easter

Alternative Easter Treats

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Well Easter hols have begun, Josh won’t be in pre school on Mondays and Tuesdays like he normally is so we will be finding things to do over the few days and I’ve some nice things planned for over Easter weekend too.

However this year we’ve had to be a bit more mindful about what is predominantly the main focus… Chocolate!!

So we have plans for a hunt in the garden, albeit a less chocolate filled one, some easter crafts and a few non chocolate treats from the Easter bunny too. Of course there will be a little chocolate-the poor child loves the stuff so he will get some, I’m not that cruel but it’ll just be more limited and I’ve had to become a little more inventive.

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Luckily I’m working with Dealz this easter and picked up some amazing bits in store for crafting and small little easter themed gifts for the boys. There are colouring books, bonnet making kits, egg cup painting, partyware and also plenty of chocolate treats too in store.. At €1.50 it makes it easy to buy some bits to keep the boys entertained without breaking the bank.

So if your stuck for things to do or want to pick up treats, Dealz is the place for you!

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Easter Week 

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As our Easter break comes to an end today, all returning to work tomorrow I thought I’d write a quick post on some of the activites we said we were going to do and how they fared. 

This year chocfest was pretty unavoidable but we limited it where we could as it evidently turned our child into a demented being!

  

All the activities we attended were great from Peter Rabbit story telling, Cadbury Easter Hunt and The Mad Hatter Tea Party which was cut short by a rain storm. The Cadbury’s hunt definitely upped their game from last year and it’s a real winner for kids of all ages but there sure ain’t any avoiding the chocolate there! 

  
  
Josh’s Creche embraced Easter too so lots of fun was had with his teachers and pals up there, we are very lucky with the Creche we chose and are so thankful he is so happy there.

  

We baked too which is something Josh just loves to help with for family on Sunday.

  

Sunday started with a basket from the Easter Bunny, alternative chocolate gifts included: A sticker book of a film we went to see on Monday, a Spot Easter book, new Playdoh, a small egg and a Peter Rabbit DVD!

  

We had a hunt in the garden, again, alternating chocolate eggs with plastic ones for Josh and his cousin to collect. 

    

I love every celebration but it seems Easter is getting bigger and bigger and I’m never adverse to hopping on a bandwagon so long may it continue.. Now what to do with all this chocolate so we can get our normal toddler back!!!

The last activity we did was a child free zone, we went on a day date. I love day dates, out early, home early {god I’m getting old}. Anyway it started with a bit of holiday shopping followed by a trip to The Guinness Storehouse. Neither of us had been and whilst the tickets are not cheap to be a tourist for a day it is well worth it. The building itself is impressive and the whole experience is well organised. It starts with an introduction and you are then left to your own devises. The Guinness Academy was a highlight for Ian and The Gravity Bar for me. Bring a non Guinness drinker Ian could avail of my ticket and experience both as part of the ticket charge. If you want to do both on one ticket you would pay an extra 5 euro. A really good day trip and for any overseas friends or family it would be a must! 

   

  
We also treated ourselves to the pre theatre in Chapter One and it’s one restaurant that never fails to impress. The service, the food and the room itself are all top of their game. It might be a bit out of the way for some but well worth the trip. 

  
  
A lovely Easter overall now roll on Springtime, it’s been nice to see a glimpse of you! 

Paddys and Easter Activities ☘🐣

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With mid term for some just around the corner and Paddy’s Day upon us I have brought together some activities that have caught my eye coming up over the next few weeks…

Paddy’s Day ☘

We are meeting friends down in Greystones for a smaller family focused parade but there is lots on across the city with the main event in the city centre kicking off at 12 noon. 

In Blackrock there is a fun even my happening with details below.

  

If you fancy tying in a bit of shopping, Dundrum have some nice kids event on throughout the day.

14:00-17:00: Make & Do, Help the Leprechaun Reach his Pot of Gold!

14:00-17:00: Face Painting, Shamrocks, Rainbows and Celtic Designs!

14:15-15:00 Interactive Story Telling with Abracadabra! #1

15:30-16:15 Interactive Story Telling with Abracadabra! #2
If you are going to stay in for the day these crafts could be some fun.

Photos thanks to Pinterest 

  

Easter Activities 🐣

A few fun ideas below, some of which are on our list.

To be fair Dundrum has come up with a really nice schedule of events over the Easter break, here is an example.

   

14:00-17:00 Photo Op, Easter Themed Peep-Through Photo Op for Shoppers

14:00-17:00 – Face Painting, Bunnies, Eggs and Chicks!

14:00-17:00 Make and Do

Easter Crafts for Kids!

14:30-15:15 Junior Einstein’s Interactive Science Show #1

15:45-16:30 Junior Einstein’s Interactive Science Show #2
Next up and one we are attending is Cadbury’s Easter Hunt for Banardos. All proceeds go to this worthy charity and for 20 euro for a family of 4 I think it’s a pretty good deal. We went last year and Josh was probably a bit young but this year we are going with friends and I’m sure lots of fun will be had!

http://www.barnardos.ie/getting-involved/fundraising/events/cadbury-easter-egg-trail.html
  

Another fun event happening on Easter Sunday which is conveniently near to us and free too is The Mad Hatter Tea Party in Deerpark. 

http://events.dlrcoco.ie/event/mad-hatters-tea-party

Here we are last year:

  

Airfield always come up trumps and there are a few activites we have pencilled on the list-the Peter Rabbit storytelling sounds super cute.

http://www.airfield.ie/news/easter-events-2016/
  
Finally if the weather is bad there is always the library to pick up some Easter books, some Easter baking and themed DVDs at home. 

  
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/eastereggnests_93841
Easter egg painting would be fun, we picked up ours at Dealz but you could do it yourself. 

  

Another recent addition to our activity list was the cinema and with King Fu Panda and Zootopia/Zootropolis both look fun!

  
So whatever you do hopefully that has given you a few ideas and you have a lovely family filled Easter break! 

Family Market

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Next week is the start of the Paddy’s Day/Easter madness and I will have a post up next week on some activities that have caught my eye and some other ideas too.

After the Patrick’s Day parades this market falls on the weekend that then kicks off Easter week, this day next week in fact. It sounds to me like a perfect Sunday family activity. I have popped down to this market before and it’s worth the trip for the food alone so throw into the mix some kids activites too and it’s a winner for me. See details below:

What: Easter Spring Family Market

When: 20th of March, 11am-5pm

Where: Dublin Food Coop, 12 Newmarket, Dublin 8

It will be a regular thing now, every second month on the third Sunday of the month. We have over 40 stalls selling crafts and hand made products, children workshops, free parents’ classes, face painting & kids play corner, designated buggy area, great food, cakes & coffee!

Find details on those Facebook page too: FB page: https://www.facebook.com/familymarketdublin