Easter is a time of family and doing things together as most parents have a little extra time off work and children make the most of no school.
While there is plenty going on at the weekend across Burton, South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire, for those who fancy going a little further afield there are some more options within an hour-and-a-half of the town.
1. Try your hand at hook-a-duck at Fradley Junction
Down at Fradley Junction the Canal and River Trust is inviting people for a day of duck-themed activities. The charity, which looks after 2,000 miles of historic waterways, is encouraging people to visit the popular canal spot on Sunday, April 16, to enjoy quality family time and learn a bit more about the feathered friends.
Visitors will be able to take part in an Easter egg hunt with a difference – looking for the ducks hidden around Fradley Pool, solving the puzzle and claiming a prize. They will also be able to make special duck head-dresses and try their hands at a hook-a-duck game.
The event runs from 11am to 2pm and is being organised by the trust's Explorers education programme aimed at teaching kids about the wildlife in and on canals as well as how to enjoy the waterways safely. All activities are free although parking is pay and display.
2. Hunt the dragon eggs at Creswell Crags
Creswell Crags in Worksop boasts the only known examples of Ice Age rock art in Britain. The limestone gorge is one of a cluster of cave sites that acted as shelter for nomadic human groups between 10,000 and 55,000 years ago.
Entry to the gorge and to walk around the lake is free but parking is £3. Creswell Crags is hosting a dragons and caverns Easter egg hunt over the weekend, inviting visitors to go along and find the dragon eggs left all around the crags. Egg painting sessions are also available.
3. Say hello to the Easter Bunny at Gulliver's Kingdom
Gulliver's Kingdom, in Matlock Bath, will have guest appearances from the Easter bunny, games and competitions, entertainment on the main stage and the Easter Bunny Parade. Open daily from 10.30am to 5pm throughout the holidays. Tickets for children and adults are £15.95 in advance, £18.95 on the gate, under 90cm free.
4. Learn about the origins of Easter at Haddon Hall
Haddon Hall, near Bakewell, has Easter activities on offer as well as the opportunity to learn about the origins and customs of the Easter festival. During Easter weekend, Good Friday, April 14 to Easter Monday, April 17, there will be music in the banqueting hall, archery in the chapel fields and an Easter egg hunt on Sunday, April 15 along with face painting. Also during the Easter holidays, from April 14 to 17 will be archery, costing £2.50 for three arrows. Kids go free during the Easter weekend with a paying adult.
5. Meet Freddo at Cadbury World
Chocolate lovers will not want to miss out on the ultimate chocolate haven with an Easter egg trail at Cadbury World, in Bournville, Birmingham. Children will be able to meet the famous company's characters including Freddo, Mr Cadbury's Parrot and Creme Egg in the Easter Eggstravaganza. There is also a chance to win Cadbury World prizes in a creative Easter bonnet competition. Until April 23, there are live entertainment shows in the outdoor marquee where the attraction's resident magicians and ventriloquists will showcase their talents.
6. See a show at the Birmingham Hippodrome
Theatre enthusiasts are being invited to see blockbuster show Billy Elliot at the Birmingham Hippodrome, in Hurst Street, Birmingham. The show is set in a small mining town in the north-east of England in the 80s and is set to a score by Elton John. Visitors can follow Billy's journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever. It runs until Saturday, April 29.
7. Watch Horrible Histories at Warwick Castle
At Warwick Castle they will be welcoming the Horrible Histories Wicked Warwick live stage show up to Sunday, April 23 as well as a chance to see two fish eagle chicks in twice daily birds of prey displays.
8. Step back in time at Quorn and Woodhouse station
All aboard for Great Central Railway's Easter Vintage Festival, in Quorn, which runs between Friday, April 14 and Monday, April 17. Visitors will be able to step back in time to a country fair at Quorn and Woodhouse station where there will be a big wheel, traction engines, craft stalls, vintage cars, commercials and machinery as well as a real ale tent with live music.
