There are over 25 free family events and activities in the North East this April which include 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.
What's On in April - Free Family Fun in North East England - including Easter Hols
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. And don't forget all the amazing free family attractions too that we have - here's a handy A-Z list ...
I love the sights and smells that springtime brings. Spring brings new warmth to the year, new beginnings with newborn lambs and spring flowers and the long-awaited increased hours of daylight - all of which make Springtime a great time to get out and about with your family. Even better when the activities and events are free ...
INFINITY PITCH
Every day until Sunday 15 April
BALTIC, Gateshead Quays
Infinity Play is an interactive art exhibition at BALTIC on Gateshead Quays that encourages young and old to play by their own rules. It has been created by artists Pester & Rossi and a group of collaborators to make, break and re-make the rules of play. Enjoy up to eight live action stations and big, fun, colourful inflatables across BALTIC’s largest gallery space, and take part in activities where you can watch, listen, explore, improvise and play.
Open daily there is also a series of free artist-led workshops, events and performances, suitable for all ages and abilities. The events will take place in the Level 4 gallery space, no booking required.
- Sat 31 March 2pm – 5pm STASIS & Fritz Welch - Infinity Intensif performance and movement making workshop
- Sun 1 April 2pm – 4pm Meet & Make - Making and creating with a BALTIC artist
- Sat 7 April 2pm – 5pm Drone Ensemble Infinity Ensemble experimental sound making workshop
- Sun 8 April 2pm – 4pm Meet & Make - Making and creating with a BALTIC artist
- Sat 14 April 2pm – 5pm Rhubaba - Infinity Pitch Choir collaborative singing and noise making workshop
- Sun 15 April 2pm – 4pm Meet & Make - Making and creating with a BALTIC artist
QUAYSIDE SEASIDE
Every Day
Newcastle Quayside
Quayside Seaside is back for 2018 as one of NewcastleGateshead’s most iconic spaces is transformed into a seaside paradise complete with deckchairs, palm trees, candy-striped beach huts, golden sand and a kids' climbing wall. A new addition to the Quayside Seaside for 2018 is a playground area equipped with a slide and a fireman’s pole, which is sure to be a big hit with children aged between 3-7 years. Kick back, relax and while away a summer’s day in this city centre oasis.
MONSTERS! THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE CUDDLY
Every Day
The Word, South Tyneside
A monstrous exhibition is coming your way! Monsters come in all shapes and sizes and you can find out about them all at this monster-tastic new exhibition at The Word. Whatever ‘monster’ means to you, from those written about in early mythology to the creatures digitally created by Pixar and Disney, you will be amazed by their ability to capture our imagination throughout the ages. Meet Boris Karloff’s classic movie monster in Dr. Frankenstein’s lab, see what it feels like to be held by King Kong and take a selfie with Sulley from Monsters Inc. You can read about children’s favourites such as the Gruffalo and Shrek and be reminded of the monsters from Hollywood’s golden age: Dracula, Wolf Man and the Mummy.
PENSHAW BOWL
Friday, March 30, Good Friday from 12 noonHerrington Country Park
This year’s event will once again centre around a traditional egg rolling competition in the Amphitheatre at Herrington Country Park. Other free activities will include a craft market, live music and a range of traditional children’s games. All children aged eleven and under are welcome to take part in the egg roll which will be opened by The Right Worshipful Mayor of the City of Sunderland. 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. Please note that filming and photography will be taking place throughout the event. This is a free event, but please pre-register your place so they can manage numbers on the day.
ARBEIA OFFICIAL SEASONAL REOPENING
Friday 30 March Good Friday 11am - 3.30pm with training demos at 1pm and 3pmArbeia Roman Fort, South Shields
As it reopens for the 2018 season, come along and meet members of Cohors Quinta Gallorum, the auxiliary unit that garrisoned to the Fort in the third century. The group are part of the Arbeia Society who research, reconstruct and display all aspects of military and civilian life in early third century Britain. They'll have some of their weapons and armour on display and will be demonstrating the training that would be undertaken regularly by Roman Soldiers. They may even let visitors try throwing a javelin.
DURHAM BOOK FAIR - THE NORTH'S BIGGEST USED BOOK FAIR
Friday March 30 until 8 April 10am – 4pm
Pemberton Rooms, Palace Green (next to Durham Cathedral)
There's something for everyone at this 10-day Easter sale. 12,000 high quality new and used books that include all academic subjects and leisure interests plus children's books, art, cookery, fiction, nature, adventure and travel, religion, music, poetry, drama, and humour. All are available at bargain prices and many are just 50p. All proceeds to DPET which, in partnership with Durham University, finances Masters Degree scholarships for outstanding Palestinian graduates at Durham University.
SCI-FI FAIR
Saturday 31 March 12 noon – 3.30pmSouth Shields Museum & Art Gallery
Don your Doctor Who scarf and get your lightsaber at the ready.
Embrace your inner geek and head down to South Shields Museum for the welcome return of the regular Easter Saturday sci-fair collectors event. Whether you're a Dr. Who fanatic or a Trekkie, there is something for all sci-fi fans with the usual range of fantastic dealers for toys, gifts, jewellery and more.
EASTER EGGSPRESS
Sunday 1 April 11am - 3pm
Stephenson Museum, North Tyneside
Free entry, small charge for heritage train rides
Ride on the Easter Eggspress, visit the museum to explore the collection of vintage engines, and take part in the Easter egg trail. Solve all the clues and win a mini chocolate egg prize and enjoy Easter-themed treats in the Waggonway Tea Room.
ROMAN SPRING FAYRE 2018
Monday 2 April 10am – 5pm
Arbeia Roman Fort, South Tyneside
A Roman market, gladiators displays and more. Everybody loves a festival and the Romans were no exception. As well as browsing the Roman market, you can witness gladiators doing battle, have go at archery or get involved in the hands-on craft activities all from historical tents.
FOAM PRINT THE NATURAL WORLD
Tuesday 3 April - 11am - 2pm. Drop in
Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle
What do you think of when you hear the word spring? Daffodils, bluebells, blossom, lambs, rabbits, chicks… Whatever springs to mind, join the ERIC North East team to create your spring inspired design in foam using different mark making tools. Then using a range of coloured inks, print out your design onto paper, and take it home to keep.
GIANT GAMES
Various dates between Tuesday 3 – Friday 13 April - Free - drop in
Libraries across Gateshead
Join in and play giant versions of dominoes, Connect 4 and Jenga.
Children of all ages welcome
Children of all ages welcome
- Tuesday 3 April, 10am-12pm - Birtley Library
- Thursday 5 April, 10am-11am - Chopwell Library
- Friday 6 April, 2pm-4pm - Pelaw Library
- Tuesday 10 April, 10am-12pm - Wrekenton Library
- Wednesday 11 April, 10am-11am - Blaydon Library
- Thursday 12 April, 10am-12pm - Crawcrook Library
- Friday 13 April, 10am-12pm - Leam Lane Library
TREMENDOUS TUESDAYS - APPLE STAMPED CRAB PAINTINGS
Tuesday 3 April 11am – 3pm
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, South Tyneside
Family activities inspired by the museum's stories. Join in with activities and crafts, inspired by the objects and stories within our galleries, exhibitions and collections. Taking inspiration from the animals in our Bones exhibition we will be creating paintings using apples to create crabs crawling along the sand.
HEART TO HEART WITH THE HEART SPECIALISTS
Wednesday 4 April - 12 noon - 2pm
Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle
Inspired by the new exhibition The Heart of the Matter, meet a cardiologist and specialist cardiology nurse from the Freeman Hospital as well as artist Sofie Layton and bio-engineer Dr Giovanni Biglino. Find out how each of them works with this extraordinary and complex organ - the human heart.
PETER RABBIT AT MANOR WALKS
Wednesday 4 April 11am, 12noon, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm
Manor Walks, Cramlington, Northumberland
Manor Walks, Cramlington, Northumberland
Head to Manor Walks, Cramlington to listen to some well-loved tales that have captivated generations of readers! On Wednesday 4th April, fans of Beatrix Potter's mischievous hero can see Peter Rabbit during story time sessions, led by a narrator, in the Centre Mall outside Boots at 11am, 12noon, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. There will be opportunities to take photos of the iconic rabbit during the story time sessions. Tickets are FREE but must be reserved in advance at www.manorwalks.co. A limited number of spaces will also be available on the day on a first come first, served basis.
SIMPLY SPRING CRAFTS
Thursday 5 April 11am - 12noon
Gateshead Central Library
It’s getting warmer outside, come and make some cool crafts. Suitable for under 8s. Free - just turn up.
3D PRINTING DROP IN
Thursday 5 April - 11am - 2pm
Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle
Learn about the use of 3D printing in heart diagnosis and treatment. Bioengineer and exhibition co-creator Dr Giovanni Biglino (Bristol Heart Institute and Great Ormond Street Hospital) will be available in The Heart of the Matter exhibition space to show models and talk about the use of 3D printing in heart diagnosis and treatment.
MAKE & TAKE THURSDAY - MAKE A TRAIN MOBILE
Thursday 5 April 11am – 3pm
Stephenson Museum, North Tyneside
Bring your youngsters to the museum to explore the collection of vintage engines. They’ll enjoy putting their creativity to the test with our craft activities and letting their imaginations run riot! Using natural materials have a go at making a mobile inspired by our wonderful engines.
Suitable for 3 –7 year olds.
RIVAL GIFT AND FOOD FAIR
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 April - from 10am
Ushaw, Durham
An exciting weekend packed with arts, crafts, food, and much more.
MEET THE MINIBEASTS WITH BUGSNSTUFF
Tuesday 10 April - 11am - 3pm. Drop in
Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle
Get up close 'n' personal with a variety of incredible invertebrates and other creepy crawlies, with expert Guy Tansley. You'll meet minibeasts and if you’re very brave, you may even get the chance to touch one. Please note - final animal handling sessions begin at 2.45pm. The activity will finish promptly at 3pm.
TREMENDOUS TUESDAYS - ANIMAL FINGER PUPPETS
Tuesday 10 April 11am – 3pm
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, South Tyneside
Family activities inspired by the museum's stories. Join in with activities and crafts, inspired by the objects and stories within our galleries, exhibitions and collections. Using card, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, googly eyes and your imagination, you can make your very own animal finger puppets. Afterwards, try putting on a puppet show for friends and family.
WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART?
Thursday 12 April - 11am - 2.30pm. Drop in
Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle
Get artistic to explore and illustrate the emotions of your heart
MAKE & TAKE THURSDAY - ANIMAL MERRY-GO-ROUNDS
Thursday 12 April 11am – 3pm
Stephenson Museum, North Tyneside
Bring your youngsters to the museum to explore the collection of vintage engines. They’ll enjoy putting their creativity to the test with our craft activities and letting their imaginations run riot! Steam not only powered engines but fairground rides too. Design and make your own wind powered miniature animal ride and watch it spin as you blow. Suitable for 3 –7 year olds.
FAMILY VINTAGE BOARD GAMES
Thursday 12 April - 2pm - 4pm
Gateshead Central Library
Warm up your dice and get ready for a challenge, join us to play some amazing vintage board games. Suitable for children of all ages. Free - just turn up.
BISHOP AUCKLAND FOOD FESTIVAL
Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 April
Bishop Auckland
This year the Bishop Auckland Food Festival will stretch across the stunning marketplace in front of the town hall. With a fantastic range of delicious traders and producers, street food, bars, pop-up cafes and our top line up of celeb chefs the festival will be a great day out! The festival brings together traders and producers from across the region to sell their delicious treats. Soak up the atmosphere with live music and attractions and buy lots of goodies to take home too. Make sure you bring your appetite as there will be stalls and bars offering food from around the world.
GATESHEAD RASPBERRY JAM
Saturday 21 April 10am - 1pm
Gateshead Central Library
Drop-in and find out more about the Raspberry Pi, tinker with fun Raspberry Pi projects, chat with experts and share project ideas in a hackspace area. Simple Microbit projects to get you started and discover local coding and maker opportunities. FREE but registration required and under 16 s must be accompanied by an adult. Book online at Eventbrite
All details are subject to change - please check with event organisers in advance!
Hope you have a great April.
Deb x
All details are subject to change - please check with event organisers in advance!
Hope you have a great April.
Deb x
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