Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Easter Events and Activities for Children in Plymouth
Gardens, parks, attractions and even houses will be scattered with Easter eggs this March and April as eagle-eyed youngsters go on the hunt for these oval shaped objects, and hope for a surprise and a treat!
To read about Easter events and activities in Plymouth click here...
Easy to Make: Easter Wreath
Christmas isn’t the only time of year when people dress their doors with decorative wreaths. A recent trend has seen many people sprucing up their front doors with displays of bright colour and spring materials in the shape of an Easter wreath! Creating one is really simple and something the children can add an extra special little touch to. Take a look at Pinterest for some inspiration on materials and design.
Easy to Make: Easter Bunny Bunting 
Decorate the walls and window frames with these bright little bunnies. To make: buy a variety of patterned card, place a basic bunny template on top of each piece of card and draw around it. Cut this out and glue on a small ball of cotton wool for a tail. To finish, attach each bunny to a natural piece of string using mini wooden pegs.
Easy to Make: Eggy Lambs 
These funky-looking lambs will look a treat perched on a mantelpiece or sideboard. Plus they’re so easy to create – simply roll small pieces of cotton wool into balls and glue these to the surface of the egg. Cover the whole egg with cotton wool, leaving a space at the front where you can add a funny face!
Easy to Do: Painting Easter Eggs .png)
Very young children may wish to use hard-boiled eggs, whilst slightly older-children may use hollowed-out eggs. Cover the smooth glass-like surface of egg with acrylic paint. Using a mixture of soft brushes, coat the egg in a base colour. To add detail, use a fine brush dipped in paint or glitter, or use finely-tipped pens.
Easy to Make: Easter Nest Cakes
You’ll need some nests to cradle all those tasty eggs this Easter. So how about making these equally tasty nests:
Ingredients: Shredded Wheat; Cooking chocolate; Milk Chocolate Mini eggs
Crumble up the Shredded Wheat in a bowl. Then melt the cooking chocolate in a separate bowl placed in a pan of boiling water. Carefully remove the bowl and slowly pour the melted cooking chocolate over the crushed Shredded Wheat. Combine together. Then get the kids to shape the mixture into nests in the cake cases. Finish, by placing 2 or 3 chocolate mini eggs onto the top of the cooled down nests.
So, why is Easter on a different date each year?
Have you ever wondered why Easter falls on a different date each year? Well, the reason for this lies with the decisions made by the first council of the Christian church, also known as the Council of Nicaea, in the year 325 AD.
This council used a complex formula to calculate the future dates of Easter.
The council decided that Easter should be celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on, or just after, the spring equinox.
The church set a fixed date for the spring equinox as 21 March and established that Easter can take place between 22 March and 25 April. This year, Easter Sunday is on 21 April.
Yet, this year, the full moon and the spring equinox actually occur on Wednesday 20 March. So, shouldn’t Easter be held on Sunday 24 March instead?
Astronomically speaking, yes it should.
However, the ancient calculations did not consider lunar motions for our times. The key point here is that an ecclesiastical full moon does not necessarily happen on the same date as the actual full moon.
In 2019, the first full moon after 21 March occurs on 19 April, so consequently Easter will be celebrated on Sunday 21 April.
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Easter egg hunts with a difference:
The Easter Egg Hunt is usually pretty-high up on the Easter activity list but what are the alternative options to searching for chocolate eggs?
Primary Times has been on its own ‘hunt’ for fun ideas that will get the kids active, listening and counting… Here they are:
Matching Sound Egg Hunt
Test your child’s auditory processing ability by creating a game that will encourage them to match a sound in an egg case to an image of the item that is making the sound (in the egg case) on a printed sheet of paper.
You can fill the egg cases with items such as coins or pasta shapes or seeds.
Once all the eggs and sounds have been matched, the children can be rewarded with a treat.
Make the kids work for their chocolate treats!
Lay on some fun energy-burning Easter egg hunts for the kids.
Simply hide several plastic empty egg cases around the house, garden or local park and fill them with little notes inscribed with a physical activity to complete.
Each egg has a fun mini exercise challenge for the kids. For example, this could be: do ten star jumps; run on the spot for 2 minutes, do a roly-poly.
After all that exertion, the kids will have earnt their chocolate treat!
Colour Matching and Maths Egg Hunt Game
This is a simple game where children hunt for coloured eggs.
You may wish to use mini chocolate eggs wrapped in different coloured tin foil and hide them around the garden.
Once all the eggs have been collected they can be separated by colour and counted – and then consumed!
The Story of the Easter Egg
The humble egg is the food most synonymous with Easter. It symbolises the start of new life, rebirth and fertility. Many people associate the egg with Christian values at Easter, yet the egg also played a role in lots of pre-Christian festivals celebrated by the Ancient Egyptians, Persians and Romans.
In the Middle Ages when people were unable to eat eggs during Lent they began to decorate and store them for Easter Sunday and the tradition of the egg hunt began.
The first chocolate Easter eggs were made in France and Germany in the early 19th Century, and in 1873 the first British chocolate Easter egg was produced by Fry’s.
Cadbury quickly followed producing a chocolate egg in 1875 and by 1892 produced 19 different types of eggs.
Today, the UK chocolate Easter egg market is worth more than £220 million with sales growing every year. Cadbury’s Crème Egg is the most popular and over 500 million eggs are made every year.
Easter Adventures
Easter trails, scavenger hunts, egg and spoon races, bottle-feeding lambs, beach cleans – you name it – there’s plenty of adventures to be had this spring.
Easter Egg Hunts are usually a big hit with youngsters who simply love becoming mini-explorers and what’s more, this fun activity can be affordable.
You have the choice of hosting an egg-citing Easter Egg hunt in your back garden or local park, or alternatively head to a local attraction and enjoy the novelty of the occasion with lots of other families.
During the Easter school holiday, should the weather allow, go outdoors each day for some free fun.
It’s easy to distract children with uncomplicated activities such as spotting and naming clouds, searching for mini-beasts or seashore critters, visiting and perhaps bottle-feeding newborn lambs, watching a spider weaving a web, and following slimy snail trails. It’s all great fun and doesn’t cost a penny!
Find out what's going-on this Easter in Plymouth here...
Kumon opens its doors in Plymouth, Crownhill
The Kumon Plymouth, Crownhill Study Centre has opened its doors, offering their unique maths and English programmes to local children of all ages. With over 60 years of experience, the Kumon Method of Learning pursues the potential of each individual child by developing confident, independent learners.
Sally, the new Instructor, is delighted to have the opportunity to share the Kumon Method of Learning, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience with her.
For more information, contact Instructor Sally Ransom, on 07586 351301 or email: plymouthcrownhill@kumoncentre.co.uk
Pennywell is choc-o-bloc with Easter Fun!
There’s so much more to enjoy than chocolate this Easter weekend at Pennywell Farm (although that is pretty important) with hundreds of friendly animals to meet and a different animal activity to enjoy every half hour.
Easter is all about new life and you can meet all their spring babies. There are calves, lambs, goat kids and miniature piglets as well as plenty of baby pets to cuddle. On Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday there will be Easter egg hunts around the farm to keep the chocoholics happy. There is also a chocolate treat for completing the Easter trail.
Their brand new Miniature Pony and Donkey Centre is open to enjoy, plus additional entertainment will be courtesy of fabulous entertainers Elfic, Poco Drom, Mr Phil and Billy Wiz.
Find out more at: www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/
Exclusive Primary Times/Adrenalin Quarry special offer!
MORE, BETTER, FASTER! Choose from The Zip, the Giant Swing, Karting, Axe Throwing and the Aquapark. Pay as you go or make a day of it with special combo deals onsite or online. Primary Times/Aquapark 2020 offer limited to first 1,000. Look for their ad on page 11.
Find out more here: www.adrenalinquarry.co.uk/
The Miniature Pony Centre reopens!
Back for 2020, the Centre will be opening its door again, reopening to the general public on Friday 20 March.
Since 1986, they have welcomed customers to closely interact with their beautiful ponies as the only true and original Miniature Pony Centre. Fall in love with their heavy horses, mammoth donkeys, miniature ponies and foals, miniature pigs as well as many more animals.
They will be running the popular Unicorn & Dragon day on 2 April, a Wizards day on 8 April and going “sweetie mad” on Good Friday and Easter Monday with their Candyland theme. Dan the Hat will be there providing entertainment and they will be running their Easter egg hunt. It will be a fun filled holiday for all the family with new activities to entertain you, indoor and outdoor play areas, a café and Unicorns.
For more information please visit: www.miniatureponycentre.com
Play Therapy training opportunities
Play Therapy is fast becoming one of the most effective methods of supporting children facing a range of mental health and emotional wellbeing problems, with evidence suggesting success rates ranging between 77% and 84%.
The Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy has trained over 4,000 Play Therapists in the Integrative Holistic Model to become proficient in communicating with children through a variety of therapeutic media. For information on all of the training opportunities, contact the APAC today on 01825 761143 or contact@apac.org.uk
Find out more here: www.apac.org.uk
National Marine Aquarium gets colourful this Easter holiday
This Easter at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Colours of the Ocean, embarking upon a journey through the underwater world that shines a spotlight on the fascinating patterns and colour-changes that can be seen amongst some of the Ocean’s most captivating residents.
With a themed trail, craft workshops, feeds and an appearance from their Mermaid throughout the Easter holidays, it’s an exciting time to explore this spectacular underwater world.
Find out more here: www.national-aquarium.co.uk/
Eggstreme Easter at Woodlands Theme Park, Devon!
Join in with Easter egg hunts and animal activities. Travel through a land of chocolate heaven to meet the Easter Bunny in his grotto*! The Fizz Pop Science Team will be here, with exciting slime and science workshops on Friday 3 & Saturday 11 April. Don’t miss Titan the Robot on Thursday 9 April. PLUS, Hey Duggee is visiting on Friday 10 April! He will be making personal appearances at intervals throughout the day. Don’t forget your camera!
Please visit woodlandspark.com for full details. *T&C’s apply.
Find out more here: www.woodlandspark.com/
A Day Out With Thomas
Join Thomas, the number one blue engine, at the South Devon Railway, Buckfastleigh, from 23 to 25 May for a train ride unlike any other. Thomas has come from the Island of Sodor for three days of family fun. The Fat Controller will also be on hand to make sure that Thomas is being a really useful engine. Meanwhile, the South Devon Railway is open every day with steam train trips between Buckfastleigh and Totnes Riverside. A first class experience for children – and grown-ups too!
Find out more here: www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/
Uncover the Legend of the Golden Egg at Pirate’s Quest this Easter
Embark on an egg-straordinary adventure with the crew at Pirate’s Quest and uncover the Legend of the Golden Egg this Easter (28 March – 19 April). Newquay’s piratical walk-through attraction will take budding buccaneers on a voyage of discovery on an egg-citing quest for the prized possessions which were buried amongst treasure and have laid long forgotten for hundreds of years.
Calico Jack’s crew of live pirate performers will guide new recruits through the authentic sets and scenes of Pirate’s Quest and transport visitors back 300 years to the Golden Age of piracy en route. Young rapscallions and scurvy seadogs alike will have to help Pirate’s Quest’s crew recover the Legend of the Golden Eggs using a treasure map and learn about piracy along the way.
Throughout the attraction, the experience has been enhanced with updated costumes, special effects, lighting and sound, in addition to the new storyline for 2020. Prospective pirates are advised to book online to secure their tour. Advanced booking is recommended as experiences regularly sell out due to popularity.
Find out more here: www.piratesquest.co.uk/
Explore an Easter Wonderland at The Shipwreck Treasure Museum
Visitors are invited to fall down the rabbit hole and discover a wonderland at Charlestown’s Shipwreck Treasure Museum this Easter (28 March – 19 April). Inspired by Alice’s famous adventures down the rabbit hole and through the looking glass, visitors will embark on a curious subterranean adventure.
Travel down through a swirling vortex to a magical realm where nothing is quite what it seems. Enjoy a bizarre game of crazy croquet with flamingos, wander past the Eat Me, Drink Me wall of mirrors before exploring the bewildering ‘little big room’. Join in the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and create your own crazy headwear in the fun craft sessions, be careful as you tiptoe past the house of cards and prepare to be confounded in the tunnel of curiosities.
Find out more here: www.shipwreckcharlestown.co.uk/
Dates for the diary: Mayflower Ocean Festival – 6 to 10 May & Pirates Weekend Plymouth – 9 to 10 May
Mayflower Ocean Festival
Hoist the main sail with a week of ocean activity as part of the Mayflower 400 commemorations. Watch the start of the historic OSTAR and TWOSTAR yacht races, enjoy family fun at Pirates Weekend Plymouth, singalong with the Shanty Shindig and get out on the water to try new activities for yourself. This event takes place on Plymouth Waterfront.
Pirates Weekend Plymouth
Ahoy there me hearties! Get ready for a swashbuckling weekend of fun on the waterfront, with a packed programme of entertainment that the whole family will love. Grab your Jolly Rogers and eyepatches to make sure you look the part, before hopping on board tall ships, meeting lovable rogue Captain Jack Sparrow, following the pirate trail, watching the street entertainers and much more. This event takes place on Barbican and Sutton Harbour
See the Visit Plymouth website for more info on both events: www.visitplymouth.co.uk/
Enjoy an Eggs-plosive Easter at Flambards
Visitors can experiment with ‘eggs-plosive’ entertainment this Easter holiday at Flambards Theme Park from 28th March – 19th April.
Combining rocket science, chemistry and myth busting tests, the scientists will be on hand throughout the holidays to perform mind-blowing chemical reactions in front of audiences in the indoor laboratory. Budding scientists can don their white coats and goggles to take part in the action as well.
Enjoy explosive 30-minute shows throughout the holidays daily* at 1pm and 3pm and be amazed by experiments galore including slime making workshops! *Except for Sunday 12th April.
On Sunday 12th April Flambards’ foxy mascot Ferdi will be leading the BIG Easter Egg Quiz Trail – track down the clues dotted around the park, then hand in your quiz sheet and claim a chocolate egg.
As well as the explosive Easter event, all Flambards rides and other attractions will be open. Meet life-size dinosaurs in the Jurassic Journey and uncover fossils in the Dino-Dig. Travel back in time in the incredible indoor attractions which including the Victorian Village.
Visit www.flambards.co.uk for more information.
Plymouth Snowsports
Did you know?
- Easter chocolate sales make up 10% of Britain's annual spending on chocolate.
- The UK chocolate Easter Egg market is worth in excess of £220 million.
- If you laid all the Cadbury Creme Eggs made in a year from end to end, it would stretch from Bourneville, Birmingham to Sydney, Australia.
- Easter is the second most popular time of the year for eating chocolate.
- J.S. Fry of Bristol produced the first chocolate eggs in 1873.
Why is Easter on a different date each year?
Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that happens on or after the Spring Equinox on 21 March. That means Easter can be celebrated at any time between 22 March and 25 April.
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