FAMILIES with children of all ages are invited to join in with a range of fun-filled activities being offered in Darlington during the Easter holidays.

Events for this year's Easter extravaganza include circus skills, chocolate workshop, and an outdoor egg trail.

Creative children and their parents can join in with a biscuit decorating workshop hosted at the Head of Steam railway museum today, between 10am and 4pm. This event is included in admission and yearly passes for the site, but sessions must be booked in advance.

Performers Dot & Zooky will be bringing the circus to Darlington in their circus skills workshop which provides the chance to learn tricks of the trade. This drop-in event is hosted by Head of Steam on Wednesday, April 10, between 10am and 4pm, and is included in admission and yearly passes.

Young artists can try their hand at creating their very own stop animation film in Darlington's Crown Street Library on Thursday, April 11, from 1pm to 3pm. The event is suitable for 11 to 16-year-olds, and booking is required.

Youngsters under the age of four can join in with Station scamps and crafts, where they can run around and have fun with art during drop in sessions on Friday, April 12, and Friday, April 19, at Head of Steam. The Scamps section of the day is between 10am and 12.30pm, and the crafts section is between 1pm and 3pm.

Head of Steam also offers a chocolate workshop, wherein participants can make and decorate their own chocolate lolly on Tuesday, April 16, between 10am and 4pm. Sessions must be booked in advance, but entrance is included in admission and yearly passes.

Listen to brave and bold stories for ages two to five at the Hullabaloo on Tuesday, April 16, and Wednesday, April 17, in their Easter Storytelling session, 10.15am and 1pm. Tickets must be booked in advance.

For those who are feeling adventurous, there is an Easter egg trail and free family entertainment on Saturday, April 20, throughout the town. Youngsters can eggs-plore and win chocolates.

On Easter Sunday, 10am to 4pm, Head of Steam will be hosting an Easter Special full of fun activities including a mini-train, face painting and magic shows. The café will be open to serve food throughout the day. Adults and children who are five or above must pay to enter, but it is included in yearly passes.

Finally, there is an Egg Cup Decorating session on Easter Monday, 11am to 3pm, in the Cornmill Shopping Centre. There will be crafts, as well as an appearance from Charlie Chick.

  • More details of what’s happening in Darlington can be found online at darlington.gov.uk/events
  • For more details about Darlington Libraries, please visit www2.darlington.gov.uk or call 01325-349630, on Facebook @DarlingtonLibraries or on Twitter @DarlLibs
  • For more details about the Hullabaloo, please visit theatrehullabaloo.org.uk, call the office at 01325-405680, or the box office at 01325-405405. They are on Facebook @TheatreHullabaloo and Twitter @HullabalooTweet
  • For more details about the Head of Steam, please visit head-of-steam.co.uk or call 01325-405060, on Facebook @headofsteammuseum and Twitter @HeadofSteamMus