It might seem as if Easter has snuck up on you slightly this year (and to be fair, it has – it’s quite early in 2024, falling on Sunday 31st March) so if the thought of keeping your children entertained without the help of professionals is sending you into a tailspin, then we’re here to ease your mind. There’s actually plenty of child and parent-friendly stuff to do in London this Easter holiday, from exploring our capital’s amazing museums, to letting off some steam in one of our beautiful green spaces. Plus, why our pubs are both child and parent-pleasing – result.
Go on an Easter Egg hunt
Hampton Court Palace is once again inviting its youngest guests to take part in a special Easter hunt with the promise of a Gold Lindt Bunny at the end of it. With the help of a map, children will be sent off to explore over 60 acres of King Henry VIII’s gardens, finding famous characters from history wearing that famous red Lindt ribbon. Once they’ve matched up all the names, they can claim their prize – but not eating it before dinner, of course!
See a show
It’s never too early to foster an interest in the arts. This Easter, the New Wimbledon Theatre is putting on a special production of Judith Kerr’s bedtime classic, The Tiger Who Came To Tea, designed for children aged 3 and up. With sing-a-long moments and a feel-good plot, it’s sure to captivate the attention of even the fidgetiest of children. If your kids are slightly older, then the West End is beckoning, with The Lion King always being a crowd pleaser.
Treat them to lunch out at a family-friendly pub
The thought of going to a restaurant with children can strike fear into even the most chilled out parent’s heart. Will the other diners hate us? Will my kid eat anything off the menu? Luckily, at our pubs, our warm and inviting atmosphere means everyone is welcome, and with a kid-friendly menu that is simultaneously delicious and nutritious, there’s no need for tantrums either – from you or them. The Princess Royal is our favourite for breakfast in Notting Hill (you’ve got to try the Eggs Princess, our take on Eggs Benedict with roast tomatoes and pancetta) and if it’s sunny, you can sit outside people-watching on one of London’s prettiest terraces, perhaps with an ‘eye opener’ breakfast martini in hand. The Grazing Goat does a fabulous Sunday roast, while the newly revamped The Orange is our go-to for casual wood oven pizzas – order one to share with the family along with a few sides, like the rosemary fries and butterhead lettuce. If you’ve got any celebrating to do, The Orange has great private rooms, too, perfect for a children’s birthday party this Easter holiday.
Be at one with nature at one of London’s parks
Easter usually brings the first hint of springtime sunshine, so if that’s the case, there’s nowhere better to head than to one of London’s green spaces. There are playgrounds at St James’s Park, Battersea Park and Hyde Park, with one of the best being at the Princess Diana Memorial, with its sand pit and pirate ship. On one of those rare scorching hot days, cool down at the Serpentine’s family pool, or let your kids frolic in the 1,000 jets at Kings Cross’s Granary Square. If you’ve done them to death, then Kew is putting on a host of Bluey-themed activities that are sure to thrill, alongside exploring some of the plants native to her indigenous Australia.
Explore London’s museums and galleries
If the weather isn’t cooperating, then escape to one of London’s cavernous museums – they’re sure to inspire the little one’s imagination. There’s something for almost every interest: head to the British Museum for ancient artefacts and Egyptian mummies, the Imperial War Museum for tanks and trenches, the Science Museum for medicine and space, the Natural History Museum for fossils and dinosaurs or the V&A for fashion and design. If your little one is more artistically inclined, then pack the felt tips and sketch pads and head to the National Portrait Gallery and Tate Modern and try your hand at recreating some of the art.
Go and meet some animals
There are a handful of really great city farms in London that are family-friendly and Easter is a wonderful time to visit, with most offering the chance to meet some freshly hatched chicks or bottle feed some lambs. In the south, there’s Deen City Farm in Wimbledon, which is one of the oldest, as well as Vauxhall City Farm, which is notable for its alpacas. In the east, you’ll find Hackney and Spitalfields City Farms, which both have all the usual sheep, pigs and cows, while Kentish Town also has a small one with goats, horses and donkeys. You’ll be able to hand feed the animals at most, paying a small fee for the feed, while riding schools also operate for budding equestrians. Just remember to pack your wellies – it’s muddy down on the farm. Raining? Then the Sea Life Centre is the place to be, with a whole magical underwater world to discover.
What better way to finish off a family-filled day out in London than with an Easter Sunday Roast? Book a table at one of our eight Central London pubs, all kitted with children’s menus to keep the whole family happy.
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