Easter is a lovely time to be with family. And if you’ve got grandchildren visiting, it helps to have a few simple ideas ready to keep them busy, especially when the weather can’t quite make up its mind!
Whether it’s sunny enough for the garden or pouring outside, there are plenty of easy ways to make the day feel fun without overcomplicating it.
Here are four Easter activities to try over the holidays.
An Easter egg hunt is a classic for a reason. It gets everyone involved and works just as well indoors as it does outside.
You do not need a huge garden or lots of planning. A few clues, a handful of hiding places and some chocolate are usually enough to get things going. If the grandchildren are older, you can make it a bit trickier. If they’re younger, keep it simple and let the fun come from the excitement of the search.
You could even get them involved in setting it up for someone else. That way, the activity lasts a little longer and everyone gets a turn.
If the weather’s kind, make the most of it.
A short walk, a trip to the park or even some time in the garden can be enough to keep children entertained. Spring is full of things to spot, from flowers coming up to birds, bugs and new lambs in nearby fields.
You could turn it into a little challenge by seeing who can spot the first daffodil, the most birds, or the tiniest bug. If you’d rather keep it local, even a gentle walk around the neighbourhood can do the job.
Fresh air, a bit of movement and something to look at usually go a long way.
If it’s wet outside, baking is a good way to fill an afternoon.
It can be messy, but that’s often half the fun. Simple recipes usually work best, especially with younger children. Chocolate nest cakes, Easter biscuits or decorated cupcakes are all easy enough to do together without too much stress.
And once everything’s made, you’ve got something nice to share over a cup of tea afterwards.
If you’re baking with little ones, it helps to focus less on getting everything perfect and more on letting them stir, decorate and enjoy themselves.
Crafts are always handy when you want something calm, creative and easy to do indoors. You do not need loads of materials either. Paper, glue, crayons, paint and a few bits from the cupboard can go a long way.
Here are a few ideas that work well:
Create a flamboyant Easter bonnet: Dig out those old hats! This is the perfect way to recycle a hat that has seen better days. Whether it's a sunhat or a baseball cap, the potential is endless. If you don't have an old hat then many supermarkets sell inexpensive ones just for this purpose! You can even create a catwalk ‘parade’ in the living room for a fun way to show off what's been painstakingly created.
Craft fluffy pom-pom chicks: Creating these cute woollen chicks is really fun and easy, perfect for little kids! For simple guidance on how to make these and over thirty other crafty creations for children of all ages, check out these handy suggestions from netmums.com.
Decorate and paint Easter eggs: Create beautiful hard boiled eggs. From painted to marbled, there are lots of decorative effects to try. Check out these suggestions and step-by-step guides from Country Living magazine for creating a masterpiece for your dining table.
Enjoy fantasy drawing or colouring in: If you're looking for a quiet afternoon then a colouring book is a great idea. Whether it's paints or felt tips, a few images can give you, and the children, hours of entertainment. If you don't have any colouring books, you can find free printables online to download and print, from these cute Easter bunnies to this incredible range from Crayola.
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