Rainy day activities with kids over the Easter Holidays

Published: 30th March 2024

It's fair to say the weather is a bit up and down for the foreseeable, and that’s tough when you have kids off school!

Here are a few things on the website that may help you out:

The Things To Do section is packed with lots of ideas and even better, you can filter by ‘Indoors’!
It’s not too late to book a Holiday Club over the next few days- many are indoors.
Indoor soft play can be heaven or hell, but when it comes to wet weather, sometimes you’ve just got to brave it!
Museums are a great place to stay dry and learn fun facts, even better many of them are also free.
- North Hertfordshire Museum and British Schools Museum both have craft activities this week (check out the Half Term guide here) and further afield, a favourite of ours is The Royal Air Force Museum London in Hendon (Tried and Tested review of a past visit here)
Pop in to your local library and borrow some books for a cosy indoor reading session. Many local libraries also have free or low cost events on this half term.
Catch a film or book a show- there are some shows in the Half Term Guide, plus film screenings at Broadway Cinema & Theatre- their Kids Club films are just £1.75 per person!
The Food and Drink section has lots of pubs, cafés and restaurants where you can stay dry and grab a drink, meal or snack.
On the Herts County council website there’s a list of places where kids eat for free or £1 during the holidays. Check it out here.
We’re lucky to have a number of local cafés with play areas/toys such as Mama Baby Play, Cafe at The Museum and Little Rascals Children's Indoor Play and Party Centre in Hitchin, plus Belisily in Letchworth and Amaz-Ballz in Baldock. Not forgetting a pub with soft play: The Angels - Hitchin, so the kids can play while you relax.

Plus all of these events on the Easter Holidays guide are indoors:

Hitchin, Letchworth, Stotfold and Surrounding Villages Events

Easter Family Fun with The Herts Family Centres
FREE Drop In for registered families
Tues 2nd April 2024 1-2:30pm - Easter Messy Play at Oughton Family Centre, Hitchin
Weds 10th April 2024 10-11:30am - Easter Messy Play (outside event) at Broadwater Family Centre, Stevenage
Thurs 11th April 2024 10-11:30am - Easter Activities at Chestnut Tree Family Centre, Letchworth
These sessions are mainly aimed at children under 8, however there are some activities to engage your older children if they would like to attend with you. Please note the Stevenage event is outdoors.

The Magic Violin at Hitchin Library
Fri 12th April 2024 2pm
LOW COST - £5 per person
The Magic Violin: a joyous journey into Balkan music and stories. This is a sparkling collaboration between writer and performer Sally Pomme Clayton and musician and composer Gundula Stojanova Gruen and her band The Magic Violin Trio. Whirling music and songs weave through sparkling spoken word. Listen, join in with a song, tap your feet to a simple dance, and enter a fairytale world where the animals talk and wishes come true. We're very excited to be hosting a performance of The Magic Violin here at Hitchin Library during the Easter Holidays - book your tickets now to join us at 2pm on Friday 12th April for this sparkling collaboration of Balkan music and stories. Suitable for all ages, it will be a captivating afternoon!
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bsm easter
Easter Holidays Craft Days at the British Schools Museum, Hitchin
Tue 2nd - Thu 4th April 2024 and Tues 9th – Thurs 11th April 2024 10am - 12pm
Located in our historical Monitorial Schoolroom, have the opportunity to join in a flexible drop-in drop-out morning session from 10:00 - 12:00 to work with up to three artistic craft activities. From egg baubles to pop-up Bunny puppets, Bunny baskets for collecting your eggs, to spring lamb art, there's something for everyone!
The Café at the museum will also be open for activities, hot drinks, snacks, food and play.
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Storytime and Crafts at Next Page Books, Hitchin
Sat March 30th, April 6th and 13th 2:30pm
FREE
We run these at the shop on Saturday afternoons at 2:30pm.
No need to book, just come along. We will read one or more stories and either make a simple craft or run an activity like singing or parachute or a game.
All very relaxed and informal, all ages welcome but ideally suited to the very young - pre school - children.
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nhm easter tea
Easter Afternoon Tea at The North Hertfordshire Museum, Hitchin
Tue 26th March 2024 - Sun 14th April 2024 - Various dates (see website for details) (closed Mondays)
Hop on down and treat yourself this Easter holiday to our seasonal Easter Afternoon Tea! We'll be serving an array of delicious sandwiches, cakes, and scones with a variety of scrumptious fillings.
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Easter Family Pottery Classes
Thu 4th, Mon 8th and Fri 12th April 2024
Join us in a fun family class learning to make animal pots . Choose to use air drying clay, add a fun throwing taster on the wheel and paint your creations for firing in our kiln. A fun and creative experience not to be missed! Great for all ages, adults and children.
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Easter Classes with The Signing Company in Hitchin and Letchworth
Easter Theme - 3rd April at the Signing Rooms, Hitchin by Louise
Space Theme - 11th April at Mrs Howard Memorial Halls, Letchworth by Becky
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Easter Events at Fabio's, Hitchin
Tues 2nd April 10-11am and 11:30am-12:30pm- Safari Stu Animal Encounter
Thurs 11th April 10am-12pm - Easter Event 3-5 year olds
Thurs 11th April 2-4pm - Easter Event 5 year olds+
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ARTventurers Peter Rabbit inspired holiday session at Fairfield Community Hall
Thu 11th April 2024 10.30-11.30am
Peter Rabbit inspired Holiday session. We will have lots of painty, arty fun, exploring different art techniques while creating keepsakes and making messy memories together. Suitable for ages 6m - 7yrs.
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Bricks and Bakes at Henlow Pavillion
Wed 10th April 2024 - Thu 11th April 2024 10.00 -15.00
Come and joins to borrow and build one of our many lego sets, whilst enjoying home-made bakes, and a drink or two. We have all the Bricks and Bakes ready for you to enjoy! Join us for an hour (or more) to borrow and build one of our many Lego sets, whilst enjoying home-made Bakes, and a drink or two. Buy your ticket for the length of time you would like to build with us, and whilst you're here you can choose whether to concentrate on one must have set, or try your hand with a few (the only rule is one at a time!). If you would like to comfortably be able to complete a medium sized set we suggest booking 2 hours or more.
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April Family Arts at Broadway Gallery, Letchworth
Sat 13th April 2024 10am and 11am
LOW COST - Free or pay what you can
Join us on the second Saturday of the month for a fun filled family workshops led by local creatives. We recommend these sessions for 3-10 year olds and kindly ask for parents and guardians to supervise their children at all times. For more information on the individual sessions please call the gallery at 01462 476110. £0-12 based on what you can pay.
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Creepy Critters at Standalone Farm, Letchworth
Mon 8th April 2024 - Fri 12th April 2024
World renowned animal wrangler Mark Amey is back with a fact-filled demonstration showcasing amazing wildlife from across the globe. With everything from creepy crawlies to reptiles and cute but not-so-cuddly fluffy animals, this fascinating show will let you get up close to lots of creepy critters.
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Creative Chefs Easter Session at Cooks Boutique, Letchworth
Thurs April 11th 10-11:15am and 1:30 - 2:45pm
Come and join Angie at Creative Chefs for some family cooking fun. Your chef will be making pizza and a child friendly Easter tiramasu.
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Easter Kids Club at Broadway Cinema, Letchworth
Sat 30th March 2024 - Sun 14th April 2024
LOW COST - £1.75 per person
Kids Club screenings for just £1.75 per person!
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Frozen Jr Musical at St Christopher School Theatre, Letchworth
Thu 11th April 2024 - Sat 13th April 2024 7.00pm
KatsAct is a not for profit local drama group providing acting, singing and dancing sessions for children and young adults. We meet at Arlesey Youth Centre on Sundays and are proud to be fully inclusive to everyone - regardless of disability, gender or person. All abilities are welcome. Our awesome children are working hard for our productions which are being held at St Christopher School Theatre, Letchworth during the Easter holidays. Our older KatsAct juniors and seniors groups are excited to perform the musical Frozen Jr. The popular West End musical promises to be a very enjoyable show for families. Shows are on Thursday 11th April and Friday 12th April at 7.00pm, and on Saturday 13th April at 2.45pm and 7.00pm.
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Easter Workshop - Made With Clay Sessions at Vasanta Hall, Letchworth
Wed 10th April 2024 10am - 1.30pm
A group hand building workshop for children this Easter run by Made with Clay Studio in combination with Love Letchworth. Children will make and decorate their own clay pieces under the guidance of our tutors at Made with Clay. This is a children-only event, for ages 7+. No experience necessary. Booking essential. Numbers limited. £5 each.
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Nearby (within 40 mins’ drive)

Hippity Hop Rave by Lindy Lou's at Stevenage Lytton Players
Thu 11th and Fri 12th April 2024 - 3 sessions
Our Easter Bunny can't WAIT to meet you and give you your special gift! With classes for 3 months up to 5yrs, these gorgeous party sessions are an event NOT to be missed!
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House and home at Royston Museum
LOW COST (£3 per child, free for Friends of Royston Museum)
Fri 29th March 2024 - Sun 14th April 2024 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)
Explore what helps to make a house a home this Easter holiday at Royston Museum. With crafts, hands-on activities and our new interactive family show there's something for everyone to enjoy. See our website for full details.
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Easter Crafts at Hobbycraft in Biggleswade, Stevenage and Luton
Throughout the Easter Holidays
LOW COST (FROM £4 PER CHILD)
There are lots of Easter craft sessions going on during March and April. Choose from:
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Family Activities @ IWM Duxford
Fri 29th March 2024 - Sun 14th April 2024 10am - 3pm
There's plenty of fun to be had at IWM Duxford this February half term. This winter, dive into the science behind cameras as you take on the role of a Photo Interpreter. Find out what it takes to take secret photos from up high in the sky! You'll take part in exciting missions and explore how light and reflection make a camera work. You'll discover how the Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) spied on their enemies from the air in their daring missions deep inside enemy lines. Finally, you'll use your new skills to design and build your own pinhole viewer worthy of an PRU operation!
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The Three Bears at Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton
Wed 10th April 2024 11:30am & 2pm
Deep in the forest live Mammy, Daddy and Baby Bear. Each day the Three Bears head into the woods to collect interesting things to re-use in their home. Soon their cosy house is turned upside down by a colourful whirlwind that threatens to sit in their chairs, eat their porridge and sleep in their beds. It's Goldilocks! Bring your bears and join us for an adventure in the woods, with original music, puppets and a tale you thought you knew. A friendly and fun theatre experience for children aged 6 and under and their grown-ups.
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Dogs Don't Do Ballet at Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton
Sat 13th April 2024 11:30am & 2pm
Biff is not like ordinary dogs. He likes moonlight. And music. And walking on his tiptoes.
You see, Biff doesn't think he's a dog, Biff thinks he's a ballerina...
The sublime and the ridiculous combine in this hilarious story of a small dog with a big personality and even bigger dreams, brought to life using beautiful puppets, well-loved ballet music and dazzling comedy. This play is based on the original book Dogs Don't Do Ballet © 2010 text by Anna Kemp, illustrations by Sara Ogilvie. First published in the United Kingdom by Simon and Schuster UK Ltd.
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Further Afield

Puss in Boots Easter Panto at The Spotlight, Hoddesdon
Thu 28th March 2024 - Wed 10th April 2024
As Colin is left facing a future on the streets of Broxbonia, he receives news of his inheritance, his father's old tabby cat, affectionately known as 'Puss'. How will Colin ever win the heart of Princess Alice? Will Queen Doris believe that Colin is 'the one' for her daughter? Will Igor the Ogre's henchman scupper Puss's plans for his master? Join us for the purr-fect Easter Pantomime.
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Egg Hunt Trail Natural History Museum at Tring
Fri 29th March 2024 - Sun 14th April 2024 (closed Mondays)
LOW COST - £1 PER TRAIL
We've hidden 12 eggs around our galleries. Along the way, discover what egg-laying animals we have on display and test your knowledge by answering our egg hunt trail questions. Suitable for ages 5+.
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Space, Race and Fly RAF Museum London
Fri 29th March 2024 - Sun 14th April 2024 11.00am, 1.00pm & 2.30pm
Join us this Easter Holiday for Space, Race and Fly! From a mobile planetarium to have-a-go activities and drone racing, there is so much to excite and thrill at the RAF Museum London this Easter. Put your engineering and scientific thrills to the test and soar! Dates for different activities vary. Entry to the museum is free, but there is a charge for additional activities and booking for these is required.
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