Take a look at the most eggciting events going on in and around York during the Easter holidays 2024, from egg hunts to lambing live and storytelling in the woods. Whether you want to go on the trail of a chocolate prize or would like to explore a brand new adventure playground, there’s lots of exploring to be done. Make sure you’re following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for daily inspiration too.
Wild about Lotherton – Go wild this Easter and follow the little explorer trail around the museum, Wildlife World, gardens, and grounds. Take part in crafts at the dedicated activity stations where you can explore your senses, help wildlife, make dens and embrace nature! Booking essential. 1st to 16th April 2023 – Visit the Lotherton website
Wildlife Willow Sculpture Trail at Castle Howard – Go on an epic adventure around the ground and seek out Wildlife Willow Sculptures of Yorkshire creatures created by local artist Dragon Willow. Spot owls in the trees and hares in the hedges, and be rewarded with a tasty treat courtesy of York Cocoa House. You can also pre-book a chocolate activity with York Cocoa House, including chocolate lolly making! Find out more.
The Easter Adventure at Stockeld Park – There’ll be lots of eggstra Easter touches around Stockeld Park over the Easter holidays, from meeting the Easter bunny to a giant Easter egg trail. Explore the Enchanted Forest, get lost in the Magical Maze, discover the many adventure playgrounds and enjoy indoor fun at one of Europe’s biggest indoor play areas, The Playhive. Open daily – Visit the Stockeld Park website for details
Paint an Easter egg at York Mansion House – Take time to relax, get creative and take part in some seasonal activities in the beautiful Georgian State Room of York Mansion House. The delicious, hand-crafted, white chocolate eggs are from local chocolatier Ashley McCarthy, as seen on Channel 4’s ‘Extreme Chocolate Makers’ (vegan option available on request). April 2nd, 3rd and 4th 2023; 1 hour 30 mins – £15 – suitable for all ages (recommended age 5+) – Book online
Woldie’s Easter Tweet – It’s all about birds at Woldies this Easter! Follow the rainbow egg trail and crack the code to open the robin’s nest. Prize for every child! It’s a lovely day out in the Yorkshire Wolds. 1st to 16th April 2023 – woldies.co.uk
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Grand Opera House York – Watch out! The most fantasmagorical musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, lands in York this Easter. Having broken all box office records in the West End, this fun-filled new production from York Stage promises laughs and magic galore – and Chitty herself live on stage! 6th to 15th April 2023 – atgtickets.com
Rowntree Park’s legendary Easter Trail is back for 2023! Book online now to enjoy a lovely spring activity in one of York’s best parks. Head to Rowntree Park on Thursday 6th April 2023, search for clues to help the Easter Bunny find her missing pal and earn a reward for all your help. Pre-booking strongly recommended. Visit the website for details and to book
See Clifford’s Tower transformed – York’s iconic Clifford’s Tower has reopened after a £5m transformation by English Heritage and it’s amazing. It’s also a lot easier to visit with children, and has some of the best views of the city. Read our review here.
Open daily – Visit the Clifford’s Tower website for all the details
Spring activities at the Yorkshire Museum – Visit the Yorkshire Museum in York during the Easter holidays for an exciting range of fun family events. All activities are included in museum admission, and are inspired by the beautiful spring wildlife in York Museum Gardens! Find out about the activities here
Children’s activities at York Castle Museum – Head to York Castle Museum for special springtime activities over the Easter holidays for the whole family, from a spring trail to a box of fun and games. Find out more here.
Easter egg masterclass at York’s Chocolate Story – Enjoy some choc-tastic crafting of stunning Easter products while sampling some of the finest chocolates with a chocolatier-led masterclass. It’s perfect for all of the family as you get to create and take home your very own handmade Easter treats. Hot chocolate, egg decorating, piping activities and more included. Recommended age 6+ with an adult. 3rd April to 9th April 2023, 11am and 3pm – Visit York’s Chocolate Story website
Hoppy Easter at Mother Shipton’s – Hop along to Mother Shipton’s during the Easter holidays to explore the new Easter bunny tipi trail where there are cracking surprises to find. Immerse yourselves in Easter stories and plant seeds of spring with Tumblewood the Gardener. You might even get to meet the Easter Bunny! Don’t forget the adventure playground, museum, gift shop and vintage cafe kiosk too. Every day from 1st April to 16th April 2023 – www.mothershipton.co.uk
Take a river cruise or hire a self-drive boat – Ahoy there! For a fun and memorable family experience in York, look to the river. Choose from a relaxed cruise along the Ouse with commentary from your captain, or brave the waters with a self-drive hire boat. We’ve done both and loved them equally. Use your Little Vikings Family Card for a discount on self-drive hires. Visit the City Cruises York website for more details
Experience Viking-age York – Take your little Vikings to discover York’s Viking legacy at the award-winning JORVIK Viking Centre. Hop aboard the time capsule to 10th-century York and take in the sights, sounds and even the smells of the Viking Age city. Dig deeper into the Viking story of York by getting close-up with a rare collection of 1,000-year-old-artefacts whilst talking to friendly Viking hosts. Visit the JORVIK Viking Centre website
Majesty: Monarchy & York Minster – Discover York Minster’s royal connections and collections in celebration of the Coronation of King Charles III. See an ancient ‘coronation chair’, Maundy Money distributed by Queen Elizabeth II, Chinese silk gifted to Queen Victoria on her wedding day and other fascinating artefacts. Try on regal robes, cuddle a soft-toy corgi and pose for a majestic photograph before adding your wishes for the Coronation year to a special crown-shaped tag. Visit the York Minster website
Easter eggstravaganza at Beetle Bank Farm – Head to Beetle Bank Farm for an Easter eggstravaganza! There’ll be lots of baby animals and plenty of exciting things to do, including inflatables, owls and the new adventure playground. “>Find out more >
Easter at Sewerby Hall – Head to Sewerby in Bridlington for two weeks of events and fun activities, including the legendary medieval jousting on Easter Sunday, and the opening of a brand new Woodland Activity area. There’ll be a variety of wildlife and other activities, too, including Easter crafting. You can even catch the land train down to the beach! We sometimes combine it with a trip to RSPB Bempton Cliffs to see the seabirds – it’s just along the road. Find out more >
Dig into some archaeological fun – At DIG, kids get to discover only the most exciting archaeological artefacts from the 2000 years of history hidden under the streets of York. Four excavation pits are filled with Roman, Viking, medieval and Victorian finds, so you can grab a trowel and dig up the clues that show how people lived in these times. This is a one-of-a-kind! Visit the website >
Easter Golf School at York Golf Range – Get your kids into golf with a 2-day golf school at York Golf Range, suitable for complete beginners, aged 6 years to 12 years old. It’s taking place on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th April, from 9.30 am to 11.30 am and everything is provided. Certificate provided upon completion! Places are limited so please book online or by phone on 01904 499275. Find out more about York Golf Range >
Easter egg masterclass at York Cocoa Works – Make your own chocolate Easter egg in the chocolate manufactory at York Cocoa Works. Working with your preferred choice of milk, white or dark chocolate, made at the Chocolate Manufactory, you will learn how to temper chocolate, work with chocolate egg moulds and assemble your beautiful Easter Egg masterpiece. Selected dates in April – booking is essential – Visit the York Cocoa Works website
Explore the history of York’s walls – Take the kids to visit one of the historic gateways into the city – and discover 2,000-year stories involving battles, imprisonment and near destruction of the walls! Meet some of the characters whose stories are intertwined with Micklegate Bar: a princess, a Royalist in the English Civil War and an early 20th-century policeman who made the gatehouse his home. Visit the website >
Stay in a cottage at Middletons York –
Middletons is one of York’s most family-friendly hotels – they even have gorgeous family cottages in the grounds! Children will love all the extra touches, and the central location is hard to beat. Find out more >
Piglets Easter Egg-stravaganza – There’s lots to enjoy at Piglets Adventure Farm this Easter, from indoor play to lambing live, Magic Hatter shows, baby animals and much more. 1st to 16th April 2023 – Visit the website
Easter at Northwood Trail – Spring is the most beautiful time in the woods and it is a real pleasure to watch everything waking up and beginning to grow. Head to Northwood for Easter celebrations – there might be some chocolate eggs involved and the odd white rabbit or two…Northwood Trail, Buttercrambe Moor Woods, Buttercrambe, York YO41 1AP – Selected dates and limited availability – Visit the website for more info
Flying Scotsman at the National Railway Museum – The National Railway Museum is one of the best family-friendly attractions in York, with plenty of hands-on activities for children. As part of its centenary celebrations, Flying Scotsman will be on display at the museum from 1st to 23rd April 2023. Learn how a steam engine works, build your own loco, or join the explainers for an interactive Scotsman story. Pre-booking is required. Open daily; visit the website.
Check out the new Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle – The Plotters’ Forest is a bespoke children’s play area to the north of Raby Castle nestled in the magical Christmas tree plantation. From stargazing decks to towers and tunnels, high-level walkways and three-storey forts in the forest, this incredible space offers an imaginative playground for all ages to enjoy. The new attraction has purpose-built areas for toddlers, with mini turrets and lookout decks. Visit the Raby Castle website for details
Do the Little Vikings I Spy Trail – Recommended by The Sunday Times, the free Little Vikings I Spy Trail is one of the best ways to explore York on foot with children. Collect a map from the Visit York Information Centre or click here to download it from our website.
Play a round of wizard golf – Head to The Hole in Wand in York’s Coppergate Centre and have a go at wizard-themed minigolf at the city’s newest attraction. It’s great fun and good value, too. Visit The Hole in Wand website to book
Easter egg hunt at Fountains Abbey – This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal on an Easter trail. Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. 1st to 16th April 2023 – nationaltrust.org
Bunny Hop Trail in the Deer Park at Raby Castle – Head to Raby this Easter for an adventurous easter trail around the deer park. Raby Park bursts into life in the spring and there’s plenty for families to discover as they explore acres of parkland. This Easter there’ll be a brand new trail for families to discover. 1st to 16th April 2023 – Visit the Raby Castle website
Go for a spring walk – Spring is the perfect time for a family walk: see the flowers in bloom, keep an eye out for butterflies and enjoy some fresh Yorkshire air. Take a look at our guide to the best places for a family walk in and around York for inspiration for all ages and abilities.
Step back in time at Barley Hall – Barley Hall is a picturesque medieval townhouse tucked away down one of the oldest streets in York. Once home to the Priors of Nostell, Barley Hall has now been lovingly restored to its original splendour. Little ones can make themselves at home, and join in dress-up fun and activities in a Tudor School Room. Don’t miss the new exhibition, Bard at Barley Hall, featuring costumes from famous films and an interactive stage! Barleyhall.co.uk
Do something active – From clip’n’climb to aqua parks, soft play and swimming, you’ll find a selection of some of the most fun activities in York on our website. Take a look here for our pick of the best.
