Egg-citing holiday activities on offer for families in Reading this Easter!

FAMILIES can look forward to a bumper programme of activities and events around Reading over the two-week Easter holiday.

Hop along to Southcote Library on Saturday 1 April from 10.30 - 11.30am to create your very own Easter bonnet and basket. Or, on Saturday 15 April, make a hanging mobile rain cloud. No need to book, just drop-in for children ages 3-10. £1 per child.

At Palmer Park library, crafters can make their own Easter Egg and Easter Bunny cards on Saturday 15 April. 1 – 3pm, no need to book, suitable for children aged 4 and up, £1 per child.

Why not rediscover the Library Service’s Rhymetimes at Central, Battle, Tilehurst, Caversham, Palmer, Whitley and Southcote Libraries? All sessions last for 25 minutes and are free to attend. To find out more, visit: https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/rhymetimes.w

The Toy Library is now open at Reading Central Library on Thursdays from 10am to 12pm. It offers a fantastic selection of toys and games, catering for all ages, from babies to teens. Choose from a wide selection of small, medium, or large toys at a minimal cost. You can also hire larger indoor and outdoor games for children’s parties: https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/toy-library-2    

There’s a cracking time to be had this Easter at Reading Museum. Can you find all the green eggs hidden throughout the galleries? Join The BIG Green Easter Egg Hunt and pick up some easy eco tips along the way. When you have found them all, collect your chocolate prize! Families, £2 per trail, pay on the day or book at this link.

For budding artists, get creative and make a friendly rocking Shreddy the Sheep or funny paper roll bunny using biodegradable and recycled materials. Wednesday 15 April. Families, half-hour sessions 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm. £1, pay on the day, drop-in.

Work with local artist Rebecca Howard to create a joint artwork, inspired by Reading’s rivers. Then make your pledge to protect our waterways to take home, or hang up in the Museum. Running at Reading Museum Wednesday 12 April and on Thursday 13 April at The Museum of English Rural Life, part of Museums Partnership Reading’s Our Green Stories campaign. Free. Families, drop in between 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm. Fully funded by Museums Partnership Reading, as part of Our Green Stories.

Find full details of the Easter holiday fun with Reading Museum at: https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/holiday-fun-reading-museum

There’s a wild time to be had with the ‘Animals!’ by Dens and Signals at South Street on Wednesday 5 April. The animals are gathering for the Animal General Meeting, but as usual, one species hasn’t turned up, and it’s the species which has been causing all the trouble...Human. Suitable for children aged 6 and above. Find out more and book tickets at: https://whatsonreading.com/venues/south-street/whats-on/animals.

Check out the What’s on Reading website at www.whatsonreading.com – the one-stop shop for listings and bookings for the town's arts, culture, and heritage events.  

For families looking to get out and about, there are many beautiful parks and gardens in Reading with play areas and spaces to play games. The brand-new children’s play area at Prospect Park is now open, providing a range of exciting facilities to cater for children of all ages and abilities.

The Ranger Station at Prospect Park now offers an accessible 9-hole mini-golf and low ropes activity course for children under 7: www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/active-reading/. 

Why not join Reading’s brand-new Easter Trail to find hidden eggs around Reading town centre? Keep little ones entertained as they explore the town centre, using the handy trail map to hunt for 12 eggs hidden in shop windows.

Get your free Easter Trail Map from The Oracle Customer Service Desk between 1-10 April, or download your own to print at home. Follow the Easter trail around Reading town centre to find all 12 hidden eggs and receive a special Easter treat at the end.

Students and young people keen to pursue a career in the arts are encouraged to come along to a week of exhibitions, workshops and events led by Boiling Point Artist Collective members, hosted at 571 Oxford Road. Budding artists can participate in outdoor printmaking sessions, work with the artists to develop creative writing and encounter a live painting demonstration. Find out more at: https://571oxfordroad.com/exhibition/2023/04/06/fresh-2-boiling-point

Reading’s SEND Short Breaks for the Easter holiday includes multi-sports camps, theatre workshops, gymnastics, easter egg trails, and more. For full listings, visit: https://servicesguide.reading.gov.uk/kb5/reading/directory/localoffer.page?familychannel=3-7 

The Spring SEND Local Offer Newsletter is also packed with lots of information – visit: https://search3.openobjects.com/mediamanager/reading/enterprise/files/bffc_send_local_offer_newsletter_-_spring_2023_002_-final.pdf

General Holiday Activity information can be found at: https://servicesguide.reading.gov.uk/kb5/reading/directory/service.page?id=YpGzb7okYyE&familychannel=0

Parent carers who need information on childcare, holiday clubs, childminders etc. for the Easter holiday, visit: www.readingfis.org/childcare.   

Reading’s children’s centres, operated by Brighter Futures for Children, will be running a fun-packed programme of activities throughout Easter between 3 – 14 April, including Mini Athletics, Fluffy Chick Fun, Easter Fun Stay and Play and Diddi Dance. Find the programmes of events at: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/for-parents-carers/under-5/childrens-centres/

The Holiday Activity & Food (HAF) programme provides a wide variety of exciting holiday camps for children who are normally eligible for pupil premium free school meals. Activities range from football to fencing and from baking to board games, plus lots more in between. And a tasty, nutritious lunch is included. The registration form and details of Easter holiday camps can be found at: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/for-parents-carers/schools/haf/.

The Brighter Futures for Children Youth Team will be out and about during the holidays with outdoor activities between 12noon – 3pm at Cintra Park on 3 April, Coronation Square in Southcote on 4 April, John Rabson Rec on 5 April, and Courage Park on 6 April.

Why not sharpen your cycling skills with a fun Bikeability course from Avanti Cycling? Held at Highdown School, Reading, RG4 8LR, courses are available for a range of ages and abilities. Find out more and book at: www.avanticycling.co.uk/holiday-courses

ENDS