdoor cooking, nature walks and more.

The national Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme is primarily aimed at children under 16 who receive benefits-related free school meals. 

To enquire or book these places, you can find out more information here.

Theatre Royal and The Apex

If you’re looking for family-friendly things to do in Bury St Edmunds during the Easter school holidays, the town’s theatres have plenty lined up.

At Theatre Royal, families can enjoy The Gruffalo’s Child, an enchanting stage adaptation of the much-loved picture book. Follow the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous journey through the deep dark wood as she searches for the mysterious Big Bad Mouse. With songs, storytelling and plenty of laughs, it’s a magical outing for younger audiences.

Over at The Apex, there’s a packed programme of shows for the Easter holidays. Families can enjoy The Sooty Show, where Sooty, Sweep and Soo bring their much-loved characters to the stage for an afternoon filled with magic, comedy and audience participation.

Another playful performance for younger audiences is The Dinosaur That Pooped, adapted from the bestselling children’s books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter. Expect music, chaos and lots of laughs as Danny and Dino head off on a wild adventure to see their favourite band.

Creative fun

At The Apex, Kids & Canvas offers younger visitors the chance to create their own painting in a fun, guided class. With all materials included, children can follow along step-by-step and leave with their own colourful masterpiece.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Families are invited to celebrate Easter together at St Edmundsbury Cathedral through its Messy Church gathering on 31 March. The event combines storytelling, craft activities and a short time of worship as families explore the story of Holy Week and help create the Cathedral’s Easter Garden.

Children can take part in hands-on activities before everyone comes together for refreshments. It is also the perfect opportunity to step inside the cathedral itself and see the vast nave and high arches of this special building.

Find out more.

arc Shopping Centre

arc Shopping Centre is hosting a prehistoric themed day of family fun with its Dino Eggstravaganza on the 1 April. Children can follow a dinosaur egg trail hidden in shop windows around the centre before returning their trail sheet to claim a dinosaur themed treat.

There is also a dig and win workshop where budding palaeontologists can excavate eggs for the chance to win prizes from Everyman Cinema, along with opportunities to meet a roaming dinosaur for photos.

Activities are free to join in with, although visitors are encouraged to donate to local charity Still Good Food.

Find out more.

Nowton Park

A short drive from the town centre, Nowton Park hosts its own Easter egg hunt among the park’s woodland paths and open green spaces. Children are invited to search high and low for hidden eggs before making their way through the maze to claim a chocolate treat. The Easter Bunny will also be roaming the park during the day.

The event begins at the Nowton Park Café, though visitors should note there is a one kilometre walk to reach the maze, so sturdy shoes are useful if the ground is muddy after spring showers.

Find out more.

Banham Zoo

Easter Gone Wild takes over Banham Zoo! Giant eggs, live keeper talks, family games and amazing animal encounters. Head out on their biggest ever Egg Safari and track down giant 15ft eggs hidden across the zoo. Pick up your explorer card, stamp off each egg you find, and complete the ultimate Easter challenge! Along the way, enjoy live keeper talks with a cracking twist, hop aboard the Safari Road Train, and come face-to-face with incredible animals from around the world. Perfect for little explorers, big kids, grown-ups, and animal lovers of all ages. Make it your wildest Easter yet, and book your tickets now for Easter Gone Wild at Banham Zoo!

Find out more.

Go Ape – Thetford

Looking for an exciting activity this Easter? Go Ape got something the whole family will enjoy with our brand-new Egg-venture experience. 

It’s all the fun of the brilliant wobbly high ropes crossings and super zips on our Treetop Adventure Plus course (or Treetop Adventure, book with under 6s here) combined with hidden letters dotted throughout the trail to solve the Egg-venture puzzle.  

Spend quality time and work together to earn the prize! It’s the perfect way for families to get outdoors this spring. Available from 28th March to 19th April, book your adventure early to avoid missing out.

Find out more.

Cloverfield Church – Thetford

Messy Easter at Cloverfield Community Church on Saturday 4th April from 2:00pm-4:00pm

Join Cloverfield Community Church for some family fun! No need to book, just go along! All free, donations welcome.

Ancient House – Thetford

Come along on Wednesday 1 April to make some Easter crafts including a wooden egg decoration and an rabbit card. £2 per child.

Find out more.

Holkham Hall — Easter Garden

Head to Holkham hall for some gentle, Easter fun in the beautiful Walled Garden. There will be some cute and curious animals to meet in our cuddle corner. Watch in wonder as ‘The Totally Amazing Magic Show’ preforms mind blowing tricks and insane illusions before you very eyes! Follow the bubbles to find Carl the Bubble Man, who will be joining us for four days of pop-tastic bubbly fun! They’ll be garden games galore, Easter races, arts and crafts, trails to explore and (of course!) a chocolate treat!

Find out more.

For families with children, Easter egg hunts and festive activities await at various locations across Cambridge. Anglesey Abbey hosts an Easter Egg Trail in its beautiful gardens, where children can embark on a hunt for chocolate treats amidst the stunning spring scenery. Additionally, Wimpole Hall Farm offers Easter-themed events, including egg hunts and farm tours, providing entertainment for the whole family.