It’s the first weekend of April and the Easter weekend is just around the corner - and we have rounded up some of the best activities taking place in the county.
From 1 April – 19 April parents will be able to spend quality time with their children before the Easter Bunny arrives on 17 April.
Luckily, there are plenty of family-friendly Easter activities taking place this over the holidays for people to enjoy.
Here are just 10 of the best activities and events taking place in Lancashire:
1. Wonderland of Fun, The Mall, Blackburn
The Mall Blackburn is gearing up for its first major Easter event for over two years and is looking forward to welcoming little shoppers to its free Alice in Wonderland themed event, ‘Wonderland of Fun’.
A whole host of activities aimed at making children curiouser and curiouser will take place every day from Sunday 3 April until Friday 15 April from 11am until 4pm in an elaborately decorated space next to Muffin Break on Market Way.
The Easter schedule is as follows:
· Sunday 3: Channelling the Queen of Hearts children will be making wooden heart bookmarks
· Monday 4: Little makers can get creative with tissue paper and paint to create wonderland pieces of art
· Tuesday 5: It’s time to get growing by making a White Rabbit plant pot, planting a bulb to take home and nurture
· Wednesday 6: Who doesn’t love a glitter tattoo? It is time to sparkle!
· Thursday 7: Time for selfie smiles all round for children making cute Cheshire cat smile masks
· Friday 8: Stand to attention and get hands on by building playing card guardsman puppets
· Saturday 9: Glitter tattoos are back in time for the weekend celebrations
· Sunday 10: Transform a wooden spoon into a snazzy white rabbit puppet
· Monday 11: Decorate delightful cupcakes with delicious candies
· Tuesday 12: Design a stunning hanging suncatcher and colour with special glass paint pens
· Wednesday 13: An Easter make-over is in store with our face painters
· Thursday 14: Last chance to get creative with glitter tattoos
· Friday 15: A very Good Friday is on offer with traditional Easter basket design. Everyone that takes part will be entered into a prize draw to win an Alice in Wonderland book
2. Easter Trail, Charter Walk, Burnley
Charter Walk, Burnley BID, Burnley Town Council, Burnley Market and sponsors Property Shop, are giving all primary U11 school children the opportunity to win a number of fantastic prizes this Easter.
Goodies up for grabs include a giant Easter egg and £50 of Love2Shop vouchers, whilst the first 200 entries will receive a free Easter egg courtesy of Property Shop.
To enter the competition, children aged under 11 must visit 10 participating shops over the Easter school holidays and get an egg stamp in each of the outlets. Over 10,000 leaflets have been printed and will be delivered to pupils in 25 primary schools across the town.
Participating shops include Property Shop, Charter Walk Centre Management Suite, JT Lloyds, Quick Crepes, Little Barista, Dress Up, Country House Gallery, Pennine Community Credit Union, Nexgen and the RSPCA.
Once the trail has been completed, forms can be taken to the post box inside Charter Walk Centre Management Suite, with the first 200 entrants able to collect their free Easter egg at the same time. All entries must be submitted by 4pm on Saturday 16 April 2022. The winner will be chosen at random and contacted directly.
3. The big Easter egg hunt, Mrs Dowsons Farm, Clayton-le-moors
From 2-18 April, Mrs Dowsons Farm will be running an easter egg hunt.
A spokesperson said: “We've created an Easter Egg Hunt trail to explore the farm this spring, with our team of actors, storytelling and all the fun of the farm.
“The rabbits have been up to their tricks hiding clues all around the farm, can you find them all and make the secret password, all whilst exploring the farm and meeting the farm animals.
“Your hard work will be rewarded with a prize, and you'll be able to meet the Easter Bunny and his friends, taking lots of selfies to share with us on social media, if you like.”
Price for adults and children start from £9.95.
4. Easter duck trail, Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Fish Lane, Burscough
This is a chance to get your kids outside from 2-18 April.
A spokesperson said: “Come and have a quacking time at our wetlands as you enjoy our Easter Duck Trail.
“The perfect opportunity to get outdoors with all the family. Explore our amazing wetlands as you hunt for 25 bright yellow ducks and discover more about our real life ducks.
To start your adventure, pick up a trail card when you get here. Its £1 a go and there’s a tasty treat if you find them all.
“As well as our Easter Duck Trail, you can get creative in our craft room. Buy a rubber duck, colour it in and then bring it back to the centre on Bank Holiday Monday 2 May to enter it into our Annual Duck Race.
“We'll also have other crafts including badges and keyrings.
Keeping with the pond theme, our new Pond Zone will be open every day of the Easter holidays from 1.30pm to 3pm! Grab a net and delve.”
5. Alice in Easterland – The Easter Bunny’s magical adventure, Church Street, Blackpool
Following on from the hugely successful 'Santa's Magical Workshop', Viva Blackpool and Jon Conway productions are proud to present 'Alice in Easterland – The Easter Bunny's Magical Adventure!'
Fun for the family with a pre-performance meet and greet with the character cast, and then a one hour full production stage performance.
Featuring Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, the Easter Bunny and many more familiar characters in this specially written production.
Suitable for ages two to 10 years old – but fun for all the family to enjoy
Comedy, music, dancing and laughter combined with wonderful costuming and a professional production.
The show takes place on 10 April and prices for children start from £22.50 and additional adult tickets are £15.
6. Blackburn Easter Fair 2022, Witton County Park, Blackburn
The Blackburn Easter Fair, which is organised by the Lancashire section of the Showman's Guild, will be returning to Witton Park in Blackburn this Easter, from 1 – 18 April.
It will see the return of some fair-goer favourites, such as the dodgems, waltzers, ‘Twister’ ride and popular ‘Fighter’ ride.
Entry is free and ride prices start from £2.
7. Easter Pace Egging, Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham
Fancy taking part in an ancient Lancashire tradition?
Once widespread, and is still to be found in parts of the county today.
Bring your own hard-boiled egg to the hall, decorate it with the materials provided and then get ready to roll them… whose can roll the furthest without cracking?
They are also hosting an Easter bunny trail where your little ones will have to be on the lookout for PenDelfin Bunnies.
Tickets are £2.50 each, booking essential. To book, email gawthorpehall@lancashire.gov.uk or call 01282 771004.
The event takes place on 13 April.
8. Charlie’s Chocolate Extravaganza, Brewery Lane, Lancaster
Join The Storytellers for another magical interactive family experience. With plenty of surprises, singing and of course- chocolate.
A spokesperson said: “You'll be lead on a magical journey with Charlie, and some of your favourite characters with plenty of surprise's, singing, dancing and of course- chocolate!
“Join The Storytellers as they present ‘Charlie’s Chocolate Extravaganza’. An exciting, interactive theatre experience that will be a treat for all of the family.”
The festivities kick off on 15 April between 10am and 5pm.
Ticket prices start at £7.50 per child with one accompanying adult. Additional adults are £5 each.
Get your ticket on Eventbrite.
9. Easter celebration in Colne
Now in its sixth year, the Easter celebration in Colne has it all: a traditional egg hunt, a display of children’s Easter art work in the library, a shop window competition, children’s crafts and free face painting, plus Colne’s famous free donkey rides.
There is also traditional acoustic music and dance, as well as children’s fairground rides and an outdoor market.
Easter in Colne is an opportunity to stock up on Easter goodies and sample lots of free entertainment at the same time.
The festivities kick off on 16 April from 9am-4pm.
10. Food and drink festival, Market Square, Darwen
Darwen Bars and Leisure is hosting and organising the Darwen Food and Drinks Festival on Easter Sunday.
Located on Darwen market square, the event will bring a host of business and brands together for the people of Darwen, Blackburn and further afield to enjoy.
A huge marquee will be erected covering the majority of the market town square which will then house a stage with live acoustic music performers throughout the day, food vendors serving a range of different cuisines, and eight individual different brewing companies hosting a range of ciders, craft beers, ales, IPA's, and gins.
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