1. Easter chocolate hunts for all ages

View this post on Instagram

Stock up on everyone’s favourite chocolate! There’s egg-stra special chocolate at Marks & Spencer including Flossy the Highland Cow, Made Without Dairy Rocky Road Eggs and (for those who don’t like chocolate) there’s M&S Easter Colin The Caterpillar Woodland Egg-venture sweets.

They also have tiny wrapped chocolate eggs which are perfect for setting up hunts on Easter Sunday (you can also find cute baskets for them to carry at Flying Tiger Copenhagen). Discover more delights at Poundland, Tesco and Wenzel’s too with a great range of vegan chocolate at Holland & Barrett.

2. Meet some very special Easter guests

Guess who’s coming to visit this Easter? On Sunday 6th April, there will be two beloved book-inspired characters coming to meet and greet little ones across Whiteley. Our mystery clues include: falling down a rabbit hole, a strange game of croquet and a very special tea party… It’ll be an adventure in wonder…

Then on Saturday 19th April (Easter weekend), you’ll be able to meet a very special sleepy princess and the Easter bunny himself. Hop to it so you don’t miss the fun!

3. Make some personalised gifts for Easter

Image provided by Flying Tiger

There are so many brilliant crafting gifts for kids to make friends, mum and dad and grandparents. Flying Tiger Copenhagen has paint-your-own eggs, mugs, plates and decorations or make fun Easter cards with crafting bits and pieces from Poundland, Tesco and Waterstones.

4. Easy (and free) days out with the kids

Image provided by Frankie & Benny’s

Keep an eye for kids-eat-free offers at Whiteley here (Harvester, Prezzo and Frankie & Benny’s all offer deals for families during the holidays). Bookmark the Whiteley calendar for pop-up free events all year round, too.

5. Inspired Easter recipes and baking

Keep them occupied with some easy baking ideas. Pancakes shaped like bunnies and decorated with fruit, mini egg cupcakes and easy lemon drizzle cake are all simple and fun ways to get them in the kitchen without losing your mind.

@baking_with_kids and @eatingwiththekids are both great Instagrammers filled with do-able recipes. Pick up handy ingredients at Marks & Spencer, Poundland and Tesco.

6. Discover cute alternative Easter gifts

View this post on Instagram

If the kids are likely to get <all> the chocolate at Easter, pick them up something that’ll last longer. There’s Jellycat bunnies and fun interactive books galore at Waterstones (We’re Going on an Egg Hunt by Martha Mumford and Laura Hughes is always popular) plus Little Live Pets, Smashers Dino Eggs and Fugglers at The Entertainer – they’ve also got some great crafting ideas too!

7. Find your spring outfits

View this post on Instagram

Refreshing pastels of blue and pink are back for spring 2025 while H&M’s ballet flats are ones to watch for women – and silver jewellery is having a comeback for summer.

Don’t miss this season’s beauty – cherry girl, satin skin and mineral sunscreen – at Boots and Superdrug. For guys, varsity jackets, loafers and slim crop-fit jeans are taking over Next, River Island and Clarks.

When it comes to kids’ new wardrobes, it’s all about spring-inspired bunny, cheery and carrot patterns (see Marks & Spencer’s fun two-piece set for boys), cute quilted jackets and practical hats to keep the sun out of their eyes. JoJo Maman Bebe, Mamas & Papas and Next have some gorgeous pieces. Find cute accessories too at Accessorize and Claire’s.

8. Easter food and drink treats and hosting

View this post on Instagram

Start planning for your Easter get-togethers now. Hot cross buns, Simnel cakes, roast lamb with mint sauce, morning mimosas and spring veg are the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of the warmer weather. Head to Marks & Spencer and Tesco for inspiration.

9. Enjoy active family time

View this post on Instagram

Whiteley is made for family days out with endless choices for entertainment. Little Giggle Street is a mini immersive world designed to let their imaginations run free with a role-play cafe, fire station, vets, construction site, jail and beauty parlour. Kids absolutely love it so make sure you book ahead as it gets busy.

For an active day out, head to Rock Up for climbing walls, soft play for little ones (from £3.95) and obstacle courses (plus pizza at the cafe). They offer discount family passes including a 30-minute briefing.

10. Create some DIY decorations

Image provided by Flying Tiger

One of the biggest looks for homewares this Easter is a DIY statement decoration – fill a vase with pretty sticks then hang your own homemade decorations from the stems (painted glass eggs, pom pom chicks and paper butterflies from beautiful strips of ribbon) or this season’s wooden eggs. Or, simply select a gorgeous bunch of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths for your mantelpiece.

You can also create a gorgeous Easter wreath for your front door; make your own painted napkin holders; design gorgeous signs for an at-home Easter egg hunt and string up pastel-coloured paper garlands.

Be inspired at Flying Tiger Copenhagen, Poundland, Tesco and Waterstones.

11. See a movie together

Snow White is out 21st March and Minecraft the Movie is out on 4th April – perfect for the Easter holidays. Cineworld at Whiteley also has a host of special musical, opera, dance and kids’ screenings so keep an eye on their calendar here. Plus, adults can get 30% off cinema tickets with a great deal from Frankie & Benny’s.

12. Book a family celebration together

Image provided by Wildwood

Don’t fancy doing all the cooking? Book in for a family feast at one of Whiteley’s welcoming restaurants. Easter is a huge celebration in Italy so Wildwood and Prezzo know how to host a big family meal for all ages.

Harvester has a special Easter menu with a three-course set menu at £19.99 available featuring spicy crackerjack prawns, ribs, fish and chips, burgers and chocolate fudge cake.

Baja Mexicali, Bar + Block, Frankie & Benny’s and wagamama are also great places to go with all the family. Finish with a trip to Kaspa’s Desserts for everything Easter – with drizzled chocolate and special surprises.

13. Fun Easter kids’ crafting

Get creative with paper bunny ears, felt decorations, DIY giant egg jigsaws (cut some cardboard into a giant egg shape, paint it then cut into pieces) and Easter garden sets (paint an egg box and fill with baby chicks). Or pick up some spring seeds and get gardening. Follow @craftedbybears and @raisinglittlejess for some great crafting ideas. Flying Tiger Copenhagen, Poundland, Tesco and Waterstones have everything you need.

14. Mini home makeovers

Image provided by Next

Finally, it’s time for a spring clean with bright shades of yellow, baby pink and greens. Recycle outgrown clothes at H&M and River Island (both offer credit vouchers). Add some new-season brightness with beautiful cushions, vases and accessories you’ll love from Marks & Spencer, Next and Tesco.

For special offers and menus go to @whiteleyshopping; sign up for the newsletter