Easter fun for all the family

Float on the breeze on your delicate gossamer wings at Herts Inclusive Theatre’s Become a Butterfly Workshop. This one-day event features drama and performance and takes place in the beautiful flower-filled environs of Butterfly World in Chiswell Green.

Decorate your own butterfly mask and wings, then learn how to perform while wearing them. The session will end with a short performance to family.

Easter Holiday activities at Butterfly World run from April 10-22 with a different activity every day and a family fun day on April 25 from 10am-5pm. April 10 and 16: Face painting, April 11: Mask making and junior photography workshop, April 12: Making bird feeders, April 13: Become a Butterfly by Herts Inclusive Theatre, April 15: Making Easter cards, April 18: Vegetable Fun with Secret Seed Society, April 19: Environmental workshops, April 20: Making Butterfly bags, April 21: Interactive storytelling and Creepy crawly crafts, April 22: Easter baskets and junior photography workshop. The HIT drama workshop is open to ages four to ten and takes place on Wednesday, April 13 from 10.30am-12.30pm. Details: 01923 499310, hertsinclusivetheatre@live.co.uk

Butterfly World, Miriam Lane, off Noke Lane, Chiswell Green. Details: 01727 869203, www.butterflyworldproject.com

Dinosaurs at Derby Road Baptist Church

Discover the latest facts about dinosaurs at Derby Road Baptist Church in Watford. Where did dinosaurs come from? How long ago did they live? What can their fossil bones tell us? And what does the Bible have to say about dinosaurs? These and other questions will be answered in a fun, interactive and illustrated talk for children aged seven-14 taking place this Friday at 6pm. On Saturday April 23, there are three one-hour talks aimed at older teens and adults. At 2.30pm the topic is The New Creationism, followed by Desert or Deluge at 4pm and then at 7pm the theme centres on Is Evolution True? There will also be Easter Day services on Sunday, April 24 at 11am and 6.30pm that continue the theme of creationism.

Details: 01923 225090, email: tforryan@drbchurch.org.uk or www.drbchurch.org.uk

Wartime weekend at the Lincolnsfields Centre

Travel back to the days of wartime with the Forties Family Experience Weekend. Visitors to the Lincolnsfields Children’s Centre can take a nostalgic look at Britain at war and peace during World War Two. This charity recreation weekend is based around all aspects of the 1940s and features military and civilian vehicles, living history, battle re-enactments, plus a ‘40s dinner dance, 1940s house and memorabilia stalls.

Lincolnsfields Children's Centre, Bushey Hall Drive, Bushey on April 9 and 10, open from 10am.

Details: 01923 233841, brianlinnegar@hotmail.com

Get creative at Harrow Arts Centre

Paper craft techniques combine with theatre in this traditional Japanese Kamishibai performance. The Paper Washi Wish sees Rabbit off an adventure to the moon in a family show with a difference, featuring storytelling and a hands-on papermaking experience. Tuesday, April 12 at 11.30am and 2pm.

Music

100% is especially for young artists with hip-hop, urban dance, rock bands, MCs and DJs. Friday, April 8 at 7pm. Airplay, features progressive rock band Riker Maneuver and classical musician, Denis Fernando, plus an open mic session. Friday, April 15 at 8pm.

Dance

Local favourites, Srishti celebrate 20 years of creating stunning dance events with a showcase by students of the Nina Rajarani Dance School. Professional touring company Srishti – Nina Rajarani Dance Creations follows with its new, adventurous show, Love is in the Air - a fresh take on a classic story of star-crossed lovers, combining modern film, aerial work and live music with the traditional form of Bharatanatyam. Friday, April 8 at 7.30pm.

Workshops

From April 11-15 ages five-eight can enjoy Puppets and Storymaking, 9.30am to 11.30am and eight-12s can try out Puppetry and Animation, 2pm to 4pm, while from April 18-21 ages 13-19 can have a go at Devising Theatre and receive an Arts Award, 11am to 5pm.

Film

Apr 11 - How to Train Your Dragon, April 13 - Wall-E and The Princess and the Frog, April 14, all films at 2pm. Sound of Music Sing Out!, April 16, sing-along film screening at 8pm.

Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road. Hatch End. Details: 020 8416 8989

Animal antics at Willows Farm

Construction types will love the latest attraction to land at Willows Farm Village near St Albans this Easter. Children can hop on board mini-JCB diggers and tractors when the JCB Young Drivers Zone opens on Saturday, April 9. Also new this Easter is the Rabbit Racers sit-on ride, where children self-power their own racer by swinging the handlebars from side to side. A raft of Easter-themed events will also be taking place, including a visit from the Easter Bunny who will take children on an egg hunt in Willows Easter garden, plus a full programme of children’s shows, adventure play and animals to see.

Details: 0870 129 9718, www.willowsfarmvillage.com

Dream showcase at The Radlett Centre

Dance, comedy sketches, musical theatre, the Living the Dream Easter Showcase has it all. Now in its sixth year, the company brings together more than 100 young people with an impressive array of talents including direction, production, choreography and performance. Dream dancers Nikki and Renako (Alleviate) were recently runners-up in Sky 1's Got to Dance competition final.

The Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, Saturday, 16 and Sunday, April 17 at 7.30pm. (Sat matinee 1.30pm). Details: 07845 267501, www.livingthedreamcompany.co.uk

Toy parade at Harrow Museum

Plaything past and present will be tumbliing out of the toy box this Easter as Harrow Museum hosts Let’s Play, an exhibition part-curated by a local school. The display uses the museum’s collection of toys to show how play has changed through time. Fun activities are also on offer during the Easter break.

Let’s Play is at Headstone Manor, Pinner View, Harrow from April 8-July 10. Details: 020 8861 2626

Ballet at Centenary Hall

Young dancers from Berkhamsted’s Espinosa Dance Centre have the opportunity of a lifetime as they perform with the European Ballet Company in the much-loved ballet Coppelia. The children will perform during the final act during the wedding scene under the direction of principal dancer of The Bolshoi Ballet, Stanislav Tchassov. Full of humour and exciting Hungarian dances such as Czardas and Mazurka, the ballet features beautiful scenery and costumes, and is suitable for all ages.

Coppelia is at Centenary Hall, Berkhamsted on Sunday, April 10 at 6pm. Details: 07500 843575, www.espinosacentre.com

Theatre of Light at The Old Town Hall

Take a trip to the silvery moon as Ripstop Theatre presents, Luminous Tales, a show for ages three to eight, with shadow play and storytelling, using halogen lights and slide projectors. Hear the tale of the tiny crow who brought light to the far north, the two magical hares who took a girl to the moon and the old lady who will do anything not to have to go to bed.

The show is at The Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead on Saturday 9 April, 2.30pm. Details: 01442 228091

Sporty fun at The Elms

Flexibility is the name of the game at The Elms Easter Camps. Holiday sports sessions for ages four to 12 are taking place on weekdays from April 11-21 at The Elms Tennis Club in Stanmore (10am-4pm), Grimsdyke School, Hatch End (10am-4pm) and Ruislip High School (9.30am-3pm). Children can enrol for a morning, afternoon, full day or a whole week and all equipment is provided and coaches are fully qualified and CRB checked.

Details: 020 8954 8787, www.elmsholidayschemes.co.uk

Egg-citing fun at The Harlequin Shopping Centre

Cracking fun awaits visitors to The Harlequin Shopping Centre this Easter. Kids can get busy with The Secret Agent Club making Easter bonnets and baskets on Monday, April 11 and on Monday 18, Thursday 21 and Friday, April 22, they can play code cracking games, create their own spy ID and test some obstacle challenges. On April 19 and 20, youngsters can also take part in their very own secret mission.

Younger visitors might like to pop along to The Disney Store for craft and animation sessions with Winnie the Pooh on Saturdays from April 10-28.

Details: harlequinsecretagents.com theharlequin.uk.com/whats-on

Party with the bears

Dress up your bear and bring it along to The Teddy Bear’s Picnic and you may win a prize for the smallest, tallest, cutest or funniest ted in town.

Hosted by ex-Crackerjack presenter Jan Hunt, this fun show for under-fives features songs games, stories and fun.

The Radlett Centre on Thursday, April 21 at 1pm and 3.30pm. Details: 01923 859291, www.radlettcentre.co.uk

Trouble with Mr Toad

Poop!, poop! Toad is back on the road as Berkhamsted Youth Theatre present The Adventures of Mr Toad: A Musical. Meet the riverbank friends and share their adventures. There’s the silly, impulsive Toad; practical Ratty; emotional Mole; and grumpy Badger, plus lots more in this musical show that’s fun for all the family.

The Court Theatre, Pendley, Tring from April 14-16, 7.30pm (Sat matinee at 2.30pm). Details: 07543 560478, www.courttheatre.co.uk

Make and bake at Mill Green Museum Shape your own hot cross bun to take home for your tea this Easter on Wednesday, April 20 from 10.30am-12.30pm. Visitors can also enjoy stories by Beatrix Potter and Lego Technic sessions on the day.

Additional art workshops are on April 12, 13 and 19.

Mill Green Museum & Mill, Mill Green, Hatfield. Details: 01707 271362, museum@welhat.gov.uk/museum

Snigger with Sherlock

See Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson in a new light in Ha Ha Holmes! The Beast of The Blistervilles. This hilarious three-handed comedy-thriller, features live accordion music and stars Ben Langley, Andrew Fettes and Andrew John Tait.

Monday, April 11 at 7.30pm. The Malting Arts Theatre, St Albans. Details: 01727 864511

On your toes

School’s out, so jump for joy and learn how to express yourself with a Top Hat Easter performance course. Sessions are for ages four to 17 and cover all aspects of putting on a show, including learning the lines, the songs and dance routines and performing it to parents.

The course runs from April 18-21 at St Albans Girls School, Sandridgebury Lane, St Albans. Details: 01727 812666, www.tophatstageschool.co.uk

Bumper stories at St Anns Shopping Centre

Getting into scrapes is second nature for Mr Bump but no doubt he’ll be feeling a lot better when he pops into St Anns Shopping Centre to share some free storytime sessions. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Mr Men and Little Miss series and to celebrate, the lovable but accident prone Mr Bump will delight Harrow audiences with tales of his adventures in Dillydale.

Saturday, April 16, 11am-5pm. Details: www.stannsshopping.co.uk