THE two-week Easter holidays are nearly here. Time to make some plans beyond secretly snaffling the kids' chocolate and counting the days till school starts back. Here we've rounded up some of the best Easter activities for families in or near Manchester.

If you're also interested in child-free days out, check out What’s on this Easter: nights out and days out with friends. And head over to Confidential Guides for loads of inspiration for places to go in Manchester, Liverpool and the North West this Easter break.

Peter Rabbit Family Fun Day

East Lancashire Railway

Meet the mischievous Peter Rabbit and take a ride on a heritage steam or diesel train through the scenic Irwell Valley. There’ll also be fairground rides for toddlers, face-painting and craft activities. Find out more.

2024 03 19 Easter Whats On Motley Sunday Roast Dinner — **Book into Motley for Easter Sunday for a roast dinner and a film screening for the kids** Image: Motley

Kids Cinema Club

Motley Manchester

Free kids menu then screening of Moana in the plush karaoke room while the adults enjoy a roast dinner with all the trimmings (£22 including dessert) with a free bottle of prosecco per table of four adults. 31 March. Book now.

Banner Bonanza

People’s History Museum

See the 2024 Banner Exhibition and take part in the project to create two huge new banners for Manchester. There’s also games of Banner Snap and Banner Bingo, and the cafe will be open with lots of family-friendly options. 29 March to 12 April. Find out more.

Giant Egg Hunt

RHS Bridgewater

Hunt down the giant eggs at RHS Garden Bridgewater and be rewarded by a free vegan chocolatey treat. There’s also craft activities, storytelling, a bird spotter trail and family outdoor theatre fun. 29 Mar-14 April. Find out more.

2024 03 19 Easter Whats On 8 — **Meet the Easter Bunny and take a tour of Concorde at Runway Visitor Centre** Image: Runway Visitor Centre

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Runway Visitor Park

Have breakfast underneath the wings of Concorde with the Easter Bunny (could your weekend get any more surreal?) then take a tour of the iconic Concorde aircraft before helping Easter Bunny design a Concorde-inspired Easter Egg. 31 March and 1 April. Find out more.

2024 03 19 Easter Whats On 9 — **Follow the Sean the Sheep sculpture trail at Tatton Park** Image: Tatton Park

Sean the Sheep Arts Trail

Tatton Park

Follow the trail through the gardens to find 12 super-sized Shaun the Sheep sculptures. Sean will be there in person on 1 April (no, really). And there’ll be an Easter market and chocolate trails over the Easter weekend. There’s also a family silent disco in the mansion (30 March) and it’s lambing week at the farm from 5-12 April. Find out more.

Easter Holiday Welcome Wednesdays

Victoria Baths

Spring-themed crafts and a Spot the Egg trail, plus the regular Pineapple Room play area for little ones, and the Miles of Tiles discovery activity. 3 April and 10 April. Find out more.

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