The Easter holidays can be a wonderful time to get outdoors, explore, and spend quality time with the kids, but keeping everyone entertained for two weeks can quickly become expensive. The good news is that there are plenty of cheap and free family activities across the UK during the Easter break.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, creative activities, or educational days out, this guide will help you plan budget-friendly Easter fun for the whole family.
Go on a Local Easter Egg Hunt
Easter egg hunts are a classic activity that children love, and they don’t have to cost much.
Many parks, community centres and attractions host low-cost or free Easter trails during the holidays. You can also create your own egg hunt in the garden, at a local park, or even indoors if the weather turns.
Popular places that often run affordable Easter trails include:
- National Trust properties
- English Heritage sites
- Local farms and community gardens
Even when events charge a small fee, they often include activities, crafts, and a chocolate treat, making them great value and an egg-citing day out!
Money-saving tip: If you’re making your own egg hunt, use Easter/ Spring clues instead of chocolate to keep costs down.
Explore Your Local Parks and Nature Trails
Spring is the perfect time to get outside with the kids. Flowers are blooming, wildlife is active, and longer daylight hours make it easier to enjoy family walks.
Many families in cities like London head to spaces managed by the Royal Parks, but nearly every town in the UK has beautiful green spaces that are completely free to visit.
Fun nature activities for kids include:
- Spotting spring flowers and blossom
- Pond dipping or wildlife spotting
- Taking bikes or scooters
- Creating a simple nature scavenger hunt
You could even challenge the kids to collect interesting leaves, stones or sticks for craft projects later.
Visit Free Museums
The UK is famous for having some of the best free museums in the world, making them ideal for rainy Easter holiday days.
For example, in London you’ll find fantastic child-friendly museums such as:
- Natural History Museum
- Science Museum
These venues regularly run free family exhibitions, interactive displays, and holiday activities designed especially for children.
Across the UK, many local museums also offer free entry or small suggested donations, and they often organise Easter craft workshops and themed trails during school holidays.
Try Easter Craft Activities at Home
If you want a completely free Easter activity, crafting at home is a great option.
You only need basic supplies like paper, cardboard, crayons, and glue.
Simple Easter craft ideas include:
- Decorating paper Easter eggs
- Making bunny masks
- Creating Easter cards for family members
- Painting stones with spring designs
You can also reuse materials from around the house such as cereal boxes, egg cartons, and old magazines are perfect for creative projects.
Crafting keeps kids busy for hours and encourages imagination and creativity.
Organise a Family Picnic
A picnic is a simple and affordable way to turn a normal afternoon into something special.
Head to a nearby park, beach, or woodland and pack a homemade lunch or snacks. Let the children help prepare the food, sandwiches, fruit, and homemade treats work perfectly.
To make it more exciting for kids, bring along:
- A football or frisbee
- Outdoor games
- A kite if it’s windy
Even something as simple as eating outdoors can feel like an Easter holiday adventure for younger children. Why not invite friends for ultimate fun! Read our essentials for a top-noch family picnic!
Follow a Local Walking Trail
Many towns and cities have free walking trails or discovery routes that help families explore local landmarks and hidden gems.
You can find these through:
- Local council websites
- Tourism websites
- Printable family trails online
Turn it into a game by asking kids to:
- Spot historic buildings
- Count statues or landmarks
- Take photos along the way
- Pick a colour and find out how many ‘orange’ things you can find
It’s a great way to combine exercise, learning, and fun during the school holidays.
Attend Free Library Events
Local libraries often run free events for children during school holidays, including:
- Storytelling sessions
- Easter crafts
- Lego clubs
- Reading challenges
Libraries are fantastic places to encourage reading and creativity, and they provide a quiet break from busy holiday schedules.
Many also allow children to borrow books, audiobooks, and activity packs for free.
Plan a Spring Wildlife Adventure
Easter falls at a wonderful time of year for spotting wildlife.
Kids can look out for:
- Baby lambs in the countryside
- Ducklings in local ponds
- Butterflies and bees in parks
- Nesting birds
Bring binoculars if you have them and turn it into a mini wildlife safari. Children love the excitement of discovering animals in their natural habitat.
Have a Family Film Night at Home
If the weather isn’t great, plan a budget-friendly family movie night.
You can:
- Borrow DVDs from the library
- Stream a family film you already have access to
- Let kids vote on the film
Add homemade popcorn and cosy blankets to make it feel like a special Easter holiday treat without cinema prices.
Create Your Own Easter Games Day
Sometimes the simplest activities are the most memorable.
Create a DIY Easter games day with:
- Egg-and-spoon races
- Sack races
- Treasure hunts
- Board game tournaments
You can even offer small prizes like stickers or chocolate eggs to make it extra egg-citing.
Keeping kids entertained during the Easter holidays doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With a bit of creativity, families across the UK can enjoy plenty of cheap or free Easter activities. From nature walks and museum visits to crafts and Easter egg hunts, there are endless ways to create fun memories without stretching your budget. The key is to mix outdoor adventures with simple activities at home, ensuring the kids stay active, engaged, and excited throughout the holidays.