10 Fun Easter Activities to do with the Kids in Dorset and Hampshire 2018

It is just over a week until the kids break for the Easter holidays and this year I am busy putting together activities to keep the kids occupied over the two week break.
We plan on staying local this Easter and here are a list of the Top 10 things my kids want to do this Easter in Dorset and Hampshire.

Visit Thomas and Friends at the Watercress Line

Who doesn’t love the cheeky blue engine called Thomas and this Easter, ‘A Day Out With Thomas‘ is back at the Mid-Hants Railway Watercress Line, with new, exciting funfair rides and a unique, tasty food offering.

Thomas and friends will be at the Watercress Line from 30th March – 8th April, offering unlimited trips up and down the railway line behind Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, including Toad the Brake Van and Diesel. Kids will also get the chance to shake hands with the Fat Controller and take part in other free Thomas-themed activities at the Imagination Stations.

Tickets also include free fun-filled experiences at Ropley Station include Horton’s Steam Fair vintage swing boats and chair-o-plane rides, a Thomas-themed entertainer, the miniature railway and a story corner, with Thomas stories read by The Fat Controller and Rusty.

To top it all off, a huge variety of local delicacies with a unique twist are planned, including the Cookie Bar Bus; a vintage bus serving hot food, speciality teas, coffee, cookies, cakes and snacks, Broughton Water Buffalo, with its mouthwatering, gluten-free burgers and sausages and Fat Sam’s Ice Cream van will be providing delicious ice creams throughout the day at Alresford Station.

There is ‘Egg-citing’ things going on at Mighty Claws during Easter weekend
Are you brave enough to battle the Jurassic Coast’s most eggstraordinary dinosaur-themed adventure golf course this Easter? Battle your way past the roaring, near life-size Tyrannosaurus Rex, escape the clutches of the shrieking Velociraptors, brave the mighty waterfall and erupting volcano to win yourself a special dinosaur chocolate egg or treat at the Mighty Claws Adventure Golf, Riverside, Bournemouth.

All children under 12, who successfully hunt down the Easter eggs hidden around the 18-hole adventure golf course this Easter weekend (Friday 30th March – 2nd April inclusive), will receive their treat with the compliments of Truly, the endearing hero of the picture-book story behind the dinosaur- themed course, telling the story of a small group of lovable dinosaurs called The Mighty Claws. Truly the Troodon and her plucky band must defeat many larger, more fearsome enemies, to help save their kingdom.
The Highway Rat Trail at Moors Valley
The Forestry Commission have teamed with Magic Light pictures to launch The Highway Rat’ Activity Trails around the country, and we visited the one at Moors Valley Country Park earlier this year.

Visitors to the trail can explore and enjoy the world of their local woodland wildlife as they follow in the footsteps of a mischievous rodent intent on swiping the sweet treats of every creature he encounters, before heading further into the forest to complete the play trail (with some fab new play equipment, or finding the large play parks and light gauge railway in the other side of the park.

The Luxury of Motoring at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu

We are big fans of visiting Beaulieu, which has fun parks for the kids race around in, stunning grounds to explore and of course the National Motor Museum with the World of Top Gear and a world famous collection of over 250 cars, motorcycles and motoring related items.

The new Luxury of Motoring display includes a rare collection of 28 Lalique glass car mascots on show for the first time. There is also a glamorous selection of mainly Rolls-Royces with great back stories, such as the Wraith built for Beatles record producer Sir George Martin which includes a list of his Number One hits in the rear seats.

There will also be the chance to pick up your magnifying glass and put your detective skills to the test! as Beaulieu invites all visitors to explore nature’s wonders on their bird-themed Easter trail.
Join the National Trust for the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 2018
Every year we look forward to visiting National Trust properties to complete their Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts.

They offer the ultimate day out and often see you and the kids running through muddy woodlands, around mystical lakes and along nature trails collecting the clues with a final reward of a Cadbury Easter Egg at the end. There are over 250 hunts to choose from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Octonauts are back at Weymouth Sea Life Centre
Weymouth SEA LIFE are recruiting young ocean explorers to take part in an all-new, deep-sea adventure this Easter; Octonauts: Shark Mission, which runs from Friday, 30th March until Sunday, 15th April.

Join Captain Barnacles, Peso, Dashi, Shellington, Professor Inkling, Tweak, Kwazii and Tunip in a thrilling quest to uncover the secrets of the ocean’s most jaw-some predators.

Family Easter Fun at Lulworth Castle
Lulworth Castle is one of my favourite places to visit in Dorset. Not only is it the home of Camp Bestival. but it is also a stones throw from the beautiful Lulworth Cover and iconic Durdle Door.

Last year they staged their ‘Down the Rabbit Hole‘ event, inspired by the fantastical story of Alice in Wonderland and we loved joining in with all the activities including themed trails, Easter hunts, crafts, bouncy castle, soft play for under 4s, crazy golf and, of course, white rabbits and Easter Eggs and it was so popular, its back again this year.

Marwell Zoo Easter Egg Hunt
Marwell invites one and all to their traditional Easter egg hunt. The zoo challenges guests to find the giant golden egg after cracking a puzzle for a chance to win four tickets to their sunset safaris in the summer.

Children can also Meet the Easter Bunny from 30 March to 2 April, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m and visit their new Tropical House where you will be free to share the habitat and enjoy uninterrupted, close-up views of new, colourful and charismatic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects whilst learning about the flow of energy through life.
Visit Dippy who is visiting Dorset on his tour of the UK
Dippy, the infamous Diplodocus skeleton cast that once held centre stage at the Natural History Museum in London is currently on a natural history adventure across the UK. and can be found in the Victorian Hall at Dorset County Museum until 7th May.

Visit the Tank Museum and experience the biggest day out in history
With daily tank action displays at 1pm every weekday, starting on Friday 30 March with realistic lifelike explosions and expert commentary, you can learn how tanks have evolved and how they are used in battle in this action.

Are you brave enough to experience the thrill of riding in an M548 tracked vehicle, or do you fancy taking part in your very own battle recreation inside the museum?

With indoor and outdoor play areas too, the Tank Museum is a brilliant day out for all the family.
Have you got any plans for the Easter holidays?
 

• 2018
• beaulieu
• days out with kids
• dippy the dinosaur
• Dorset
• easter
• family fun
• hampshire
• lulworth
• marwell
• new forest
• sealife
• tank museum