Ten family events in Hampshire this Easter holidays

From egg hunts to farmyard fun and from canoeing to drama, here's our pick of ten of the best things to do to entertain your little Easter bunnies.

At Beaulieu...

Hop, skip and jump into Easter at Beaulieu, where history comes to life between April 1 to 16. Meet colourful characters, see historic vehicles and spot the famous Easter Bunny in flower-filled grounds over Easter Weekend, where you’ll find traditional outdoor games for the whole family to enjoy!

With spectacular vehicles in daily motoring parades, Chitty rides, Living History characters and the last chance to see the Story of Motoring in 50 Objects exhibition before it ends, explore the National Motor Museum, with its vast collection of over 285 vehicles.

Little visitors should keep their eyes peeled for ‘Rabbits in the Headlights’ – a fun Easter trail hidden amongst the museum’s cars.

In Southampton...

The Easter Bunny has hidden colourful Easter egg designs in shop windows for children, and adults alike, to hop around the streets of Southampton and find all 15 eggs in return for a prize.

The free family walking trail, organised by the city’s BID team GO! Southampton, offers an ‘egg-citing’ hunt around Bedford Place, Carlton Place, and London Road from April 1 to 16.

Participants can download a trail map to record their Easter egg discoveries, or collect a free copy from The Marlands Shopping Centre, MAST Mayflower Studios, Mexigo, or at W.J. French & Son.

Once completed, egg hunters can hand the map in to W.J. French & Son on Bedford Place to receive a special gift. There will also be the chance to enter into a prize draw to win an £100 gift card to spend in W.J. French & Son.

Plus, families can enjoy an extra little surprise when they stop off at the treat location at Mexigo on London Road.

At Winchester Science Centre...

It wouldn’t be Easter without an egg hunt! And this year, Winchester Science Centre is inviting families to try out a hunt unlike all the others.

Until April 17, head off on a search for nests containing eggs laid by animals that hatch. Visitors will be looking for nests containing eggs laid by animals that hatch rather than brightly coloured Easter eggs.

And that’s not all, there’ll be all the usual Science Centre fun plus even more to excite all ages during Boom & Bloom. Help plant the Boom & Bloom garden, find out more about pollination in a brand new live show and get hands-on with bubble-fun live science.

At Longdown Activity Farm...

What better place to celebrate Easter than at Longdown Activity Farm where you will be surrounded by chicks and Easter bunnies?

The popular Longdown Golden Egg Hunt is back with 19 golden eggs to find every day, plus one very special platinum egg! There are no clues, and they are very hard to find.

There will be a prize for those who are fortunate enough to find a golden egg, and an eggstra special prize awarded to the person who finds the platinum egg! 

The Great Big Golden Egg Hunt will run from April 7 to 10. A full schedule of animal activities will run daily throughout the Easter holidays.

Don't miss the new all-inclusive outdoor play area including a wheelchair swing.

At Mayflower Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios...

Get involved in a host of wonderful workshops at the city's two great theatres throughout the Easter holidays.

In Making Waves, from April 3 to 5, explore the ocean depths with three days of mixed media art workshops, learning techniques for typography, collage, textile and fine art.

Dive into an Under the Sea-themed arts and crafts workshop on April 6. Suitable for ages five to seven with families, this workshop will include getting-to-know-you games and the chance to make your own recycled fishbowl!

Explore Titanic is a jam-packed day full of fun for the whole family on April 13 and 14! Start your day at MAST Mayflower Studios with nautical-themed drama games, followed by a visit to SeaCity Museum with a guided tour and discovery workshop! Bring your knowledge back to the rehearsal room to create your own Titanic experience through sound, games, and drama!

At Fort Nelson...

Free falconry weekends, a free Easter bunny hunt and seasonal craft workshops are all on offer at Fort Nelson this Easter holiday.

Birds of prey will take to the skies over the Victorian fort on two weekends over the Easter holidays on April 1 and 2 and April 15 and 16.

A free Easter bunny hunt for younger visitors will run between April 1 and 16, with children being given a small prize if they find all the rabbits.

Both the bunny trail and falconry weekends are free but visitors need to book their admission tickets online in advance to guarantee entry to the site.

At Bucklers Hard...

A special anniversary visit by Lord Ivar Mountbatten will kickstart Easter weekend when kids are being offered the chance to visit Buckler’s Hard Museum for free, from Thursday, April 6 to Easter Monday.

Visitors can explore Buckler’s Hard for free and enjoy a riverside stroll in the picturesque village where time flows differently. Step inside the original Shipwright’s Cottage and charming St Mary’s Chapel, with a smugglers’ cellar beside the altar, then pass preserved cottages which line the gently sloping street on its way to the water’s edge.

Discover more about the maritime history of the village in Buckler’s Hard Museum where fascinating exhibits include Nelson’s original baby clothes, then listen in on conversations between villagers of the past and follow residents’ stories in the exhibition of village life.

From Easter, enjoy the first River Cruises of the season along Beaulieu River’s meandering saltmarshes.

Canoe Easter Egg Hunt with New Forest Activities...

Enjoy a fun-filled Easter paddle along the Beaulieu River in stable ‘Canadian style’ canoes. Spend time taking in the stunning scenery of the river before disembarking for an Easter egg hunt with a twist!

Ensure you look high and low, leaving no leaf unturned as your little ones hunt for those hidden chocolate eggs scattered along the riverside. There’ll be tasty chocolate Easter eggs for everyone taking part (yes, even for Mum and Dad!)

Addams Family afternoon tea at The Grand...

Join staff and students from Richard Taunton Sixth Form College for an Addams family-themed, comical afternoon tea feast at one of Southampton's finest eateries. 

It will embrace the wackiness of every family! 

The original story involves every father's nightmare, Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, who has fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family - a man her parents have never met. Until now! 

At Whiteley Shopping Centre...

A pop up-farm will bring some furry farmyard friends to the centre in week one. 

From 11am – 3pm on Tuesday, April 4, Ems Friendly Farm will be visiting, giving little ones the opportunity to meet and learn about a range of animals, including baby goats, pot belly pigs, sheep and a Shetland pony.

Throughout the holidays, Whiteley has organised an Easter Egg hunt with children invited to follow a special spring map to find 16 images of eggs in retailers’ shop windows. Maps can be collected from Explore Learning or by Whiteley’s toilet facilities next to the Market Square car park.