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What's on for families in April 2012?
Events for families and children in the North West in April including Easter egg hunts and Easter trails. Listings for guidance only: always check before you go.
Children's films & family films are listed at the end

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featured event

Lights, Camera, Comedy!

Wednesday 11th - Friday 13th April 2012, 9am - 4pm daily in Wilmslow
 

£135 per child (£120 siblings)

For ages 7 - 16
 

The chance to make a classic comedy sketch show based on funny film favourites. Look at some classic comedy styles and develop your own funny business as you work with our professional filmmakers. Members will create original comedy sketches and develop new skills in filmmaking as they direct, shoot and star in comedy capers to share with family and friends on DVD.

For more information, or to book contact Studio Film School on 0845 533 3763
or visit www.studiofilmschool.co.uk
 

featured event

Teens Cookery Club
Tattenhall, near Chester

5th April, 12th April and 7th June

Scheduled in the school holidays for those youngsters of High School age who want to take their cookery skills further than a fairy cake and beyond the bun! Four carefully designed sessions that will include knife skills, bread and pasta making, sweet and savoury sauces, meat and fish dishes and hot and cold desserts.

Each Thursday during school holidays, 4 half-days. 10.00-12.00

£38 per person per session including lunch, tea, soft drinks. One or two parents allowed to assist.
One or two parents allowed to assist.

www.brianmellor.co.uk
 

make your event a featured event here for only £12.99

Check before you go!
Sometimes things change, places close down, contact details alter or we just make a mistake. There's nothing worse than disappointed kids so please contact the venue before you set off. 
If you do notice something wrong or out of date, please do other parents a favour and let us know.

For Easter egg hunts and Easter family fun look for the egg   

Get your free event listing now

Kidsguide tip
To make planning for the school holidays easier, look at Kidsguide's local school holiday planners including childcare, holiday courses and children's events in your area.
School holiday planner for Cheshire
School holiday planner for Manchester
School holiday planner for Liverpool and Merseyside
School holiday planner for North East Wales

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml/exhibitions/dinosaurs/

Your Valentine Exhibition & activities

Kirkby, Merseyside

This exhibition presents a stunning and vast array of Valentines Cards, as they used to be before the commercialisation of this national anniversary. On display will be 200 cards from the ‘The Shell Valentine Collection’ and also a selection from the ‘The Laura Seddon Collection of Valentine cards’, dating from the early 19th to the early 20th centuries, on loan from The Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections.

There will also be family friendly workshops on 13th & 14th February in the gallery, along with the family friendly Crafty Corner. Check the website for further details.

0151 443 5619
susan.mackell@knowsley.gov.uk

www.knowsley.gov.uk/things-to-see-and-do.aspx

Until 24th June

Performing Arts Workshops

Bidston

We are offering a course for children and young people with disabilities and additional needs aged 8-19 years old which is called ‘Short Breaks’, funded by Wirral Council.

Activate Arts has created the ‘Short Breaks’ project to provide children/young people with special needs with an opportunity to experience our Creative and Performing Arts workshops. The sessions are jam packed with fun – games, drama, dance, music, arts and crafts and loads of other activities and are fully supported with a Practitioner, Support Workers and care staff.

Sessions take place each Sunday and will be split into Juniors ages 8-13 from (10am – 1pm) and Seniors ages 13-19 from (2pm – 5pm).

Sessions take place at: Wirral Tennis and Fitness Centre, Valley Road, Bidston CH41 7EJ

0151 482 4884

Until 28th June

Performing Arts Workshops- Dance/Movement/Drama
Pensby

We are offering a dance/movement/drama course for  young people ages (13-19) with disabilities and additional needs which is called ‘Short Breaks’, funded by Wirral Council.

Working with our experienced practitioners, children/young people will gain positive experiences independently from their families. This is a fun filled course and the aim is for the young people to have fun in a relaxed atmosphere. It is also an ideal opportunity for the young people to spend time away from their primary carers.

Sessions take place each Thursday from (4-7PM) at St Michaels and All Angels Church Hall, Pensby Road, Pensby, Wirral CH61 1AF

0151 482 4884

Spring Crafts and Children's Easter Fun Day
Mobberley, Knutsford
A fantastic selection of stalls and hands-on activities for children alongside gifts and products for the grown-ups at Easter. Facepainters, Amazing Balloon Modellers, "Create your own" workshops, Pocket Money toys and the usual stalls to tempt and treat the kids (and adults too!) Venue: Victory Hall, Town Lane, Mobberley, WA16 7JQ (£1 per adult, £0.50 per child, with a percentage of profits going to a local children's charity.) 
07813 927103
helen.kynnersley@hotmail.co.uk
www.facebook.com/harmonyeventsuk

Cycling Route 55
Biddulph Valley Way
A cycle ride from Congleton to Chatterley Whitfield along the traffic-free Biddulph Valley Way. Plenty of opportunity to enjoy some spectacular views and to learn about the history of the attractive border country between Cheshire and Staffordshire. Booking essential. Suitable for anyone over the age of 10
2.00pm to 4.00pm
01625 383777
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

4th April

Tree Decorating At Teggs's Nose
Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre
A chance to learn how to make fantastic tree decorations using woven willow. There is a charge, payable on the day, for this event.
Ideal for families and accompanied children.
Cost £5.
1.00pm to 3.00pm
01625 265093
www.rangerdan.co.uk
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Charity Dog Trail
Astbury Mere Country Park

Fun family event to explore the scenic Astbury Mere Country Park with your dog. Free Prize Draw / Free Dog Food samples / Free Poop Scoops and lots of FUN!!!!! A great opportunity to walk your dog for a good cause - everyone welcome, with or without a dog! Entrance fee £2.00 per dog / family - All proceeds raised in aid of Charity.

1.00pm to 4.00pm
Booking: On the day or contact
david.bass@oscars.co.uk or home4labs@btinternet.com

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

4th April

Children's Multi-Activity Fun Day

George H Carnall Leisure Centre in Urmston (M41 7FJ)

10:00-16:00

Indoor Go Karting (2 sets), Giant Obstacle Course, Giant Slide, Dance Mats, Bouncy Castle, Trampolines (with qualified instructors), BodyZorbing, Whizz Wheels, hot & cold food and more.

£6 per child (under 3’s go free) and stay as long as you want!

Target Age group: 3 to 14

07956 557653

nick@go-kiddy-karts.co.uk

www.go-kiddy-karts.co.uk/fun_day

Family friendly film club
Kirkby Gallery, Newtown Garden, Kirkby, Merseyside L32 8RR.

Roll up, roll up, for our family friendly film club!

This is your family’s opportunity to view a range of animation films on the big screen at Kirkby Gallery and join in with a range of drawing and creative activities that respond to the films. And its all for FREE!

0151 443 5619
susan.mackell@knowsley.gov.uk

www.knowsley.gov.uk/things-to-see-and-do.aspx

7th April

Easter Workshops

Cedar Farm, Mawdesley

Cake decorating workshops for children aged five and over. Easter treats.

Kidsguide users quote KG001 for 10% discount.

07508584216

info@lynseyjane.co.uk

www.lynseyjane.co.uk

Alice In Wonderland Easter Festival

Tatton Park, Knutsford
Prepare to wear your widest ‘Cheshire Cat’ smile at Tatton Park this Easter! This bank holiday weekend Tatton plays host to an enchanting ‘Alice in Wonderland’ event with activities taking place across the Park. Step through the looking glass in the Mansion and follow the trail through the beautiful state rooms. Admire the spring floral arrangements. Follow the White Rabbit to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in the Gardens. The clock’s stopped at 6pm and a cast of curious characters riddle and rhyme their way through tea. A very warm welcome can be expected at the Farm where the Queen of Hearts will be weaving some magical stories. Meet the lovely spring lambs and follow the Cheshire Cat trail. And there’s even more magic dust in the Stableyard … where the White Rabbit will appear for Poz the Magician and Mr Bimbamboozle will dazzle with his Alice themed Punch & Judy show! Come step into our world! Normal opening times and prices apply.

01625 374400
www.tattonpark.org.uk

Spring Portraits in Delamere

Abbeywood Gardens, Delamere, Cheshire

Imagine family photos taken in the most natural way possible – no studio lights, no false poses, just stunning images created in your favourite part of Cheshire.

This Spring, Cheshire children’s photographer, Helen Rae, teams up with Abbeywood Gardens in Delamere to offer mini portrait sessions in some of the most beautiful surroundings in the county.

A Portrait Day session costs only a charitable donation of £20 to secure your unique 45-minute photo session in the grounds of Abbeywood, overlooking the Cheshire Plain in Delamere. All donations and 10% of all frame sales go to The SMA Trust and Diabetes UK. After your portrait session you are welcome to explore the extensive woodlands and lovely gardens, and to make the most of the delicious meals and snacks on offer at the café.

Portrait Days are on 9^th and 12^th April and also on 4^th June.  All bookings must be made in advance by calling Helen Rae Photography on 01606 783000

Check the website for details: www.helenraephotography.co.uk

www.facebook.com/CheshirePhotographer

twitter: @HelenRaePhoto

10th - 15th April

Lambing Week at the Farm
Tatton Park
Will you be lucky enough to see our lambs being born? This year we have synchronised our ewes to lamb within a 10 day period. Informative talks and live viewing via our webcam. Sheepy quiz and collage. Closed Monday
Adult £5.50/£3.50 per child, 4-15ys, under 4's free

12noon until 5pm (last entry 4pm)

01625 374400

www.tattonpark.org.uk

Easter Crafts and Activities
Riverside Park Ranger Centre, Macclesfield

Join Bollin Valley Rangers for an afternoon of Eastery fun. Mask making, games and activities suitable for under 10’s (accompanied by an adult). Booking essential.
01625 374790

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

11th April

Children's Multi-Activity Fun Day

George H Carnall Leisure Centre in Urmston (M41 7FJ)

10:00-16:00

Indoor Go Karting (2 sets), Giant Obstacle Course, Giant Slide, Dance Mats, Bouncy Castle, Trampolines (with qualified instructors), BodyZorbing, Whizz Wheels, hot & cold food and more.

£6 per child (under 3’s go free) and stay as long as you want!

Target Age group: 3 to 14

07956 557653

nick@go-kiddy-karts.co.uk

www.go-kiddy-karts.co.uk/fun_day

Lights, Camera, Comedy!

Wilmslow
9am - 4pm daily£135 per child (£120 siblings)

For ages 7 - 16
The chance to make a classic comedy sketch show based on funny film favourites. Look at some classic comedy styles and develop your own funny business as you work with our professional filmmakers. Members will create original comedy sketches and develop new skills in filmmaking as they direct, shoot and star in comedy capers to share with family and friends on DVD.
For more information, or to book contact Studio Film School.
0845 533 3763
www.studiofilmschool.co.uk

14th April

Geology at Tegg's Nose Country Park
Tegg’s Nose Visitor Centre

Tegg's Nose has a fascinating history from 300 million year old swamps to an ice covered wilderness to a millstone grit quarry. Geological walks at 12.00pm and 2.00pm will tell the area's story. Join us in the visitor centre to have fun making' fossil casts and looking at rocks, minerals and fossils. Please wear suitable boots/clothing, Suitable for anyone over the age of 5, Ideal for families and accompanied children
Anytime from 11.00am to 3.00pm with walks at 12.00pm and 2.00pm.
01625 614279

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

14th & 15th April

Peppa Pig's Treasure Hunt

Warrington

Ahoy there me Hearties! Peppa Pig and her friends are going on a treasure hunt and need your help!

Following the incredible sell-out success of Peppa Pig’s Party, Peppa is back with a brand new show featuring true to life puppets, perfect singalong songs and a new story that will charm and delight all her fans.

Tickets £14.50/£12.50 concessions

Restricted view tickets £12.50/£10.50 concession *Family ticket = only available on top price seats (2 full priced tickets at £14.50 and 2 concession tickets at £12.50).

*Groups 10+ = 10% discount.

01925 442345

www.pyramidparrhall.com
www.ticketmaster.co.uk

15th April

Beefy's Great British Walk

Tatton Park
In April 2012 Sir Ian will walk more than six marathons over ten consecutive days through ten towns that support life saving research into blood cancers. Beefy will walk over 10 miles to Tatton Park where you can join him and his celebrity friends to walk the final miles and support him all the way to the finish line. Entry for Beefy's Great British Walk is now open, just visit www.beatingbloodcancers.org.uk/beefywalk2012

01625 374400

www.tattonpark.org.uk

18th & 19th April

Dancing On Ice

MEN, Manchester

www.ticketmaster.co.uk

22nd April

Liverpool Premier Baby Show Mothers Instinct
Liverpool Crowne Plaza

Mothers instinct premier baby show Liverpool. A unique and exciting retail experience along with shows, professional advice, classes, vouchers to spend in retail outlets and live 3G scanning on the day. So come along for the whole day and share the experience. Free tickets to all in January email info@rdaevents.co.uk for your tickets.

Free tickets to all Kidsguide users email info@rdaevents.co.uk

07791070457

info@rdaevents.co.uk

www.rdaevents.co.uk

22nd April

Family Pond Dip
Astbury Mere Country Park
Come and find out what lies beneath the surface of a pond. Ideal for families and accompanied children. Booking essential. Cost £2.
2.00pm to 3.30pm
07757 611963
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

24th April

Orienteering for All
Tegg’s Nose Visitor Centre
An evening event held by Manchester and District Orienteering Club. Courses suitable for everyone; beginners and experienced orienteers. Families and groups welcome. Please leave your dog at home. Please bring suitable boots/clothing.  Instruction available. Adults £4, Children £2.
Registration from 5.30pm. Start times from 6.00pm until 7.15pm.
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

25th April

Nantwich Town Geology Trail Guided walk
Nantwich

Join geologists Professor Cynthia Burek, a regular presenter on T.V. and Veronica Cubbit Caddy for this fascinating guided walk around the beautiful town of Nantwich. Please wear warm clothing as the pace will be slow and there will be many stopping points along the walk. Booking and payment in advance is essential. Adults £3, Children £1.
6.15pm to 8.15pm
01625 383777

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

28th April

Mini Beast Hunt
Astbury Mere Country Park

Come and search for mini-beasts in the park.
Booking essential. Cost £2.

10.30am to 12.00pm
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Dog Agility Day

Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve
Dig It Dogs Club will be giving demonstrations of dog agility. Why not come along with your own dog. A member of the team will be on hand to teach you the basics and offer advice on good dog behaviour. If you don’t have a dog, you can even borrow one of the team’s dogs to try out the agility course! 11.00am to 4.00pm
www.digitdogs.co.uk

29th April

Seed Swop Sunday
Astbury Mere Country Park, Congleton

Swap seeds, plants, vegetables and produce. Find out about home composting and food growing. Refreshments available.

2.00pm to 4.00pm
www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

Family films - Not all films are on everyday so check with cinema for availability and times:

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