Things to do this Easter in Derbyshire

Here’s my round up of the best Easter activities in Derby and Derbyshire for Easter 2022. Keep the kids entertained in the Easter holidays. From egg hunts to craft sessions, there’s hopefully something for everyone here.

Note that all of the trails will potentially be muddy so suitable clothing and footwear is advised. Most activities need pre-booking. Please read all the small print for each individual activity direct with the organiser before spending any money or making a special journey.

KIDS EAT FREE – read about the best value places to eat out this Easter holiday

Easter in Derby

Dinky Disco Easter Special for Mini Ravers at Deda

Saturday 9th April, 2.30pm

A mini rave for little ones and grown-ups with DJs, dancing, smoke machines and disco balls! £5 per ticket which provides entry and either free face painting or games. All ages welcome – under 1s go free. If you require a ticket for a baby under 1 then please contact our Box Office on 01332 370911 otherwise book online here.

Easter in Wonderland at Bluebells Dairy

9th to 18th April 2022

A world full of madness, Easter fun and adventure! Includes egg hunts, live lambing and much, much more. More information and book tickets here.

Easter activities at Injoy, Derby city centre

Toddler Easter on 7th April

SEN Egg’stra Special Baking on Thursday 14th April, 4pm – 6pm. £11 per head including all interactive play and baking.

Easter Party on Friday 15th April, 5:30 to 8pm

Includes decorating Easter cookies, Easter themed food, access to all areas (including Laser Tag) and Easter bonnet making competition (or bring your own from home!). £20 per ticket plus £5.50 for bonnet making. Sibling discount of £10 when buying two tickets. Book online.

There is also an Easter Colouring Competition running from 11th to 22nd April. See Injoy’s social media for more information.

Mama & Meet Easter Market at The Chocolate Factory, Derby

Sunday 10th April, 10.30am – 4.30pm.

Family friendly indie market. Retail therapy and child friendly Easter activities! Up to 50 carefully selected stall holders showcasing a delightful range of independent brands, plenty of delicious street food and drinks vendors, children’s entertainment and a special Easter themed meet and greet with a special character.

Easter Craft Events at Derbion

12th – 14th and 19th – 21st April.

Family friendly Easter craft workshops, taking place in the Derbion shopping centre. Choose from personalising bunny hats and masks, crafting cute Easter cards, making a pom pom chick with the help of Bertie the Bunny, or creating edible plant pots. Additionally, on 14th April, Bertie the Bunny will be hopping around, making a special appearance to pose for selfies with the little ones.

Workshop tickets are £3 each and all proceeds will be donated to Derbion Cares charities. The Easter craft workshop area can be found on level 1 next to Customer Services. To find out more and book spaces, see here.

Pickford’s Plot: Nature Creative

Pickford’s House, Derby city centre

14 April, 1-3pm

A nature focused session in Pickford’s garden where you can unleash your creative side, from observational drawing, poetry and create art using the natural elements of the garden. Drop in session. Suitable for families. FREE (donations welcomed). Pickford’s House, 41 Friar Gate, DE1 1DA.

Click here for more family friendly things to do in Derby.

Photo by Olya Kobruseva on Pexels.com

National Trust Easter Egg Hunts

National Trust properties all over the country are hosting Easter egg hunts. In Derbyshire, the hunts are being held at Calke Abbey, Hardwick and Kedleston. Each involves a family-friendly trail with fun activities to do along the way. Complete the trail and earn a chocolate reward at the end.

Normal admission prices apply (and as ever, National Trust members get free entry) plus £3 for each trail pack which includes an Easter activity sheet, pencil and tasty Rainforest Alliance chocolate treat (or allergen-free alternative).

Easter egg hunt at Calke Abbey

The Easter trail runs from Sat 9–Fri 22 April, between 10am and 5pm, with last entry at 4pm.

Embark on a self-led adventure in the great outdoors, searching for nature-themed activities in the meadow, stableyards and garden. There’s no set route for the trail, which means you can explore each activity at your own pace. It’s fun for all ages (adults included!), so if you’ve been cooped up for too long, hop along and unleash your inner child at Calke!

To get started, pick up your trail pack from the Ticket Office.

Easter egg hunt at Hardwick

From 10am – 4pm

Take a self-led family outdoor adventure. Search for the nature activities in the parkland, woodland and stableyard. Become a hedge detective, spot bees and colours of spring. There is no set route, so take your time, enjoy the landscape and you may find the odd new born lamb along the way.

To get started, pick up your trail pack from the Star Tent.

Easter egg hunt at Kedleston

15 to 18 April 2022 10am – 3pm (Kedleston closes at 5pm)

Discover the signs of spring and explore Kedleston on this nature-inspired activity trail (1.6 mile walk) for the whole family. The nature based sensory trail comprises of 10 activities and the trail pack includes everything you need to take part with an activity sheet, pencil, and chocolate egg (or chocolate alternative).

Pick up your trail pack from the Visitor Reception building.

Read my guide to the best National Trust places in Derbyshire.

The Orangery at Calke Abbey

Amber Valley

Easter Crafts at Denby Pottery Village

Saturday 2nd April – Sunday 24th April
Hourly Easter themed craft sessions between 10am – 3pm

Choose from one of three craft activities on the day: decorating Easter bunny bunting using colourful craft accessories, hand-painting spring designs onto Denby egg cups or decorating 2D Easter pottery shapes. Then take part in the Easter trail and hunt down the hidden Easter decorations around Denby Pottery Village. All children receive a chocolate surprise.

£6 per child. Book tickets online at least 24 hours in advance or call 01773 740799 for on the day availability. Denby Pottery Village, Denby, DE5 8NX. Free visitor parking.

Hopping Mad! Trail, Shipley Country Park

Sunday 10th to Sunday 17th April, 10.30am to 3.30pm.
Turn up any time. Self-led trail.

Family friendly Easter fun at Shipley Country Park. Follow the Easter Trail to find the hidden clues and discover the secret word. Return to the start to collect your sweet treat. Approximately 1 mile. £2 per child. Start at Shipley Country Park Visitor Centre. Sat Nav DE75 7GX. Parking charges apply. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs welcome on leads

Easter in Derbyshire Dales

Easter Trail at Carsington

9th April to 24 April

No need to pre-book. Activity sheets are £3 each from the Visitor Centre. One prize per activity sheet. The route will take you around Stones Island and you can collect your prize from the takeaway.

Easter activities at Chatsworth

Activities are daily, 9 to 24 April, unless otherwise noted, and subject to change if the weather and ground conditions are unsuitable.

Easter themed crafts in the top yard (11am – 1pm and 2pm-4pm daily). And Easter egg hunts 15th to 18th April. Sturdy footwear advised for the Easter egg hunts due to wet and muddy conditions in the farmyard fields. Activities are included with your admission to the farmyard and playground. Timed tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis and given out when you arrive at the entrance to the farmyard and playground.

Note that you must pre-book the farmyard ticket.

Daffodils at Chatsworth (note that you would need to pay for ‘garden’ admission to see this)

Easter Hunt in the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

Saturday 16^th April, 10am – 12pm

Organised by ‘Churches Together in Buxton’ this is a free Easter Hunt. Just turn up by the bandstand in the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton at 10am Saturday 16th April. Suitable for all ages, all children, young people, adults, individuals and families all welcome! Hunting for little chickens, there will be prizes and other things to do.

No pre-booking required, but to help them manage numbers please indicate if you are going on their Facebook events page.

If you’re looking for more Easter activities in the Peak District, my friend Jenny already has a great list over at Peak District Kids so head there for all the details.

South Derbyshire and surrounding area

Easter Egg Hunt at Staunton Harold

9th – 24th April, 10am – 4pm everyday

Hunt for eggs in the beautiful grounds of the Staunton Harold Estate. Collect a map from The Stables Coffee Shop and search for the hidden Easter eggs and then return to the coffee shop to claim your prize! £5 per child. No pre-booking required. Dogs welcome on leads for the trail. (Note that whilst dogs on leads are welcome to the counter to order in the coffee shop it’s only outdoor seating for dogs currently.)

North Derbyshire

Easter Adventure Quest at Bolsover Castle

Saturday 2nd to Sunday 24th April 2022

Explore the site to hunt for clues and challenges, and discover traditional Easter games like egg rolling and the egg and spoon race. Track down the Easter eggs to be rewarded with a chocolate treat and an adventurer’s certificate.

The quest costs just £1.50 in addition to the normal ticket price.

Breakfast with the Easter animals at The Blue Stoops pub in Dronfield

Sunday 17th April

A special breakfast where young visitors get to meet and handle small fluffy animals from bunnies to mice, with Lion Learners. Advance booking recommended.

£16 per person includes a Full English breakfast for adults, or a children’s breakfast, drink and Easter egg and the animal petting experience.

Click here for 15 things to do with kids in the Chesterfield area.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

I hope you’re enjoyed this round up of activities for Easter in Derbyshire. I’ll try to keep this blog post updated so please keep checking back – and feel free to let me know in the comments below of any other great Easter activities happening in and around Derbyshire. Have a happy Easter!