Ways to Play: Easter Holiday Events and Activities

Take part in free and affordable family adventures at North East Museums during the Easter Holidays.  

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Families across the region can look forward to exciting, budget-friendly adventures at their favourite cultural attractions, thanks to Ways to Play - an ongoing collaboration between North East Museums and Tyne and Wear Metro. 
The popular Ways to Play programme invites children to get active, creative and imaginative with a variety of engaging, affordable experiences designed to make the school holidays memorable.  

This Easter, families can enjoy a varied programme of family events, from creative workshops to one-of-a-kind experiences, offering something to engage children of all ages. 
Highlights from Easters events programme include:  

• Stephenson Steam Railway’s Easter Eggspress 
• Gladiator Weekend at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort 
• Moving Parts Arts Puppetry events at Great North Museum: Hancock 

With rising costs affecting many households, the opportunity for families to make savings on travel costs makes visiting museums and galleries more affordable.  

Many North East Museums venues are easily accessible via Metro, Bus or Shields Ferry. During school holidays children under 11 can travel free on Tyne and Wear Metro, the Shields Ferry and buses when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.  

Ways to Play has won several awards, including the Best Arts and Business Partnership at the North East Culture Awards in 2022 and the Not-for-Profit Marketing Award at the North East Marketing Awards the same year. It was also shortlisted for Partnership of the Year at the Museum + Heritage Awards in 2023. 
Full events listings in Editor’s notes below.  

Easter Event Programme by venue:   

Discovery Museum: 

Discover a Story 

• Over Easter, little ones can listen to a story and then explore associated crafts and play experiences in Discovery Museum's new Tiny Tyneside area. These fun sessions encourage imagination, creativity and early learning. 

Tuesday 17 February | 11am - 2pm | Free, drop in | Tickets £3.50, book now 

Family Egg Drop Challenge 

• In this fun family challenge, groups need to work together to protect your chocolate egg, design your parachute and then dare to let go. You'll need to get cracking on a plan to land your egg safely.   

Tuesday 17 and Tuesday 24 February | Various times available | Join in for £2.50, book now 

Time Travel Club: Spring Crafts 

• Come along for joyful family crafting this Easter taking inspiration from beautifully colourful material from The National Archives.   

Thursday 9 + 16 April | Various times available | Free, drop in | Learn more 

Marble Mazes 

• Can you help deliver all the eggs to the bunny's basket? Roll the marbles through the LEGO™ maze to reach the basket at the end.   

Friday 10 April | Various times available | Free, booking required | Learn more 

K’Nex Creations 

• Get your thinking caps and busy fingers ready for this free family event designed to spark creativity and flex your problem solving skills. Using the construction toy K'Nex, we want you to create something, an invention, that can help people around the home. 

Friday 10 April | Various times available | Free, booking required | Learn more 
 
Great North Museum: Hancock: 

Viking Experience Day 

• Have you ever seen a crankie show before? Now's your chance! The Last Believer is the story of Mae, her love of Tyneside folklore, and her journey to the magical kingdom of Greckohog. Can she outrun the mysterious Wolfman who lurks in the shadows? The story is told on a unique two-metre high moving panorama called a 'crankie'. Expect original live music, puppetry and a bold adventure for the whole family. 

Wednesday 8 April - Saturday 11 April | Various times | Free, drop in | Learn more 

Mouse Tales - Storytime for under 5s and their families 

• Join us for an interactive story, songs, related playtime, and a special opportunity to handle a museum object. 

Tuesday 7, 14 April | 11-11.45am and 1-2pm | Free, booking required | Book your Mouse Tales session 

Time Odyssey: A Family Adventure 

• A new interactive learning experience which takes families on a quest through the museum. 

Tuesday 7, 14 April | Various times slots available | Free, booking required | Book your Time Odyssey 

Wind Garden Community Installation  

• Come and see the amazing work of 250 local residents, open daily between 4 to 12 April, who have created a kinetic installation inspired by the wind and the stories that connect us. 

Saturday 4 April - Sunday 12 April | During museum opening hours | Free, drop in | Book now 

Engraving Craft 

• Take part in a treasure engraving craft, be inspired by our new exhibition ‘Treasure: Hidden, Lost, Found’. 

Wednesday 15 April | 10am - 2pm | Free, booking required | Find out more

Toddler Trail 

• Big Beasts, Little Beasts is an interactive family trail that invites you to explore the museum and its collections with engaging activities, fun prizes, and more!  

Friday 24 April | 10am - 12 noon | Free, drop in | Learn more 

Shipley Art Gallery: 

Crafty Kids 

• In the spirit of the season, you will be taught by a professional artist to create your own spooky Halloween mask, using collage and card. 

Tuesday 21, 28 April | 10.30 - 11.30am | Tickets £3 | Book for Family Art Class 

Family Art Class 

• At each session you'll be taught by a professional artist, and will try different techniques such as watercolours, ceramics, mixed media, drawing and more. Accompanying adults are encouraged to join in - the class is a great opportunity for families to enjoy creative time together. 

Saturday 18 April | 10.30am -12 noon, 1 - 2.30pm | Tickets £4.50 | Find out more and book 

Family Crafting 

• Join us on Tuesdays in the Easter holidays to create springtime crafts. 

Tuesday 7, 14 April | 10.30 - 11.45am | Tickets £3 | Find out more 

Lego Coding Workshop 

• Use Lego and plastic components to build a model, then programme it using an iPad. Using Scratch block coding, you’ll be able to make your model move, make noise, light up, play music, and more. You’ll learn coding, digital literacy, problem solving, and critical thinking – all through play! 

Wednesday 8, 15 April | 12.30 - 2pm | Tickets £10 | Book Lego Coding Workshop 

Holiday Art Class 

• In this class you'll learn artistic techniques and work on a finished piece to take home. Each session has a different theme. Accompanying adults are encouraged to join in - the class is a great opportunity for families to enjoy creative time together.   

Thursday 9, 16 April | 10.30am -12 noon, 1 - 2.30pm | Tickets £4.50 | Book for Family Art Class 

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery:

Design a Beetle Suncatcher  

• Visit our sun beetles in Creature Corner and make a sun beetle sun catcher to hang in your window. Whilst you're in the museum, why not pop down to creature corner and say hello to our other residents.  

Tuesday 7 April | 11am - 12.30pm and 1pm-3pm | Free, drop in | Find out more 

Animal Handling Session 

• Join us for an exciting animal handling and interaction session, where you can meet amazing creatures, learn fascinating facts, and enjoy hands-on crafty fun!  

Thursday 9,16 April | 11am - 12.30pm and 1pm-3pm | Free, booking essential | Find out more 

Nature Art Session 

• Join us for an exciting animal handling and interaction session, where you can meet amazing creatures, learn fascinating facts, and enjoy hands-on crafty fun! 

Thursday 9,16 April | 11am - 12.30pm and 1pm-3pm | Free, drop in | Find out more 

Stephenson Steam Railway:  

Easter Eggspress 

• Take a nostalgic journey with a four-mile return trip along the historic route once taken by coal trains from the collieries to the River Tyne. Step back in time as you travel in a vintage 1950s passenger carriage and soak up the sights and sounds of a bygone era 

Sunday 5 and Monday 6 April | 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm | Tickets £7 | Book your space 

Heritage Train Rides 

• Take a nostalgic journey with a four-mile return trip along the historic route once taken by coal trains from the collieries to the River Tyne. Step back in time as you travel in a vintage 1950s passenger carriage and soak up the sights and sounds of a bygone era. 

Friday 3, Thursday 9, Thursday 16 April | 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm | Tickets £7 | Book for Heritage Train Rides 

Easter Mask Making 

• Make and design your own Easter Mask. Whilst you're here, take part in our Easter trail - explore our museum and woodland walk to find the hidden Easter eggs. 

Thursday 19 February | 11am - 3pm | Free, drop in | Find out more 

Bio Blitz 

• Join members of our learning team and members from the Environment Record Information Centre (ERIC) to find and record as many species of plants, animals and fungi that live on our site. Create your own train or nature inspire sticky picture by collecting natural materials from our site and creating a piece of artwork. 

Thursday 16 April | 11am - 3pm | Free, drop in | Find out more 

Coal Train Day 

• Make and design your own Easter Mask. Whilst you're here, take part in our Easter trail - explore our museum and woodland walk to find the hidden Easter eggs. 

Sunday 26 April | 11am - 3pm | Free, drop in | Find out more 

Woodhorn Museum:  

Easter Bunny Visits  

• The Easter Bunny will be visiting Woodhorn Museum from Good Friday through to Easter Monday. If you find the Bunny during your visit, you'll be rewarded with a small sweet treat. 

Woodhorn Museum | Friday 3 April - Monday 6 April | Included with Annual Pass | Find out more 

Early Years Storytime Group 

• The museum’s popular Early Years Storytime Group gives families and carers with pre-school children the opportunity to meet regularly throughout the year. Join the team every Friday (during term time) to read a story together and take part in a hands-on activity. 

Woodhorn Museum | Friday 24 April | Included with Annual Pass | Find out more 

Chocolate Workshops 

• Discover the history of chocolate, learn how it’s made, and taste a variety of chocolates along the way. Then get hands-on and create your own delicious chocolates to enjoy on the spot or take home to share. 

Woodhorn Museum | Friday 10, 17 April | Tickets £5 | Find out more 

Ceramic Heart Making Workshop 

• Come and decorate your very own ceramic heart to take home. This activity celebrates the spring bloom of the Heart of Woodhorn – thousands of daffodils planted in the shape of a giant heart on the museum grounds. 

Woodhorn Museum | Saturday 14 – Saturday 22 February | Included with Annual Pass | Find out more 

Early Years Storytime Group 

• The museum’s popular Early Years Storytime Group gives families and carers with pre-school children the opportunity to meet regularly throughout the year. Join the team every Friday (during term time) to read a story together and take part in a hands-on activity. 

Woodhorn Museum | Friday 3 - Sunday 19 April | Included with Annual Pass | Find out more 
 
Segedunum Roman Fort:  

Living History Day 

• During this easter holiday family event, kids and grown ups can try on armour, helmets and equipment, handle the weaponry of the Roman Legionary or British warrior, see what life might have been like in Roman occupied Britain, and try throwing spears at your enemy. 

Segedunum Roman Fort | Monday 13 April | Free, drop in | 11am – 3pm | Find out more  

Step Outdoors – Stay and Play 

• Come down to the Fort for free, fun, and inclusive activities for children under five and their parents or carers, with exciting outdoor play, cosy indoor spaces, free refreshments, and the chance to meet other local families. 

Segedunum Roman Fort | 15, 30 April | Free, drop in | 11am – 3pm | Find out more 

Make a Spring Crown 

• Join us for this fun, hands‑on activity for kids during the Easter holidays. Explore our historic fort site and gather natural materials; twigs, leaves, feathers, and more then use them to design and decorate your Spring Crown. 

Segedunum Roman Fort | Monday 6 April | Free, drop in | 11am – 3pm | Find out more 
 
Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort: 

Gladiator Weekend 

• Immerse yourself in a Roman encampment, explore living history demonstrations, try your hand at traditional crafts like clay work, leather stamping, and candle making (small fees apply), and chat with some of the re-enactors resident at the fort for the weekend. 

Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort | Friday 3 – Monday 6 April | Free, drop in | 11am – 3pm | Find out more 

Family Craft Sessions 

• Immerse yourself in a Roman encampment, explore living history demonstrations, try your hand at traditional crafts like clay work, leather stamping, and candle making (small fees apply), and chat with some of the re-enactors resident at the fort for the weekend. 

Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort | Wednesday 8, 15 April | Free, drop in | 11am – 3pm | Find out more 

Laing Art Gallery: 

Saturday Art Class (10-15 year-olds) 

• An inclusive art class held on the first Saturday of every month for 10-15 year olds.  

Participants will have the opportunity to work with professional art educators, working in a different medium or with a different technique each month. 
Saturday 4 April |10.30 - 11.30am | Tickets £7 | Book your space 

Art Camp (7-10 year-olds) 

• Young people are welcome to explore the galleries, talk about art, and create their own work in sessions led by a professional arts educator. Experiment with materials, learn new skills, and create a dynamic set of works in the Laing's Art Studio. 

Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8, Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 April | 10am - 3pm | £35 per day | Book your space 

Make and Muse Family Crafting (7-12 year-olds) 

• Make and Muse takes place in the Laing’s unique gallery setting. Parents and kids will learn about art surrounded by our collections, then enjoy a dynamic craft activity in the exhibition space. 

Thursday 9, 16 April | 10am - 12 noon and 1 - 3pm | Tickets £7 | Book your space