WHAT’S ON WHEN

Saturday 29th

DNA Detectives Workshops

Extract DNA, recreate a face and make a DNA bracelet in this hands-on workshop. Running until 21st May 11.30am and 2pm. Also “Is Air Really There” science shows at 12:30pm and 3pm, find out all about invisible air in this new science show. Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum, Mersey Road, Widnes. W: www.catalyst.org.uk

Day Out with Thomas

We take great care to ensure this information is correct at the time of going to press. However, we would advise parents to phone and check details prior to making a long trip…or promise!

A great way to experience some varied exciting activities in the countryside with local experts Moorland Adventure! Based at Tegg’s Nose Country Park, each day focuses on different activities. Running until 14th April.

W: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ leisure

Go along for an inflatable planetarium for an exciting journey into space, Learn how to identify constellations before going on an epic ride in the hunt for alien life! Also on 23rd April. Planetarium Shows at 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3pm. Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum, Mersey Road, Widnes. W: www.catalyst.org.uk

Join the East Lancashire Railway for spectacular family fun on a Day Out with Thomas! Meet Sir Topham Hatt and cheeky station sweepers Rusty and Dusty in Bury before taking a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine himself. Complete your day with Thomas themed games and activities, fun fair rides, balloon modellers, singing, dancing and much more. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Also on April 30th and May 1st. T: 0333 320 2830 W: www.eastlancsrailway.co.uk

Check out the latest Primary Times shortlist of great books for young minds BOOK

BEST FOR THRILL SEEKERS FIREBORN: PHOENIX AND THE FROST PALACE

By Aisling Fowler

Genre: Fantasy

Age Range: 8-12

Price: £12.99 (HarperCollins)

Twelve has chosen a new name to reflect her elemental power: Phoenix. Icegaard is in danger from an evil force called the Shadowseam. If the witch-palace falls, all the clans of Ember will fall. Phoenix must baמּle frightening new monsters and find a way to defeat the Shadowseam.

Best For Fantasy Billy And The Giant Adventure

By Jamie Oliver

Genre: Fantasy

Age Range: 7-11

Price: £14.99 (Puffin)

Billy and his friends know that Waterfall Woods is out of bounds; no one has ventured past its walls for decades... But when they discover a secret way in, Billy and his best friends can’t resist the temptation to explore! Only to quickly discover that the woods are brimming with magic…

Best For Mystery The Boy Who Saved A Bear

By Nizrana Farook

Genre: Adventure mystery

Age Range: 9-12

Price: £7.99 (Nosy Crow)

A boy and a bear meet, become friends and have the adventure of their lives! One day, Nuwan accidentally thwarts some dangerous thieves’ plans. He hides in a cave, discovering in the night that he is sharing it with a terrifying bear!

BEST FOR BUDDING TOURISTS BEST FOR CRITICAL THINKERS THE KING’S CORONATION STICKER BOOK

By Campbell Books

Genre: Sticker Book

Age Range: All ages

Price: £7.99 (Campbell Books)

Celebrate with this perfect giﬞ for tiny tourists. Preschoolers can use the stickers to decorate street parties and even place the royal crown upon the new King’s head! With spot the differences, colouring-in and more than 400 stickers, there is plenty to keep liמּle ones busy as the capital city is brought to life.

BEST FOR CURIOUS MINDS CAN YOU GET RAINBOWS IN SPACE?

By Dr Sheila Kanani

Genre: Science

Age Range: 7-9

Price: £14.99 (Puffin)

Find out how animals are able to glow in the dark and change their colours to hide. Discover why leaves change colour, why your veins look blue but blood is red, and why the language we use shapes the colours we see… And you’ll learn exactly how to make a rainbow - in space.

Best For A Family Read My Momma Zo

By Kelly and Zoey Allen

Genre: Family

Age Range: 4+

Price: £7.99 (UCLan Publishing)

Happy families come in many shapes and sizes. Molly’s includes Momma Zo, Mommy Kel, George, and Ziggy the dog. Life is always busy with lots to do! An empowering story of a family that helps to support one another through happy and challenging times.

The Truth Detective

By Tim Harford

Genre: Educational

Age Range: 9-12

Price: £9.99 (Wren & Rook)

The world is oﬞen full of bamboozling headlines and numbers that don’t add up. Within these pages you will transform into a Truth Detective, able to hunt down the truth about the world around you. Grab your detective cap and start seeing the world like never before.

Best For Adventure

DOG MAN 11: TWENTY THOUSAND FLEAS UNDER THE SEA

By Dav Pilkey

Genre: Adventure

Age Range: 7-12

Price: £12.99 (Scholastic)

Piggy is back, and his newest plot is his most diabolical yet. What new villains are on the horizon? Where are they all coming from? Who will step forward to save the city when scoundrels sabotage the Supa Buddies? Find out in Dog Man #11.

Best For Animal Lovers The Emerald Forest

By Catherine Ward

Genre: Environmental awareness

Age Range: 4-5

Price: £12.99 (Oמּer-Barry Books)

Orangutan and her family live in a vast emerald forest. Life is good, until a machine tears Orangutan’s tree from the ground. The family have to leave – but where? The story shows how wildlife campaigners bring hope for the future.

The Brindley Arts

www.thebrindley.org.uk

Monday 3rd –

Wednesday 5th April

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

The mysterious Beast imprisons Beauty in his enchanted castle. Can she escape with the help of her family and melt the Beast’s icy heart before it’s too late? Will the plan work before the last rose petal falls?

Sunday 16th April

DINOSAUR

ADVENTURE LIVE

An interactive show for all the family.

Thursday 25th –Saturday 27th April

THE WITCHES

In this faithful stage adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic story, Boy and his grandmother are about to do battle with the Grand High Witch and her fellow witches, who are holding a conference in an English seaside hotel.

Brio Leisure

www.brioentertainment.org

Box Office: 0333 666 3366

Saturday 25th –

Sunday 26th March

Northwich Memorial Hall

Monday 3rd April –

Ellesmere Port Civic Hall

RAPUNZEL

Join your Easter Panto favourites Wally, Dame Dolly and Fairy Tale as they embark on a quest to break an enchantment that keeps Rapunzel locked away in her tower... But the wicked sorceress Gothel has other plans for Rapunzel and her everlengthening hair! Will Rapunzel escape? Starring BGT runner-up Jamie and Chuck & Northwich Panto Legend Ryan Greaves!

Crewe Lyceum

www.crewelyceum.co.uk

Wednesday 22nd –Thursday 23rd March

CHESHIRE SCHOOLS

GOTTA DANCE 2023

Over 20 school and community groups, from across Cheshire, will be performing on two entertaining days. The groups will each perform a number of dance styles including ballet, street, contemporary, musical theatre and much more and also be joined by talented local singers.

Saturday 1st April

UGLY DUCKLING

Ugly Duckling is lonely and fed-up, ignored by those around her who think she is too ugly to fit in. She tries to make friends with fellow ducklings as well as with frogs, cats and even a fox, but realising she is not like any of these animals, she is left sad and alone. Follow the duckling on her journey as she overcomes her troubles and realises that she was beautiful all along.

Friday 14th April

FIREMAN SAM

When all of his friends go away, Norman Price decides to find adventure in Pontypandy and become the star of a visiting circus. But with a tiger on the loose and faulty lights, the adventure soon turns to danger. Can Fireman Sam come to the rescue and save the circus?

Wednesday 17th –Saturday 20th May

The Little Mermaid

Based upon one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is an incredibly beautiful love story for audience members of all ages.

Floral Pavilion

Marine Parade, New Brighton, Wirral Box Office: 0151 666 0000

Tuesday 11th –

Saturday 15th April

West End Easter School

Following their 10th Anniversary sell out West End Summer School, Stage Ed are returning to the Theatre. Working in Junior and Senior age groups, this Easter holiday they will be Freshening things up and introducing Harry Potter, Heathers, Back to the Future, Matilda and Lyle Lyle Crocodile. No previous experience required.

Friday 14th April

THE LITTLE MERMAID

From the producers of Rapunzel, it is time to make a splash and join Ariel; her father, King of the Seven Seas; Ursula, the evil sea witch and a whole host of fabulous characters in this brand-new adaptation.

Gladstone Theatre

Port Sunlight www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk

Friday 14th – Sunday 16th April

Alice In Wonderland

Join Alice on a magical wander through Wonderland as she meets a whole host of crazy characters straight out of the classic book by Lewis Carroll. Laugh out loud as she meets the Mad Hatter in the wildest tea party you have ever seen and help rescue the White Rabbit from the evil Queen of Hearts or it’ll be “off with your head”.

Friday 12th-Saturday 13th May

The Little Mermaid Jr

Adapted from Disney’s Broadway production, Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr features an incredible cast of young people from HAWK Theatre Group. Specially adapted with a young audience in mind, this Disney classic includes hit songs “Kiss The Girl,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and the Oscar-winning “Under the Sea.”

Parr Hall

Warrington https://parrhall. culturewarrington.org

Saturday 8th April

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE – SCIENCE SAVED THE WORLD

Join the presenters as they dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in with a few loud bangs along the way!

Sunday 23rd April

Gromit The Wrong Trousers

2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the Academy Award® winning short film Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers and the WFEL Fairey Band have teamed up with Aardman to exclusively bring the film, with soundtrack performed by brass band, to audiences across the UK.