Just because you’re at home, it doesn’t mean you can’t partake in some Easter activities, from virtual egg hunts to church services
Hands-on experiences are being offered online by Waddesdon Manor, who have put together a host of activities ranging from baking their historic chocolate cake recipe to pop-up Delft Easter card activity sheets.
The London Transport Museum is offering downloadable Easter family activities themed around a vintage cartoon character called ‘Billy Brown’ who was used to instruct people on how to behave when using public transport during WWII.
The National Trust explores Easter traditions of the past and present such as egg rolling, and offers craft ideas and activities to do in the garden, as well as a Great Easter Scavenger Hunt, in which families, even those who are apart, can take part.
At Durham Cathedral, a packed schedule of digital services is planned over Holy Week and Easter. This includes a pre-recorded service of The Three hours on Good Friday from 12 noon-3pm and two Facebook live-stream services on Easter Day; a 5am Eucharist, and a special service at 11.15am led by the Bishop of Durham. Additionally, they have uploaded some fun Easter-themed worship activities for children, including a ‘make your own Easter garden’ activity.
Cooking is also a popular subject matter at English Heritageas part of their Easter Heritage At Home. On Good Friday at 7pm, their Victorian Cook Mrs Crocombe from Audley End releases a new film and recipe showing viewers how to make Saffron Buns, a historical alternative to the Hot Cross Bun. And a new Easter English Heritage Podcast episode will explore a seasonal favourite – The history of the hunt: How an Easter tradition was hatched. The episode will be available via the English Heritage Website and all major podcast suppliers.
The Science Museum has a downloadable Kitchen Science experiment booklet featuring hands-on science experiments using everyday items from the kitchen cupboard including the ‘Stupid-egg’ trick, perfect for Easter weekend. The aim of the experiment is to drop eggs into glasses without touching them (this can also be performed using juggling balls). The booklet also features experiments to make your own cornflour slime, blow up a balloon using baking soda, create a volcanic eruption using fizzy drinks or make your own lava lamp using vegetable oil.
Nick Howard of Castle Howard is going to do an Instagram takeover for the Easter weekend, which will involve a live stream from the chapel so that viewers can enjoy the experience of seeing the chapel set up for Easter with music playing, and see the light go down outside through the stained-glass windows.
Zookeepers at ZSL London Zoo have arranged an Easter egg hunt for meerkats. Painting fresh eggs in eye-catching colours, dedicated keepers – who are still working to look after the Zoo’s animals – hid the tasty treats for Frank, Dracula, Archie, Penelope, Timon, Aurora and Meko to find amongst the sand and rocks in their home. Other virtual animal activities over the long weekend include Longleat’s Virtual Safari, which has already attracted a record online audience of more than half a million people in just three days.
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