- Play Hard
- 23rd Apr 2025
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10 fun things to do this weekend


Newcastle Puppetry Festival – Newcastle City Centre
When: Thursday 24th April, 12:00am – Monday 27th April 11:59pm
Where: Newcastle City Centre
Price: free
Newcastle Puppetry Festival is back for another year of enchanting activities.
There’s an exciting programme to explore, including puppet shows, ‘Meet the Puppeteer’ sessions, animated film showings, puppet-making courses and workshops, and much more.
Don’t miss the iconic Beasts on the Street parade, where intricate puppets will be paraded along Northumberland Street to mark the start of the festival!
Easter Holidays Create Your Own Artist’s Book – Hatton Gallery
When: Thursday 24th April, 10:30am – 12:30pm
Where: Hatton Gallery
Price: free
Aimed at 12 to 18 year olds, this workshop lets participants create their own artist’s book using collage, printing and drawing.
Creative experimentation is encouraged – use rubber stamps, pen and print to decorate the book, illustrate a line from a song or poem, or bring a new idea to life.
This is a great opportunity for young people to unleash their creativity during the Easter holidays.


Minibeast Hunting – Washington Wetland Centre
When: Thursday 24th April, 1:00pm – 3:000pm
Where: Washington Wetland Centre
Price: free (included in general admission)
Go on the hunt for mini beasts as you explore hidden worlds beneath soil, leaves and dry wood.
You’ll be equipped with a dusting brush, magnifying glass and observation trays so you can take a better look at your finds, which might include stink bugs, millipedes and more.
This is an exciting activity suitable for the whole family.
Clay Faces and Natural Printing – Washington Wetland Centre
When: Friday 25th April, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Where: Washington Wetland Centre
Price: free (included in general admission)
Get the whole family outdoors with a fun woodland activity this Easter.
You’ll get to learn different printing and mark-making techniques, including hapa-zome – the Japanese art of leaf-dyeing.
You can also create some wacky faces or bug shapes on tree trunks by sticking clay to the bark and adding materials like sticks and leaves. Take home anything you make!


Brewery Tour & Tasting Experiences – Anarchy Brew Co.
When: Friday 25th April, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Where: Anarchy Brew Co.
Price: £22
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Anarchy Brew Co. with a member of the brewery team.
You’ll delve into the history of the brewery and get a glimpse into the brewing process, as well as learning more about each beer.
Your tour will start with a sample and you’ll also have the opportunity to try a selection of tasty beers in the taproom.
Pilates and Brunch at Kip & Nook with Kate Elizabeth
When: Saturday 26th April, 12:00pm – 4.00pm
Where: Kip and Nook
Price: £76.55
Kick off your day at Kip & Nook with a refreshing apple, pear, and cinnamon health shot from Harry, followed by your choice of herbal tea, coffee, or spiced hot chocolate. Enjoy a 45-minute Pilates session led by Kate Elizabeth, designed to strengthen and energize your body, then unwind with a 20-minute meditation and affirmation-setting workshop to ground your focus. Afterward, indulge in a wholesome brunch with three nourishing options, sweet treats, and a revitalizing mocktail—all served in the calming surroundings of the countryside.


Gosforth Central Park Market
When: Saturday 26th April, 10:00am – 3.00pm
Where: Gosforth Central Park
Price: Free
The Gosforth Park Market, organized by Urban Park Market, is a vibrant community event held on the last Saturday of each month at Gosforth Central Park in Newcastle upon Tyne. Running from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the market features a diverse array of stalls both in the park and inside the adjacent shopping centre. Visitors can explore offerings from hot and cold food vendors, arts and crafts artisans, fashion retailers, and more. The event is free to attend and welcomes everyone, making it a perfect outing for families and individuals looking to enjoy local culture and community spirit.
Sunniside Food Market
When: Saturday 26th April, 10:00am – 3.00pm
Where: Sunniside Gardens, Sunderland
Price: Free
The Sunniside Food Market is a vibrant monthly community event that brings together a diverse array of North East food and drink traders, including brewers, bakers, cheesemongers, and street food vendors.

Pond Dipping – Washington Wetland Centre
When: Saturday 26th April, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Where: Washington Wetland Centre
Price: free (included with general admission)
Explore the underwater world with a fun pond-dipping session at Washington Wetland Centre.
Grab a net and search for wildlife such as water snails, great diving beetles and their formidable larvae. A guide will show you how to safely catch and ID these creatures before returning them to the water.
An engaging activity for the whole family!


Wild Walk: Wader Watch – Washington Wetland Centre
When: Sunday 27th April, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Washington Wetland Centre
Price: free (included with general admission)
This hour-long wild walk lets you take in the sights and sounds of the reserve while looking out for a variety of wading bird species.
The Centre’s wardens will lead the way, telling you about the elegant birds and pointing out the types of insects and other food they eat.
For any photographers out there, this is a great opportunity to capture the beautiful creatures that appear along the walk!
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