Eight amazing family days out in Devon this Easter holidays

There’s no shortage of ways to keep the family entertained during the holidays. Sure, there are the classic Easter egg hunts, but there’s plenty more to discover - from theatre workshops and Mexican-themed art sessions to hands-on outdoor adventures with bears, alpacas, and other wildlife. Here's a smattering of fun to be had in Devon - enjoy!

1. Wildwood Devon: Meet the Bears (and Wolves!)

Nestled in 40 acres of gardens and woodland at Escot Park, near Ottery St Mary, Wildwood Devon is home to some of Britain’s most intriguing native creatures. Expect to see brown bears, wolves, arctic foxes, red squirrels, lynx, and wildcats! This Easter, the four resident bears will emerge from torpor, giving families a rare peek into their morning routines and feeding sessions.

Little explorers can lose themselves in the Beech hedge maze, wander the authentic Saxon village, or follow nature trails scattered throughout the park. This April, there'll be an Easter egg hunt, craft workshops, bread making, and marshmallow toasting. Indoors, the recently updated Play Barn - decked out in woodland colours and creatures - is perfect for climbing, crawling, and imaginative play, whatever the weather. Family of four admission tickets are £45.

2. Canonteign Falls: Waterfalls, Alpacas, and Hidden Surprises

On the edge of Dartmoor, about half an hour from Exeter, Canonteign Falls blends dramatic waterfalls, tranquil lakes, and ancient woodland with family-friendly fun. From 3–19 April, children can enjoy a festive Easter egg hunt. And on 9 April, the ever-popular Alpaca Experience returns: hand-feed and walk alongside these gentle animals while exploring the estate’s lakes and waterfalls. Each 45-minute session is packed with photo opportunities.

If the weather isn't playing ball, the indoor play barn has big games, craft tables, ride-on cars, and comfy seating. Plus, full-price tickets include a free return visit until 1 November, so you can enjoy the beauty of Canonteign Falls again and again. Family tickets cost £48.50; Alpaca Experience sessions are £40 per alpaca (up to two people per alpaca, or one family of two adults and two children).

3. RHS Rosemoor: Become an Easter detective

Head to RHS Garden Rosemoor in North Devon where budding detectives can take on the new Easter Detectives: Who Framed the Easter Bunny? trail from 3–19 April. Follow clues scattered around the garden to solve the mystery of the missing chocolate.

Activity packs cost £3 per detective and include puzzles, cyphers, colouring pencils, and challenges suitable for all ages. A simpler trail ensures younger investigators aren’t left behind, and every completed mission earns a chocolate reward. Adult tickets £13.25, 5-16 year-on-year, £5, under 5's free.

4. Theatre Alibi: Drama, Games, and Imagination

For creative minds, Theatre Alibi in Emmanuel Hall, St Thomas, runs an Easter Holiday Drama Camp from 13–17 April. Children aged 7–11 will join professional artists to invent new worlds, play drama games, and devise performances. You can attend the full week (£155) or individual days (£32/day).

If your little ones are musically minded, look out for the Little Gigs at Alibi. These special musical experiences are specifically designed for children aged 2–5 and their grown-ups—from laid-back jazz with St Thomas Jazz Club to high-energy, explosive sounds from Poco Drom. The next gig is on 25 April. Tickets cost £5.

5. RAMM: Explore the Wonders Inside You

Science meets adventure at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) with the Explorer Dome Body and Cell Show. Step into the enormous dome and into a weird and wonderful world of lights and sounds as we shrink down to explore what makes us tick. From teeth and bones to mucus and blood, travel further than ever before to float inside a gigantic cell and discover the marvels of our own genetic code. Don’t miss the ‘Wow! Amazing Science in Children’s Books’ exhibition for further hands-on fun. Workshops last around 45 minutes, with four sessions on 15 April, costing £5.50 per participant.

6. Exeter Phoenix: Play in Three Days

For older children, Exeter Phoenix offers Play in 3 Days, a theatrical workshop with PaddleBoat Theatre Company. Children aged 7–12 can explore The History of Silly Sayings, from “let the cat out of the bag” to “break a leg,” creating their own performance with drama, music, and storytelling. After three days of creative play, families are invited to watch the children perform on a professional stage. The course costs £110 per child.

Also at Exeter Phoenix are two events celebrating Mexican culture on 14 April. At 1.30pm, Mexico Mission is an interactive comedy show inspired by the art of Frida Kahlo, with family tickets priced at £40. Later that day at 3.45pm, there is a Mexican art workshop, best suited for creative children aged 6–11 years, costing £6.

7. Exeter Cathedral: Get crafty

Between 7 and 17 April, Exeter Cathedral will host a range of spring-themed craft activities. On the line-up are mini lantern-making, a willow-weaving workshop where your children can create their own wiggly willow, and hapa zome - a beautiful technique that uses hammered botanicals to transfer natural plant pigments onto fabric, creating delicate, eco-friendly prints.

8. Wondrous Wildlife Easter Trail at The Donkey Sanctuary 

Set in the heart of the East Devon countryside overlooking the sea, The Donkey Sanctuary is a great place to visit this Easter holidays. As well as visiting the friendly resident donkeys, children can explore The Wondrous Wildlife Trail to collect six nature rubbings of wildlife that live at the sanctuary. There’s a prize for collecting all six too.