The Easter 2023 school holiday is upon us and while the cost of living crisis continues to hit many families across Wales, the season doesn't need to break the bank. There are plenty of free activities and events going on across Wales to keep the little ones busy.
Starting on Monday, April 3 and lasting until Friday, April 14 the Easter school holiday is two weeks long. As the weather hopefully improves there are lots of Easter-themed activities to enjoy.
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Here is a roundup of some of the best free activities to enjoy in Wales in Easter 2023. You can keep up to date with the latest What's On news by signing up to the newsletter here.
1. Easter Trail - Morgan Quarter, Cardiff
Cardiff's Morgan Quarter, which is made up of the Morgan and Royal Arcade, will be hosting an Easter Trail throughout the school holiday, along with a family-friendly celebration on Saturday, April 8 with special guest the Easter Bunny. From Saturday, April 1 to Sunday, April 16 families are invited to enjoy a free Easter trail through the Royal and Morgan arcades.
On Saturday, April 8 from 11am to 4pm there is the family fun day featuring a special appearance from the Easter Bunny, interactive storytime sessions, and arts and crafts workshops with local author and illustrator Jack Skivens. There will also be local musicians performing live.
On Saturday, April 1 and Saturday, April 8 there will be children's arts and crafts workshops at Pen & Paper in the Royal Arcade. On Wednesday, April 5, Thursday, April 6 and Saturday, April 8 there will be workshops with illustrator Jack Skivens with a special arts and crafts workshop and a storytelling session in the Royal Arcade.
Events for the family fun day, arts and craft sessions and workshops with Jack Skivens will be ticketed with free tickets available on Eventbrite, which you can find here.
2. The big Easter egg hunt - Llanelli
If you are local or visiting Llanelli you can enjoy the big Easter egg hunt. Running from Saturday, April 1 to Saturday, April 15 there will be 10 special Easter eggs all hidden across Llanelli.
The eggs will be hidden in shop windows and you can pick up a trail map from St Elli Shopping Centre and once completed take your map to the Llanelli Public Library for a free Easter treat. When the trial is over, one overall winner will be randomly selected to receive a special Easter hamper.
3. Lido Ponty - Pontypridd
Lido Ponty is opening just in time for the Easter holidays. The Lido is free for children aged 16 and under, with tickets £3 for adults and those who wish to go on the inflatables need to buy an activity band for £2.50.
During the Easter holidays, there will be two early morning swim sessions in the main and activity pools, followed by six family fun sessions where all three pools are open and the inflatables/water zorb and pedal boats are out. You can book your tickets here.
4. Dino Discovery Trail - St David's Shopping Centre, Cardiff
From Monday, April 3 to Sunday, April 16 there will be 15 brick dinosaur beasts hidden in St David's shopping centre in Cardiff. From a 7ft parasaurolophus to a 12ft long velociraptor, there are plenty of prehistoric creatures to spot and snap a selfie with.
You can collect your map and dino hat from Guest Service on the Upper Grand Arcade (between Bershka and Stradivarius).
5. Activities at the National Waterfront Museum - Swansea
The National Waterfront Museum in Swansea is hosting some great free activities this Easter. On Monday, April 3 the film Chicken Run will be shown at 11am for free.
On Friday, April 7 there is the Easter Eggstravaganza, where there will be crafts, live music and stories. On Thursday, April 13, Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15 you can make spring pop-up matchboxes and on Sunday, April 16 Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is showing for free from 2.30pm.
6. Easter egg hunt - Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff
Cowbridge Road Easter traders are running an Easter treasure hunt. Look for the shops with the CRET (Cowbridge Road East Traders) sticker in their window where you will be able to pick up an entry form.
You will visit each shop on the list who will have a word to help you complete the hunt and once you have completed the form hand it into Laura's Fruiters, before midday on Saturday, April 8. The treasure hunt is running from Saturday, April 1 to Saturday, April 8.
All the completed forms will be entered into a draw and the winner will win an Easter basket full of goodies from the local traders.
7. Margam Park activities - Port Talbot
There are lots of free activities going on at Margam Park from Easter crafts to identifying animal tracks and poo. On Tuesday, April 4 starting at 10.30am you can learn about animal tracks and poo. Booking is essential for this activity and to book contact Jo at 07361490164 or joannaleeuwerke@smallwoods.org.uk
On Thursday, April 6 there are Easter crafts where children will make an Easter Bunny card, try out stone painting and decorate the bunting ready for the King's coronation. This event starts at 11am.
There is also Pond Explorers on Thursday, April 13 where you can discover what lies beneath the surface of the freshwater pond. Learn how energy moves through ecosystems and how a constant commitment to the sustainability of the planet helps us all to become ethical citizens of Wales and the world. This session runs from 10am until 2pm.
8. Singleton Park - Swansea
Singleton Park in Swansea is home to a play area, a duck pond, the Ornamental Gardens and the Botanical Gardens with a greenhouse and koi fish pond. Or, if you’re willing to pay, take a trip on a swan or dragon boat around Singleton Boating Lake.
9. St Fagan’s National Museum of History - Cardiff
This free museum on the outskirts of Cardiff, set in 100 acres of parkland, is one of Wales’s most popular heritage sites. Craftsmen demonstrate their traditional skills, and their produce is usually on sale.
10. Cosmeston Lakes - Penarth
The lakes, located just outside of Penarth, have plenty of spaces for picnicking and wooden walkways so you can walk around the lakes. There is a play park and a re-constructed medieval village meaning the lakes have plenty for little ones to explore.
11. Fforest Fawr Sculpture Trail - Cardiff
While Castell Coch is not free to enter, it is surrounded by ancient woodland, full of different walking and mountain biking trails. One of these trails is the Fforest Fawr sculpture trail, with wood carvings of the animals that used to roam the woods for children to spot.
12. Newport Wetlands- Newport
The Newport nature reserve is open daily for people to spot the numerous species of birds in this haven for wildlife. With an outdoor children’s play area, the centre welcomes children and families.
13. Barry Sidings Country Park - Pontypridd
You'll never regret an afternoon at Barry Sidings just outside Pontypridd. There are walking trails, bike trails and a play park for little ones and if you're minded, a great cafe to get a hot chocolate or burger at.
14. National Roman Legion Museum - Caerleon
The National Roman Legion Museum allows you to step back in time and see what life was like for the Romans that built the Caerleon fort in Wales over 200 years ago. You can see ruins of the fort, Roman artefacts, and even download a Caerleon app with games and audio tours for children.
15. National Museum Cardiff
The city centre museum is open, and there are plenty of exhibitions for children to explore. From dinosaurs and woolly mammoths to some of Europe’s best collections of art, there’s something on offer for everyone.
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