Staying at home this Easter and wondering what to do with the children? Wish you could take them to meet, rather than eat, the Easter bunny? The following ten websites should make it easier for you to look before you leap, and explore the best daffodil walks, spring lambs and Easter bonnets on offer. Most of the activities are not only wholesome and healthy (not a theme park or fast food joint in sight), but also cost less than a fiver a child.

1. City Farms

Now, when baby animals are at their sweetest and fluffiest, is the best time to visit one of the UK’s 59 city farms. With organic cafés aplenty and special events such as Lambing Day at The Woodlands Farm Trust, Kent, they can really make a great day out – especially for families with young children.

Search The Federation of City Farms and City Gardens’ website to find the nearest farm to you. The online city farms and community gardens database provides individual farm descriptions and contact details, while the regional pages have local news and links to farm websites.

2. National Trust

A fate worse than no chocolate is how most children would view visiting a stately home. But the National Trust is much more family orientated than you might think with fun events at many of its properties. There’s Easter bonnet making at Speke Hall, Liverpool on April 9; and Easter egg trails throughout the holidays at many other locations, such as Corfe Castle, Dorset (the inspiration for Kirren Castle in Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books). A complete listing can be found in the events database on the website.

3. National Parks

This is a good website if you like the idea of tramping in the countryside but don’t know where to start.

Ideas for independent walking are given in photo galleries and links to the websites of Britain’s 14 National Parks and Countryside Access. There is also an Events Search, which you can use to find out about Easter goings-on such as children’s fun days and farmers’ markets.

Events this Easter include Easter Eggstravaganza (Easter egg hunt, face painting, meet the Easter bunny) at the Lake District National Park Visitor Centre, Brockhole, April 4, April 6 and April 8, an Easter egg trail at Dunster Castle, Exmoor National Park, April 6 and April 7, pond dipping at Walltown Quarry, Northumberland National Park, April 4, and Easter crafts at Sutton Bank National Park Centre, North Yorks Moors National Park, April 5.

4. Forestry Commission

If you want to show your children a bluebell wood or they have read about the Wild Wood in The Wind in the Willows but never seen it, then the website for the Forestry Commission is an excellent resource. The 'Explore, Experience and Enjoy' pages are packed with information about wildlife, with ideas for places to go and news.

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