Easter is a wonderful time to visit York with kids. 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, Instagram and TikTok for daily inspiration too.
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Easter at Beningbrough – Join in the Easter adventures at Beningbrough: pick up your trail map and bunny ears before tackling 10 challenges around the garden: how low can you limbo? Let your imagination roam in the storytelling den, have a go at hula and try your hand at egg rolling, and enjoy a dairy or vegan/free from chocolate egg at the end of the trail. Afterwards, head to the wilderness play area or head inside to the hall and to see the latest art exhibition, Inspired by Italy. 23rd March to 7th April, 10am – 4pm – Visit the website
Easter Family Festival at Yorkshire Wildlife Park – Join Yorkshire Wildlife Park this Easter (5th-7th April 2024) for a spectacular spring celebration featuring magical shows, outstanding live music, baking demonstrations, character meet and greets, and much more! You can even learn circus skills, get stuck in with arts and crafts, enjoy egg-citing children’s rides, and explore the Wildlife Park and the amazing animals that call it home. Visit the website
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, watch The Great Eggscape 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
Easter at Oxygen York – Get ready to bounce into the most egg-cellent Easter adventure ever! Head to Oxygen York for an egg-stravaganza of fun, where you’ll hop, skip, and jump your way through an epic assortment of Easter fun. They even have a holiday club! Click here to find out what to expect during Easter at Oxygen York.
Star Carr: Life After the Ice at The Yorkshire Museum – Explore what human life was like 11,000 years ago, a few hundred years after the last Ice Age, through an exciting and interactive new exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum, which brings together wonderful artefacts from one the most famous Mesolithic sites in the world. Through creative design and sensory space-making, visitors will be immersed in the Mesolithic world of Star Carr through an interactive mural and soundscape. Children will also be able to follow the story of Star Carr through the eyes of a friendly dog who lived with the people by the lake. From 22nd March 2024, included in admission – www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk/
Easter at Castle Howard – Enjoy a fantastic family day out during the Easter holidays at Castle Howard. Take part in the Easter Animal Trail for children and embark on an animal adventure around the Gardens; step into the magnificent House which reopens on the 29th March, and indulge in seasonal delights and Easter treats in the cafes and shops. 23rd March to 7th April – Visit the website
There’s A Monster in Your Show at York Theatre Royal – Tom Fletcher’s (from McFly!) interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series makes its debut as a brand-new musical show, with music by Tom Fletcher. A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun too! 26th to 28th March 2024 – Visit the website
Bunny Bonanza at Murton Park – Head to Murton Park for the Easter Bunny Bonanza between 23rd March and 7th April. With activities throughout including train rides, Easter trails, cowboys and a visit from the Easter bunny, there’s something for everyone. For activity days/times visit the website
Easter at Raby Castle – There are so many egg-cellent reasons to be hopping up and down with egg-citement this Easter, as Raby Estates becomes an Easter egg-plorers paradise. The Plotters’ Forest and Deer Park at Raby Castle will host Easter activities galore: find the colourful eggs hidden in the forest, with puzzles to play along the way. In the neighbouring Deer Park, with a trail sheet in hand enjoy the farmyard family fun trail, discovering the farmyard animals along the way. Keep an eye out along the way for all the beautiful wildlife, including ducks, swans and Raby’s famous red and fallow deer. 29th March to 14th April – Visit the Raby Castle website
Easter at Sewerby – Head to Sewerby Hall and Gardens this school holidays for Easter Adventures! Running from Saturday 23rd March to Sunday 7th April 2024, there’s something on every day. This Easter there are two massive events taking place in the grounds: Spring Family Fun on Thursday 28th March and the return of firm favourite Medieval Jousting on 31st March 2024 (Easter Sunday). A programme of smaller events takes place throughout the holidays too. Visit the website for details.
There’s a Monster in Your Show at York Theatre Royal – There’s a monster in your show, and he can’t wait to meet you! Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series makes its debut as a brand-new musical show. A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun too! With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to join him, you can expect comedy and chaos as they help to create a magical show, learning about the joy of books and friendship along the way. York Theatre Royal – 26th to 28th March 2024 – Visit the website
The Rowntree Park Legendary Easter Trail – Head to the park on Thursday 28th March for Easter fun. You’ll search the park for clues to help the Easter Bunny solve a mystery and earn a reward for all your help. Bring a picnic and make a full day of it! Pre-booking is advised, and you can start as early as 10am or as late as 12.15pm. £2.50 per child for members and £3 otherwise. 28th March 2024 – book here www.rowntreepark.org.uk/events/booking
Tortoise & the Hare at York Theatre Royal – Northern Ballet returns with another ballet for children. When a cheeky Hare won’t stop boasting about how fast he can run, thoughtful Tortoise decides it is time to join him in a race. No one thinks Tortoise can win, but when Hare gets distracted by games and treats, Tortoise might just surprise us all. The perfect introduction to live ballet and music, your little ones will be cheering along as a playful cast of characters re-tell this classic tale. 2nd and 3rd April 2024 – Visit the website
Two Houses, One Story: York’s Forgotten Women at The Bar Convent and Fairfax House – This exciting collaboration explores the intertwining story of two Catholic houses; one a secret convent operating a pioneering school for girls, the other belonging to a prominent local Catholic family. Recently discovered documents, beautiful portraits and intriguing artefacts give new insight into the day to day lives of these exceptional local women. Search the displays to find the items left to the Bar Convent in Lady Hungate’s ‘unofficial’ will; can you find the ‘Scarlet Cloth Cloack’, ‘wood box of Reliqes’ or ‘Arm’d Chair & Green Cusshion’?! 2nd March to 27th April (closed on Sundays) – Visit the website
Easter Adventure Quest at Whitby Abbey – Enjoy a cracking adventure quest at Whitby Abbey this Easter. Hunt for clues in the grounds, track down the Easter eggs and get rewarded with a tasty chocolate treat. You can take on the quest every day of the school holidays, and it costs just £2 to take part in addition to admission. There’s no need to book, and you can pay when you arrive at the site. Book online and save 15% on your entry ticket. 23rd March to 14th April 2024 – Visit the website
Tour and mini Easter egg rolling at York’s Chocolate Story – Dive into the enchantment of Easter with on this eggstraordinary tour and mini Easter egg rolling experience! Uncover the captivating history of chocolate on a guided tour and finish off the adventure with an additional 15 minutes of hands-on chocolate making where you’ll roll, drip and decorate delicious easter egg truffles. The entire journey lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. 23rd March to 7th April 2024 – Visit the York’s Chocolate Story website to book.
Easter Wonderland at Mother Shiptons – Immerse yourself in delightful Easter stories with Daisy Maisy the Storyteller and plant your very own seeds of spring with Tumbleweed the Gardener. Be sure to look out for EGG-CEPTIONAL photo opportunities along the way and don’t forget to share your photos to be in with the chance of winning prizes and free tickets! #mothershiptons – Visit the Mother Shipton’s website
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. Take in the sights, sounds and even the smells – including rotting fish and cabbages – of Jorvik. Discover a rare collection of 1,000-year-old-artefacts whilst talking to friendly Viking hosts. Ask them what Vikings had for tea or if they did homework! This Easter, you can also see the Herefordshire Hoard up close. Open daily. Visit the JORVIK Viking Centre website
The Snooks Trail – Brand new for York, The Snooks Trail is an exciting new sculpture trail that’s coming to the city from 2nd March to April 2024. Organized by Make It York in collaboration with charity partner St. Leonard’s Hospice, it’s a fun, free event for the whole family. Hunt for the 21 Snooks scattered throughout the city, from glorious gardens to cobbled streets. Excitingly, Little Vikings have teamed up with family-friendly hotel, Delta Hotels by Marriott York on Tadcaster Road, to sponsor a sculpture in the grounds of the hotel garden. 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. Visit the 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
Piglets Easter Egg-stravaganza – There’s lots to enjoy at Piglets Adventure Farm this Easter, from the Great Easter Egg Hunt to indoor play, lambing live, entertaining live shows, baby animals and much more. The Beach will be open too! Open daily – Visit the website
Easter at Eden Camp – Experience a journey back in time this Easter at Eden Camp, exploring the 22 original POW huts, with immersive displays, to discover the sights, sounds, and even the smells of what life was like on both the Home Front and Front Line during the Second World War. During the Easter weekend, 29 to 31 March, the museum will transform back to the 1940s, complete with re-enactors, authentic displays and talks for its Living History Weekend. Visit the Eden Camp website.
Easter at Dreamery Gardens (formerly 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 Dreamery Gardens for Easter celebrations and the hunt for the Golden Hare….Dreamery Gardens, 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 until summer 2024. The new Wonderlab is well worth a visit too, with lots of hands-on activities for kids (charge applies). Open daily; visit the website.
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
York Chocolate Festival – Get ready to indulge as York transforms into a chocoholic’s dream from March 27th to 31st 2024! York Chocolate Festival returns for 2024, and it’s going to be five days packed with all things chocolate. You won’t want to miss out on the fun activities lined up and many are free. Find all the highlights here.
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.
