MOST children across St Helens will start their Easter break today, Friday, ready to enjoy one or two weeks away from the classroom.
What activities and events are on offer for youngsters to keep them occupied and entertained during the holidays?
From dinosaurs and pirates to wild animals and Easter bunnies, there promises to be something for families with children of all ages.
Here is our round up of activities taking place in St Helens this half term or just a short drive, train or bus journey from the town.
When is the Easter break 2023?
The Easter holidays differ across the UK with most English schools taking a break between Monday, April 3 and Friday, April 14.
Term dates vary each year even within a local authority so some schools might be on holiday at slightly different times or for just ten days rather than a fortnight.
Beauty and the Beast is on at The St Helens Theatre Royal
St Helens Theatre Royal
The timeless story of Belle will be told at St Helens Theatre Royal this Easter as Beauty and the Beast takes to the stage.
A beautiful young woman falls in love with an unexpected prince, who has been cursed to look like a hideous beast.
Find out if the beast can learn to love and be loved and whether the spell can be broken in time to live happily ever after.
The show will be on between Wednesday, April 5 and Sunday, April 16 with a relaxed performance on Thursday, April 13 at 1pm.
For more information visit sthelenstheatreroyal.com
The Catalyst Museum
The Catalyst Museum
Visit The Catalyst Museum between Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 16 for a chance to take part in the hands-on workshop 'help him hop higher' - investigations with the Easter bunny.
Find out how animals hop and which can hop the highest before using your scientific skills to carry out a fair test and help the Easter bunny hop even further.
Workshops will run at 11.30am and 2pm.
The chocolate show will run at 12.30pm and 3pm for 45 minutes where little ones can find out about the history and science behind the Easter treat.
For more information visit catalyst.org.uk
Spots and stripes at Knowsley (Image Knowsley Safari Park)
Knowsley Safari Park
There’s a spots and stripes safari egg hunt at Knowsley Safari Park over the school holidays with six giant Easter eggs hiding along the foot safari.
Pick up a map and stickers and see if you can find the prize.
Will they be spots or will they be stripes?
Match all six stickers to the animals to unlock an egg-stra special treat.
Have you ever wondered why a tiger has black stripes or why a giraffe has such distinctive brown spots?
You’ll be an expert by the end of the trail!
For more information about the trail, which will be open between Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 16, visit knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk
Out of this world fun and games at Imagine That
Imagine That
Visitors to Imagine That! will be taken out of this world this Easter as Liverpool’s science and discovery centre welcomes space fans and budding astronauts.
The venue on Farraday Road in Wavertree will be taken over by space with a whole host of galactic adventures and plenty of gooey slime.
For more information visit imaginethat.org.uk
The new area at Gulliver's World (Image Gulliver's World)
Gulliver’s World
Two exciting new rides will be opening at Gulliver’s World this weekend.
They are part of the new car-themed area which comes as Gulliver’s celebrates 45 years in business.
The area includes two new rides – the rollercoaster Grand Prix Racer and Overdrive, as well as a host of play attractions and ride-ons.
The Grand Prix Racer roller-coaster takes race drivers brave enough on a fast and furious journey filled with terrific twists and turns while Overdrive, one of Gulliver’s World’s most daring rides, is a 360-degree thrill that temporarily turns riders’ worlds upside down.
The area will be unveiled at a special launch weekend from Friday, March 31, to Sunday, April 2.
The launch weekend will kick off with a special community invite-only event on Friday where guests will get access to the resort to explore the new area and have a go on the rides.
Saturday and Sunday will see the launch fun continue as the resort opens up to the general public.
There will be race-themed face painting on offer, photo opportunities on a podium with Gully and Gilly Mouse, bubble machines, car-inspired music and much more.
For more information visit gulliversworldresort.co.uk
The really wild egg trail (Image Chester Zoo)
Chester Zoo
Calling all eggs-plorers!
There’s a really wild egg trail at Chester Zoo for the whole of the Easter holidays with eggs hidden all over the zoo.
Will you be able to find the giant flamingo egg or uncover the hidden world of seahorse eggs?
Will you discover how a butterfly hatches?
Pick up a map and follow the trail to find the six hidden eggs and then collect your free copy of Nat Geo Kids magazine at the end.
For more information visit chesterzoo.org
Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester
It’s game on this Easter as the Museum of Science and Industry takes gaming to another level with free activities and creative challenges for all ages.
Visitors can play with actual-reality arcade games as the museum transforms into a playground of super-sized fun with real-life versions of old favourites.
There’s something for everyone from Pong to Pac-Man, Mario to Minecraft and a selection of games created in Manchester.
You can also visit the special exhibition ‘Turn It Up: The Power of Music’ to discover weird and wonderful musical instruments or play your way through 50 years of gaming with a trip to Power UP.
Events will run between Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 16.
For more information visit scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/spring-holidays-2023
Join Zog on an adventure at Delamere Forest (Forestry England)
Delamere Forest
Join Zog on his latest adventure at Delamere Forest and have your picture taken with everyone’s favourite dragon.
Download the new ‘Zog: A Forest Adventure’ app before you visit and then point your device at special markers along the trail to access challenges and bonus activities.
Thanks to augmented reality technology, you’ll be able to collect golden stars just like Zog and take photos on your adventure.
Share your Zog fun using the #ZogTrail hashtag.
For more information visit forestryengland.uk/delamere-forest/zog-activity-trail-delamere-forest
BeWILDerwood outdoor avdentures
BeWILDerwood, Whitchurch
There are five Easter activities available to keep children entertained at BeWILDerwood this April.
Complete the puzzling park trail Easter egg hunt looking for six colourful letters and giant Easter eggs.
Get some bunny face paint between 11am and 4pm or craft your very own bunny ears.
Meet the pesky bunnies at the storytelling stage or discover the story of A Boggle at BeWILDerwood
For more information visit cheshire.bewilderwood.co.uk/5-free-easter-activities
Arley Hall
Let the kids run wild - and probably give themselves a scare - at Totally Roarsome’s family friendly trail, which is at Arley Hall once again this April.
Arley Estate’s beautiful 'Big Wood' has been transformed into a primordial world of hyper-realistic sculptures of prehistoric creatures, fantasy beasts, and buccaneers.
Visitors can explore the 1.5km trial at their own pace with plenty of selfie opportunities along the way.
The attraction will be open on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday April, 2 as well as Thursday, April 6 through to Monday, April 10.
For more information visit arleyhallandgardens.com/whats-on
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