Ready for the egg-citing Easter holidays full of family fun?
Whether it’s exploring the outdoors, visiting family, or simply some quiet days at home, the Easer holidays offer time to unwind and create some new memories.
We understand it can be quite full on and overwhelming to keep the kids entertained during the holidays, so we’ve found seven delightful places to visit during the Easter holidays.
Crealy - Clyst St Mary, Exeter
If you’ve not been to Crealy before, let’s just say, it’s been named the number one family day out.
It’s a theme park, but there’s a wide selection of things to do and they have over 200 farm and zoo animals, so the whole family will be kept busy. But over the Easter holidays (29th March – 14th April), they’ve got some special events happening.
Tickets cost £24 for adults and children, but if you’re under 92cm you’ll get in for free.
The ticket covers the Easter egg hunt (this includes a free chocolate egg for every child under 14), over 60 rides and attractions, a live Sooty Show, a swashbuckling show with Buddy & Blossom, and outdoor and indoor adventure play.
Go Ape at Haldon Forest – Kennford, Exeter
Donning some of the most amazing views, Go Ape at Haldon Forest is right against the backdrop of Dartmoor and you’ll experience some amazing 360-degree views when you’re up in the tree tops.
If you opt for the TreeTop Challenge, you’ll spend two to three hours grabbing hold of ropes, rising to new heights and riding a 200-metre long zip wire. Prices start at £36 and you must be at least 10 years old.
The Treetop Adventure is high up over Haldon but is suitable for any age of adventurer, as long as they’re over 1m tall. Prices start at £21.
Haldon Forest itself is a lovely place to visit. Whether you want to go for a family bike ride, walk or run, Haldon Forest is popular with mountain bikers and walking groups and there are a number of different trails to suit everyone.
There’s bike hire available on site, a children’s play area, a café or plenty of picnic areas if you want to bring your own food.
If you park in the main Haldon Forest car park, it costs £5 for 2 hours, £6.50 for 4 hours, or £9 for all day.
Paignton Zoo – Paignton
Why not celebrate Easter at Paignton Zoo?
They have over 2,000 different animals set in naturalistic indoor and outdoor exhibits (the lions and giraffes are this writer’s favourites).
There’s lots of picnic areas and places to grab food or ice cream, plus adventure play areas for younger ones and a peaceful nature trail if you fancy a relaxing walk.
But from 29th March – 14th April, there’s lots of games, talks and activities going on, including a competition trail and craft workshops. And you’ll get the chance to win an ‘egg-straodinary mystery prize.
Standard tickets cost £22.50 for adults and £16.85 for children. Anyone under three will be able to go in for free. There’s also a saver ticket that costs £70.80 which covers two adults and two children.
Pennywell Farm – Buckfastleigh, South Devon
Pennywell Farm is well known for their miniature pigs, and you can even bring your own blanket to give them a cuddle or watch them race. You can also bottle feed the lambs and goats or feed the deer.
From the 29th March – 14th April, there is a lot happening at Pennywell Farm and it’ll be the perfect place to spend a day during the Easter holidays. There’s an Egg-Stravaganza trail, a photo and colouring competition, and Easter Bunny orchard games.
There are loads of chocolatey prizes up for grabs.
Why not try guessing how many eggs there are in the jar or what the weight of the Easter Bunny’s helper is. You can also try looking for a Golden Egg that will be hidden somewhere on the farm.
There’s also a scavenger hunt that takes place on Easter weekend only (29th March – 1st April) so make sure you book your tickets for one of those dates if you’re interested in taking part.
Tickets cost £19.95 for adults and £15.95 for 3-15yr olds. Anyone younger can enter for free.
The Donkey Sanctuary - Sidmouth
Why not spend the day visiting hundreds of adorable donkeys?
This year, the East Devon based Donkey Sanctuary is holding ‘Drizzle’s Green Guardians Easter Trail’.
Drizzle is a laid-back, popular donkey and you’ve got to follow her and her friends along the trail and look for the critters and plants that also call the sanctuary their home.
There’s also a new bat beacon interactive exhibition, a natural play area, daily talks and engaging displays. Plus there are lots of beautiful walks and their gardens are award-winning so make sure you bring a picnic with you or stop off at their restaurant for a bite to eat.
General admission to the sanctuary and parking is free, but it’ll cost £5 if you’re interested in doing the Easter trail.
National Marine Aquarium – Plymouth
Situated in the port city of Plymouth, the National Marine Aquarium is the largest in the UK and is home to over 5,000 aquatic animals.
Offering a variety of interactive activities, educational presentations and exhibits, the aquarium is perfect for visitors of all ages.
There aren’t any Easter related activities going on, but it’s still a nice place to spend the day. If you’re feeling peckish, you can eat at the Waves Café which overlooks the Barbican harbour or you can sit outside and bring a picnic or visit the Sea’cret Garden Snack Shack.
The aquarium also has a soft play area for youngsters to let off some steam when the excitement gets too much. And on your way out, stop off at the ocean gift shop to pick up a souvenir.
Tickets cost £25 for adults, £15 for children aged 3-15yrs old, and admission is free for those under three years old. A Soft play session costs £2 an hour.
The Big Sheep – Bideford, North Devon
The Big Sheep is a multi-award-winning theme park and is a top family attraction in North Devon.
From 10am until 5pm, during the Easter holidays (Friday 29th March – Sunday 14th April), there will be ‘Easter Fun on the Farm’ to be had.
There’s going to be a big Easter trail where you can win lots of prizes.
You’ll be able to see lots of animals such as the newborn lambs, puppies and rabbits at Pet’s Corner. There are also alpacas, Easter chicks, sheep and goats.
There’s always plenty of other things to do too such as their live shows, a sheep race, rollercoasters and indoor/outdoor play, tractor safaris and lots more!
Trust us, this place is one that’ll keep your kids entertained all day.
Tickets cost £16.95 for adults and children. But if you’ve got a child that’s under 3ft, you’ll only need to pay £8 and babies under 12 months cost £2 for entry.
