LEGO CITY: CITY OF CHAMPIONS

The Lego City Minifigure team - Ricky Rocket Racer, Mech-Max, Go-To Gary and Fearless Fi - have taken over Legoland Discovery Centre to set epic missions for little ones and their families to complete.

Testing your skills with each mission, you will rescue animals, find messages in the street art and have a go at brick-building games, in the process earning an exclusive limited-edition card and sticker.

For £5 per person, there will also be the chance to build your own police car or fire engine in the on-site creative workshop.

Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham, until Sun 9 July

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EASTER AT THINKTANK

Thinktank hosts an Easter egg hunt trail with a difference this month (1 - 16 April).

Instead of traditional chocolate delights, the  hidden eggs are from the museum’s nature collection. See how many you can find, and receive a sticker for all your hard work.

Plus, on weekdays over Easter (3 - 7 & 10 - 14 April), families can join in with Eclectic Electrics Science Busking drop-in sessions, playing with gadgets and gizmos that are powered by electricity. 

They can also get hands-on with chemistry, courtesy of ChemiStories, bringing to life the work of Opportunity, a robotic rover on the surface of Mars.

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, Sat 1 - Sun 16 April

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EASTER AT WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK

Children visiting the Safari Park this Easter will get to meet Bramble Bunny, who’ll be presenting a special interactive show to celebrate the venue’s 50th birthday.  

There’s also the chance for families to enjoy all the fun and excitement of looking for a giant egg along the Discovery Trail. When they find it, they have to guess how many eggs it contains - and maybe win an overnight stay in a Rhino Lodge for up to four people!

West Midland Safari Park, Bewdley, Sat 1 - Sun 16 April

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BLOOMING MARVELLOUS

Spring into the Easter holiday at Black Country Living Museum.

Visitors can take a step back in time to discover how people of a bygone age would welcome-in the spring season.

The museum’s historic characters will be busily preparing for springtime, making puddings, buying clothes, and carrying out a good old-fashioned spring clean. 

And as the museum’s gardens begin to bloom, families can follow the activity trail and find out all about the on-site plants and what makes them so special.

Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 1 - Sun 16 April

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EASTER AT THE STRATFORD BUTTERFLY FARM

Eastertime visitors to the Stratford Butterfly Farm can stroll amongst some of the world’s most stunning and colourful butterflies in a tropical rainforest setting, complete with fish-filled pools, splashing waterfalls and beautiful blooms.

The always-popular Meet The Mini-Beast handling sessions & demonstrations take place daily throughout the holiday (except on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday).

And as a special Easter treat, Holt Hall Apiary’s beekeeper, Matthew Ingram, visits the venue - as do his bees! - on Wednesday 12 April.

Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm, Sat 1 - Sun 16 April

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WOODLAND TRIBE

Returning to Compton Verney this Easter, the highly rated ‘masters of constructive play’, Woodland Tribe, are offering families the chance to build the ultimate treehouse. 

Designed for children over the age of six, the activity aims to get youngsters thinking creatively as they use real tools to fashion a woodland hideaway.   

Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Wed 5 - Sun 9 April

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COUNTRYTASTIC

Featuring interactive learning experiences, farmyard friends and countryside fun, CountryTastic is an immersive day out designed with kids aged under 11 in mind.

Youngsters can ‘ask the farmer’ questions about their favourite farmyard animals in the Muddy Boots Theatre, learn about where their food comes from and take part in hands-on cookery sessions, get stuck into a selection of craft activities, and develop their bushcraft and den-building skills in the outdoor activity zone.

Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Thurs 6 April

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INSOMNIA: THE GAMING FESTIVAL

Immerse yourself in a world of non-stop gaming at Insomnia, with everything from the latest video games to retro classics available to enjoy. 

Try your hand at VR games, test your skills in esports competitions, or get lost in the world of tabletop games.

Guests can meet fellow gamers, attend panels and meet & greets with their favourite creators, and compete in tournaments for prizes.

Live performances, cosplay competitions, and the latest gaming gear also feature.

NEC, Birmingham, Fri 7 - Mon 10 April

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BRITISH OPEN SQUASH 2023

One of the most prestigious and historic tournaments in professional squash, the British Open is being held in Birmingham for the first time in over two decades.

The tournament will see 96 of the best PSA World Tour stars - including reigning champions Paul Coll and Hania El Hammamy - battle it out for the coveted titles. 

The first two days of the event take place at Edgbaston Priory Club. Play then moves to Birmingham Rep, where the action will unfold on an all-glass show court. 

Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham, Sun 9 & Mon 10 April, and then The Rep, Birmingham, Tues 11 - Sun 16 April 

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SPRING STEAM GALA

The Severn Valley Railway’s (SVR) annual spring festival of steam locomotives returns for a three-day extravaganza.

Visitors will be able to hop on and off SVR’s 16-mile line, checking out VIP guests such as the GWR 4079 Pendennis Castle and GWR Small Prairie 4555. The valley’s resident steam fleet will also be available to enjoy.

Severn Valley Railway, Fri 14 - Sun 16 April

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INTERNATIONAL LIVING HISTORY FESTIVAL

The International Living History Festival makes its debut at its new home of Avoncroft Museum this month.

Across the weekend, the venue’s 19-acre site and its historic buildings will be brought to life with re-enactors, who will be representing periods from the Bronze Age right through to the Cold War. 

Hands-on activities and a historically themed market further add to the event’s appeal.

Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, Sat 15 & Sun 16 April

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ST GEORGE'S DAY EXTRAVAGANZA

The ever-popular St George’s Day Extravaganza makes a welcome return, with this year’s programme of entertainment featuring jousting, archery, a living-history camp, fairground rides, stalls and numerous children’s activities.

Families can check out an animatronic Ice Dragon and White Walker - inspired by hit television series Game Of Thrones - as they roam around the castle grounds.

Tamworth Castle, Sat 22 April - this event is free

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CAMP SEVERN KIDS FESTIVAL

Taking on a Wild West theme for its 2023 edition, Camp Severn Kids Festival returns to West Mid Showground late this month.

Visiting families can opt either to camp on-site for the whole weekend or make a day trip to the festival, with all activities included in the ticket price.

Attractions include Wild West-themed shows, BMX & stunt team displays, family circus sessions, inflatable games and a Canyon Desert beach.

West Mid Showground, Shrewsbury, Fri 28 April - Mon 1 May

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SWINGAMAJIG FESTIVAL

Bringing together an eclectic blend of music, dance and cabaret, family-friendly Swingamajig aims to celebrate its 10th birthday in style.

The festival features two stages of live music, a seated theatre hosting internationally acclaimed cabaret, swing dancing taster workshops & performances, and DJs playing the very best in electro swing.

For those wanting to carry on having fun when the festival finishes, The Mill in Digbeth will be hosting an adults-only after-party. 

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Sun 30 April

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GAIETY MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL

The UK’s first outdoor festival dedicated solely to musical theatre makes its debut this month.

Gaiety Musical Theatre Festival features performances by, among others, Collabro, Kerry Ellis (pictured), Marisha Wallace, Lee Mead and Cassidy Janson, all of whom will be accompanied by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra.

Other entertainment on the day includes theatre workshops, a community bandstand, a silent disco and a traditional funfair.

Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, Sun 30 April

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EASTNOR CHILLIFEST

Things will certainly be hotting up this May Bank Holiday weekend at Eastnor Castle, courtesy of the venue’s annual ChilliFest.

Perfect for those who enjoy a bit of spice, the event provides visitors with the chance to ‘try & buy’ a variety of chilli products from a wide range of stallholders.

Attractions at this year’s get-together include cookery demonstrations, a chilli-eating competition, Bhangra dance workshops, stilt-walking and fire shows. 

Live music is provided by Los Squideros, The Breaks and Baixa Beats. 

Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, Sun 30 April & Mon 1 May

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