*** FREE EVENTS ***
There are over 50 free family events and activities in the North East this April including the Easter school holidays and Easter Bank holidays.
So with 30 days, five full weekends, as well as two weeks of school holidays, there should be plenty of time in April to enjoy some quality family events and activities.
As well as the amazing paid-for attractions and events that happen across North East England, here is this month’s list of free family activities and events to make our pennies go that little bit further.
If you have a free event and would like it included this month or in the future, please email me at myboysclub@debsharratt.co.uk
Proud to Protest
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 April and following weekends 11am - 3.30pmWoodhorn Museum, Northumberland
Make your own protest badge inspired by The Battle of Orgreave exhibition and wear your badge with pride.
More info:
There is curently also a paid for exhibition at Woodhorn Museum - DinoBricks - read what we thought of that here...
Bishop Auckland Food Festival
Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 April
Bishop Auckland, County Durham
Bishop Auckland Food Festival is the region’s biggest food event, growing year on year hosting a whole programme of events and activities including celebrity chefs, cookery demo’s, street entertainment and a demonstration kitchen.
Barnard Castle Farmers Market
Saturday 1 April
Barnard Castle, County Durham
Barnard Castle Farmers’ Market is one of the North East’s most popular markets featuring a wide range of artisan food and crafts from the region. We’re outdoors on the cobbles in Barnard Castle the first Saturday each month.
Choco-motion at Stephenson Railway Museum
Sunday 5 April 11am – 3pm
Stephenson Railway Museum, North Tyneside
Easter Adventures with the White Rabbit and Alice
No booking required as favourite storybook characters Alice and the White Rabbit make a stop off at the museum this Easter. With photo opportunities, tall tales and the White Rabbit’s Easter Trail. Free entry to the museum. Small charge to take a heritage train ride.
Sierra Leone No.85 Farewell Party
Saturday 8 to 9 April 10am – 4pm
Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon, County Durham
Linking in to No. 85's grand tour, Locomotion will be hosting a farewell party ahead of the locomotive's grand tour.More info:
Coderdojo
Saturday 8 April 10am – 12noon
Newcastle College and Clayport Library, Millenium Place, Durham
Come along to learn Scratch, HTML, Python, Javascript or just anything you need. Young people between 6 and 16 learn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games and more. CoderDojo is about learning together, supporting each other and sharing your knowledge.
Hadrian's Cavalry
From Saturday 8 April
Taking place from Saturday 8 April to Sunday 10 September 2017, Hadrian’s Cavalry explores the role and daily life of the Roman army’s cavalry forces in a unique wall-wide exhibition that stretches the full 150 miles of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site area – from Maryport in the west to South Shields in the east.
Free events include:
Uncovering cavalry – what archaeology tells us about Roman cavalry
Arbeia Roman Fort, South Tyneside
The Hadrian’s Cavalry exhibition at Arbeia Roman Fort consists of objects found in the barracks where the soldiers lived, and includes two outstanding items from elsewhere in the Empire that match finds from the fort itself. Visitors to Arbeia will also be able to explore the museum’s fascinating permanent exhibition which delves deeper into the lives of the Romans who lived and worked at this Roman Fort. Don’t miss the finest of archaeological findings which were discovered in and around the Fort when it was excavated.
Shock and awe – the power of the Roman cavalryman’s mask
Great North Museum, Newcastle
A cavalry trooper projected a powerful image. Their appearance reflected the power of the Roman Empire as well as the man behind the mask. or the very first time, two bronze ‘Ribchester-style’ Helmets are being displayed together at the museum.
Digital Makings: Family Music Workshop
Saturday 8 April, 10am – 12pm
Leam Lane Library
Start off your Easter holiday making some noise with us and spend a morning as a music producer; you’ll be using your favourite songs to help inspire you to create your own compositions using apps on iPads. Work with We engAGE on a variety of instruments and learn the art of designing a piece of music from scratch.
Suitable for ages 8+
Northern Bygones Rally
Sunday 9 April 10 am – 4pm
Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon, County Durham
Organised by the Northern Bygones Society, this event features a range of classic and vintage vehicles displayed on our outdoor events space. There will also be indoor displays of models, collectables and more!
Ushaw College - Food & Craft Fair
Sunday 9 April 10am – 4pm
Ushaw College, Langley Park, Durham
Food & Craft Fair held at Ushaw College
Discovering Animal Bones
10 April 10.30am - 12.30pm drop in session
Great North Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne
Pop into the Bones Learning Zone to learn even more about animal skeletons
Join experts from the Natural History Society of Northumbria in our Bones Learning Zone to learn about the wonders of animal skeletons.
Design Your Own Easter Egg
Monday 10 April, 10am – 12.30pm
The Gallery, Gateshead Central Library
Drop in across the morning to design your own Easter Eggs and enter the competition. Go 3D and use a hard-boiled egg and create a sculpture, a character, or something eggcellently Easter related. Or go 2D and design your egg from scratch like a pro. They’ll have LOTS of different materials for you to get your hands on. Your finished designs can be entered into a competition which will be judged by three professional artists! Suitable for all ages.
CODING WITH STAR WARS
Monday 10 April 11 am – 12noon
Wednesday 12 April 2pm – 3pm
The Word, National centre for the Written Word, South Tyneside
Spend an hour in a galaxy far, far away exploring how coding can control a droid in a game. Develop your skills in computing and solve problems as you go. Suitable for ages 9-11
The Nick Jr. All-Star Easter takeover
Monday 10 – Wednesday 12 April 10.30am – 6pm
Intu metrocentre
Get creative with Blaze and The Monster Machines
Monday 10 April 10.30am – 6pm, Exhibition Square
Paint with the wheels of a Monster Machine and take home your work of art. There will also be Blaze Mega Bloks to keep you entertained!
Shimmer and Shine’s Beauty Parlour
Monday 10 April 10.30am – 6pm, Exhibition Square
Transform yourself into a genie like Shimmer and Shine with glittering tattoos and face paints.
Shimmer and Shine’s Genie Bottle Sand Art
Tuesday 11 April 10.30am – 6pm, Exhibition Square
Using the colour’s of your favourite friends from Zahramay Falls, create your own magical genie bottle.
Half Shell Heroes Slime Station
Tuesday 11 April 10.30am – 6pm, Exhibition Square
Make your own slime and decorate the container to look like a Half Shell Hero.
Meet PAW Patrol
Wednesday 12 April 10am – 5pm, Exhibition Square
Do you want to meet Chase or Marshall? The pups have made a special trip from Adventure Bay to see you, so don’t miss them at our Kids’ Club this Easter. You can even become a member of the PAW Patrol!
Visit the website on Wednesday 29 March to secure your FREE ticket for this event. Availability is on a first come first served basis so be sure not to miss out!
MINECRAFT HOUR OF CODE
Wednesday 12 April 11am – 12noon
The Word, National centre for the Written Word, South Tyneside
Step inside a Minecraft world exploring how coding can control a character in a game. Develop your skills in computing and solve problems as you go. Suitable for ages 8-10
Dino Babies
Wednesday 12 April 11am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 3pm (drop in)
Sunderland Museum and Wintergardens, Sunderland
Make an Easter card with a difference. Decorate your card with a baby dinosaur hatching out of an egg!
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Thursday 13 and Thursday 20 April 11am, 12noon and 2.30pm
Great North Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne
Join the ERIC North East team for talks about region's wildlife who will be giving talks about our region’s wildlife and showing you where you might spot some of our fantastic vertebrates using existing data. The team will also tell you how you can get involved in wildlife recording.
These talks will last 15-20 minutes.
Penshaw Bowl
Friday, April 14, 2017 (Good Friday) 1pm
Herrington Country Park
A range of free Easter activities centred around a traditional egg rolling competition in Herrington Country Park. All children aged eleven and under are welcome to take part in the egg roll which will once again be opened by The Right Worshipful Mayor of the City of Sunderland. Egg rolling takes place from 2-4pm.
Please come along with your pre-decorated hard boiled egg clearly marked with your child's name and age. The bowl will begin with the age 3 and under category and work up through the age groups.
Easter steaming weekend
Friday 14 to Monday 17 April 11am – 4pm
Ryhope Engines Museum
See Ryhope Engines Museum's huge 100 horsepower steam beam engines in action. The Museum is regarded as one of the finest industrial monuments in the North East of England, and is in a Grade II (starred) listed building. As well as the beam engines, built by R & W Hawthorn, are three 'Lancashire' boilers of 1908, two of which are in regular use, a blacksmith's forge, a waterwheel, numerous steam engines and pumps, waterworks accessories such as depth recorders, and many items concerned with the distribution and uses of water in home and industry.
ILLUMINATING WORLDS
Friday 14 – Sunday 16 April 2pm – 4pm Drop-in
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
Light up your day with BALTIC artist Alex Hughes. Families with children under 13 can explore imagined worlds, characters and scenes. Inspired by the work of Rodney Graham.
Easter Bunny
Friday 14 to Monday 17 April, 11am - 3pm
Woodhorn Museum, Northumberland
The Easter Bunny will be visiting Woodhorn over the Easter weekend! Find him on site and receive a small treat!
Roman Spring Festival
Saturday 15 April - Monday 17 April
Arbeia Roman Fort
Everybody loves a festival and the Romans were no exception. So Arbeia Roman Fort has teamed up with Time and Tide events to celebrate everything from 'Veneralia' (the festival of Venus Verticordia - goddess of love and marriage) to Cerialia (the festival and games in honour of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture and fertility) over the Easter bank holiday weekend. Visit the Roman market or Mercatus and try and buy delicious goods. Watch a performance by Roma Antiqua and if the weather is kind, see a magnificent weaponry display.
Sci-Fi Fair
Saturday 15 April
South Shields Museum, South Tyneside
Don your Doctor Who scarf and get your lightsaber at the ready Embrace your inner sci-fi geek and head down to South Shields number one sci-fi collectors fair as it returns to the museum. Whether you're a Dr. Who fanatic or a Trekkie, there is something for all sci-fi fans with traders from across the North East selling books, comics, toys and other memorabilia.
Alnwick Easter Market
Saturday 15 April 9am – 4pm
Alnwick, Northumberland
A fantastic Easter Market hosted in the historic market town of Alnwick. Lots of locally produce food, soft furnishings, pet treats, crafts, jewellery and abundance of entertainment for all to enjoy.
7th Annual Kite Festival
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 April
Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland
Spectacular kite flying featuring international Kite Flyers.
The Nick Jr. All-Star Easter takeover
Monday 17 – Friday 21 April
Intu Eldon Square
Perfect your ninja moves with the Half Shell Heroes, build your own Blaze and the Monster Machines or make all your wishes come true with a photo on Shimmer and Shine’s flying carpet. And don’t forget to book your place to meet PAW Patrol pups Marshall or Chase when our booking system opens on 10 April.
Shimmer and Shine Magical Beauty Parlour
Tuesday 18 April
11am-4pm, near Debenhams
Step inside our Shimmer and Shine Beauty Parlour and be transformed into a mini magical genie! There’ll be hair braiding, glitter tattoos and you can make your very own ‘Shimmer & Shine’ friendship bracelet for your bestie – or keep it for yourself!
Train to be a Half Shell Hero
Wednesday 19 April
11am-4pm, near Debenhams
Join our Sensei at the Half Shell Heroes Ninja Academy where you’ll learn some awesome ninja moves – one key move from each of the four half shell heroes. The Half Shell Heroes favourite pizza topping is pepperoni, what is yours? Create your very own pizza using a selection of fun crafty materials!
Race with Blaze and the Monster Machines
Thursday 20 April
11am-4pm, near Debenhams
Helmets on, pick a monster truck and come join the Blaze and the Monster Trucks’ Monster Truck Driving School and test yourself as you avoid the cones! Then get super creative and make your very own monster truck driving license with instant photo printing and personalized number plate.
Get creative with the Nick Jr. All-Stars
Tuesday 18 to Thursday 20 April
11am-4pm, near Debenhams
Grab some props and pose in front of our fun and interactive green screen where you can choose from a number of Nick Jr. All-Star backgrounds!
Meet Paw Patrol
Friday 21 April
11am-4pm, near Debenhams
Do you want to meet Chase or Marshall? The pups have made a special trip from Adventure Bay to see you; so don’t miss them at our Kids’ Club this Easter. From 10 April, bookings will open for you to book your free meet and greet time slot.
TECH FOR LIFE: MAKERS AND CREATORS
Tuesday 18 - Saturday 22 April
Campus North, Newcastle
The 5-day programme is for 14-18 year olds, where you will develop a project over the week with the help and support from industry mentors. Throughout the week, there will be a chance to upskill in coding and electronics, with lots of fun, hands-on activities. There will be industry experts from Sage on-hand to help and support too.
Tremendous Tuesday - In the good books
Tuesday 18 April 11am - 3pm
South Shields Museum, South Tyneside
This is one for all the sketchers, scribblers and readers out there. Inspired by The Boldon Book, the 'Domesday Book of the North', we will be making books for you to fill with your own favourite things and take home. There'll also be decorative book marks to make to help from losing your place…
When Dinosaurs Roamed The Museum!
Wednesday 19 April 11am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 3pm (drop in)
Sunderland Museum and Wintergardens, Sunderland
Create your own dinosaur models from recycled materials.
LIVE ANIMAL HANDLING
Wednesday 19 April 11am - 3pmPlease note - final animal handling sessions at 2.45pm & the activity will finish at 3pm
Great North Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne
Would you like to meet Alvin and Simon the prairie dogs, Bob the bearded dragon or Prickles the African pygmy hedgehog? Animal Story are bringing a huge selection of live creatures to the museum this Easter for you to meet and hold under their expert supervision. Other animals you'll meet include frogs, snakes, geckos, salamanders, owls, tortoises, scorpions and many more. Learn how these incredible critters behave and survive in the wild.
Dinosaur Fossil Fun
Friday 21 April 11 – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 3pm (drop in)
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Make dinosaur fossils using clay and pasta shapes and explore the Museum’s amazing fossil collection.
LEGO Drag Race
Saturday 22 April, 11.30am & 1pm
Caedmon Hall, Gateshead Central Library,
Working with Richard Carter “Bricks Mcgee” build the fastest, meanest drag cars from our selection of LEGO elements, and race your creation against others as part of Maker Month – Maker Faire UK . Take your vehicle back to the pits and change the design to make your car faster, then compete in the grand final! Who will be victorious!?!?
There are 2 sessions to choose from please select your ticket for 11.30am -12.30pm or 1pm – 2.00pm. Suitable for families with children ages 6yrs+
A Roman trail of South Shields
Saturday 22 April 11am - 4pm
Arbeia Roman Fort, South Tyneside
Step back in time as a march takes you from South Tyneside's newest heritage and cultural venue to its oldest. The march will depart from The Word at 1pm and arrive at Arbeia Roman Fort at approximately 1.30pm
Craft and Food Fayre
Saturday April 22
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
A free entry, family day for all with seasonal craft and food fayre. Quality crafts, cakes and bakes, artisan foods, gifts and more. Activites and children's entertainment.
Durham Cathedral - World Heritage Weekend
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 April
Durham Cathedral
Help celebrate this year's World Heritage Day with a weekend of family activities taking place around Palace Green and the World Heritage Site.
Spring Steam Gala
29 April to 1 May 10am – 4pm
Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon, County Durham
Our ever-popular toy fair will play host to an abundance of stalls and traders selling everything from steam trains to superheroes!
1940s Weekend
Sunday 30 April and Monday 1 May 11am – 3pm
Stephenson Railway Museum
Let them transport you back in time with the sights, sounds and smells of the forties.
The museum will be brought to life by re-enactors who’ll recreate the every day spirit of the period. Have your hair styled in a victory roll or pick up some forties fashions or accessories from Hepkat Kitten Vintage Hairstyling. Dance to the songs performed by the Sparky and Sprite duet. UKHomefront will be joined by a Bevin Boy, 1940s railway men, women in their pinnies and curlers having a ‘wash day’, the ladies of the Land Army and our brave home guard 'other ranks' on leave.
And there's more …
JURASSIC GARDENS
Everyday until Saturday, September 30, 2017
Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm & Sunday - 12noon - 4pm
Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm & Sunday - 12noon - 4pm
Sunderland Museum & Wintergarden, Sunderland
Hidden amongst the lush vegetation of an indoor garden a whole series of amazing dinosaur models are waiting to be discovered. See a baby T-Rex as it hatches from its giant egg, watch a stegosaurus and a triceratops grazing on the greenery and spot some pteranodons flying overhead. Hunt down a velociraptor before it finds you and try not to disturb the sleepy crocodile as it lurks by the pool. The collection now also includes an impressive 3-metre high utahraptor, a baby camarasaurus and a huge pterodactyl with a 2-metre wingspan.
BONES: SKELETON SECRETS OF THE ANIMAL WORLD
Until Sunday 14 May
Great North Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne
The skeleton secrets of the animal world will be revealed when 2017's must-see family-friendly exhibition opens on Saturday 4 Feb. The animal world is full of questions and bones can help us find the answers. The Great North Museum is putting its enormous collection of animal skeletons on display. From itty-bitty bats to whopping whales, bones are the hidden keys to how animals move, survive and evolve over time. Join the journey through land, air and ocean and marvel at real bones, teeth and fossils from over 100 creatures.
GLASS BLOWING DEMONSTRATIONS
Daily throughout March
National Glass Centre, Sunderland
See the amazing daily glass blowing, lathe and flame working demonstrations which are free and run throughout the day. Experience the heat of the 1000 degree furnace and watch their expert glass making team craft stunning pieces before your eyes.
Flame Working: 11.00 and 15.45 (15 mins)
Glass Blowing: 12.00, 13.30 and 15.00 (30 mins)
Glass Lathe: 13.00 (30 mins) (Excluding Tuesdays)
FAMILY QUEST & BUSY B’S
Every weekend
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
Family Quest - Every Saturday between 11.30-12.30 you can spend some creative time with the BALTIC Crew to find out more about contemporary art in an informal and imaginative way. Families can take mini tours, play games and enjoy fun creative activities all linked to current exhibitions.
On Saturday and Sunday afternoons join the Busy B's team between 2 pm and 4 pm and get creative with these drop-in sessions with activities for young artists inspired by our exhibitions.
GRUFFALO SPOTTERS TRAILS
Every Day
Hamsterley Forest & Kielder Water and Forest Park
Hamsterley Forest & Kielder Water and Forest Park
Bring the Gruffalo and other characters to life with this brand new Gruffalo Spotters trail and exciting augmented reality app. Download The Gruffalo Spotter app at home, then visit Hamsterley Forest in Durham or Kielder Water and Forest Park in Northumberland. Along the trails look out for clues which lead to footprint marker posts - point the app at these and watch Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and the Gruffalo appear before your eyes!
If you have a free event and would like it included this month or in the future, please email me at myboysclub@debsharratt.co.uk
Enjoy your April,
Deb x
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