Kilkenny has a host of treats on offer for children over the Easter holidays and not all of the chocolate variety. To keep them active and away from the sweets there are camps for tennis, swimming and multi activities. You can get creative with pottery workshops or making Easter glove puppets. There are of course the traditional and much-loved Easter egg hunts to keep all the family busy and supplied with sweets. And, last but not least, the essential Easter Bunny will be making an appearance at MacDonagh Junction. So, treat your kids to something different this Easter and have some fun with the family. Happy Easter!

Castlecomer Discovery Park Easter Activities

There are plenty of Easter fun activities at Castlecomer Discovery Park. On Easter Sunday from 11am to 4pm there is an Easter egg hunt costing €10 per family. Also on Easter Sunday for ages 2 and over you can decorate your own Easter glove puppet from 11am to 4pm in the Visitor Centre. Booking advised. From 14th April to 27th April you can try out the Easter Family Trail for €10 per family, prize included.

Where? Castlecomer Discovery Park, Castlecomer, County Kilkenny

Contact? 056 4440707. www.discoverypark.ie

Nore Valley Open Farm Easter egg hunt

Nore Valley Farm is holding their annual Easter egg hunt again over the Easter holidays. You really do have to hunt hard for these eggs, so it’s a fun challenge for the whole family. As well as the many different animals to see on the farm there will be lambs to bottle feed, rabbits to hold and you can even see chicks hatching. For an additional charge there will also be trailer rides, crazy golf, a maze and go-karts.

When? Saturday 12th April, Monday 14th April and Tuesday 15th April from 10am to 5pm.

Where? Annamult, Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny

Cost? €7 per adult, €6.50 per child or €25 for family group of 2 adults & 2 children for entry to the farm and an additional €3.50 per family or group of four people for the Easter egg hunt. Contact: 056 7727229, www.norevalleyfarm.com

MacDonagh Junction Easter Events

MacDonagh Junction is going all out for Easter this year with a brightly coloured Easter Cottage in the Workhouse Square from Friday 11th where children can play. There will be a children’s Easter Egg Hunt throughout the Easter week. Entry forms will be available from beside the Easter cottage. On Easter Saturday from 2pm to 5pm there will be an Easter party in the Workhouse Square with Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Fireman Sam, Peppa Pig, Barney, Mickey and Minnie and of course the Easter Bunny. There will be lots of goodies and giveaways throughout the afternoon. There will also be interactive games such as the Lock & Key game, gangnam style dance off and a battle of the bands creating lots of excitement.

When? Easter Saturday, 19th April

Where? MacDongagh Junction shopping centre

Cost? Free

Contact? 056 7727229

Pottery Workshops

Easter themed MUD Monsters workshops for children where they can learn a variety of ceramic techniques.

Who? Children ages 6 to 12

When? Saturday 12th & Saturday 19th April, 11am to 1pm, for one or two hours.

Where? Market Street, Thomastown in Karen Morgan Pottery shop.

Cost? €12 for 1 hour, €20 for 2 hours Contact? Shona on 087 9798080 or Helen on 087 2738973 weplaywithmud@gmail.com, facebook: MUD Workshops

Tennis Camps

Tennis camp with Brian Doyle. Pre-booking is required.

Brian celebrating 20 years.

Who? Children aged 6 to 18 of all abilities, including complete beginners.

When? Monday 21st April to Friday 25th April from 2pm to 5pm.

Where? Kilkenny College, Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny

Cost? €95. 20 Anniversary special - 20% Discount If booked before 20th April.

Contact? Brian Doyle on 086 8714941

Mini tennis programme Easter tennis camp with Tommy Rochford. Pre-booking is required.

Who? Children aged 6 to 16 of all abilities, including complete beginners.

When? Monday 14th April to Friday 18th April from 11 am to 1 pm.

Where? Kilkenny Tennis Club, Archersfield, Kilkenny

Cost? €50 for Kilkenny Tennis Club members, €60 for non-members.

Contact? Tommy Rochford on 086 8338111

Watershed camps

This Easter the Watershed are offering two separate camps; a Swimming Camp with a one hour swimming lesson with a qualified Swimming Instructor

and also a Multi Sports Camp. Pre-booking is required.

Who? Children ages 5 to 12 and for swimming, levels 1 to 5.

When? Swim camp – Week 1; Monday 14th April to Friday 18th April (4 day option available) from 9am to 10am or 10am to 11am. Week 2; Tuesday 22nd April to Friday 25th April from 9am to 10am or 10am to 11am.

Multi sports camp – Week 1; Monday 14th April to Friday 18th April (4 day option available) from 9am to 3pm. Week 2; Tuesday 22nd April to Friday 25th April from 9am to 3pm.

Where? The Watershed, Loughboy

Cost? Swim camp - €45 for 5 days and €40 for 4 days. Multi sports camp - €85 for 5 days & €75 for 4 days.

Contact? 056 7734620. www.thewatershed.ie.

Cookery Camps

· Icing on the Cake - Have fun with hands-on workshop where you will bake and decorate Easter treats and take them all home to impress your friends and family.

Who? From age 8

When? Tuesday 22nd April, 10 am to 12 noon

Where? The Icing on the Cake, Danesfort, Co Kilkenny

Cost? €20

Contact? Nicky Read on 086 8165587, nicky.kilkenny@gmail.com, www.nickyscakes.wordpress.com

· Rylands House Cookery School – Get hands-on practice and learn new cookery skills that you can use at home.

Who? Ages 9 to 13

When? Wednesday 23rd April & Thursday 24th April from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm

Where? Ryeland House, Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny

Cost? €60

Contact? 056 7729073, 086 2767656, ryelandhouse@gmail.com, www.ryelandhousecookery.com

· Slice of Heaven – have fun making chocolatey Easter treats to take home.

Who? Ages 6 to 9 & 10 and over

When? Friday 18th April, Saturday 19th April and Saturday 26th April from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm for ages 6 to 9 and from 12.30 pm to 2 pm for ages 10 and over.

Where? Slice of Heaven, High Street, Kilkenny

Cost? €15

Contact? 087 9533870, mary@sliceofheaven.ie

Kilkenny’s Easter Activities for Families

Kilkenny has a host of treats on offer for children over the Easter holidays and not all of the chocolate variety. To keep them active and away from the sweets there are camps for tennis, swimming and multi activities. You can get creative with pottery workshops or making Easter glove puppets. For any budding bakers and chefs there are cookery camps where you can make your own treats. There are of course the traditional and much-loved Easter egg hunts to keep all the family busy and supplied with sweets. And, last but not least, the essential Easter Bunny will be making an appearance at MacDonagh Junction. So, treat your kids to something different this Easter and have some fun with the family.

Happy Easter!