The Grade II-listed gardens at Borde Hill are set among heritage parkland and are bursting with magnolias, camellias, hellebores and rhododendrons in spring. During Easter, children (ages 3-8) can explore through the eyes of Ludo the lamb, on a trail collecting clues. It ends with a race over hurdles, after which children who know the code word can win a mini egg ice cream. Medieval customs: In the medieval era, many Christians would wear new clothing for Easter as a representation of being renewed in faith. This custom subtly started linking the idea of a bonnet with the spiritual celebration of Easter. Easter bonnets are more than just charming accessories. They carry rich historical significance and provide a wonderful opportunity for bonding and creativity with our children. What is the history of Easter bonnets?

Dress the kids in old clothes, or give them an apron to protect their outfit. An old adult T-shirt is an easy way to protect clothes if you don't have an apron to hand. If you’re wanting to decorate your house for Easter, why not try making these Marshmallow Bunny Paper Chains with your little one? These could look fantastic in your living area or your little ones' room, or even on your front door!We hope you get some ideas and inspiration for a more eco-friendly Easter. Whilst ours wasn’t eco-perfect (hello cotton wool balls, paint & glue), it was much closer than it could have been. Easter bonnets are all about creativity, flair, and the spirit of spring. Here's what you can include: Homemade Easter bonnets make for a sweet and personal touch, and can be a lovely keepsake for mums, dads, grandmas and grandads alike. Looking for Easter bonnet ideas for boys? We’ve got loads of brilliant bonnets and Easter hat ideas for you to make, featuring everything from dinosaurs to Batman. If you've got some cotton wool left over, have a go at this sheep card craft – which you and your child can make together for a family member or friend.

But Easter Sunday across the world is celebrated in different ways, too. Many typically celebrate this rebirth by hiding eggs, planning egg hunts, and eating chocolate for breakfast (well, maybe that one is just us). Easter isn’t just about chocolate and cake. It can also be a time for dazzling blasts of sunshine, beautiful birdsong and all the fresh, dewy colour that reminds us after winter’s gloom that being outdoors can be just wonderful. Nature’s kaleidoscope shifts, revealing bright sprays of daffodils, carpets of primrose, pearl-smooth magnolia blooms and fields alive with pogoing lambs.If the sight of chubby cheeks beneath a wide-brimmed pile of tissue-paper flowers isn’t enough to entice you to Allan Bank, the villa also overlooks Grasmere and was home to Wordsworth. An Easter bonnet parade takes place daily and materials are available to make one. There’s an art gallery, an Easter-themed trail and possible sightings of red squirrels in the woods. We then used paper mache on all the hats, so they were ready to paint. This took a few hours and was very, very messy! All the children enjoyed this step, even James who was a little reluctant to join in with the hat-making at first. All you need to make this fabulous-looking Easter bonnet hat is some green tissue paper, a few small toys, a straw hat and some ribbon. We decorated ours with Easter-themed Duplo animals, but your child can choose any small toys they like. If your child would love to go ALL out for their Easter bonnet and wear something that is bold and quirky, why not channel Mad Hatter?

The possibilities are endless! Let your child's imagination run wild and create a unique masterpiece together. Why is it called an Easter bonnet? Flowers: Fresh or artificial, flowers represent the rebirth of spring. Daffodils, tulips, and roses are popular choices. The term "bonnet" comes from the French word 'bonnette,' a type of cap. But why is it specifically linked to Easter? The Easter bonnet symbolises the tail end of winter and the joyous emergence of spring. In the past, new hats or bonnets were worn during Easter as a symbol of prosperity and new beginnings. They were also associated with Easter parades, where wearing new and fashionable clothing was a must. So, the term "Easter bonnet" beautifully captures the essence of this joyful holiday tradition.Always supervise toddlers and younger kids while they're crafting. Small items like googly eyes, buttons and pipe cleaners can easily find their way into a child's mouth, so keep a careful eye on them to reduce the risk of choking. The Easter Parade tradition: The famous Easter Parade in New York City began in the 1870s, and it played a significant role in popularizing the Easter bonnet. People from various social classes would stroll down Fifth Avenue, showcasing their new Easter attire, especially the women's bonnets. It became a grand event, covered by newspapers, and ignited the Easter bonnet trend across the United States and Europe. Lily worked really hard on her hat, most of the time working independently with us only helping to cut and to supervise/help with the hot glue gun and a little bit of paper mache help from Amy. She did a fantastic job of covering all the holes with the paper mache which was fiddly, and she persisted with painting even when she was the only one working on her project and everyone else was playing. Amy’s Batman Hat (aged 6) Get inspired by it and make your child's Easter bonnet double trouble this year! What kind of Easter bonnets will boys love? If your kids don’t fancy anything with flowers or ribbons, these Easter bonnets for boys should keep them happy. And of course, girls can get in on the action, too! What you'll need for Easter bonnet making