23 things to do in Reading this Easter holidays

Parents and guardians will no doubt be looking for things to keep youngsters busy, so we have made a list of 23 activities (indoor and outdoor) to do with the family this Easter.

Outdoor/nature activities

1. National Trust's Basildon Park - Explore the beauty of Basildon Park by taking part in the nature-inspired Easter egg hunt that leads to a secret walled garden. The trail takes place between April 1-16 April, from 10am to 4.30pm. The price of the trail is £3 per child and includes a trail map, pencil, bunny ears, and Rainforest Alliance Certified dairy or vegan and Free From chocolate egg.

2. Beale Wildlife Park - The outdoor wildlife park covers 40 acres and is home to many animals and attractions. Visit zebras, reindeer and wallabies in the zoo area or the highland cattle and pigs in the farmyard area. There is also a reptile house, play areas, a train and stunning gardens.

3. Prospect Park's new play area - Reading’s new half-a-million-pound playground in Prospect Park will open early, in time for the Easter holidays. 

Prospect Park’s new playground will have: themed zones, including quiet play areas and activity panels; roundabouts, swings and a zipwire; two large climbing towers with a tunnel slide and access ramp; and ground-level roundabout, braille panels, lower-level inclusive play net, accessible see-saw, tactile panes, ground-level games, and a large accessible springer

Read more - Prospect Park playground to open months ahead of schedule

4. Wellington Country Park - Wellington Country Park is an award-winning destination for a family day out or overnight stay. There is an animal farm with daily interactive activities for you to get up close, touch and learn more about the animals. There is also a train, enchanted forest, play areas, splash zones, mini golf, indoor soft play and much more.

5. Moor Copse Nature Reserve - The Wildlife Circular is a 2.6-km circular trail near Sulham. It is considered an easy route and takes an average of 34 minutes to complete. This trail is great for hiking, mountain biking, running or having a nice stroll with the family.

Kennet and Avon Canal. Photo by member of the Reading Chronicle Camera Club, Mike Mallett.

6. Kennet and Avon Canal - The Kennet & Avon Canal, at 87 miles long, links London with the Bristol Channel. The Heritage Walk trail starts at The Oracle follow along Chestnut Walk, taking in Chocolate Island, Reading Gaol, the Abbey Gateway, Jane’s Austen’s school room and the Abbey Ruins, as well as great Victorian buildings. There are plenty of grassy areas to have a picnic beside County Lock.

7. Reading's Half Marathon or Green Park 3km Challenge - The Green Park Challenge is a 3km fun run, open to all the family. The start time is 8:30am. The Unleashed Performance Half Marathon will begin at 10:15am and covers a route of 13.1 miles.

If you are not a runner, visit Reading town to cheer on locals as they run through the streets.

Read more - Reading Half Marathon: Road closures, route and how to help

8. Caversham Court Gardens - The free gardens have been awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Heritage Site status for the last twelve years. On Saturday, April 8, from 2pm to 4pm, there will be an Easter nature Trail and quiz around the gardens. Each young participant will win a chocoate egg or non-dairy treat. This is a free event but donations are welcome.

9. Adventure Dolphin - Adventure Dolphin offers a variety of water and land based sports including canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding and rock climbing.

10. Lagoona Park - Have a fun family day at the Aqua Park with inflatable slides, obstacles, climbing walls on the 25ft freshwater lake.

Lagoona Park photographed by Tony McGinn of flyskydrones@hotmail.com

11. Picnic in Forbury Gardens - For a low cost, family-friendly activity, visit Forbury Gardens for a picnic in the sun.

12. Blue Collar food markets - Reading Food Market is held twice a week (Wednesday and Friday lunchtime). It features many food traders ranging from jerk chicken, burgers, vegan options, Indian street food, Thai curries, loaded fries and Middle Eastern boxes.

Rainy day activities

13. Peter Pan at Reading Rep Theatre - Peter Pan is coming to Reading's Rep Theatre from April 6 to 29. Transport to Neverland as the talented cast take you on the journey of Peter Pan and the Darling siblings.

14. Easter crafts at Reading libraries - Reading libraries are hosting various Easter craft sessions during the school holidays. 

Make Easter bonnets and baskets at Southcote Library on Saturday, April 1, from 10.30-11.30am. 

On Saturday, April 15 from 10.30-11.30am, Southcote library will be making hanging mobile rain clouds. No need to book either session,  just drop in for children aged 3-10. £1 per child.

Make Easter cards at Tilehurst Library on Tuesday, April 4 from 10.30 - 11.30am. £1 per child, 2 cards each. 

On Thursday, April 6 from 1-3pm, Palmer Park Library will be giving children the change to decorate an Easter egg card and an Easter bunny card.

Make a Funny Bunny or a Cheeky Chick in Caversham Library on Thursday, April 6 from 2-3.30pm. Craft session for children aged approximately 4 – 8 and their grown-ups. £1 per child.

Battle Library are hosting an Easter craft on Thursday, April 6 from 2.30-3.30pm.

Also at Battle Library, decorate an Easter egg on Thursday, April 13 from 2.30-3.30pm. 

Visit library websites for more details

15. Holiday activities at Rivermead Leisure Complex - Visit the leisure centre over Easter and enjoy a range of family friendly activities, from splashing about in one of the pools to trampoline parks, soft play, junior gym, sports holiday clubs, racquet sports and more.

16. Spinners crazy golf and bowling - Visit Spinners for a day of family fun with crazy golf, ten pin bowling and interactive darts. The venue serves stonebaked pizzas and cocktails (for the adults). Last bookings are at 5pm for Under 18’s groups.

Photo by Kirsty O'Connor: PA

17. Parthian Climbing Walls - Trained staff will assist you on your rock climbing seesion. They offer a range of kids' sessions, providing something for everyone. Intro sessions for up to eight newcomers allow children from seven to 15 years to get a taste of climbing. The Wild Climbers sessions cater for three to six-year-olds focussing on games and climbing challenges.

18. Escape Rooms - There are several escape rooms in Reading including Knockout Escape Rooms, Escape Hunt Reading, TimeTrap, and Escape Reading. Join family and friends in a race against the clock. Can you escape in time?

19. Jungle Mania - The three tier jungle themed play area with ball pits and large slides is fun for younger children this Easter. There is a separate baby and toddler area as well as cafe and space to hire for parties.

20. Red Kangaroo Trampoline Park - The venue features a 21-metre tumble-track for springy somersaults, an gladiator beam, the incredible total wipeout game and double cardio reaction wall. There is also a power slide, two slam dunk arenas, dodgeball court and the ninja warrior course. Guaranteed fun for all the family!

21. Team Sport Go Karting - There are specially-designed Cadet Karts for the over-eights and a team of trained professionals to ensure children and families are safe out on track. Families can race it out in our popular Ultimate Race Experience for a chance to find out who’s the fastest in the family.

22. The Vue cinema - Visit the Vue cinema website for the latest timetables of film screening throughout the Easter holiday.

23. Reading Museum - Reading Museum is a free and fun day out for all the family. You can discover more about Reading's history, the Abbey Ruins, animals, art and more. The museum has various Easter-themed activities taking place during the holidays. Make paper roll bunnies on Wednesday, April 5, or Easter egg seed bombs on Thursday, April 6.

Photo by Newquest staff