What's on at North East Museums
Make memories this Easter: 11 fun activities for kids in North East England
Whether you’re planning a fun family day out, searching for creative workshops for the kids, or simply looking for something different to do during the school holidays, here’s our ultimate guide of things to do over Easter - and yes, some do include chocolate!
The Easter holidays are from 3-19 April 2026. TOP TIP: Some museums are not open on Bank Holidays so always check before travelling!
Your guide to the best low-cost and free family days out this Easter
- Take a train ride on the Easter Eggspress at Stephenson Steam Railway
- Make your own chocolates at Woodhorn Museum
- Watch a gladiator combat display at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort
- Meet some friendly animals at South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
- Watch a crankie puppet show on the lawn at Great North Museum: Hancock
- Build and code a LEGO® model at Shipley Art Gallery
- Join the Art Camp at Laing Art Gallery
- Learn how to live like a Roman at Segedunum Roman Fort
- Make a spring wildlife bonnet at Hexham Old Gaol
- Enjoy storytime and crafts at Discovery Museum
- Create a spring artwork at Hatton Gallery
1. Take a train ride on the Easter Eggspress
There’s no better way to spend the Easter weekend in the North East than by enjoying a heritage train ride, hunting for Easter eggs and spending quality time outdoors with friends and family.
Climb aboard, take part in a fun Easter egg hunt and enjoy a relaxing journey along the historic railway, whilst making the most of springtime outdoors in North Tyneside.
Easter Eggspress | Stephenson Steam Railway | North Shields | Sunday 5 and Monday 6 April | tickets from £7
2. Make your own chocolates
Looking for an Easter holiday activity in Northumberland that is both fun and delicious? This chocolate-making workshop is the perfect family-friendly Easter activity for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Discover the fascinating history of chocolate, learn how chocolate is made from bean to bar, and sample a variety of tasty chocolates.
3. Watch a gladiator combat display
While this event isn’t strictly Easter-themed, it’s a fantastic family day out during the Easter holidays that transports you back to the time of Roman Britain.
Step into a Roman encampment experience and immerse yourself in living history at a Roman fort, where you can explore demonstrations, meet knowledgeable re-enactors and discover what life was like for Roman soldiers and civilians.
Try your hand at traditional Roman crafts, including clay work, leather stamping and candle making.
4. Meet some friendly animals
If you're searching for something to do in South Shields this Easter, you'll love this! Join the hosts of Science Buddies for an animal handling and interaction session, perfect for young explorers and children aged 4+.
Get up close with interesting animals and insects, and discover fascinating wildlife facts, as well as trying a fun craft.
5. Watch a crankie puppet show
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.
6. Build and code a LEGO® model
This one is sure to please kids who love tech and love building things! Use LEGO® and plastic components to build a model, then programme it using an iPad.
With Scratch block coding, they’ll be able to make their model move, make noise, light up, and play music.
7. Join the Art Camp
Looking for Easter holiday art activities in the North East?
At the Laing's art camp, kids will explore the exhibitions, discuss art, and create their own artworks in hands-on sessions led by professional arts educators.
8. Learn how to live like a Roman
Children and their grown-ups can try on Roman and British warrior armour, helmets, and equipment. You can handle authentic weaponry and even try throwing spears like a Roman soldier.
Explore what daily life was like in Roman-occupied Britain through a range of hands-on artefacts, including both military and civilian items, giving families a truly immersive historical experience.
9. Make a spring wildlife bonnet
During the Easter holidays, bring the whole family along to create your own spring-themed headwear at the Old Gaol.
You can choose to make hare or bunny ears, velvety deer antlers, or even design your own unique Easter bonnet. Once decorated with colourful spring blooms, wear your handmade Easter headwear and head out on the Hare Trail, spotting all the hidden hares around the museum.
10. Enjoy storytime and crafts
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.
11. Create a spring artwork
Depending on which day you drop in, you can create a collage based on the colours, plants and birds of spring or create your own artwork based on birds, flowers insects and animals.
A great way to get creative and be inspired by the changing seasons.
Even more ideas!
- See the new Treasure exhibition at Great North Museum: Hancock (Daily. Free)
- Take a heritage train ride at Stephenson Steam Railway (3, 9, 16 April. Charge applies)
- Find the Easter Bunny at Woodhorn Museum (3, 4, 5, 6 April. Included with Annual Pass)
- Make a Spring Crown at Segedunum Roman Fort (6 April. Free for children)
- Enjoy a Relaxed Early Opening at Great North Museum: Hancock (7, 14 April. Free but you need to book ahead)
- Enjoy Mouse Tales at Great North Museum: Hancock (7, 14 April. Free but you need to book ahead)
- Try the Time Odyssey family adventure at Great North Museum: Hancock (7, 14 April. Free but you need to book ahead)
- Enjoy a Family Crafting session at Shipley Art Gallery (7, 14 April. £3+BF. You need to book ahead)
- Design a Beetle Suncatcher at South Shields Museum & Art Gallery (7 April. Free)
- Enjoy a Family Craft session at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort (8, 15 April. Free)
- Join a Family Crafting Tour at Laing Art Gallery (9, 16 April. £7+BF. You need to book ahead)
- Attend a Young People's Art Workshop at Hatton Gallery (9, 16 April. Free)
- Make an Easter mask at Stephenson Steam Railway (9 April. Free)
- Attend a Holiday Art Class at Shipley Art Gallery (9, 16 April. £4.50+BF. You need to book ahead)
- Enjoy the Art Cart at Hatton Gallery (3-11 April. Free)
- See the Community Wind Garden installation at Great North Museum: Hancock (4-12 April. Free)
- Write a Roman Diploma at Segedunum Roman Fort (13 April. Free for children)
- Make some Nature Art at South Shields Museum & Art Gallery (14 April. Free)
- Stay and Play at Segedunum Roman Fort (15 April. Free. You need to book ahead)
- Make an Engraving Craft at Great North Museum: Hancock (15 April. Free)
- Go on a Bio-Blitz at Stephenson Steam Railway (16 April. Free)
- Decorate a Ceramic Heart at Woodhorn Museum (3-19 April. Included with Annual Pass)
A great value day out with Tyne & Wear Metro
Our Easter holiday events are part of our Ways to Play programme of free and low-cost family-friendly activities.
Make your Ways to Play adventure a great value day out by travelling to our venues by the Metro and/or Ferry. Up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free on the Metro and the Shields Ferry with a fare-paying adult. Metro is the convenient, fast and frequent way to get to your favourite attractions and now it's even more affordable.
To find out more about kids go free on the Metro, visit the Nexus website.
Ways to Play is sponsored by Tyne and Wear Metro.
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