News, events and schools' information for families across Bristol

There’s a great series of events taking place for families across Bristol over the next few months. Here the team from Visit Bristol had chosen its highlights. We can’t wait to try out as many as possible!

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at Bristol Zoo Project

23 March – 1 September

See this much-loved children’s story in a whole new light with this larger-than-life trail where you can swish, splash and squelch your way through the magical scenes, to find a real-life bear at Bristol Zoo Project.

https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/were-going-on-a-bear-hunt-at-bristol-zoo-project-p3435043

Making Waves: Mary Anning and her astonishing Icthyosaur at Bristol Museum

Now – 30 April

Inspirational early palaeontologist Mary Anning (1799-1847) discovered an incredible fossil skull when she was just 14-years-old, now conserved and on display at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, along with an artist’s model statue of Mary, made by Denise Dutton.

https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/making-waves-mary-anning-and-her-astonishing-ichthyosaur-at-bristol-museum-and-art-gallery-p3438533

Plants Crossing Continents at Brunel’s SS Great Britain

Now – 31 December

As green shoots appear and spring is in the air, why not discover Victorian floral crafts and create cyanotypes (an early photography technique) at Brunel’s SS Great Britain this spring, where a new living exhibits on the top deck is lunched featuring ferns, orchids and other specimens that were transported on board the ship.  

https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/plants-crossing-continents-at-brunels-ss-great-britain-p3431973

Gruffalo Party Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum

Now – 14 September

The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th Birthday and Westonbirt is putting on a brand-new, interactive forest adventure in their spectacular ‘deep, dark wood’. Expect party-themed activities and games, fun facts, tree rubbings and a trail to mark the occasion.

https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/gruffalo-party-trail-at-westonbirt-arboretum-p3467463

Little Rippers – new children’s surf session at The Wave

28 March onwards

Children as young as four-years-old can now learn to surf with their parents in these new coaching sessions at the Wave, inland surfing lake just north of Bristol. The 1.5 hour sessions include dryland coaching, followed by an hour in the water which will help children gain confidence with their parents/carers by their side in the water.

Session cost £60 for the parent and child combo ticket. During Easter holidays, there will also be a Secret Surfers Easter Trail, where children are encouraged to follow a trail around The Wave site, find the hidden letters to spell out the code word and claim a prize.

https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/the-wave-p2691163

Pedal Planes at Aerospace Bristol

Aerospace Bristol

3-4 April

Discover Bristol’s aerospace and aviation legacies at Aerospace Bristol this Easter, where you can step aboard the last Concorde to fly (which was partly made in Bristol, too), and this Easter younger visitors will also have the chance to pilot their own pedal planes.

https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/pedal-planes-at-aerospace-bristol-p2665743

Easter adventures at Dyrham Park and Tyntesfield National Trust

23 March – 14 April

Follow the Easter Egg Hunt at Tyntesfield complete with bunny ears, trail sheet and edible prize for £3 (in addition to admission price). Or head to Dyrham Park and take part in games, challenges and face painting, as well as a £3 Easter Egg Hunt trail too (chocolate egg prizes are free from nuts, treenuts, milk, gluten and eggs, so everyone can enjoy the treats regardless of common allergies).

Tyntesfield: https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/easter-adventures-at-tyntesfield-p3470393

Dyrham Park: https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/easter-adventures-at-dyrham-park-p3474423

Woodland of Wonder – FREE community arts Festival

3-10 April and 10-13 April

Produced by Broadmead BID (Business Improvement District) in partnership with The Methodist Church, John Wesley’s New Room, and Sparks Bristol (a sustainability and innovation hub), Woodland of Wonder celebrates the natural world and invites all ages to enjoy exhibitions – for free – and allow creativity to flourish with nature-themed craft workshops and photography walks, plus performances from stilt-walking trees!

https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/woodland-of-wonder-in-broadmead-p3470803

Prehistoric Sealife at Bristol Aquarium

23 March – 14 April

Learn about the wild and wonderful creatures that called our seas home 200 million years ago, with daily talks and feeds at Bristol Aquarium, as well as the chance to meet Dr Mark O’Dell on 24 March (11am-3:30pm), a fossil hunter with an extraordinary collection of fossilised fish and shark’s teeth, ammonites and more.

https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/prehistoric-sealife-at-bristol-aquarium-p3472383

Easter at Wookey Hole

23 March – 14 April

You’ve heard of the Easter bunny, but have you heard of the Easter witch? The Witch of Wookey Hole loves to celebrate Easter where there will be an Easter Egg Hunt with and treat at the end, live shows at the Wookey Hole Circus in the onsite theatre, a 4D cinema and of course, the wonderous caves.

https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/easter-at-wookey-hole-p3273503

The Giant’s Easter Hunt at Clifton Observatory

28 March – 14 April

The legendary giants of Avon Gorge have hidden eggs around the Giant’s Cave, Camera Obscura and museum at Clifton Observatory for children to find this Easter. Tickets cost just £3.50 for children aged 4-14 to join in the trail, which includes access to all parts of the Observatory and Cave.

https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/the-giants-easter-hunt-at-clifton-observatory-p3458833

Easter Sculpture Festival at University of Bristol Botanic Garden

29 March – 1 April

Celebrate and marvel at nature at University of Bristol Botanic Garden’s Easter Sculpture Festival with handcrafted sculptures, interactive workshops and family-friendly activities like willow-weaving, wood-turning, stone carving and pottery, all set against the backdrop of blossoming trees and vibrant flowers.

https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/easter-sculpture-festival-at-university-of-bristol-botanic-garden-p3464013