What's On In Cheltenham This Easter Holiday - Week Two
Phew - are you ready for week two?! If you're reading this we're assuming you've made it through the first week of the Easter holidays in one piece - we hope you enjoyed our selection of family-friendly events.
So now you're back - are you ready for more? Here's the best of Cheltenham's child-friendly events, from Saturday 7th - Sunday 15th April.
Recurring events happening throughout the holidays include the The Great Bunny Escape at The Wilson Art Gallery, Primrose Vale Easter Trail, Crickley Hill's Big Egg Quiz and Cotswold Farm Park's Spring Festival.
Cheltenham Attractions open daily include the recently-revamped Play Farm, Airborne, Mr Mulligan's Lost World and Cheltenham Science Centre (open Tues-Saturday). Plus, the boats are running every day from the Boathouse Pittville Park!
Saturday 7th April
Wake up, coats on and off to create! Come and join in the fun with The Colour Club at The School House Cafe - the group will be taking inspiration from Oliver Jeffer’s twinkly story, How To Catch A Star, creating some beautiful hanging stars using paint and collage all to the sounds of Björk and Holst! This creative family session aimed at ages 2 - 8 and their grown-ups, ran by Jen Beetson, an experienced art teacher and artist. Dress to make a mess! From 10:30am - 11:30am, tickets £5. Find out more.
Our local libraries have got it going on this Easter! Blossom & Bunnies is a one-off, free craft event at Cheltenham Children's Library. Drop in between 11am - 2pm for lots of Spring-themed, arty activities. All ages are welcome and no need to register - however children must be accompanied by an adult. Find out more.
Still got Easter egg fever? Continue the Easter hunt at Hesters Way and Up Hatherley libraries - some tasty eggs have gone missing and no one knows where they are! Snoop them out and enjoy the spoils! From Monday 2nd - Friday 13th April, times vary depending on library opening times. Find out more about the free Hesters Way, and Up Hatherley library events.
If you're bellies aren't too full, why not hop down the rabbit hole to the Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea Party at The Willow Tree. You'll be joined by characters from the much loved Alice in Wonderland story, along with a child-friendly afternoon tea, games, colouring and crafts! From 3pm - 4pm, adults £10, children £6, families £28. Pre-booking is advised as this will no doubt be another sell-out event. Find out more.
Oh gosh, the bunnies are have hopped off and they've escaped in the museum - can you find them? The Great Bunny Escape at The Wilson Art Gallery offers some free family fun at this drop-in event, come along and hunt the trail from Friday 30th March - Sunday 15th April (times vary). Find out more.
After all that excitement it's time to relax for the Lambing Evening at Cotswold Farm Park. This unique, one-night-only event offers a chance to enjoy Cotswold Farm Park after-hours, giving visitors a rare opportunity to visit the Animal Barn at sun-down, with a commentary from the livestock team and hopefully some new arrivals! Lambing takes place daily in the Animal Barn until 15th April, but this is the only time guests can see the park ‘out-of-hours’ and experience lambing until 8pm. Alongside the lambing demonstrations, there's bottle feeding in the Discovery Barn and hot food and drinks served in The Shed café. Indoor play is also available in the Adventure Barn during the evening. Usual admission prices apply, open from 10:30am - 8pm. Find out more.
Sunday 8th April
The 21 Club & Aquavitae is the home of The Dinosaur Disco - and no ID is required! Dinosaur Elno is in Cheltenham for two dates and he wants to party with children (up to 8 years) and their grown ups. Head on down to Aquavitae where you can jump into a ball pit, get your face painted or enjoy crafts (if dancing is not your thing). Follow the dinosaur egg trail to the dancefloor - there are bubbles, balloons, glow sticks and party lights (no strobes), with classic tunes to keep you dancing! Choose from Sunday 8th or Sunday 15th April, 2pm - 4pm. Adult tickets £9, children £7.50, under 2's go free. Find out more.
Fancy some FREE exercise? Come along to Pittville Park with your friends and family for a free Community Bootcamp, from 10am - 11am. This sporty event is suitable for the whole family and all fitness levels are welcome. Find out more.
Time to channel your inner Ariel (maybe re-watch The Little Mermaid for inspo). The Mermaid Academy is offering kids the chance to feel like 'under-the-sea' princes and princesses at their Easter Mermaid Experience at Dean Close school, from 2pm - 3pm. Children will learn the basics of mermaid swimming in a fun and safe environment, spaces are limited so pre-booking is a must, £15 per child. Find out more.
The star of the Everyman Theatre Pantomime returns with a brand new show for the entire family, in Tweedy's Slapstick Symphony! Tweedy wants to put on a new show at the Everyman to show off the skills that have made him one of the most popular clowns in the country. Unfortunately, Ludvink Loyal thinks he’s putting on a classical symphony concert on the same night. The result is music and mayhem as these two contrasting characters try to get on and make the show work! Showing at 2pm, a child ticket costs £14, adult's £19. Find out more.
Monday 9th April
What a weekend! Now for a lovely morning of arts and crafts at The Community Building in Bishops Cleeve, hosted by Jojo's Little Crafters. Choose from Pirate or Fairy themed crafts, with storytime, songs and a lovely treat of coffee and cake for grown ups. Suitable for ages 0 - 5, limited spaces available. Pop along from 10:30am - 11:30am, entry £6. Find out more.
Paint It Yourself Pottery offers a morning of supervised creativity using a selection of techniques and specialist paints - in the form of Unicorns & Dragons! Each half term workshop costs £15 per child, including a drink and snack. Come along from 10:30am - 12:30pm, this event reoccurs on Friday 13th. Suitable for ages 8 and over. Find out more.
Bounce & Play at All Saints Academy offers a host of fun and games - all under one roof. The indoor inflatable play sessions return for the second week of half term with a wide variety of activities, including a bouncy castle, activity bouncy castles and soft play. Time slots for Monday (and Tuesday) are 10am - 11:45am, 12:15pm - 2pm, 2:30pm - 4.15pm, costing £5 per child, £3 for babies / crawlers. Children aged 0-11 are welcome with parental supervision. Find out more.
Tuesday 10th April
No worm-eating here - and no need to get your hands dirty making mud pies at the bottom of the garden! Garden Bugs & Bakes at Cookery Doodle Doo is delightful child-friendly cookery class, purely inspired by nature. Kids will be making various tasty treats, including Ladybird crackers and Busy Bee cakes. Tickets cost £20 per child, including a drink, snack, all ingredients, materials, aprons, equipment and recipe cards! Suitable for children aged 5 - 10 years. From 10am - 12pm (this class also repeats Thursday 12th April). Find out more.
Another chance to get creative this week - while learning about the Monoprinting process. This exciting and exclusive workshop offers the chance for young to make their own mini masterpieces full of colour and style, under the guidance of The Wilson Art Gallery's creative practitioner. Sessions at 10:30am & 1:30pm, £4 + booking fee per child. Find out more.
Wednesday 11th April
We should call this 'Crafty Wednesday' - and show love to our local libraries. Spring Storytime and Crafts at Bishops Cleeve Library offers a range of spring-themed activities suitable for children aged 4 and over, however Rhymetime toddlers are also welcome. Pop in from 10:30am - 11:30am - did we mention it's FREE?! Find out more.
The family fun continues at Cheltenham Children's Library. Make your own dinosaur to take away and play with at home, then spot the dinosaurs hidden around the library - luckily they've already eaten! An adult must stay with children taking part (this activity is aimed at kids of course, although we wouldn't blame you for wanting to join in)! From 2pm - 4pm, FREE! Find out more.
Fancy some Peter Rabbit themed stories, crafts and activities? Hop along for some FREE fun at Charlton Kings Library from 10:30am - 11:30am. Find out more.
Not quite at the library - but close enough! Easter Crafts at The Wilson is a fun, holiday drop-in session offering a different craft process or activity to learn, along with painting and drawing animals and artefacts from the museum collection. This is suitable for a variety of skill levels so no need to be Monet just yet - just be prepared to get involved and messy! Cost is £3 for either the 10:30am - 12:30pm or 1:30pm - 3:30pm session, no pre-booking required. Find out more.
Now for some charity work. Design your own shopper, help save the fish by trashing the plastic and donate to Macmillan Cancer. Pop down to Smokey Joe's for this fun, two hour Bag Decorating Workshop for Kids from 10:30am - 12:30pm. A fabric tote bag is included in the price and all other materials are supplied, a minimum donation of £4 is suggested (£3 of the entrance fee goes to charity). Save your space by registering and donate on the day, learn some new skills in a fab, fun environment - Smokey Joe's really does have it all! The session is suitable for children aged 5 and upwards, who must be supervised at all times. Register here.
Thursday 12th April
Fancy some fresh air? Family Outdoor Skills at Crickley Hill is a chance to change the pace and learn some handy outdoor survival skills. You'll learn fire-lighting and basic wood-carving techniques from an expert of all things outdoors - then get to take your creations home with you. Each booking includes one child and one adult and is suitable for children aged 10 and over. From 10:30am - 2:30pm, tickets cost £35. Find out more.
The Make Together Egg Extravaganza offers a fun morning of painting and printing at Holy Apostles Hall, based on the theme of Easter and Eggs. Children (aged 2 - 6) will paint and decorate a wooden egg that opens up, as well as get involved in other activities like story telling, other crafts and active games. There's a chance to buy a coffee and food after the event while you're there, so bring some cash if you can. From 10am - 11am, £6 per child / adult pair. Find out more.
Feeling peckish? Easter Holiday Cookery Workshops at Josie's Bakery has got it covered. Children are welcome to along to make a Mini Egg biscuit cake and bake some delicious cheese scones, whilst learning lots of creative skills, making new friends and having fun! Workshops are suitable for children aged 4-14 years, parents / carers not required to attend. From 10am - 12:30pm, £20 per child. Find out more.
Friday 13th April
With all of these costly outings and excurtions - the Cheltenham Children's Library offers a welcome morning of FREE storytime - it's time for Wishing Fish Clock. Reading from the lovely book by Miranda Walker from 11am - 12pm. Find out more.
You've seen the film, but have you sang the film?! Singalonga Productions invite you to 'be our guest' at Sing-a-Long-a Beauty and the Beast at the Everyman Theatre! This is your chance to sing your heart out to the Disney songs of your childhood such as 'Be our Guest', 'Belle', 'Gaston' and not forgetting the 'Beauty and The Beast'. A 'Singalonga' host will start with a pre-show where they will warm up your voices, teach you some hand actions, show you how to use the famous Singalonga props bag during the film and when to Boo the arrogant Gaston and of course judge the fancy dress competition! From 7pm - 10pm (it's a late one for little ones), adults cost £18, under 16 £12. Find out more.
Saturday 14th April
Planning a trip into town? Suprise your little ones with a visit to LEGO Batman in The Entertainer - where they will meet their favourite superhero! He's taking time out from fighting crime in Gotham to visit his fans throughout the UK, and making a quick stop in Cheltenham to meet his fans from 10am - 3pm. Be warned, Batman will be taking regular breaks during this time so come expecting to wait a little - but at least it's FREE! Find out more.
Sunday 15th April
If you saw Early Man last weekend, now you can catch Boss Baby! Cineworld's Movies For Juniors series provides a magical morning of a child-friendly film screening - showing all weekend at 10:30am. Boss Baby(U) is a most unusual baby - he wears a suit and speaks with the voice and wit of Alec Baldwin! This is a comedy appealing to all ages so grown-ups get a laugh too! Running time 97 mins, ticket prices vary. Find out more.
And for the grown ups... They say a Sunday well spent brings a week of content...so, after a morning of endless chuckles at the movies, how about an afternoon of bottomless lunch? For limited time only, The Daffodil are offering two courses for £24.50 or three courses of £29.50 with two hours of BOTTOMLESS PROSECCO, red or white wine. Running from 12pm - 6pm, bring your stretchy trousers! Find out more.
That's all folks! We hope you have a great week, however you choose to spend it.
Don't forget, you can browse the site any time, for any day you wish, using the activity search on the home page.
If you're stuck for child care or are looking for structured daytime activities for the kids, there are still some Easter Camps with space available. View the Easter Holiday Club Guide here.
