The Easter holiday is soon approaching and many parents and families will be wondering how to keep the children busy for the coming weeks. But fear not, as there are loads of family-friendly activities happening in and around the south Wales valleys this school holiday.
From huge Easter egg hunts, performances and food festivals, there's plenty to try and explore during the Easter school holiday, which runs from Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 14 - with Easter Sunday on April 9. You can keep up to date with the latest What's On news by signing up to the newsletter here.
Blaenau Gwent
Join in the fun and help the chocolate detectives at Bedwellty House
Children aged four to 10 can help detectives solve a chocolate crime on Tuesday, April 4. Spaces are still available for the second trail between 1.30pm - 2.45pm. Book online here.
Take part in an Easter egg hunt
Enjoy an Easter egg hunt in Bedwellty Park on Saturday, April 8 at 10.30am - 1pm. There will be lots of activities from face-painting, hula hooping and a magician. Families can then head on to Tredegar town for a fun dinosaur trail, rodeo pig, craft market and lots of fun activities.
Enjoy a day out at Spring Fest
On Saturday, April 15, families can join in the fun and complete a Dinosaur trail in Abertillery town centre. The free event is between 12pm to 5pm, and will include a variety of activities, such as face painting in Abertillery Museum, animal encounters in Ebenezer Church, a rodeo bull, market stalls, music, hula hoops and more.
A visit to Parc Bryn Bach
You can go for a long walk around an incredible 340 acres of grass and woodland, which also has a 36-acre lake. You can enjoy a short or long stay amongst nature, by staying at the caravan park with bunkhouses and grab a bite to eat at its cafe to. Children can also enjoy a day of fun adventure activities on land and on water at Parc Bryn Bach. Depending on the weather, activities could include caving, climbing, paddle sports, or Tiki SUP. Find out more here.
Visit Six Bells Park
With a gorgeous backdrop of the Welsh mountains, this park offers sporting and recreational facilities as well as a children's play area. It is also home to Six Bells Bowls and Tennis Clubs. For more information, see here.
Belly laugh at Cirque Du Silly
Roll up for Cirque Du Silly at Bedwellty House on Tuesday, April 11, and enjoy entertainment from clumsy clowns, amusing acrobats and the Ringmaster. The aim is to be silly, so children aged three to eight will have lots of fun during this adventure. Book online here.
Bridgend
Enjoy a vast amount of street food at Forest Feastival
An outdoor global food court will be coming to Merthyr Mawr this spring for six weekends, opening during the Easter weekend - Friday, April 7 to Monday, April 10. Guests can enjoy keeping warm at the communal fire pits, and eat tacos, churros, desserts, ramen, fried chicken and so much more over the Easter holiday. There are adult evening sessions and family-friendly afternoon's on Saturday and Sunday - and children go free. Find more information here.
Take part in the biggest Easter eggstravaganza
Families can find over 7,000 chocolate eggs hidden around Bryngarw Country Park this Easter. The hunt starts with a creative craft activity in the visitor centre before taking on the huge egg hunt. The event takes place from Friday, March 31 to Monday, April 3 and tickets are £8.50. Find more information here.
Take a dip at Ogmore By Sea Beach
Dust the cobwebs away and vist one of the most popular beaches for visitors along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast due to its golden sands and rock pools. If you're brave enough, you could also take a dip in the sea.
Take a strole at Bryngarw Country Park
Bryngarw Country Park is the perfect place for a family dog walk as it hosts over 100 acres of woodlands, meadows and gardens to explore.
SeaQuest Coastal discovery trail
Explore the secrets of the sea with a coastal discovery trail at The Grand Pavillion this Easter. Families can discover local coastal creatures and enjoy a plankton party to celebrate Easter. The event takes place on Tuesday, April 10 between 12pm-2pm. Find more information here.
Hunt for furry friends at Parc Slip Nature Reserve
Discover a world of nature at Parc Slip Nature Reserve with a self-guided trail for children. Families can go on a supervised nature quiz around the reserve and come across some furry little surprises. The event takes place between Thursday, March 30 and Sunday, April 2 from 11am to 3pm. It costs £4 per child and for more information, click here.
Merthyr Tydfil
Dinomania - Wannanosaurus Wednesday returns
Following the success of last year's event, the interactive dinosaur entertainment experience will once again be popping up in Graham Way, Merthyr Tydfil on Wednesday, April 5. Head down to the free event between 11am and 2pm for a chance to immerse yourself in a prehistoric playground that features realistic walking dinosaurs, small interactive puppets, animatronics, fossils and replicas. More information here.
Cyfarthfa Park's Playzone
Cyfarthfa Park provides a great day out for the whole family. Set in 160 acres of parkland, choose from relaxing sensory gardens and woodland walks, to an exciting state-of-the-art Splash Pad and Playground - it has something for everyone.
A day out at the Artisan Easter Market
On Sunday, April 9, families can venture to Cyfarthfa Park and see what small Welsh businesses have to offer at the Easter market, from special gifts, crafts, artwork and home-baked treats. The event will start at 11am and finish at 4pm.
Family fun at Garwnant Visitor Centre
There's plenty to entertain the family with a fantastic play area, low ropes course and the Animal Puzzle Trail. You can try the Wern Walk or the Willow Walk for a light bit of exercise or simply relax and enjoy the view with a cup of coffee and a selection of local foods in the restaurant.
Rhondda Cynon Taff
Afternoon Tea with the Easter Bunny
Families can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea with the Easter Bunny at Llantrisant Guildhall. There will be cakes, sandwiches, treats, an Easter egg hunt, games, crafts and more to keep the little ones entertained. The event will take place on Sunday, April 9 between 2pm and 4.30pm. It costs £15 per adult and £10 per child, For tickets, email info@llantrisantguildhall.co.uk.
Rhondda Heritage Park
The Heritage Park is based in the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery in Trehafod. Enjoy a family day out on the Black Gold Tour, which features a fully guided tour with ex-miners and a trip to the pit head buildings. You will also venture underground to experience the life of a coal miner. Admission to this area is free except on special event days. Find out more here.
Dare Valley Country Park
Blow away the cobwebs with a family day out at Dare Valley Country Park, with over 500 acres of woodland to cover and amazing views, wildlife to spot, a laser combat site and even a camping and caravan site. Your little ones can have hours of free fun at their large adventure area with swings, slides, a wooden fort and mini trampoline sets in the ground. Or if you're after a bit more adventure, enjoy Gravity Family Bike Park which allows you to bring your own bikes or hire one on-site. You can make your way up Penrhiwllech Mountain and zoom down the trails. Find out more here.
Easter egg hunt and bonnet making parade
An Easter egg hunt will be taking place at Llantrisant Guildhall on Saturday, April 8. The event will have an Easter bonnet making class, a fancy dress parade and of course an Easter egg hunt. It costs £3 per child and adults go free. For more information and prices, click here.
The Mab Trail
The Mab Trail is the perfect interactive literary art trail to complete with the whole family this Easter. The trail sees a series of interactive story stones and boards placed across Pontypridd, sharing local myths and legends of the town. The Mab Trail starts and finishes at Pontypridd Museum. From there, you can follow the trail to Ynysangharad Park, where four-story stones can be found. On Berw Road Field, story hunters will find three stones and four-story stones at Pontypridd Common.
Tower Climber at Zip World
Situated in the Cynon Valley, the Tower Climber which sees you tackling obstacles in the air, as part of a gigantic high ropes course that has 69 elements to it. Read our review of it here . If you're a bit braver you can ride the zip lines or maybe even scoot around on the Tower coaster. For more information, click here.
Rhymney Valley & Caerphilly Borough
Caerphilly Castle
One of the iconic sites in Wales and a place where you should take all your friends and family to enjoy a slice of Welsh history. There will be some special Easter events this school break with an egg hunt around the castle between Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 16 from 11am until 3pm. For more information, click here.
Easter Sport Scheme
Sport Caerphilly is back for the Easter holidays and running its hugely popular sports schemes. Children aged 7-12 can enjoy a variety of sporting activities with their highly qualified coaches between Monday, April 3 and Friday, April 14.
The events will be held at:
- Caerphilly Leisure Centre between 9am-3pm and costs £9.35 per day
- Newbridge Leisure Centre between 9am-3pm and costs £9.35 per day
- Risca Leisure Centre between 9am-3pm and costs £9.35 per day
- Heolddu Leisure Centre between 10am-2pm and costs £5.85 per day
For more information call 01443 863072 or email Sean Davies at davies30@caerphilly.gov.uk.
Caerphilly mountain
The Caerphilly Mountain walk is an easy hike for those who fancy stretching their legs. There are numerous mapped walks and trails where you can walk with family and friends or take the dog out for a big walk. If you get a bit peckish, you can also enjoy a burger at Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar.
Visit the Sultan Pit Pony
At 200 metres from hoof to muzzle, a galloping pony frozen in time is an imposing monument to the industry which drove Britain through the industrial revolution and put Wales at the centre of world shipping and trade. Sultan the Pit Pony sits on the site of the Penallta Colliery, a few miles north of Caerphilly, which is a popular park for dog walkers and families.
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