Kingfisher Centre, Redditch

Little ones visiting the Kingfisher Shopping Centre can enjoy plenty of Easter fun exploring an interactive maze and embark on an Easter egg trail during the school holidays.

Kingfisher will be transformed into an Easter themed hub with giant eggs, Easter bunny themed games and a fun Easter egg trail to get families into the spirit of spring.

The Easter activity gives children the opportunity to hop along through the maze with their trail map searching for the hidden letters and follow the bunny footprints around the centre to find the giant eggs and letters. On completion of the egg hunt, they can collect a chocolate treat from Customer Service desk and also enter in to a colouring competition to win a £50 gift card for The Entertainer.

Domonique Lippett, Marketing Manager at Kingfisher, said: “We can’t wait to welcome families into the Kingfisher for our Easter maze and trail. There’s plenty going on around the centre this year to keep the little ones entertained and it’s the perfect holiday activity for all the family to get involved in, young or old.”

The Easter maze and trail is taking place from 10am - 4pm every day, until Saturday 27th April (excluding Easter Sunday).

There is no need to book, on arrival, simply go to the Customer Service desk in Worcester Square (near Boots) and pick up a trail map to get started.

For more information, visit: https://www.kingfishershopping.co.uk/

Avoncroft Museum

The museum in Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, will be holding a big Easter Family Fun on Monday with lots to explore and do throughout the day including: – Bird of Prey displays throughout the day plus your chance to meet the Birds up close – Musical Mayhem Workshops where you can show off your musical talents and have a go with a variety of instruments – Traditional Fairground Swingboats – Easter bunny trail around the museum – Craft Activities to participate in.

– Ride the rails on the Miniature Railway Tel: 01527 831363 / 831886

St George’s Park, Kidderminster

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

The Friends of St George’s Park are holding their annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, 20th April from noon to 4pm.

The free entertainment includes a display with double back flips and other aerial stunts by Europe’s leading mobile BMX show, Mobile Bike Events, a public participation area with ramps and obstacles for all abilities and a dedicated cycle skills coach, a bouncy castle, a face painter and Anthony Arnold circus skills.

Raffle tickets to win a bike from Halfords will be on sale.

There will be burgers, hot dogs, ice cream and sweets to buy plus other stalls. Tea, coffee, squash and cakes will be available in St George’s Church for a donation.

For more information about Mobile Bike Events visit https://mobilebikeevents.co.uk

West Midlands Safari Park

KEEPERS at West Midland Safari Park are busy putting together the finishing touches for their annual Easter Eggstravaganza event - with help from some inquisitive sea lions.

From April 13 to 28, more than 50 giant brightly-coloured eggs will be popping up all over the park’s walk-through areas, including the Sea Lion Theatre, home to three California sea lions – Callum, Jack and Bounty.

To get the trio ready for Easter, keepers incorporated one of the giant eggs into the sea lions’ daily enrichment, placing one on their beach for the animals to discover and play with.

The giant eggs will form part of an interactive 'Eggsplorer’s Trail', where guests will be invited to help find the missing eggs hidden around the park, to be rewarded with a chocolate treat.

There will also be an exclusive competition, which involves guests taking a picture with the final egg on the trail and posting it to the Safari Park’s Facebook page to be in with the chance of winning a family annual pass.

For more information visit wmsp.co.uk or by call 01299 402114.

Webbs Garden Centre

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

Webbs Garden Centre welcomes the return of John Lawson’s circus this Easter and along with a Easter trail, there’s plenty to see and do.

The spectacular shows take place until Thursday 18th April 10:30am, 1pm and 3pm daily. Tickets cost £6.50 per person.

Webbs, Wychbold is also hosting a free Easter trail from Saturday 13th to Sunday 28th April, both inside and outside the store, where children can hunt and discover Easter clues in a chance to win some goodies.

Ed Webb, Owner of Webbs Garden Centre’s said: “We always look forward to having the John Lawson’s circus visit us and it’s fantastic to see families watch the performance in total astonishment.

As you can imagine, I have seen it quite a few times now and it gets better every year!”

To find out more about Webbs, West Hagley, visit webbs.co.uk/west-hagley, or call 01562 700 511.

To book circus tickets, visit webbs.co.uk/circus/. Webbs strongly recommends booking in advance to guarantee entry to the circus on the day and time you require.

County Museum at Hartlebury Castle

This Easter weekend Hartlebury Castle goes animal-mad with Animal Mania, a weekend of fun with furry creatures, animal activities and an Easter trail to hop around.

On Easter Monday,(22 April) visitors can get up close to a host of animals including baby rabbits, chicks, chinchillas, skunks and corn snakes and even take part in ferret racing with the Heart of England Ferrets Association.

Younger visitors can look out for Hartlebury Castle's very own Easter Bunny, have their faces painted, enjoy following the animal trail around the Castle and make a crafty cockerel or Geoffrey giraffe to take home.

Throughout the holidays there are activities for the whole family to take part in including an Easter egg hunt over Easter weekend, and Easter crafts Tuesday – Friday 16 –19 April and Tuesday – Friday 23 - 26 April.

As well as enjoying Easter Fun visitors can explore the new developments at Hartlebury Castle including marveling at talking portraits, promenading the Long Gallery and following in the footsteps of royalty as they stroll around the moat on a new walk revealing the grounds for the very first time.

For visitor information please call 01299 250416 or visit www.hartleburycastle.com

Brinton Park, Kidderminster

A free Easter egg hunt is being held in Kidderminster for children in Wyre Forest.

Churches Together in Kidderminster is hosting the event in Brinton Park on Saturday, April 20 at 10.30am until midday.

The hunt is free for children living in the Wyre Forest area and is suitable for youngsters up to 11 years of age.

To book, contact Councillor Juliet Smith on 01562 633185 advising the number of children wishing to enter and a contact number. Children's names, addresses and ages are not required.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Bodenham Arboretum

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Plant Hunters' Fair at Ness Gardens

On Saturday 20th April (Easter Saturday) Plant Hunters Fair’s return to Bodenham Arboretum. Eighteen top specialist nurseries from 7 different counties are booked to attend offering a brilliant choice of plants, plus two wonderful garden accessories artisans with hand crafted products.

Martin Blow of Plant Hunters' Fairs said "Now is a great time for getting out in the garden, digging over the soil and getting everything ready for a summer of bloom and fragrance.

"It’s also a great time to revamp your beds and borders casting a critical eye over everything, finding gaps and perhaps shifting out those plants that aren’t pulling their weight anymore. If you are new to gardening the stall holders are always happy to share their expertise to help you select the best plants for your own unique garden.”

The plant fair runs from 10am-4pm on Saturday 20th April. It’s completely free to enter the fair which is held just next to the main arboretum entrance. There’s also ample free parking, so you can pop in for some plants and visit the restaurant for a cuppa.

The fair is on hard standing so there’s no need to worry if the weather is wet! Entry to Beautiful 156-acre arboretum with over 3000 types of trees and shrubs is optional at normal prices. Bodenham Arboretum is situated between the A442 and A449 just north of Kidderminster (DY11 5TB for satnav.)

Pets at Home

Pets at Home is running free interactive ‘My Pet Pals’ workshops, in store between 6th April – 28th April 2019.

The workshops will focus on caring for small furries, such as guinea pigs, gerbils and rabbits, teaching children the responsibilities of owning them but also how rewarding these pets can be and how to care for them. Children will also learn how to interact with them safely too.

Taking place every day in the Bromsgrove store at 11.30am, the workshops are aimed at children between the ages of 5-11 and will be hosted by the friendly and knowledgeable Pets at Home pet care advisors.

Stuart Brown, store manager at Bromsgrove Pets at Home, said: “The My Pet Pals workshops demonstrate how rewarding pets can be and how to care for them, making sure parents and kids understand pet welfare and responsible pet ownership. It’s a great way of learning how to keep small furries happy and healthy during a fun and hands-on experience!”

The workshops will cover the five key welfare needs for each - shelter, food and water, good health, appropriate company and the right living environment. Each workshop lasts 30 minutes and is free to attend.

The free workshops will run every day during the Easter school holidays at 11.30am and bookings can be made at petsathome.com/petworkshops.

All kids attending workshops will receive an exciting activity book, pet stickers and colouring sheets.

Harriers Kidderminster

arriers Community Trust will be holding Easter Football courses for children aged 5-14 years. Courses will run 10am-3pm. Cost £10 per day, £20 for two, £27 for three or £35 for four days. Younger children (5-7 years) can attend for half a day @ £5 per morning/afternoon. The Strikers & GoalKeeper days will focus on scoring and saving goals including Goal of the Day and Save of the Day competitions plus our regular 6-a-side tournament.

The venues are:- Kinver High School - Tuesday 23rd & Wednesday 24th April Kidderminster, Baxter College - Tuesday 23rd, Wed 24th, Thurs 25th & Fri 26th April Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre - Wednesday 24th, Thurs 25th & Friday 26th April To reserve a place please send their name, age, any medical conditions and an emergency contact to harrierscommunity@hotmail.co.uk or Tel. 01562 863821

Black Country Living Museum

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

Easter celebrations are set to take place at the Black Country Living Museum this half-term, where a programme of Easter fun is ready and waiting.

Until Sunday, April 28 (10am-5pm), visitors will be able to find out all about the weird and wonderful practices of the past, from egg dancing to hot cross buns.

Take part in some traditional street games, and have a go at some crafty activities including egg painting and traditional card writing.

Plus, love is in the air this year – so watch out for a beautifully re-enacted spring time wedding, or loff-out-loud at the not-so-romantic antics of costumed characters in some unforgettable street theatre.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy playing traditional Easter street games, such as egg dancing and egg tapping. Or perhaps you’d prefer to take a trip down into the Museum’s famous mine and experience the realities of being a coal miner in the mid-nineteenth century?

When you’re finished, jump on a trolleybus down to the Museum’s canal-side village where you’ll be able to test your times tables at the Victorian school and watch a short film at the Lime Light Cinema. And if you’re feeling peckish, don’t forget to enjoy some traditional fish and chips from Hobbs and Sons.

For more information or to book tickets, visit www.bclm.com or call 0121 557 9643.

If you purchase a full-priced ticket, you’ll pay for one day and can visit as many times as you like for 12 months with BCLM’s UnChained Annual Pass. Evening and pre-booked events are not included.

Dudley Zoological Gardens

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

Dudley Zoological Gardens has baby animals aplenty to spot this Easter as well as the re-opening of Lemur Wood.

The one-acre walkthrough exhibit, which is home to free-roaming ring-tailed, collared and black-and-white-ruffed lemurs, has received a £100,000 facelift.

Marketing manager Andrea Hales said: “We have plenty going on for all the family throughout the school holidays and we’re especially egg-cited to unveil our new-look walkthrough this weekend.

“Visitors can also hunt out the Easter bunny in our trail, spot our many recent newborns which include lemurs, barbary sheep and geladas, take part in colouring crafts in the farm barn and restaurant and meet our costumed character Bertie Bunny who will be making appearances throughout the Easter weekend.

“Plus there’ll also be tasty treats for our young visitors as we’ll be handing out free chocolate between Good Friday and Easter Monday.”

But that’s not all as each day throughout the Easter break there’ll also be extra talks and feeds where visitors can learn about the zoo’s conservation work with some of the world’s rarest animals.

For more information visit www.dudleyzoo.org.uk

Drayton Manor

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

Staffordshire-based Drayton Manor Park is promising families an Easter holiday holiday full of daily activities and entertainment.

Drayton Manor Park is home to over 100 rides and attractions, including Europe’s only Thomas Land, featuring Thomas & Friends™.

Suitable for children and adults of all ages, Thomas Land consists of 25 tot-friendly favourites, including several mini coasters for the little ones.

Special Easter performances from Thomas & Friends™ will be showing daily in Thomas Land, with surprise visits from the Easter Bunny himself!

After the show, lucky visitors can enjoy meet-and-greets with the Easter Bunny and the famous Fat Controller from the hit TV show!

For grown-ups, Drayton Manor Park’s famous thrill rides will be available throughout Easter, including the stomach-churning gyro swing Maelstrom and the breath-taking Apocalypse; the first ever stand up drop tower ride in the world.

Animal-lovers will have a variety of zookeeper talks to choose from each day, all featuring a host of fun facts and information on the huge number of animals the park is home to, including tigers, red pandas, meerkats, spider monkeys and reptiles.

William Bryan, managing director at Drayton Manor Park, said: “We all know how difficult it can be to keep the family entertained throughout the holidays.

“That’s why we’ve launched an exciting schedule of Easter activities for devoted Thomas fans and theme park loving families so everyone has a fantastic holiday.”

Tickets are available online at https://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/tickets-and-prices, or through Drayton Manor’s ticket line on 0844 472 1950.

Follow Drayton Manor Park on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates: https://www.facebook.com/DraytonManorPark and https://twitter.com/draytonmanor.

Midlands Arts Centre (MAC)

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

There’s lots going on for families at MAC over the Easter holidays! We’ve got family workshops, shows, performances and family films to enjoy.

Here are some of the highlights. https://macbirmingham.co.uk/easter-at-mac David Baddiel’s ANiMALCOLM The Musical, on Saturday 20 April and Sunday 21 April, 1.30pm & 6pm. Suitable for ages five and above.

https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/animalcolm Malcolm doesn’t like animals, which is a problem because his family loves them. In fact, they’re wild about them.

Their house is full of pets of all shapes and sizes, but it’s NOT full of stuff Malcolm likes. Such as the laptop he wanted for his birthday. The only bright spot on the horizon is the Year Six school trip, which Malcolm never thought his parents would pay for. And yet there he is, on the bus, heading to… a farm. What follows is a school trip like no other, where Malcolm begins to understand animals more deeply than anyone. But will he end up the same as before?

Because sometimes the hardest thing to become is yourself. A vibrant, energetic and gloriously funny musical from the award-winning Story Pocket Theatre.

ANiMALCOLM combines physical theatre, puppetry and the company’s outstanding storytelling style to bring David Baddiel’s magical and wonderfully comic story to the stage.