Plan Easter egg hunts, see movies, kids’ special menus and more

It’s Easter Sunday on 31 March so start planning your celebrations, lunches, at-home egg hunts, special meet and greets and things to do with the kids over the school holidays using our bumper Easter guide at Whiteley.

1. Find delicious and original eggs at Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer’s Easter selection is even bigger and better this year with Colin the Caterpillar and Percy Pig bum bags, grown-up Eggspresso Martini eggs and cute puppy and kitten-shaped delights.

2. Meet some delightful Easter characters

Keep an eye out for a magic-giving Tea Loving Hatter and his Curious Friend on Saturday 30th March and a Nanny and her Cheeky Chimney Sweep sidekick on Thursday 4th April. With a sprinkle of melodic music, tales of wonder and delight and more, they’re bringing Easter-inspired whimsical adventures to Whiteley.

3. Kid-friendly places and menus for Easter

Image provided by Frankie & Benny’s

Wildwood do incredible set lunch menus (two courses for £11.95) with two courses and a drink for £7.25 for kids featuring pasta, pizzas and calzone and sausages, burgers and fries. Yum!

Kaspa’s Desserts is an inspired treat over the holiday with ice-cream, waffles, cakes and sundaes (with special limited editions for Easter) while Frankie & Benny’s have children’s menus from £6 with omega 3 fish fingers, hidden veg pizza and Frankie’s classic meatballs.

There are also brilliant kids’ menus at Harvester (£3.99 in holidays with free salad), Nando’s (£5.95) and wagamama (from £5).

Keep up to date on our latest offers here.

4. Vegan, nut-free and other Easter food ideas

Need some chocolate alternatives for dairy- or nut-free and vegans and Fairtrade ideas? Marks & Spencer, Next and Holland & Barrett have choices featuring eggs from Plant Kitchen and Nomo alongside gummies and pick’n’mix packets. For Harry Potter, Barbie and Disney-themed eggs, head into Tesco.

5. Create your very own at-home Easter egg hunt

Image provided by Flying Tiger

From ready-made Easter egg hunt signs and clues to DIY trails (make one with some colourful marker pens, cards, stickers and ribbons), Whiteley has you covered. Pop into Flying Tiger for lovely ideas.

6. Easter cooking and baking

Want to make Easter cakes and biscuits together? Marks & Spencer and Tesco have plenty of ingredients and baking sets with shaped cookie cutters too.

7. See a family movie together

Plan a big-screen afternoon out together at Cineworld with Easter holidays films for all ages including Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and Kung Fu Panda 4 out in time for the school holidays. Just add popcorn and pick’n’mix.

8. Alternative Easter treats and toys

Image provided by Lego

From make-your-own games to huggable soft bunnies, give them a gift that’ll last long past Easter Sunday.

For kids, Lego 3D rabbits and flowers are perfect presents to keep them entertained and The Entertainer is filled with Hot Wheels, Barbie and Paw Patrol toys. Waterstones is great for Jellycat bunnies and teddies alongside WH Smith for teens.

9. Spring fashion and beauty for Easter

Image provided by H&M

For this spring’s denim, sporty knits and men’s ribbed knit polos, head to Accessorize, H&M, Next and River Island. Daisies are a huge trend right now with pink pendants and earrings at Pandora and Marc Jacobs’ Daisy perfume at Boots and Superdrug.

For kidswear including bunny-embroidered dresses and cardigans, animal-shaped slippers and cute T-shirts: find everything you need for spring dressing at Next, Marks & Spencer, Mamas & Papas and JoJo Maman Bebe.

10. Ways to keep them entertained in the Easter holidays

Image provided by Rock Up

For Easter holiday fun, head to Rock Up climbing which has 70 different challenges that reach over 8m. With soft play, safe climbing for the under 10s and family passes (£56 for four), it’s an ingenious way to let off some steam no matter what the weather.

11. Easter hampers, flowers and gifts

Gorgeous spring blooms; luxe cocktails, mocktail and prosecco; afternoon tea hampers; hot cross buns and Simnel cakes? Give a gorgeous gift to someone this Easter with ideas from Marks & Spencer and Tesco.

12. Easter crafting and decorating ideas

Happy Easter balloons, pastel-coloured egg and flower wreaths, egg-shaped paper baubles, tablescaping ideas including coloured glasses and flower-shaped plates plus seasonal cushions, welcome mats and faux flower decorations. Embrace the excitement of the new season with pretty decor from Next and Flying Tiger.

13. Plan Easter Sunday lunches and celebrations

For a sitdown lunch for the whole family – whether you’re making a traditional Sunday roast or planning a fun barbecue (weather depending) or buffet full of finger foods – head to Marks & Spencer and Tesco for lots of brilliant ideas…

From picking up Easter eggs via Click & Collect to family days out together, plan your trip to Whiteley here.