What are you looking for?
School’s out for the Easter Holidays so Visit Cardiff have put together a guide of exciting things to do to enjoy as a family. Scroll for attractions and events, fun & free activities in Cardiff Bay, the City Centre and beyond. Family-friendly hotels in case you want to extend your stay a little longer, and some practical advice that you may need to know.
Don’t forget – this is just a small selection of the many attractions & events going on in the city. Make sure you take a look at our See & Do & Events pages for more.
Wales’ Easter Holiday Dates: Monday 25 March 2024 to Friday 5 April 2024
CARDIFF BAY
With the weather getting brighter and days longer, it’s time to seize the Bay and head to the waterfront, whether you want some action-packed fun or a breath of fresh air.
DINO TAKEOVER AT MERMAID QUAY
Free to explore / Mermaid Quay
From March 23rd to April 14th, get up close with lifelike dinosaurs during meet and greet sessions on April 2nd and 3rd, delve into the Dino Discovery Trail, or showcase your creativity in a colouring competition for a chance to win prizes. The event also includes dino-themed activity days on April 4th and 5th, where you can participate in fossil digs and create your own fossils.
TAKE A RELAXING FAMILY CRUISE
2 adults + up to 3 children £19 / Cardiff Boat
Board at either Cardiff Bay or Bute Park (close to Cardiff Castle) and take the half hour one way trip. Then after some time ashore, get back on for the return journey. There’s fascinating commentary telling the history of the area and the sights along the way. There is a toilet on board for passenger comfort. A great way to see the city from a different perspective.
ENERGY UNLEASHED SCIENCE SESSIONS
£2 per person / Techniquest
GHOSTBUSTERS DROP-IN SESSION
FREE / The Red Dragon Centre
Join The RDC for an unmissable bank holiday weekend filled with paranormal thrills and family fun to celebrate the release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire at ODEON. Catch the Mid Wales Ghostbusters, these heroic defenders will be ready to snap selfies and spread ghost-busting cheer. Mini ghostbusters can also check out the FREE slime-busting workshop and take home their very own slime on Good Friday.
SEE THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE
FREE / Cardiff Bay Barrage
Take a relaxing family stroll across Cardiff Bay Barrage and don’t forget to say hello to the croc in the dock! The crocodile can be found on the Barrage embankment near the large white sails. Boasting the biggest smile in the Bay, this cheeky chappie is perfect for a sit down and selfie with family and friends.
CLIMB & PLAY AT FUN HQ
Prices vary / Fun HQ
Thrill-seekers, rejoice! Fun HQ Cardiff is your go-to Easter adventure with over 30 climbing challenges, catering to anyone aged 4 and up. Dare to ascend the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ or conquer the ‘Astroball’, with walls stretching up to 7.5 metres high. Young adventurers (12 and under) will find their happy place in the Play Zone, a 17,000 square foot soft play area sprawled over 3 levels.
INDOOR WAVE SESSION
£35.00 per person / Cardiff International White Water
No need to chase the ocean – the Flowrider simulator brings surfing to Cardiff, providing the perfect wave every time. Ideal for both novices and seasoned bodyboarders, this 90-minute session (including kitting-up and safety briefing) is a splash-hit for anyone aged 6 and over with a minimum height of 107cm. With expert coaches on hand, you’ll be carving up the indoor bodyboard like a pro. All equipment, including wetsuits, is provided with the activity price.
GET YOUR (ICE) SKATES ON
£10 (£2.70 Skate Hire), Children Under 5: £5 (including Skate Hire) / Vindico Arena
Glide into the spirit of Easter at Vindico Arena, the perfect place for families, couples, and solo skaters to enjoy the ice. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or lacing up for the first time, the arena promises a cool respite from spring’s bloom. Available throughout the Easter holidays, it’s a great way to keep active and have fun. Check the website for session times and prices to plan your icy adventure.
EASTER EGG HUNT
FREE / IKEA / Saturday, 23 Mar 10:00 – Sunday, 7 Apr 20:00
Ready to put your det’EGG’tive skills to the test? Discover the secret location of the colourful Easter eggs hidden amongst the store. Find all the eggs to crack the secret code and win a prize!
CITY CENTRE
At the heart of it all, Cardiff city centre always delivered a fun day out for families, always something to adventure and stories to be told, we’ve uncovered the Easter eggs this spring break in the Welsh capital.
EASTER: KNIGHT & PRINCESS SCHOOL
£5.00 Adult / £3.50 Child / £4.00 Concessions / Free for Castle Key & Ticket Holders / Cardiff Castle
Discover medieval life at Cardiff Castle’s Knight & Princess School from 31 Mar to 1 Apr 2024, 10:00-17:00. Engage in foam sword battles, explore the journey from squire to knight, and experience princess life with dress-up activities.
Highlights: – Foam Sword Battles: 10:30, 12:30, 16:00 – Squire to Knight: 11:30, 15:00 – Princess School: 14:00 Armor try-on tent available outside display times.
Event ticket includes Norman Keep and Battlement Walk access but excludes House and other castle tours. Venue: Cardiff Castle, Castle Street, Cardiff CF10 3RB.
JUMP INTO THE WILD
FREE / St David’s Dewi Sant
Experience the free ‘Into the Wild’ BRICKLIVE trail at St David’s Cardiff this Easter, from March 25 to April 7. Discover life-size wild animals made from over 500,000 bricks, highlights include a 62,351-brick giant panda and an 81,350-brick Bengal tiger. Learn about endangered species, enjoy interactive stations. Pick up a free trail map and animal hat at the guest services desk.
ADVENTURE GOLF
Prices vary / Treetop Golf, St David’s Dewi Sant
Treetop Golf swings into action from Monday 25th March – Sunday 7th April, trek their trails from 10am every day. Hunt down free face painting & balloon modelling on select days. Approved by the monkey queen herself, Treetop have a limited-edition Cherry Bakewell milkshake hopping in throughout the holidays. No fuss, just turn up and play!
DING CYCLE TOUR
Adult £20, Child £15 / Little Man Coffee
From 26th March to 3rd April, explore Cardiff this Easter on Ding’s distinctive blue bikes, ringing with traditional bells. Dive into 3-hour tours that weave through the City Centre, Park, and Bay or Cathedral. Morning tours start at 10 am, and afternoon adventures at 2 pm—note there are no tours on the afternoon of the 28th or the morning of the 29th. Rides are relaxed and accessible for casual cyclists, guided by local experts with stories from Cardiff’s history, from ancient Romans to rock stars. With Ding Cycle Tours, you’re not just sightseeing; you’re experiencing the authentic vibe of the city with guides who share their personal insights. So, come along, give the bell a ding, and enjoy a true Cardiff Easter escapade.
TOUR A WORLD CLASS STADIUM
Use code ‘VISITCARDIFF’ – to get 20% discount / Principality Stadium
The state-of-the-art Stadium features a fully retractable roof, making it one of the largest indoor arenas in the world. An experienced tour guide will share facts on its history of events including International Rugby Matches, 2012 Olympic Events, world class boxing, the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final and mighty rock & roll concerts. Tours include the Home and Away Dressing Rooms, Press Conference Suite, Players Tunnel and Hospitality Box – so plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
TOUR A TELEVISION STUDIO
£13 / BBC Cymru Wales
Looking for something different to entertain the kids over the half term? Step into the future of broadcasting at BBC’s newest and most advanced studios at Central Square, Cardiff. Join friendly guides for an exclusive award-winning behind-the-scenes tour of the television and radio studios with cutting-edge technology including augmented reality, virtual reality and robotic cameras.
BOARD GAME CAFE
Prices vary / Chance & Counters
Head to this premier Board Game Café, Chance & Counters offer a collection of over 650 games to be enjoyed alongside our quality selection of food and drinks. The friendly team are on hand to recommend and teach our games, whilst serving up dirty finger food for all diets alongside a mix of thick shakes.
A LITTLE FURTHER AWAY…
There’s lots going on in Cardiff, but you’re missing a trick if you don’t venture into the region, where you’ll find more than you’d expect.
EASTER ACTIVITIES AT LISVANE & LLANISHEN RESERVOIRS
Prices Vary / Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs
This Easter join their Mini Woodland Garden Workshop. This workshop includes a heavy garden pot and all the materials needed, even wooden fungi to paint with the help of an identity guide. Suitable for children aged 5 and up, and held on Tuesday 26th March, Thursday 28th March, and Tuesday 2nd April, from 10.00–11.00 am and 1.00–2.00 pm, costing £15 per child. For a different kind of adventure, the Easter Trail from 26th March to Tuesday 2nd April offers a chance to explore the reservoirs and earn a prize for just £1 per child. And for bird enthusiasts, the free Wings Of Wales event on Thursday 4th April, from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm, features a falconry display with conservation photographer and bird handler Lewis Phillips.
VISIT THE DINOSAURS
Special Offer – all tickets only £7 / Fonmon Castle, The Vale of Glamorgan
Embark on a captivating adventure at Fonmon Castle! Immerse yourself in then new story trail that awaits, promising a delightful journey for visitors of all ages. For those seeking an extra element of fun, engage in the Stamp Trail as you navigate through the castle grounds. Collecting stamps at various points of interest and make sure not to miss the exciting Dinosaur Trail.
TAKE TO THE HIGH ROPES
Various Prices / Go Ape
With obstacle cross overs and zips up to 180m, you really will get a stomach in your mouth feeling. This course has been likened to a roller coaster in the trees. So, zip on down to Margam Country Park and find your next adventure!
It’s the only Go Ape which boasts sea views, and with over 1,000-acres of parkland, the largest deer herd in Wales, you’ve got yourself a serious aerial adventure.
STAY A WHILE, CHECK OUT THE FAMILY ROOMS BELOW
Don’t limit the fun to a day visit, find somewhere cosy to rest up for the night, and make the most of the fun.
WALES COTTAGE HOLIDAYS
Wales Cottage Holidays offers a fabulous selection of quality holiday cottages in Cardiff and Wales. Browse a variety of family-friendly holiday cottages and find your perfect February half term escape in Wales.
FUTURE INN
Cardiff Bay
Feel completely relaxed and at home. The Twin Rooms are large and spacious, with two Queen sized beds, ideal for families of up to four guests.
Perks include free parking and electric car charging, free Wi-Fi, and home-away-from-home services like our guest laundry room. Book direct for the best rates guaranteed, with rooms from £67 per room per night. Plus, under 12s stay for free!
PONTCANNA INN
Cathedral Road, Pontcanna
With 11 boutique rooms located on the outskirts of the city, you and the family can enjoy all that Cardiff has to offer while having somewhere to rest your head away from the centre. A short stroll to the City Centre and the nearby Cardiff Castle, with plenty of parks to enjoy, or take a boat down to the bay for the day! During your stay, enjoy the bar and restaurant with outside area.
MARRIOTT
Explore the wonders of Cardiff with your family then after a day of sightseeing, unwind in our spacious rooms and take advantage of our thoughtful amenities designed to keep the children entertained. Start the day with breakfast in Browns Restaurant and to keep the little ones entertained there is a Children’s pack and choice of soft drink, & cookie/chocolate from the grab and go on arrival.
CLAYTON HOTEL
Saint Mary Street
This hotel’s spacious family rooms include one double bed and a single bed, with extra beds or infant cots available if required. Adjoining rooms are also available, ideal for families with older children, offering extra peace and privacy. Allowing everyone to enjoy the holiday and have enough space for the entire family.
THE SPIRES SERVICED APARTMENTS
Cathedral Road, Pontcanna
Stay in a self-contained environment, well-suited to families and travellers staying in the city for a longer duration. Each apartment is fully fitted with a kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom, with the 2 bedroom apartments providing 2 bathrooms. Families with young children in particular can benefit from a larger space than a hotel bedroom, option to cook or perhaps enjoy a takeaway delivered direct to their door.
GETTING AROUND
Let the car have a break too while you travel in style, with great deals from our transport partners.
TRANSPORT FOR WALES RAIL
Kids go free on Transport for Wales trains when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
- Free child travel is only available in Standard class
- Up to two children can travel for free, per paying adult. Adults must obtain a ticket for all children travelling. Free child travel tickets are only available from a ticket office or on-board from a conductor
- Under 5’s travel for free on all National Rail services
- Children aged 5-16 travel for free on Transport for Wales trains only
HOP ON THE BUS
There are plenty of things to do in and around Cardiff this Easter Holidays and there’s no better way of getting to them than with Cardiff Bus!
By purchasing one of their family day tickets, you and your family can travel quickly and cost-effectively across Cardiff Bus’ comprehensive network. Families of up to 5 can travel around Cardiff and Penarth all day for £9, or across their entire network for £19. Terms and conditions apply.
TRAVEL BY GWR
With a GWR Family Ticket, up to two adults and four children can travel together and save on journeys Cardiff. The Family Ticket can be used by any adults, from grandparents and godparents to parents and friends – in fact, anyone travelling with up to four children. Take the kids to Cardiff Castle for an unforgettable day uncovering 2,000 years of history, go for a sightseeing spin on the 33-metre Giant Wheel, or head to Cardiff Bay for a hands-on science experience at Techniquest, or an action-packed afternoon of exhilarating water sports.
______________________________________________________
For information on travelling to Cardiff, and how to get around the City once you’re here, check out our Visitor Information section.
All organisations featured in this blog are part of the Visit Cardiff Network. For more of what to See & Do, Eat & Drink, and where to Stay, please visit our other webpages.