Cambridgeshire

Family Saturdays

WHEN: 4th March, 10.00 – 13.00

WHERE: Cambridge University

Botanic Garden

Learn all about prehistoric plants, look at ancient plant fossils and have a go at making some plant plaster casts that you can take home to treasure. First Saturday Family activities are free with only garden admission charges for accompanying adults. www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/

Public Open Evenings

WHEN: Wednesdays until 22nd March, 19.00 – 21.00

WHERE: Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge

Each evening consists of a 30-minute public talk about astronomy, followed by (weather dependent!) stargazing

No need to book.

Daffodils and Spring Gardens

WHEN: Until 2nd April, 10.00 – 16.00

WHERE: Chippenham Park Gardens

View the breathtaking display of daffodils and spring gardens. Over 40 acres of garden, lakes, canals and wilderness. Delicious home-made food and refreshments in the licensed Potting Shed Cafe.

Adult £7; Children £3 (Under 5’s Free) (Cash only) www.chippenhamparkgardens. info/opening-dates

FREE www.ast.cam.ac.uk/public/ public_observing

Park-O

WHEN: 18th March, 13.00 – 15.00

WHERE: Hinchingbrooke Country Park

An easy, fun way for juniors and families to try orienteering and enjoy the local park. Three different courses and friendly advice to get you started.

Family groups £5; Child £2 www.waoc.org.uk

Squidge

Hulla Balloony Moon Time

WHEN: 12th March, 11.30 and 14.30

Science Festival

WHEN: 17th March – 2nd April

WHERE: University of Cambridge Children, young people and families are invited to be a part of this year’s Cambridge Science Festival with a packed series of talks, games, experiments, theatre shows, demonstrations and hands-on activities. All events are FREE www.festival.cam.ac.uk 01223 766766.

Great Fen Little Bugs

WHEN: 17th March 10.30 – 12.00

WHERE: Ramsey Heights

A fun morning of exploration and discovery on the wonderful nature reserve, learn all about the wonderful hedgehog and how we can help them. Make your own wooden spikey hedgehog.

From £2.00

Big Fish Little Fish

WHEN: 19th March 14:00-16:00

WHERE: The Maltings, Ely Old school tunes for the family ravers. With themed crafts, giant balloons, glitter cannons, snow + bubble machines, amazing lighting (no strobes), face painting stall, cakes stall and the BFLF famous parachute dance. 8’s and under themaltingsely.org.uk

Easter Adventure Trail

WHEN: 1st–16th April www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ wimpole-estate

WHERE: Wimpole Estate, Enjoy nature- themed activities, build a home for nature and wibble wobble like a lamb, completing the trail to pick up your chocolate egg at the end. Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate or vegan and free from Rainforest Alliance Easter egg.

WHERE: The Junction, Cambridge Long Nose Puppets offer up a marvellous moonlit show full of riotous rhyme, zany puppets and spiffy special cake; all iced with music and songs by Tom Gray. Little children will feel stuffed to the brim with magic. From £8.50

Recommended age 2-7 www.junction.co.uk 01223 511511

Easter Adventure Trail

WHEN: 1st – 16th April

WHERE: Wicken Fen

This Easter the trail will take place along the Boardwalk on Sedge Fen, where paths lead through the historic undrained core of the Fen, lush with wetland plants and rich in wildlife, and through the woodland walk www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ wicken-fen

Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate or vegan and free from Rainforest Alliance Easter egg.

Easter Adventure Trail

WHEN: 7th – 10th April

WHERE: Houghton Mill, Have a go at making flour and enjoy Easter trail activities inside the historic watermill and outside in nature surrounded by the scenic Waterclose Meadows. Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate or vegan and free from Rainforest Alliance Easter egg. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ houghton-mill

Easter Adventure Trail

WHEN: 7th – 10th April

WHERE: Peckover House, Enjoy traditional games such as croquet on the lawn and a nature themed egg and spoon race.

Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate or vegan and free from Rainforest Alliance Easter egg. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ peckover-house

Holiday Bushcraft

WHERE: Wandlebury Country Park

WHEN: 3rd – 6th and 11th – 14th April, 8.30 – 16.00

Sessions focus on practical bushcraft and survival skills and follow a forest school approach encouraging self-confidence and sense of achievement. Age 5 - 12 £40 per child per day. Booking essential www.wildthymeandembers. co.uk/holiday-bushcraft-club/

Wild In The Woods

WHEN: 12th April 10.00 – 12.00

WHERE: Cambourne Nature Reserve

Every Wednesday during school holidays. A chance to play together with other families in the woods with a selection of ideas and resources. We might build a shelter, hunt for bugs, set a trail, create natural art, or climb a tree. Free www.wildlifebcn.org

07894 599020

The Bull and the Moon

WHERE: The Junction, Cambridge

WHEN: 23rd April, 11.30 and 14.30

Lolo is a little Spanish bull that doesn’t feel like he fits in with the other bulls in the farm. He doesn’t like the big loud bull fights, and he really doesn’t enjoy cowboy rodeos either. Age 3 + From £8.50 www.junction.co.uk 01223 511511

Church Farm Rare Breeds Centre,

WHERE: Stow Bardolph

WHEN: March and April 10.00 – 17.00

If booking any courses, please mention Families Cambridgeshire Magazine

Make friends with a wide variety of tame animals and experience all their young at close quarters throughout the season as well as enjoying their adventure playground. www.churchfarmstowbardolph. co.uk/ 01366 382162

Storytelling With Michael Morpurgo

WHERE: The Cambridge Union – Literary Festival

WHEN: 23rd April 16:00-17:00

As part of the Cambridge Literary Festival, Michael Morpurgo returns with a brand–new story celebrating the new monarch, King Charles III. An allegorical story about how – with the help of a tiny acorn – a wise old woman gives a lonely boy, who would be king, the courage and determination to change the world for the better, for everyone. From £8.00 www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com

I Spy With My Little Eye

WHERE: The Junction, Cambridge

WHEN: 16th April, 11.30 and 14.30

Molly and Bingo the puppy are having a birthday party and, best of all, you’re invited!. There’ll be a terrific treasure hunt, all your favourite sing-along songs, including The Ants Go Marching, Hickory Dickory Dock and BINGO, and lots of fantastic games to play, including Molly’s favourite game, I Spy With My Little Eye! So put on your party clothes and come join us for what promises to be a magical day of fun and laughter. It’s going to be the best party ever!

From £8.50 Ages 2+. www.junction.co.uk, 01223 511511