Family activities at Hampshire Cultural Trust’s museums, galleries and arts centres
It’s shaping up to be an ‘eggs-citing’ Easter holidays (Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 April) across Hampshire with ‘eggs-ceptional’ Easter-themed activities and hopping good fun taking over the museums, galleries and arts centres operated by Hampshire Cultural Trust (HCT). From Bun and Ted's Eggscellent Adventure at Milestones Museum, the British birds egg hunt at HCT’s community venues to meeting the Easter bunny in Winchester and an underwater themed half term in Gosport, there will be no ‘eggs-cuse’ not to get involved
Bun and Ted's Eggscellent Adventure at Milestones Museum – Basingstoke RG22 6PG
Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 April, during museum opening hours.
The Easter Bunny’s Easter eggs have been stolen by Professor Y and sent back in time. But don’t worry, the Easter Bunny’s niece Bun and her best friend Ted are on hand to save Easter! Visitors to Milestones can help Bun and Ted hunt the missing eggs and reveal the identity of Professor Y. Families are encouraged to follow clues and solve puzzles to reveal the location of the missing Easter eggs and learn some history with Bun and Ted. Who is the mysterious Professor Y? Will there be no chocolate this Easter? Find the eggs in time and earn a tasty easter reward!
£2.50 (excluding museum entry). Suitable for ages 4+, all children must be accompanied.
Egg activities at Aldershot Military Museum – Aldershot GU11 2LG
Cracking craft: egg decorations - Thursday 6 and Thursday 13 April, 10:30am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-3pm.
Use paints and feathers to decorate your own wooden Easter egg, inspired by the eggs of birds that visit the museum's garden.
Included in museum entry. Suitable for ages 3+, all children must be accompanied.
British birds egg hunt – Saturday 1 to Saturday 8 April and Monday 10 to Sunday 16 April, during museum opening hours.
Join Aldershot Military Museum for an egg hunt with a twist! We have hidden eight eggs around the museum, can you match them to their British bird species? Once completed, spotter sheets can be used to birdwatch at home or in local green spaces.
Included in museum entry. Suitable for ages 4+, all children must be accompanied.
Easter at the Allen Gallery – Alton GU34 2BW
British birds egg hunt – Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 April, during museum opening hours.
Join the Allen Gallery for an egg hunt with a twist! We have hidden eight eggs around the gallery, can you match them to their British bird species? Once completed, spotter sheets can be used to birdwatch at home or in local green spaces.
£2 per trail sheet. Suitable for ages 4+, all children must be accompanied.
Adventures in clay - The Wild Escape – Tuesday 4 April, 11:30am and 2pm
Join us for a clay sculpting session, inspired by the animal motifs in the gallery collection. Under professional guidance, learn to use pottery tools and techniques to make your own creation in clay. The workshops form part of the National Art Fund event, The Wild Escape, with participants given the opportunity to have their work fired and exhibited in our display later in the year.
£7.50 per participant. Suitable for ages 5+, all children must be accompanied. Pre-booking via website required.
School holiday fun at the Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery – Basingstoke RG21 7QD
Cinderella trail – Saturday 1 to Saturday 15 April (Wednesdays to Saturdays), during museum opening times.
She needs a dress, a carriage and some footmen! Help the Fairy Godmother and Cinderella find all the things needed to let Cinders go to the ball.
Free, donations welcome. Suitable for ages 4+, all children must be accompanied.
Spring suncatcher workshop – Thursday 6 and Thursday 13 April, 11am-12pm and 2pm-3pm.
Whilst the days get longer, as spring takes hold, create a suncatcher and make the most of the sunshine.
£3 per child. Suitable for ages 5+, all children must be accompanied. Pre-booking via website required.
Flower windmills – Friday 14 April, 11am-12pm and 2pm-3pm.
Using templates and origami make a hand-held windmill with a floral theme.
£3 per child. Suitable for ages 5+, all children must be accompanied. Pre-booking via website required.
Get creative at Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age – Andover SP10 1DP
British birds egg hunt – Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 April, 10am-4pm.
Join Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age for an egg hunt with a twist! We have hidden eight eggs around the museums, can you match them to their British bird species? Once completed, spotter sheets can be used to birdwatch at home or in local green spaces.
£2 per trail sheet. Suitable for ages 4+, all children must be accompanied.
Make Easter cards for your friends and family – Saturday 1 to Saturday 8 April, 11am-3pm.
Enjoy this drop-in craft activity with family and friends.
Suggested donation of £1 per child. Suitable for ages 3+, all children must be accompanied.
Make Easter baskets – Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 April, 11am-3pm.
Make Easter baskets from card and decorate them to take home for your Easter egg hunts.
Suggested donation: £1 per child. Suitable for ages 3+, all children must be accompanied.
British birds egg hunt at the Curtis Museum – Alton GU34 1BA
Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 April, during museum opening times.
Join the Curtis Museum for an egg hunt with a twist! We have hidden eight eggs around the museum, can you match them to their British bird species? Once completed, spotter sheets can be used to birdwatch at home or in local green spaces.
£2 per trail. Suitable for ages 4+, all children must be accompanied.
Awesome activities at The Arc – Winchester SO23 8SB
Thursday afternoon crafts: felted eggs – Thursday 30 March, 2pm-3:30pm
Want to make your own eggcellent Easter themed needle felt decorations? If you have been wanting to try needle felting, but instructions have left you feeling a little 'scrambled', we will guide you through the process step-by-step, and even provide inspiration images to 'poach'!
£16/£13 concession. Suitable for adults, pre-booking via website required.
Easter sensory play – Monday 3 to Thursday 6 April, 11:30am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-2:30pm, 2:30pm-3:30pm and 3:30pm-4:30pm.
Perfect for the very young, our sensory activity sessions aim to appeal to all the senses with scented bottles, soothing rain sticks and plenty of materials to play with.
£3 per session. Suitable for ages 0-2, children must be accompanied. Pre-booking via website required.
Race Pro paper aeroplanes – Monday 3 April, 2pm, Wednesday 5 April, 10am, Tuesday 11 April, 2pm and Thursday 13 April, 10am.
Learn all the tips and tricks to make a paper aeroplane that goes the distance! Take the skills home and practise and maybe one day you’ll be the next world record holder!
£8 per session. Suitable for ages 9–11, children must be accompanied. Pre-booking via website required.
No-sew sock bunny – Tuesday 4 April, 2pm and Wednesday 12 April, 10am.
Learn how to make a cute sock bunny filled with rice to take home with you! We will provide you with all the simple materials you need to create your bunny friend – all steps are suitable for little hands.
£8. Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied . Pre-booking via website required.
DIY pom pom baby bunny – Thursday 6 April 10am and Friday 14 April, 2pm.
Using wool, felt and beads, you will follow along as we create fluffy pom-poms. We will then show you how to turn them into adorable baby bunnies that you can take home – perfect for Easter!
£8. Suitable for ages 7+, children must be accompanied. Pre-booking via website required.
Make your own Guatemalan Worry Dolls – Wednesday 12 April, 2pm-3:30pm.
Make your own worry doll, using brightly coloured yarns and fabrics to pop under your pillow for a worry-free night’s sleep.
£10 per child. Suitable for ages 9-11, children must be accompanied. Pre-booking via website required.
Half term entertainment at Ashcroft Arts Centre – Fareham PO16 7DX
Mrs Blossom makes: Eggcellent craft – Monday 3 April, 10am-12pm.
Hop along on to Mrs Blossom makes eggscellent craft workshop this Easter holiday. You will have a cracking good time making eggstraordinary crafts to take home. Crafts include sock bunnies and wooden Easter chick.
£10 per child. Suitable for ages 6-11. Pre-booking via website required.
Stage Combat Workshop: Age 8-11 – Tuesday 4 April, 10am-12pm.
Combat workshop focuses on teaching participants the basic techniques of hand-to-hand combat utilised on stage and screen. This workshop is for all abilities, no experience is required.
£10 per child. Suitable for ages 8-11. Pre-booking via website recommended.
Stage Combat Workshop: Age 12-16 – Tuesday 4 April, 1pm-3pm.
Combat workshop focuses on teaching participants the basic techniques of hand-to-hand combat utilised on stage and screen. This workshop is for all abilities, no experience is required.
£10 per child. Suitable for ages 12-16. Pre-booking via website recommended.
Play in a Day – Wednesday 5 April, 10am-3pm.
Stage a short play all in a day! You'll create characters, make friends and take part in the final performance at the end of the day.
£25 per child. Suitable for ages 7-14. Pre-booking via website required.
Dance in a Day – Wednesday 12 April, 10am-4pm
Dance in a day is a fun and exciting way to learn street dance, create routines and work together to put on a show at the end of the day. This is a great way to create new friends, have fun and perform in front of friends and family. We have one day to work together to create a fun performance. Are you up for the challenge?
£25 per child. Suitable for ages 6+. Pre-booking via website required.
Journey to the Stars – Saturday 15 April, 2pm.
Put on your spacesuit, check co-ordinates and fire up your engines…it’s time to go on a Journey to the Stars! Let Squashbox Theatre be your guide on a journey through the universe: across the solar system, past twinkling stars, towards distant galaxies… to the edge of space and time itself. Using only silly puppets, ridiculous and unnecessary props, ludicrous wigs and assorted fruits and vegetables, Squashbox Theatre will reveal the secrets of the universe!
£8/ £28 family of four. Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied. Pre-booking via website recommended.
Spring creativity at Forest Arts Centre – New Milton BH25 6DS
Make-and-take craft table – Monday 3 April, 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm.
You get all the fun, and we get all the mess! Explore various materials, activities, colouring and make creative objects at our craft table. What will you create with your imagination…the possibilities are endless!
£3. Suitable for ages 3+, children must be accompanied.
Creative Camps: Pottery – Tuesday 4 April, 3pm-4:30pm.
Join us for a fun filled workshop for children ages 8-13 with The Touring Potter: We are a unique service offering an experience with something handmade to keep afterwards. We will guide and encourage you to create your pottery masterpieces. No experience needed! We then take your pieces back to our workshop to glaze and fire them in the kiln. We will then arrange a drop off time for your pieces with Forest Arts Centre.
£30. Suitable for ages 8-13 years. Pre-booking via website required.
Easter Disco! – Saturday 15 April, 1pm-3pm.
Join us for our Easter Disco with crafting, dancing and face painting. Dress up is encouraged!
£6 per child. Pre-booking via website required.
Half term fun at Rockbourne Roman Villa - Fordingbridge SP6 3PG
British birds egg hunt – Saturday 1 April to Sunday 16 April, during museum opening hours.
Join the Rockbourne Roman Villa for an egg hunt with a twist! We have hidden eight eggs around the museum, can you match them to their British bird species? Once completed, spotter sheets can be used to birdwatch at home or in local green spaces.
£2 per trail. Suitable for ages 4+, children must be accompanied.
Roman writing – Thursday 6 April and Thursday 13 April, 11am-3pm.
Learn how the Romans made ink and have a go writing your own name in latin on the ancient writing paper, papyrus.
Free, donations appreciated. Suitable for ages 4+, children must be accompanied.
Art and crafts at the Red House Museum – Christchurch BH23 1BU
Museum make: Springtime pom pom wreath – Wednesday 5 April and Wednesday 12 April, 10am, 11:30am and 13:30pm.
We'll show you how to make pom poms to decorate your Springtime wreath. We will also have ideas for making feathers, flowers and animals to decorate your wreath.
£4.50.
Bournemouth Arts Club 102nd Annual Exhibition – Saturday 11 March to 23 April, during museum opening times.
This exhibition will showcase the work of Bournemouth Arts Club from the last 12 months in its 102nd year. The artworks are independently selected and presents the best of the club's contemporary art.
Free. All ages.
British birds egg hunt – Saturday 1 April to Sunday 16 April, during museum opening times.
Join the Red House Museum for an egg hunt with a twist! We have hidden eight eggs around the museum, can you match them to their British bird species? Once completed, spotter sheets can be used to birdwatch at home or in local green spaces.
£2 per trail. Suitable for ages 4+, children must be accompanied.
Anglo-Saxon Winchester at 878 AD – Winchester SO23 8QY
During venue opening times.
Experience the sights and sounds of Anglo-Saxon Winchester and discover the stories of the people who lived there, brought to life with the spectacular world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Discovery Tour: Viking Age.878 AD is a seamless experience in two parts: an interactive attraction with live performance and an augmented reality, self-led app tour of Winchester.
Adult £15 Child (5–15) £9.50 Concession £12 Family (up to 5 people, max 2 adults) £46.50. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied. Pre-booking via website recommended.
Egg hunt and family trail at Basing House – Basingstoke RG24 8AE
Easter family trail – Saturday 1 April to Sunday 16 April, 11am-4pm.
Enjoy spending time outdoors exploring the grounds of Basing House. Learn about Easter traditions from days gone by and receive a special Easter reward! Join in with some free Easter crafts and treat yourself to some seasonal goodies from our cafe.
£2.50 per trail. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.
The BIG Basing House Easter egg hunt – Saturday 1 April, 11am-4pm.
Join the hunt for hundreds of eggs hidden across our 14-acre site! Every egg handed in will enter you into our prize draw, so the more eggs you find, the higher your chance of winning a very special Easter prize! Keep your eyes peeled for those eggs, and if you're really lucky you might spy the Easter Bunny as they hide more eggs throughout the day!
Included in general admission. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.
Special Easter holiday visitors at Winchester City Museum – Winchester, SO23 9ES
Easter Bunny Visits City Museum – Friday 7 April, 11am-3pm
Join us for an eggcellent start to your Easter weekend! Take part in a Easter trail around the museum and make your own eco-friendly plant pot and planting a mystery seed…what will you grow? Finally, meet the Easter Bunny as they hop past City Museum before a busy weekend! Collect your prize from the Bunny on completion of your trail and planting!
£6 per child (standard admission charges apply for adults). Suitable for ages 3+ children must be accompanied. Pre-booking via website required.
Ruthless Romans on Tour – Thursday 13 April, all day event.
Join us to meet a real Roman. Julius the Sutler will help you to discover more about Roman food, religion and life in ancient Britain. See what curiosities he’s collected whilst following the Roman Army across the land...plus have a go at making your own catapult!
Free with price of admission. Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied.
Creation Station at Westbury Manor Museum – Fareham PO16 0JJ
Easter craft making – Monday 3 April, 10:15am-11:15am, 11:30am-12:30pm, 12:45pm-1:45pm and 2:00pm-3:00pm.
Westbury Manor Museum is delighted to be hosting 'Creation Station' Fareham who will be delivering craft sessions on site. Create some Easter Egg bunting and a clay chick or bunny.
Tickets are £6 which includes a babyccino from the museum cafe after the session. Suitable for ages 2+ years, children must be accompanied. Bookings via the creation station website
British Birds Egg Hunt – Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 April and Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 April, 10am-4pm.
Join Westbury Manor Museum for an egg hunt with a twist! We have hidden eight eggs around the museum, can you match them to their British bird species? Once completed, spotter sheets can be used to birdwatch at home or in local green spaces.
£2 per trail. Suitable for ages 4+, children must be accompanied.
Family fun at Bursledon Windmill – Southampton SO31 8BG
Easter weekend - family fun day – Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 April, 10am-4pm.
Come along and take part in our windmill Easter trail, once completed receive a sweet treat and then join in with our easter themed make and take activity.
£4. Family friendly activity, children must be accompanied.
Family fun day- flower power – Saturday 15 April, 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm.
Join the windmill team and make your own seedling pot from paper and then plant sunflower and courgette seeds. Learn about your plants and what you can make from them once they are fully grown. This event also includes our Easter make-and-take activity too.
£4. Suitable for ages 4-10, children must be accompanied.
Crafty half term at West End Centre – Aldershot GU11 3JD
Drop in craft table – Wednesday 5 April, 2pm-2:45pm and 3-3:45pm.
A blast of hands-on art for all the family. Make something amazing in just 45mins and take it home for everyone to enjoy. Dress for mess!
Free. Suitable for ages 3+, children must be accompanied. Pre-booking via website required.
Breathe – Wednesday 5 April, 2:30pm.
Come along for our children's theatre this Easter at West End Centre: find the epic in the tiny from the perspective of an acorn; an extraordinary journey through a busy forest with puppetry and live music for ages 5+.
£8, £28 family of four. Suitable for ages 5+, children must be accompanied. Pre-booking via website required.
Under the sea at Gosport Museum and Art Gallery – Gosport PO12 1NS
Under the sea mini make – Tuesday 4 April, 10.30am-1pm.
Drop in and make a sea creature then visit the Underwater photography exhibition and see if you can find them in a picture.
£1 per make. Suitable for ages 4+, children must be accompanied.
Beside the sea – Thursday 6 April, 10:30am-12pm and 1:30-3pm.
Take on a beach combing challenge without getting your feet wet. Explore the seaside science collections to discover more about life at the beach. Find out more about seaside holidays of the past and make your own mini Punch and Judy theatre.
£5 per child with accompanying adults free. Suitable for ages 6+, under 8s must be accompanied over 8s can stay on their own. Pre-booking via website required.
Coastal creatures mini makes – Tuesday 11 April, 10:30am-1pm.
Drop-in and make a sea creature then visit the underwater photography exhibition and see if you can find them in a picture.
£1 per make with accompanying adults free. Suitable for ages 4+, children must be accompanied.
Underwater worlds – Thursday 13 April, 10:30am-12pm and or 1:30-3pm.
Be inspired by our underwater photography exhibition to create your own underwater world. Get creative and make a splash.
£5 per child with accompanying adults free. Suitable for ages 6+, under 8s must be accompanied over 8s can stay on their own. Pre-booking via website required.
Springtime secrets trail – Saturday 1 April to Saturday 15 April, 10am-4pm.
Find the clues hidden on the springtime collections throughout the venue to unlock secret facts about this time of year.
£1 per trail sheet. Suitable for ages 4+, children must be accompanied.
For more information about any of the activities, events and venues above, please visit, https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/easter.
Details correct at time of publication.