The Easter holidays are here and, as every parent will know, the school break can hit your pocket as you look for ways to entertain the family. But there are lots of great free activities across Wales during the holiday - which runs from Saturday, March 23 to Sunday, April 7 - meaning you don't need to break the bank to have fun.
From dinosaur trails to free films, there are some fab free events across Wales. You can keep up to date with the latest What's On news by signing up to the newsletter here.
Here are some of the best free activities you can enjoy in Wales during Easter 2024. Want less ads? Download WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android.
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Dino Takeover - Mermaid Quay, Cardiff
An epic Dino Takeover is about to descend on Mermaid Quay this Easter. From Saturday, March 23 to Sunday, April 14 there will be plenty of fun for the whole family to enjoy at the quayside.
Visitors will encounter lifelike dinosaurs and have the opportunity to take part in free dino-themed activities, enjoy jam-packed event days, and get involved in the onsite colouring competition and Dino Discovery Trail. On Tuesday, April 2, and Wednesday, April 3 visitors will have the chance to meet and greet Razor the Velociraptor, Nibbles the baby Tyrannosaurus Rex, and Boulder the Baby Ankylosaurus, as they make special appearances throughout the day.
In addition to the meet and greet sessions, on Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5, from 12pm to 4pm, young aspiring palaeontologists can participate in the Palaeontology School, where they'll dig for fossils and dino bones in a sand pit. Additionally, children can get creative with Roarsome Rocks, crafting realistic fossils using air-drying clay and mini dinosaurs. You can find out more, here.
Margam Park - Port Talbot
Margam Park is running some great free Easter activities including Easter Fun with the Friends of Margam where you can try out pebble painting, creating a chick facemask, colouring a bookmark, and lots more arts and crafts. There is also Louby Lou's interactive storytelling and more. You can find out more, here.
Cartoon Capers - Llanelli
A huge cast of cartoons will be visiting Llanelli town centre on Wednesday, March 27. Characters include princesses, princes, heroes, and villains from all your favourite animated films and TV shows, a host of video game characters, plus special guests Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, and Professor Q.
Children are invited to come along as their favourite cartoon character and the event is running from 12pm to 3pm in Stepney Square. Find out more, here.
Pontcanna Inn garden party - Cardiff
Popular Cardiff pub the Pontcanna Inn is hosting a garden party to celebrate their brand new outdoor space. From 6pm on Thursday, March 28 there will be entertainment, including music and a magician, as well as a food truck.
National Waterfront Museum - Swansea
There are also some great free events taking place at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea. You can watch the film Wonka for free on Sunday, March 24 at 2pm and enjoy the Easter Eggstravaganza on Friday, March 29 where you can enjoy live music, meet the springtime animals, have your face painted, and much more. You can find out more, here.
Easter Egg Trail - Morgan Quarter, Cardiff
The Morgan Quarter is running its free Easter Egg Trail from Monday, March 25 to Sunday, March 31. The trail maps are available to collect from The Pen and Paper in Royal Arcade.
The trail will guide families around both the Royal and Morgan Arcades, collecting stamps along the way, with a prize of a sweet treat at the end.
Mumbles Pier - Mumbles
Running from Saturday, March 23 to Sunday, March 31 is the Easter Egg Trail on Mumbles Pier. Running daily from 9am to 6pm you can collect your egg trial sheet and find the ten hidden colourful eggs to win a chocolate prize. You can find out more, here.
Into the Wild - St David's Shopping Centre, Cardiff
This Easter, let little ones go wild at the free brick model animal trail at St David’s. The impressive trail will feature wild animals built out of over half a million toy bricks and will explore different habitats, including wildlands, snow and ice, ocean, and jungle.
The trail is set to be a showstopper with a giant panda, gorilla, African lion, and Bengal tiger, plus a mammoth made from 81,350 toy bricks! The trail is free for all guests and you can find out more, here.
Lido Ponty - Pontypridd
Lido Ponty is opening just in time for the Easter holidays. The Lido is free for children aged 16 and under, with tickets £3 for adults. All three pools of the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty, will be open every day of the two-week-long holidays and the water temperature will be turned back up to 28 degrees. You can find out more, here.
Swansea Street Food Festival - Swansea
One of Swansea's most popular foodie events, the Swansea Street Food Festival is returning for Easter 2024. The family-friendly festival will be returning to Museum Park on Easter weekend, Friday, March 29, to Monday, April 1, and will have 30+ street food traders, several bars serving draught beers, cocktails, and soft drinks, a stage with live music and entertainment, and a large seating area which will be bigger than in previous years.
While adult tickets are £2, with accompanying children going free. You can read more here.
Cosmeston Lakes - Penarth
The lakes, located just outside of Penarth, have plenty of spaces for picnicking and wooden walkways so you can walk around the lakes. There is a play park and a re-constructed medieval village meaning the lakes have plenty for little ones to explore.
Newport Wetlands- Newport
The Newport nature reserve is open daily for people to spot the numerous species of birds in this haven for wildlife. With an outdoor children’s play area, the centre welcomes children and families.
National Museum Cardiff
The city centre museum is open, and there are plenty of exhibitions for children to explore. From dinosaurs and woolly mammoths to some of Europe’s best collections of art, there’s something on offer for everyone.
National Roman Legion Museum
The National Roman Legion Museum allows you to step back in time and see what life was like for the Romans who built the Caerleon fort in Wales over 200 years ago. You can see ruins of the fort, Roman artefacts, and even download a Caerleon app with games and audio tours for children.
Barry Sidings Country Park - Pontypridd
You'll never regret an afternoon at Barry Sidings just outside Pontypridd. There are walking trails, bike trails and a play park for little ones and if you're minded, a great cafe to get a hot chocolate or burger.
