IF the brighter weather has put a spring in your step then the Easter holidays are the perfect time to go outdoors and eggs-plore the jam packed calendar of events across the region according to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB).

With everything from an Easter Eggspress steam train from Belfast to Whitehead, egg trails in a range of locations and an Easter Sea Safari Boat Trip around Strangford Lough, there is no better time of year to have fun with the family.

NITB’s Destination PR and Marketing Manager Ruth Burns says there will be events happening in every county this Easter.

“With the brighter weather and the children off school, Easter is the perfect time of year to plan a family day out and there is something for everyone to enjoy this year,” said Ruth.

“There are lots of events and many visitor attractions that families can spend the day exploring so we are hoping that everybody takes advantage of what’s on offer,” she added.

To help get you started, NITB has highlighted a range of events to keep all the family entertained over the Easter period.

Belfast

Belfast’s Titanic Quarter will be hosting the Easter Weekend Family Fun and International Markets with three days of street performance providing hilarious entertainment over the Easter Weekend.  Celebrate Easter with the animals at Belfast Zoo from April 6 – 10 and watch them enjoy some special Easter treats during feeding time.  Hop aboard the Easter Eggspress for a steam train adventure from Belfast Central Station to Whitehead with Chocolate eggs for all the children on April 9 and 10.           

Co. Antrim

Theatre at the Mill is inviting kids to its High School Musical theatre school this Easter which starts on April 9.  A highly skilled professional team will teach the children how to master dance routines, perfect harmonies and learn scripts which they will then perform live on stage for an audience.  The Ballymena Egg Run on April 10 is a charity motorcycle in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care with all eggs collected being donated to children with special needs.  Easter Eggstravaganza at the Island Arts Centre in Lisburn will be full of fun things for the family including arty antics and movie madness galore from April 11 – 13.

Co. Armagh

The Lough Neagh Discovery Centre will be running its popular Easter fun craft sessions on April 7.  Everyone can make some great Easter goodies to take home as presents and also take part in an Easter trail to find some chocolate treats.  Join local florist James and be inspired to create the perfect Easter floral centre piece at his workshop in Saint Patrick’s Trian on March 31.  From April 6 – 10, Saint Patrick’s Trian will also be hosting Eggs-press Yourself with lots of fun for everyone including Easter crafts, an egg hunt, a theatre show and the chance to pet real bunnies.  Enjoy the Gruffalo’s Easter Trail at the Navan Centre and create your very own Gruffalo themed mask and a Gruffalo Trail where you can meet lots of characters including the mouse, the fox and the snake from April 7 – 10.  Children aged 6 – 12 can enjoy the Easter school holidays at Palace Stables’ Easter Craft Club with crafts, egg rolling and games  on April 12 and 13.

Co. Down

Enjoy some Easter fun and follow the clues over the sand dunes and the beach to discover some chocolate treasure at Murlough National Nature Reserve on April 8.  The Down County Museum is hosting an Easter Monday Fun Day with the best entertainment for all the family including magic shows, craft workshops and much more.  Head to Bangor on Easter Monday for a family fun day out with a falconry display, a modified cars display and the annual parade full of colourful displays, dancers and street entertainers.  Hop over to the Easter Fair at Castle Ward for a jam packed time of children’s activities, horse and carriage rides, local crafts and food stalls and an Easter egg trail on April 7 – 9.  Castle Ward will be holding an Easter Camp for children aged between 8 and 15 on April 11 – 13 with activities galore including archery, rock hopping, canoeing, climbing and much more.  On April 8 – 10 you can explore the waters of Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea aboard the Easter Sea Safari Boat Trip and discover the Angus Rock Lighthouse and SeaGen, the first electricity generating tidal turbine in Europe.  The whole family can enjoy the fun at Mount Stewart’s Easter Trail around its gardens on April 6 – 13 with a prize for every completed quiz sheet.  Join the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Castle Espie for a Giant Easter Bunny Hunt with prizes and bunny crafts for all the children.  Explore the nooks and crannies around the beautiful Rowallane Garden at its Easter Tuesday Chick Trail and follow the clues to get an Easter surprise.

Co. Fermanagh

Visit Corralea Activity Centre and test your mountain biking skills on Easter Saturday, enjoy canoeing on Lough MacNean on Easter Sunday or climb the purpose built wall on Easter Monday.  Join the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit and friends for a tea party from April 6 – 9 in the Basement at Castle Coole for a fun-filled afternoon and chocolate treats hunt.  Follow the clues around Florencecourt to find the chocolate eggs at its Easter Trail event on April 6.  The Orchard Acre Farm in Irvinestown will be hosting an Easter Chocolate Factory Festival with a chocolate treasure hunt and chocolate demonstrations on April 7 – 11.  Take this unique opportunity to see Crom from a different perspective as you cruise around the Lough during the Easter Cot Cruise on April 9.

Co. Tyrone

Pay a visit to the Easter bunny and receive a gift at the Barrontop Fun Farm in Strabane from April 6 – 10.  There will be two days of egg-cellent fun at The Argory with lots of activities for the whole family including an egg trail, face painting and lots of children’s entertainment on April 9 – 10.  Go to An Creagán in Omagh for its Big Family Picnic on Easter Monday with lots of entertainment including outdoor play activities, a mobile farm, music and food stalls.

Co. Londonderry

There will be fun for all the family at Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House as you follow the trail around the historic site to find clues to crack the code and unlock the chocolate Easter surprises on April 8.  Springhill House will also be hosting an Easter trail around its gardens on April 8 and 9.

To find out more on things to do at Easter click on www.discovernorthernireland.com or visit your local tourist information centre.  You can also keep up-to-date with the latest news, images, videos and competitions by visiting http://www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.