Your Guide to an Easter family 'staycation' in Liverpool

The Easter holidays are a mixed bag of emotions. Firstly there’s the joy at the prospect of a fortnight’s quality time with your offspring, which tends to subside after 24-48 hours

Then there’s the frustration of cleaning melted chocolate off seemingly every surface in your home (plus pets) which lasts for the whole two weeks.

The angst of mounting costs keeping kids occupied round the clock – this can cause sweating palms when checking your online banking app, shivers opening your purse, and palpitations at the sound of ice cream vans or sit-on Thomas the Tank Engine rides in shopping centres.

And of course the guilt of secretly dying to get back to the school run and listening to Carol from accounts accuse you of using her soya milk from the fridge at work.

Added to that the pressure of fighting off other parents for the last Beauty & The Beast or Paw Patrol Easter egg on the shelf in the Asda, and your old school friends on Facebook who’ve whisked their angelic brood away to Disneyland, Center Parcs, or glacier skiing in the Alps.

But there’s no need to lose your cool – or your luggage – this half term with our guide to having the perfect Easter staycation in Liverpool that will keep the kids and your bank balance happy.

Switch it up at mealtimes

The key to a great staycation is to do things differently. Is Monday usually sausage and mash and Thursdays fish fingers? You wouldn’t have that on a real holiday so fire up the barbecue or have an indoor picnic on the living room floor.

Ditch the washing up and find a family restaurant like Gusto at the Albert Dock where little ones can make their own pizza, or head to Reds True Barbecue or Viva Brazil where kids eat free this half term.

Take it outside

Pack some butties, a footy, sunscreen (and raincoats just in case!) and spend the day in one of Liverpool’s beautiful parks for fresh air and free fun. There’s loads of family friends events to enjoy too; from Kids Yoga in Stanley Park, the miniature railway in Caldies, and Mad Hatters Tea Party and pony rides in Crocky. Check out the the City Council’s Parks & Green Spaces page to find out what’s on near you this Easterliverpool.gov.uk/parks

Of course Liverpool Food Drink & Lifestyle Spring Festival is happening too. Saturday and Sunday from 10am in Sefton Park. A food lovers paradise with lots on offer for the kids and all the family. More info here.

Head to one of Merseyside’s beautiful beaches to feel the sand between your toes and roll your trouser legs up for a paddle. Climb the Black Pearl at New Brighton, play amongst the sand dunes at Formby, and take selfies with the Iron Men at Crosby.

Have a theme

Bring Tataouine to Tuebrook and spend a rainy day indoors with your little Star Wars fan watching all the movies back to back with themed snacks in your favourite chewbacca onesie. Or how about creating your own Dingle Disneyland wearing your Belle or Elsa costumes and enjoying afternoon tea fit for a Princess?

Be a tourist

You don’t need to jet away to make wonderful childhood memories when there’s plenty to offer on your doorstep. Become a tourist in your own city by taking an open top bus tour, riding the big wheel, or taking the ferry across the Mersey.

Step back in time for free by wondering around our many museums and go statue hunting around town in search of Dickie Lewis, Bessie Braddock, Billy Fury and the Fab Four – extra points if you can find the elusive third Liver Bird! Check out our Liverpool Statue Selfie Tour here.

Lots on as we said at the museums in Liverpool too find out more here, and of course our Albert Dock is always the perfect place for a bank holiday weekend with the family. Find out what is happening on the dock via the Albert Dock website here.

Watch our Easter what’s on guide with Merseyrail below for even more great ideas and we will see you out and about on Merseyside for some egg-xellent Easter fun. (sorry!)