I have really happy memories of Easter as a kid. We would often go to Norway (my step mother is Norwegian) and spend time in the mountains, with the Norwegian family, doing Easter activities. The highlight of the activities was the Easter Competition (Påskekonkurranse) which was series of challenges, which included an assult course on skis, a ski jump competition (over a tiny snow jump made in my step grandparents garden), a memory tray and Easter egg decorating. The winner would win a certificate and small trophy. Great memories.
With the school Easter holidays about to start, and Easter coming up, we thought we would share a few Easter holiday activities ideas to keep the kids entertained and, if they are anything like mine, off their tablets or games consoles!
Make Coloured Hard Boiled Eggs
Colouring eggs takes me back to the Easters of my childhood and they look so pretty displayed at Easter, you can also blow out and decorated eggs (see the link under the Easter Tree section).
- Gently place eggs in single layer in large saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover eggs by 1 inch and cover. Bring just to boil on high heat. Remove from heat. Let stand 12 minutes. (Adjust time up or down by 3 minutes for each size larger or smaller).
- Pour off hot water and rapidly cool eggs by running them under cold water (or place in ice water) until completely cooled.
- Mix 1/2 cup boiling water, 1 teaspoon vinegar and 10 to 20 drops food colour in a cup to achieve desired colours. Repeat for each colour. Dip hard-cooked eggs in dye for about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon, wire egg holder or tongs to add and remove eggs from dye. Allow eggs to dry.
Visit a Lambing Farm
It is lambing season and open lambing takes place at many farms around the country where you can see lambs being born and maybe cuddle an orphan lamb. Check the internet to find a farm near you and get back to nature. Try the following link or do an internet search to find a lambing farm near you. https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/where-to-watch-lambing/
Easter Planting
- We love the idea of drawing a face on an empty empty egg shell, filling with a little compost and planting a few herb or cress seeds and letting the herbs grow as hair. Don’t forget to keep moist but don’t over water.
- Check out the following website for other great Easter planting ideas to do with the kids. https://www.thejoyofplants.co.uk/easter-plant-growing-projects-kids.
Easter Egg Hunt
Either plan your own Easter Egg hunt or why not join an Easter Egg hunt at your nearest National Trust property. Visit the National Trust website to find an Easter Egg hunt near you.
Make an Easter Tree
I still make an Easter Tree every year and it makes a great centre piece for an Easter table.
- Gather a selection of small branches, I tend to prune small blossom laden branches from trees or shrubs in our garden, but you can just collect fallen small branches and use those. I tend to use Forsythia branches with its yellow flowers or small Prunes (cherry) tree branches with its delicate pink blossom.
- Put these branches in a tall vase and fill the bottom of the vase with sand or small stones to support the tree.
- Decorate the branches with small shop bought decorations or make your own. Traditionally Easter trees were decorated with blown eggs and follow this link to make your own. https://ourbestbites.com/how-to-make-blown-egg-ornaments/
Easter Baking
Last but not least, why not do some Easter baking? We’ve got a fantastic range of Easter themed baking activities including a Gingerbread Easter Bunny Baking Kit, a Gingerbread ‘Happy Spring’ Baking Kit (which is great for those who don’t celebrate Easter but still want to get involved in the spring half term activities), and a scrummy pancake mix with a unique twist on the classic Easter treat, hot cross buns!
You could also follow the Chocolate Fudge Easter Cupcake recipe on our blog or check out the internet or cookery books for Easter bakes. There are loads of great ideas on the BBC Good Food website.
