Be Inspired: School Holiday Activities

School's Out For Easter!

Calling all the parents, grandparents and anyone else in charge of keeping children amused during the school Easter holidays.

Teachers are celebrating, kids are swinging from the curtains, and grown-ups everywhere are wondering how to keep hyped-up, chocolate egg-fuelled kids amused.

We’ve pulled together some great classes, fun activities and outdoor adventures from across Perthshire to keep them smiling. From nature treks for primary school age and fun crafts for wee ones, to Land Rover Experiences for teenagers, it’s all going on in Perth City and Towns.

Perth City Centre

The Black Watch Castle & Museum

Perth City Centre, 8th to 17th and 19th of April

Spring Crafts at the Castle Activities 

Morning session 11am –12pm
Afternoon session 2pm–3pm
£5 per child (includes one adult)

Bring your little adventurers to Balhousie Castle for a series of exciting and educational craft workshops inspired by the incredible history of The Black Watch Regiment. 

Each session combines hands-on creativity with fascinating insights into the regiment’s storied past, making it a perfect day out for families. It’s the perfect blend of creativity, history, and hands-on fun!

• 8th April: Trench Telephone – Make your own cup-and-string telephone and test it out in a fun game.
• 10th April: Clay Creatures – Discover The Black Watch’s global history and sculpt your own animal with air-drying clay.
• 15th April: Clothespin Soldiers – Explore historic uniforms and craft a clothespin soldier using fabric and wool.
• 17th April: Castle Garden Adventure – Take a sensory tour of the castle gardens, collecting natural materials to create a decorative tree.

Easter at the Castle

From 10am to 2pm
£10 per child and one accompanying adult
£5 per additional adult.

19th of April: Celebrate Easter with a day of fun for all the family! Follow The Golden Egg Trail through the gardens, searching for the hidden golden egg and solving the final clue to claim your prize. Inside the museum, take on The Bunny Brigade Trail and help build the perfect team! Follow the clues, complete your training, and earn a sweet reward while learning about the historic recruitment of The Black Watch. Get creative with Easter Cookie Decorating and let your imagination run wild with Easter Crafts, making paper plate rabbits and designing a suncatcher egg. Outside, enjoy a variety of traditional games and activities - perfect for burning off some Easter excitement! (Ticket includes all-day access to the Museum. Children must be accompanied by an adult.)

More info | www.blackwatch.co.uk

Willowgate

Perth City Centre, 7th to 18th April

We all know that Willowgate is the one stop activity centre for all the family, and over Easter they're going one step further with their fun, Adventure Days.

Easter Adventure Days

• Week days from the 7th to 18th of April
• 9am to 3.30pm
• Ages 7 - 14 
• Price £35

This 6.5 hour day includes a whole host of activities guaranteed to send them home tired and full of stories. Your young adventurer will spend half the day splashing around on the water enjoying activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding and giant paddleboarding, followed by on-land fun where they can have a go at activities such as archery, bushcraft, beach volleyball, and more.

If the grown ups feel they are missing out ,Willowgate is also offering up a Family Adventure Day for a minimum of 4 people,£35 pp from 9 - 3.30pm

Check the Willowgate website for more details.

•    Age group: 7-14 years  /
•    Nearest town: Perth City Centre
•    Open: All year round

More info | www.willowgateactivitycentre.co.uk

Perth College Academy of Sport and Wellbeing

Perth City Centre, 7th to 22nd April

Youth Climbing Easter Holiday Session

• Whether your child is brand new to climbing, or a more experienced climber, these fun sessions at Perth College Academy of Sport and Wellbeing are the perfect way for them to burn off some Easter energy!
   
• Running from the 7th to 22nd April, 
• 1.5 hour school holiday climbing session
• Children aged 5+(under 7 years old parent/guardian must stay within the building during the session)
• All experience levels welcome. Instructor supervised climbing session.
• All equipment provided, just bring a water bottle. 
• £12.50 per child

Pre School of Rock

These parent and toddler climbing sessions are a fantastic way to introduce younger children to climbing, as well as developing co-ordination, balance, confidence, gross motor skills and problem solving. Instructor guided and held in small groups your child will participate in a mixture of soft play, movement games and bouldering during the hour long session.

Sessions are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10.30am - 11.30am.

Price is £6.50 per child

More info | www.perth.uhi.ac.uk

Kids Art Class Easter Art Camp

Perth Business Centre, 14th to 18th April

Kids Art Class is run by Sara Barr, a qualified Primary School Teacher of nearly 20 years, with an Art Degree from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee.

This fun, sociable and creative class is guaranteed to keep the kids busy during the school holidays, as well as offering the ideal opportunity to meet new friends, share creativity, and take part in art projects. 

Easter Art Camp:

• Runs from Monday 14th to Friday 18th of April
• Classes from 9am to 12pm - £22 per session
• 1pm to 4pm - £22 per session
• 9am to 4pm (bring a packed lunch) - £44 per session or £200 for a full week is £200

During classes, children gain experience with lots of different art skills, techniques and medium.Children are encouraged to be independent, building on their confidence and positive mental health and well-being.

Full days, half days and weekly classes, family workshops are just some of the creative offerings at Kids Art Class.

Check out their website for more information.

More Info | www.kidsartperth.co.uk

Live Active Leisure

Across Perth & Kinross, 7th to 18th April

Live Active Leisure's Easter Holiday Programme has both camps 5 day camps and single sessions with everything your kids need to stay fighting fit throughout the holidays.

With a choice of football, cricket, and sport & splash camps the kids are guaranteed to have a great time while meeting new friends. Children should bring a packed lunch and juice/water each day.

Football 5 Day Camp for P1- P7
This fun, inclusive and energtic football camp welcomes young players of all skill levels; from complete beginners to more experienced. The SFA qualified coaches work with age-matched groups to ensure every child develops their abilities in safe and supportive environment.

• Runs Monday to Friday, 7th to 11th April from10am to 3pm,
• Costs £78 for the 5 day camp.

Cricket 5 Day Camp for P1 -P6
Players will master essential cricket skills including batting, bowling, and fielding. Through small group coaching, practice matches, and fun skill-building games, your child will build confidence while making new friends who share their passion for cricket.

• Runs Monday to Friday, 7th to 11th April  from 10am to 3pm,
• Costs £78 for the 5 day camp. 

Sport & Splash for P1 to P7

Kids will jump into exciting activities both in the swimming pool (LiveActive Loch Leven) and sportshall (Loch Leven Campus). Activities may include football, basketball, athletics, tennis, fun floats and more

• Runs Monday to Friday, 7th to 18th April at Loch Leven Campus in Kinross from 10am to 3pm,
• Cost £117 for the 5 day camp.

You can find out more information about all the activities and details of how to book on the Live Active website. Holiday camps must be pre-booked, and Live Active recommend you book activity sessions in advance too.

Download holiday programme here>

•    Age group: Primary School Children
•    Nearest town: All areas
•    Opening times and price: Variable according to activity and location

More info | www.liveactive.co.uk

Culture Perth and Kinross

Across Perth & Kinross, all year round

This Easter school holiday make it your mission to discover the free events and activities in Culture Perth and Kinross venues across Perth and Kinross. 

Have you visited the Stone of Destiny at Perth Museum yet??

Or taken a wander around Perth Art Gallery and checked out their newly refreshed Hands On Art space?

Or how about a visit to your local library?

If not, then now is your chance to tempt the kids away from phones and devices and embrace the culture right here on your doorstep.

A perfect way to spend a couple of hours, especially if the weather is against you!

•    Nearest town: All over Perthshire
•    Open: Various times and locations

More info | www.culturepk.org.uk

Perthshire Wildlife

Half-day Perthshire Tour, April - October

Half-day Perthshire Tour

This half-day Wildlife Tour is a  3.5 hour trip for up to six people in the Perthshire Wildlife electric vehicle.

They meet in Perth and visit wildlife-rich areas of central Perthshire. The tour is a combination of time spent in the vehicle and fairly short, easy walks to get closer to the wildlife of the River Tay and in one of Scotland’s most beautiful bluebell woods.

Binoculars, guides and telescope are provided, as well as refreshments.  Walking boots and suitable outdoor clothing are essential.

A snack and hot drink is useful, especially on winter days. They run this tour according to when you want to go, for example as an early morning or evening trip, or from 10am to 1.30pm.

• Price: £300 (group booking only)
• Group size: Max 6 people
• Time : 3.5 hours
• Available : April – October

The Perthshire Wildlife rangers have over 20 years' experience of leading guided walks and working in conservation, so you'll be in the best possible hands!

More info | www.perthshirewildlife.co.uk

Strathearn and West Perthshire

Auchingarrich

Crieff, open seven days, all year round

Just outside the village of Comrie, seven miles from Crieff, Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre makes a great day out for the whole family. Tucked amongst the beautiful Perthshire hills (take a look from the hilltop viewpoint), Auchingarrich has more than 40 different animal species for you to meet and greet, several outdoor play areas, two indoor play barns (perfect for a rainy day), and the enticing Dizzy Duck Café with a range of refreshments such as hot drinks, home-made soup and generously filled sandwiches.

There are farm animals, exotic wildlife, reptiles and birds at Auchingarrich. See meerkats and lemurs, pigmy goats and micro pigs, emus and owls, chipmunks, otters, Scottish wildcats, marmosets … the list goes on! Visit the hatchery to meet the smaller animals, where children can get up close to tiny chicks, pet the rabbits, guinea pigs and tortoises, and learn all about them. 

Youngsters can try their hand milking ‘Clover’ the (model) cow, let off some steam careering around the farmyard circuit on a mini tractor, or play a game of badminton or football. With balance logs, climbing frames, mini golf, a small climbing wall, and a big playpark with a flying fox, giant net swing, sandpit and the famous rabbit warren tunnels, you really are guaranteed a carload of sleepyheads on the way home.

• Age group: All ages
• Open daily. Opening times from 1st April 10am-5pm (Winter hours are 11am to 4pm)
• The Dizzy Duck Cafe is open for longer on Friday, Saturday & during school holidays - 7am - 8pm
• Price: Adult £14 / Child £12 / Seniors £12 / Under 2’s free / Family £48 (2 adults and 2 children)

More info | www.auchingarrich.co.uk

Comrie Croft Bike and Hike Trails

Near Crieff, open seven days, all year round

Camp, glamp, bike, eat, walk and shop; dig your bikes out, grab the kids, and work off those chocolate eggs at Comrie Croft!

Situated in beautiful Strathearn between Comrie and Crieff, and spanning 230 acres of Perthshire countryside, Comrie Croft offers up a chilled, nature-led, adventure experience unlike any other. You don't even need to wait for fair weather - there's more fun to be had when you're muddy!

Fast becoming the mountain biking and hiking destination for Perthshire and beyond with 87+ km of beautiful walks and bike routes in the Crieff - Comrie paths network, you can hire bikes from Comrie Croft Bikes and also have an amazing free fun on the mountain bike skills park and pump track.

If you fancy making a weekend of it, Comrie Croft’s unique Kata tents are the ultimate wild camping experience, without any of the hardship! Drift off to sleep to the sound of the deer and owls outside, all tucked up in a sturdy Kata. The Katas are set in open birch woodland around 1-2 minutes’ walk from the deli, café, and toilets.  

More Info | www.comriecroft.com

TOP TIP: Book into the Nowhere Sauna while the kids ride and experience a total disconnect from the world. The sauna is built from sauna-grade spruce and aspen timber and features a high-quality Finnish IKI stove. You'll also find a burn-fed plunge bath and waterfall bucket shower for the ultimate in hot and cold therapy.

More info | www.nowheresauna.com

Blairgowrie and East Perthshire

Nature Nuts

Blairgowrie, open seven days, all year round

Based in Blairgowrie, Nature Nuts offers bespoke wildlife tours for all ages and abilities, giving animal lovers the opportunity to see some of Scotland’s most iconic fauna. Whether you’d like to get up close to cute red squirrels, industrious beavers, a magnificent mountain hare or the elusive pine marten, Nature Nuts knows where to take you for the best possible viewings of these creatures, and many more, in their native habitats.

Expert in the field, Bob Smith, is simply nuts for nature. With his passion for the outdoors and its wild and eclectic inhabitants, he loves to share his knowledge with as many people, young and old, as possible. Bob delivers memorable tours for small groups, and with under-16s accompanied by an adult going free, Nature Nuts is a perfect school holiday outing for family and friends.

Bob’s beaver tours are especially popular – with a record of more than 2000 visitors to his local beaver colonies, Bob has an excellent success rate for sightings on these tours. You will have the opportunity to see adult beavers, yearlings and kits, as well as otters, kingfishers, foxes, roe deer and many other riverside residents.

Nature Nuts also takes groups to its secluded woodland hide where you could meet pine martens, sparrowhawks, woodpeckers, jays and red squirrels. Or venture further afield on a Munro Magic Tour to look for ptarmigan, mountain hares, red deer, red grouse and ring ouzel – all amid stunning mountain views.

•    Age group: All ages
•    Nearest town: Blairgowrie
•    Open: Always open
•    Price: Various prices. See website for details.

More info | www.nature-nuts.org

Glendoick Garden Centre

Glencarse, open seven days, all year round

While you indulge in some retail therapy, the kids will be content with Glendoick’s fun indoor and outdoor play equipment. Inside, there is a soft and safe play zone suitable for babies up to two years old, and a multi-level play frame – with nets, crawl tube, and spiral slide – for children aged between two and eight. It is open 9.30am-3.30pm (with a 10.30am start on Tuesdays and Fridays). 

The outdoor playpark, in the grounds of the garden centre, is open 9am-4.45pm every day, as long as weather permits, and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Children will love the large wooden frame for climbing and scrambling, as well as squeezing together on the basket swing, and enjoying the super-cool slide and wheelchair-accessible tunnel. For a quieter moment, there are interactive puzzles and a bug magnifying glass.

All play areas are free to use when parents or carers are shopping or using the café at Glendoick. To keep up your little ones’ energy (and your own), the Garden Café serves hot and cold drinks, lunch, afternoon tea, and sweet treats.

Glendoick is a multi-award winning garden centre, cafe, food hall and gift shop easily accessible on the A90 between Perth and Dundee. Founded as a specialist nursery in 1953, it now boasts a world-class array of plants and gardening equipment, an extensive homewares department, a range of ladies’ and gents’ clothing, mouth-watering food and drink, and attractive play areas for children. Open all year round, seven days a week, Glendoick is the perfect pit-stop to treat yourself and the family … as well as helping you tame the jungle in your backyard.

•    Age group: All ages
•    Nearest village: Glencarse
•    Open: Mon-Sat: 9am - 5pm,10am - 5pm on Sunday
•    Price: Indoor and outdoor play areas free for customers

More info | www.glendoick.com

Highland and North Perthshire

Active Kids Adventure Park

Stanley, open seven days, all year round

Situated just north of Perth near Stanley, Active Kids is a fun-filled adventure park perfect for kids who love to play and, with both an indoor play and outdoor park to explore, it means that there is plenty for kids to enjoy whatever the weather.

Indoors, there’s a treehouse-themed playground along with a café offering a tasty range of fresh seasonal food, from the park’s popular children’s lunch boxes to delicious homemade hot meals. There’s also a toy shop for both kids and adults to enjoy during their visit.

Outside, the adventure park sits in a sprawling 11 acres of countryside. There’s giant bouncing jelly pillows, pedal-powered go-karts, a huge pirate ship, a speedy zip-line as well as lots of other activities to discover.

Kids can also meet some beautiful farm animals in the park including goats, pigs, chickens, fluffy alpacas and the park’s resident donkey duo, Jack and Lulu. 

Age group: All ages
•    Nearest village: Stanley
•    Open: Seven Days, 9.30am to 4.30pm
•    Price:  Various pricing for indoor play and outdoor park.

More info | www.activekidsadventurepark.co.uk

Scottish Crannog Centre

Kenmore, seven days, 10am to 5pm

The Scottish Crannog Centre is a family-friendly museum on the banks of Loch Tay, a couple of minutes’ drive from the village of Kenmore.

Showcasing the fascinating history of these prehistoric loch dwellings, the museum aims to engage and inform visitors about the lives of the people who made crannogs their home 2,500 years ago.

Your visit to The Scottish Crannog Centre includes a guided tour of the museum and artefacts as well as interactive demonstrations of ancient crafts and technologies. Their enthusiastic team of knowledgeable and friendly Iron Age Interpreters will guide you through the Crannog story, giving you a glimpse into pre-historic life, and showing you the skills and lives of folk 2,500 years ago in their newly built Iron Age Village.

Tours run all day from 10am, with the last tour at 3pm. Please allow two hours for your visit. The café is also open serving hot and cold drinks and snacks during your visit. Dogs are always welcome!

Easter Special: 19th and 20th April. Fun with Springtime crafts and flowers plus bring a decorated hat and join the Spring Bonnet Competition.(those without easter bonnets are also welcome)

•    Age group: All ages
•    Nearest village: Kenmore
•    Open: Seven Day, 10am - 5pm (last tour starts at 3pm)

• Price: Adult £15, Concession £12.50, Child  (under 16) £10.00, Family prices also available.

More info | www.crannog.co.uk

Land Rover Experience Young Off-Roader

Dunkeld, seven days, 8.45am – 4.45pm

Young Off-Roader is a junior Land Rover Experience programme for 11-17 year olds which puts the kids in the driver’s seat. They will learn something new – and get that all-important adrenalin rush – going off-road on a specially designed driving assault course, tackling steep slopes, negotiating obstacles and driving through deep water.

With tuition from a specialist Land Rover instructor in a brand new, dual-controlled Defender 90, youngsters can increase their skills and confidence, impress their friends and have a lot of fun. The instructor will introduce them to the vehicle, teach them how to control it, then guide them as they drive round the agility arena before moving on to tackle a range of obstacles and challenges. 

The sessions last for one hour, they are running seven days a week throughout the school holidays, and can even be shared with a friend (30 minutes driving each) for double the laughs! The Young Off-Roader experience includes a certificate to take away with you.

•    Age group: Ages 11-17
•    Nearest town: Dunkeld
•    Price: £180 per vehicle (up to 2 junior drivers)

They also run  Quad Treks 7 days a week and throughout the school holidays. This is for kids 12+ , so the whole family can get in on the action!  

More info | www.youngoffroaderscotland.co.uk                More info | www.highlandoffroad.co.uk/highland-offroad/

The Hermitage

Dunkeld, alway open

A perfect Easter day out involves a walk amongst some of the most breathtaking nature that Scotland has to offer. The kids can run, skip and jump to their hearts content and you can relax in the knowledge they're out in fresh air, away from their screens. Although there are a few must do selfie -stops along the way!

Cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, this stretch of magical Perthshire forest just outside Dunkeld was an 18th century pleasure ground for the Dukes of Atholl.

Giant Douglas firs tower over you as you take the path to the roaring Black Linn waterfall, where the River Braan crashes into the deep, foaming pools below. Deep in the woods, discover the picturesque 18th century folly known as Ossian’s Hall, which overlooks the stunning waterfall. 

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as you walk along the River Braan – you might even spot signs of beavers or red squirrels darting about in the tree tops.

Top Tip: Look out for the totem pole carved from a Douglas fir by three native Canadians from the Squamish Nation of Vancouver.

More info | www.nts.org,uk

Auchterarder and South Perthshire 

Broadslap Farm Playbarn Kid's Adventure Space

Dunning, Wed to Sun, 9.30am to 5pm

From March through April the fields around Broadslap Farm burst into bloom with beautiful tulips and daffodils. Perfect for brightening up your home, you can kick start the Easter holidays making wonderful family memories with a pick-your-own-tulips-and-daffodils day out. 

And that's not all!

The Playbarn Kids' Adventure Space has a spacious layout and is the ideal setting to keep your little ones playing safely on the fun, high-end activity play equipment which includes: two-storey house, train, mini climbing wall and rope balance. Sessions are one hour long, starting at 10am and running until 3.30pm. Book online to avoid disappointment.

There's also a fabulous cafe - The Hungry Farmer - serving up tasty delights for young and old. Home grown and home made, the cafe caters for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free dietary requirements.

Finally, do drop by the Farm and Gift Shop which is brimming over with delicious local produce, artworks, decorative crockery, handcrafted jewellery, bags and interior accessories.

Open 9.30am – 5.00pm, Wednesday through to Sunday
Cost: £7.00 per child in the Playbarn

More info | www.broadslapfruitfarm.co.uk

Do it Outdoors Parent & Child Adventure Day

Auchterarder,  5th April

Join in the fun at this very special parent and child day with the Do It Outdoors Team. 

How would you like to spend a great day in the woods learning all the elements of survival such as building a shelter, lighting a fire and cooking bread over the fire.

You'll learn how to identify plants, get an introduction into tracking and depending on participant's ability, you could even leave knowing how to whittle a stick.

Once the survival skills are mastered, you'll move on to archery and axe throwing under the carfeul guidance of our instructors.

For lunch you can cook sausages over the fire or, if you prefer, bring along your own sandwiches. Hot Chocolate, marshmallows and biscuits are all supplied.

Wet Weather contingency: Do It Outdoors have a large tipi for activities on wet days.

• Children from 6yrs -14yrs
• Adult plus one child - £60
• Adult plus 2 children - £80

More info |www.doitoutdoors.co.uk

Perthshire Garden Railway

Near Auchterarder,open from 29th March, Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 5pm 

Enjoy a day out in rural Perthshire and explore the model trains running on LGB G-scale track.

Stroll along the scenic path and watch the trains pass through an enchanting woodland garden setting. Discover a variety of detailed model trains, including vintage replicas and modern models, as they weave through bridges, tunnels, and miniature scenes that bring the gardens to life.

Don’t miss out on their Thomas the Tank Engine and displays that change throughout the seasons!

After exploring, visit their lovely café for refreshments and cakes. Relax in the seating area or take your treats outside to enjoy the beautiful garden views.

• Open Saturday and Sunday, 11am - 5pm,
• Children under 5 go free
• 5 years and above £9

More info | www.perthshiregardenrailway.com

Kinross and Loch Leven

RSPB Loch Leven

Kinross, seven days, all year round

Loch Leven nature reserve is a haven for families, nature lovers and wildlife watchers alike. Set on the southern shore of the loch, the reserve is home to swallows and breeding waders in spring and summer, migratory geese and Whooper Swans in autumn, and woodland birds all year round. Red Squirrels are regularly seen around the visitor centre and woodland areas, while dragonflies and bees enjoy the ponds and wild flower meadow in the warmer months.

There are plenty of trails to explore including the Wetland Trail with bird hides, a steep woodland hill trail and an accessible, gentle Leafy Loop walk. Visitors can relax in the picnic area overlooking the loch and surrounding hills.

Families can hire pond dipping kits from April to October, Nature Quest backpacks and binoculars, and they also run a programme of self-led trails and events to suit the whole family. Entry is free but activites are charged. 

Special Events

• Easter Trail: Saturday 5th April
• Discovering Ponds: 11th April
• Dragonfly WIllow Weaving Workshop: 12th April
• Dawn Chorus Walk: 4th May

More info | www.events.rspb.org.uk

All Year Round Activities and Attractions

As well as our list of easter holiday specials here, check out our other action-packed Be Inspired blogs full of ideas from across the area.

• Free Activities - From walks in the woods to the area's best parks, we've tracked down some free, gratis, cost-nothing fun stuff for the kids to enjoy. Read More >
• Family Days Out - From treasure trails to sports centres, Highland safaris to playbarns on the farm, Perthshire is brimming over with family fun - and best of all, prices start at free. Read More >
• River and Lochs - Get out on the water and let your inner adventurer out for a splash - no equipment necessary, enthusiasm is all you need! Read More >
• Experience Nature - There is something instantly calming about being out and walking in nature and, here in Perthshire, Mother Nature has been especially kind. Read More >