Family fun this Easter in London

Disclosure: We were invited to see Wicked for the purpose of this post, as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own

The Easter holidays are almost upon us and it’s a time we can all enjoy together as a family – let’s just hope the sun makes a return and we can all get outside and enjoy it to the full.

No matter what age your children are they will be looking forward to two weeks off school and chocolate eggs, that said I will also be enjoying my fair share of chocolate (once I’ve hidden mine away from the kids). But two weeks at home can be daunting and it may not be too long before you hear those dreaded words “I’m bored”.

There are lots of activities for the kids in London this Easter which can keep them entertained.

Here are just a few ideas of things you can do to have family fun this Easter in London:

See WICKED at the theatre

West End shows are great fun for all the family. It is a brilliant way to enjoy a few hours together, losing yourself in the wonderful entertainment, singing along to the songs and if you are anything like me then dancing away in your seats.

Shows have a special way of drawing you in and capturing your full attention, all of your senses are awakened and you see every detail of what is playing out in front of you. Team that with the fantastic musical accompaniment and bright and brilliant set designs and costumes and you will have a brilliant family experience days in London that you will love.

WICKED is in its 16th year running, first opening at The Apollo Victoria Theatre in 2006 – I actually saw it for the first time that same year and it blew me away back then, and now having just seen it again on Mother’s Day with the children I have now seen it a total of 3 times. It still amazes me with each viewing and I manage to see something new each time that I missed the previous time. Emmy has seen it twice now and is already asking when we can go back and Harry watched for the first time in awe – he hasn’t stopped talking about it since we left the theatre.

That is the magic of the West End, shows are talked about for ages after they have been seen. Songs are sung for days and weeks after and you can relive the magic for so long after you return home. They grip you, capture you and stay in your heart.

WICKED is based on the novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ by the acclaimed American author Gregory Maguire. WICKED tells the story of the Witches from The Wizard of Oz. You learn the back story of Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba the Wicked Witch. You learn of an unlikely friendship and how each came to be who they became and the reasons behind it. While WICKED is often described as a ‘prequel’ to The Wizard of Oz, the story actually takes place before, simultaneously and after the familiar Oz tale. Gregory Maguire describes his novel as “a re-imagining of the same world”. His story creates a parallel universe to Baum’s magical world.

The show offers 3 matinees a week (Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday), which is great for families and those living outside of London. There’s also an extra matinee over the Easter holidays on Thursday 14th April! Matinee performances start at 2.30 pm and evening performances start at 7.30 pm.

We highly recommend this as a fun family day out for all ages – book your tickets online via the website here.

Easter Egg Hunt at Morden Hall Park

Embark on an Easter adventure at Morden Hall Park. Tackle nature-themed challenges as part of the Easter adventures in nature trail, exploring this former deer park and urban oasis in south London.

6-18 April 10 am-4 pm each day, £3 per trail, parking charges apply after 2 hours to non-members.

Morden Hall Park is a green oasis in the city, giving you a taste of a country estate with a glimpse of its agricultural and industrial history.

This tranquil former deer park is one of the few remaining estates that used to line the River Wandle during its industrial heyday.

Morden Hall Park is part of the National Trust, entry to the park itself is free and trust members will get free parking. If you want to join the Easter trail the cost is £3.

Easter biscuit decorating with Up at The O2

Up at The O2 has launched a series of climbs due to take place across the Easter holidays where climbers will get the chance to decorate delectable biscuits at the summit of the roof walk, located 52m above ground.

Easter biscuit decorating with Up at The O2 will take place twice daily at 10:00 am and 10:15 am from Monday to Friday on the weeks commencing Monday 4 and Monday 11 April. With extended time at the summit, kids and adults alike will be able to customise confections of different shapes and sizes – including biscuits shaped like Easter eggs and the famous outline of The O2 itself – all whilst enjoying breath-taking 360-degree views of the London skyline.

The cost for this event is £35 each, children have to be 8 years and over for this.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Kew Gardens

Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar this Easter and follow our enchanting trail through the Gardens.

Embark on a transformational journey to becoming a beautiful butterfly, based on Eric Carle’s much-loved book, and wind through sculptures of juicy fruits and a cosy chrysalis along the way.

Digest facts about the wonder of nature and the close connections between plant and insect life on Earth.

You can also explore the seasonal plants in the Gardens, with tulips, bluebells, magnolias, and cherry blossoms all bursting to life.

Open from 2nd to 18th April 2022. Tickets: From £15/£5 adult/child; concessions available

Hit the Museums

Of course, London is also renowned for its abundance of museums. Museums are great places to take the kids, they can learn about the past, science, transport and more.

There are exhibits to look at, some interactive and definitely something for everyone of all ages.

You can easily fill up a whole day visiting a museum, or even fit in a couple in one day – they are all accessible by tube so grab a travelcard and make it a learning day while having fun at the same time, and even better is most of them are free to enter.

Here are a few free museums you may like to visit:

• British Museum
• National Gallery
• Museum of London
• Natural History Museum
• Science Museum
• National Maritime Museum
• V&A Museum
• Tate Modern
• British Library
• National Army Museum
• Royal Air Force Museum
• Museum of London Docklands
• Bank of England Museum

Sight Seeing in London

Then there all the amazing sights to see in London too – you don’t even have to enter then, just grab your camera and be a tourist for the day – don’t forget to visit – Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, The London Eye, Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, Houses of Parliament.

There is so much to do in London for families – make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes and you will cover miles just wandering around and having family fun.