Easter is nearly here, here's a few ideas on how to keep the kids busy over the Easter break

Easter Extravaganza - Family Fun Day, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle on Good Friday, 11-4pm

Celebrate Easter in this fun packed day by taking part in lots of drop-in craft activities for all ages: 1. Easter baskets with a treat! 2. Make an Easter card with a difference 3. Collage an Easter bunny pot 4. Explore the Museum with an Easter themed trail.  01833-690606.

The Northern Echo: Lambing Fun for Children

Lambing Live at RSPB Saltholme, from Easter Saturday, until April 23, 9.30-5pm

The much-loved family friendly event, starts on Saturday, celebrating the start of spring.  

It is expected that 60-70 lambs will be born at the nature reserve this year. Visitors can visit our newborn lambs in the lambing shed and in the paddock behind, take part in “Sherlock Sheep’s quest to find Beau and Peep!” - dress up in Beau and Peep costumes and enjoy craft workshops in the classroom.

Entry is £5 per car (free for RSPB members). Some activities carry extra charges. For more information visit rspb.org.uk/Saltholme Tel. 01642-546625.

Easter fun, Beamish Open Air Museum, Stanley on Saturday, till Easter Monday

Join us for some Easter fun this Spring, we’ll have loads of egg-citing activities across the museum including baking, crafts and games.

Explore the museum to find out how Easter was celebrated in the 1800s, 1900s and 1940s and sample some amazing baking along the way. Here’s just some of the fun that's happening:

Take part in our Easter egg trail – can you find all the eggs the Easter Bunny has left around the museum?

See (and taste!) traditional Easter baking.

Call in at Herron’s Bakery in The Town to purchase a delicious hot cross bun or a piece of simnel cake.

There will be a chance to make an Easter card in The Pit Village school on Saturday or why not make an Easter bonnet on Easter Sunday or Monday?

Up at Pockerley Old Hall, the Georgian folk will be dying eggs to jarp and roll, you can help them decorate the area ready for Easter, as well as making a paper flower to take home.

If you’re visiting on Easter Sunday, head to the dentist’s waiting room in The Town, where you can decorate an egg, whilst on Easter Monday there's egg rolling in The Town park at 11am, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

Tel: 0191-370 4000.

Easter weekend, Beningbrough Hall and Gardens, York on Easter weekend, 10.30-5pm

Bunny's been up to his old tricks again. Hop to it and follow Bunny on this trail as he meets the Dawnay family pet rabbits, to win your very own Cadbury chocolate bunny prize.

Plus decorate an egg competition in the family art workshop and meet the Easter Bunny. Tel: 01904-472027.

Easter Eggsplorers, Kiplin Hall, Richmond, from Saturday, until April 26

A strange new creature has been seen in the Kiplin Woods.

Using the 'Eggsplorer' packs, search the woods for clues to help track it down. Best solution wins a great, big egg and there are lots of little eggs for runners-up. 01748-818178.

The Northern Echo:

Easter activities, Raby Castle Gardens, Staindrop, on Easter Saturday-Monday, 11-5pm

Easter Fun for the children, collect a sheet to follow the Easter treasure trail and be rewarded with a tasty treat at the end.

Make Easter crafts to take home, plus face painting and giant games on the lawn.

Adults £7, children £3, and family £18. 01833-660202.

Easter Special, Head of Steam, Darlington, on Easter Sunday, 10-4pm

Activities include egg hunt, face painting, arts and crafts and lots more. Admission £1. 01325-460532.

The Northern Echo: Alice at Crook Hall Gardens

Easter fun, Crook Hall and Gardens, Durham, on Easter Sunday, 10-5pm

The Easter Bunny will once again be emerging from his burrow to hop around the gardens awarding chocolate eggs to all children who complete his Easter Treasure Hunt.

Easter was one of the first events that Keith and Maggie Bell put on at the Hall and Gardens. It was inspired by an Easter egg hunt that they used to organise to entertain their children when they were young.

Whilst parents can enjoy the long lasting snow drops from winter and the first of the spring blooms, the children can have fun playing Easter games.  0191-3848028.