Ideas to help keep the children entertained during the Easter holidays from our friends at Families Suffolk Magazine:

Alton Water Sports Centre

Alton Water Sports Centre is based at Alton Reservoir near Stutton Ipswich. The reservoir is the largest area of inland water in Suffolk, making a very safe location for young people to experience and explore the outdoor environment.

The Centre offers a wide range of courses running throughout the summer; the courses are designed to progress young sailors through the RYA stages whilst also inspiring a passion for watersports. Their highly motivated, qualified instructors deliver carefully structured sessions that combine a foundation of basic skills and improving techniques for all ages and abilities in a fun and friendly environment.

There are a wide range of training courses on offer from beginner through to advanced, courses are run for students aged from 6 -16 years plus adult courses also run throughout the year.

Additionally there are a wide range of water sports equipment for hire which includes single and double sit on top kayaks, rowboats, sailing dinghies, windsurfers and stand-up paddle boards, suitable for all age groups and abilities. The centre also offers private one to one instruction based on three hour sessions with all necessary equipment supplied. There is also an on-site café and BBQ facilities which can cater for birthday parties or group fun days. For more information call: 01473 328408 or visit: www.altonwater.co.uk

iSwim

Over at iSwim they are offering lots of exciting things to do over the Easter Holidays! If you would like a boost to your swimming or like to learn to swim on top of the water and not underneath or learn how to breath properly they are able to help!

They will be teaching all ages and abilities all the way up from nervous non swimmers to super speedy swimmers wanting to perfect their technique. They have a 4 day intensive courses for only £30. Lessons will be every morning for 30 minutes Mon 30th March - Thurs 2nd Apr or Tues 6th Apr - Fri 10th Apr. If you don’t want to rely on the sun shining they can keep your children happy in the pool with a ‘learn to snorkel class’ (1 hour for £10) and ‘flip & fun’ (learning how to dive safely - 1 hour for £6).

If you would like an afternoon to yourself mums, why not let them spend the afternoon on a Swim camp from 12.30pm-4pm? Kids bring a packed lunch and have lots of water fun. There will be games in the pool with snorkelling, inflatable’s and craft activities all included for £17.50 Mon 30th Mar or Wed 8th Apr. Private pool hire for £24 per hour also available.Please see their website for details: www.iswim.biz or call 01473 277085; spaces are limited so book now.

Easter time fun at Easton Farm Park

Lambs, lambs, lambs! Easter is the time for babies on the farm – kid goats, baby lambs, chicks, baby rabbits and piglets. Spring is magical with all of nature waking up after the winter and the animals are excited to be outside enjoying the spring weather, just like you.

The daily activity schedule on the farm includes pony rides, train rides, hug a bunny, egg collecting, meet the baby lambs and lots more all included in the entry ticket. There are two indoor soft play areas plus the outdoor adventure play area and, when you need a break, the Barn Café sells a range of delicious home-cooked lunches and yummy cakes.

Over the Easter holidays there will be lots of extra fun on the farm with a special Easter Egg Hunt over the Easter weekend from Good Friday through to Easter Monday. Weather permitting they will also be running tractor and trailer rides around the farm throughout the holidays. For more details on all the farm activities please visit the website at www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk or call the farm on 01728 746475.

Stagecoach

Stagecoach Theatre Schools in Ipswich and Woodbridge believe in encouraging the creativity, imagination and individuality of every child. At Stagecoach, even the quietest children flourish in the friendly, encouraging environment, where they can immerse themselves in different activities and discover hidden sides to themselves.

The schools teach children drama, dance and singing in one place on a weekly basis, and teachers are highly-qualified with a background in performance or directing. Stagecoach believes in a holistic approach to learning, so as well as following a challenging syllabus, there are many opportunities to demonstrate new-found skills. The schools offer regular school productions, performances in local theatres, exams linked to the UCAS points system for university applications, and specialist workshops including master classes offered by RADA and West-End performers. Students can audition for touring West-End productions, the latest being Shrek the musical.

Next term, students will meet the cast of ‘Horrible Histories’. Stagecoach has secured the rights to perform the new musical Groovy Greeks, which Woodbridge students will perform next term. At Ipswich, all students will appear in the huge annual showcase at the Ipswich Regent, while older students will stage a drama production of ‘Girls Like That’ at the Sir John Mills Theatre. To book a free trial session, call 01728 688627, or email [email protected]/[email protected].

For more information about what’s on over the Easter Holidays visit www.familiessuffolk.co.uk or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates.