THE Easter bunny is on the way and so too are the school holidays - but where can you take the kids without spending a fortune? With schools shut from April 14 to 25, there’s lots happening across the country to keep little ones busy over the Easter break. Jump aboard an adorable train ride in Westport Estate for just €5, visit Kildare Farm Foods for some Easter adventures from €15 or celebrate Easter at Athlone Castle with tickets from €9. Other fun activities include Strokestown Park Easter Trail in Roscommon, Spring Festival at the Slieve Aughty Centre in Galway and an Easter Quest at Birr Castle. There's still some egg-cellent activities from just €10 to keep kids entertained over the holidays. From Easter egg hunts to chocolate making workshops, DANIELLE RUSSELL MASTERSON takes a look at fun activities for under a tenner. THE CHOCOLATE GARDEN WHAT better way to spend the Easter holidays than a visit to a chocolate factory. Make it an Easter to remember with a visit to The Chocolate Garden in the picturesque Carlow-Wicklow border. Let little ones pick out their own treat in their cafe and shop, with prices starting from €4.25. There’s outdoor seating if the sunshine continues and a fun kids outdoor play area. For those with a bigger budget, there’s Easter experiences from €15 with Make Your Own Egg or Chocolate Mould Making masterclasses. Owned by Jim and Mary Healy, their family run business offers a wonderful range of handcrafted chocolates, delicious gifts, premium ice cream, and delectable treats. See chocolategarden.ie FAIRY TRAILS DISCOVER the magic of some of Ireland’s magical fairy trails. Take a day trip to Sleive Gullion in Newry for the The Giants Lair Fairy Trail. This free trail is like a living storybook with fairies, elves and mystical creatures. Bunratty Castle Fairy Trail and Fairy village in Clare is a must see for little ones. Download the free Fairy Trail Workbook in advance and follow the clues on the enchanting trail. Top trails include Away with the Fairies Fairy Garden in Galway, Russborough House in Wicklow and Wells House and Garden Fairy Trail in Wexford. In Dublin there’s numerous trails including Malahide Castle, Ardgillan Castle in Balbriggan, The Tymon Park Fairy Trail, The Fairy Wood at Corkagh Park and The Marlay Park Fairy Tree. Most of these trails are free of charge while others have family deals. DELVE into Ireland's National Science Centre Explorium in Sandyford, Dublin which reopened its doors in January last year. Visitors of all ages can explore the wonders of science and Ireland's rich legacy of innovation. With interactive exhibits, hands-on experiences, and engaging activities, there’s plenty for all the family. Discover the 250 interactive exhibits, venture up the climbing walls or experience a VR adventure. This fun space brings science to life, ignites curiosity and inspires visitors of all ages. Juniors can get ready for an exciting adventure filled with fun and learning with adult admission just €5 and child admission €15. But the €35 deal allows two adults and two children entry. Under two’s and carers go free. See explorium.ie KINIA'S TechFéile and Creative Tech Fest is also taking place this weekend at Explorium as part of Kinia’s Creative Technology Week (April 7 - 12). It’s an education-focused non-profit and social enterprise dedicated to reducing educational inequality by building digital skills and access to technology career pathways for young people across Ireland. Last year, the organisation supported 2,725 educators through training courses, support sessions and events and lifted barriers to learning opportunities for 21,600 young people across 436 organisations. Kinia technology skills courses include Machine Learning, AI, Hydrogen, Green Tech, Smart Energy, Robotics, Podcasting and Mobile Film-making. Kinia foundational skills courses include volunteer-based Literacy Reading Buddy and Numeracy programmes. Kinia foundational skills courses include volunteer-based Literacy Reading Buddy and Numeracy programmes. See kinia.ie/creative-technology-week/ WALK in the steps of vikings and discover the medieval eras at Dublinia . Learn about Dublin’s rich viking and medieval past. See what life was like onboard a Viking warship, see the weaponry and learn the skills of being a Viking warrior. Try on Viking clothes, visit a Viking home and learn about the myths and mysteries surrounding the Vikings and their legacy. Climb an original Medieval tower and take in the views of the capital. Entry for a child is €9.50 or opt for a family deal. A family for two adults and two children costs €44, while a family of one adult and two children is €30. See dublinia.ie. BOUNCE N BEYOND TEST your skills at Bounce N Beyond in Ballyboughal, Dublin with prices starting from €7 for selected experiences. Jump into the Ninja Warrior foam pit or take on the 10 foot platform onto a large airmat. The Olympic grade trampolines will get your heart racing and see if you can make it up onto the wall. Midweek Bounceback Deal on Wednesday offers a 90 minute deal for just €10 for ages 5-17 years. The Sensory Session is also available on certain dates for just €10. Everyone over 5 years and 1 meter can enjoy a “calm and inclusive environment” at the Bounce Park and Zen Den. The Soft Play experience offers an early bird special for one hour of play for ages 2-5 years for €7 and the peak price is €10. The Activity Bounce early bird special for 60 minutes is just €10 for ages 5-17 years. See bouncenbeyond.ie THE Natural History Museum In Dublin, dubbed The Dead Zoo, is home to four floors of exhibits, including Irish Fauna and Mammals of the World. With free entry, there’s endless things to see with each floor packed with an interesting displays of over 10,000 specimens. Visitors can see permanent exhibitions that showcase Irish fauna, including Giant Irish Deer, mammoths, familiar birds and brown bears that once grazed Ireland’s shores. The Mammals of the World include elephants, tigers, wolves, foxes and whales. They may be preserved as bones, assembled skeletons, skins, mounted skins (stuffed) or in alcohol. The reptile collection consists of 1,200 specimens and their fish exhibition has over 5,500 specimens. Download and print the Dead Zoo’s colouring pages ahead of the big day out. See museum.ie SUPER SOCIAL SUPER Social in Leopardstown, Dublin will keep larger families or friend groups entertained for hours. Step into a thrilling world of fun games including NxGen Darts, Supercharged Shuffleboards and the fully interactive Super Social Arena. With numerous deals, including NexGen Darts for 55 minutes just €60 for 5-7 participants, it won’t break the bank. The SuperCharged Shuffle for 55 minutes is also €60 for 5-7 participants. There’s also a Hi-Tech Mini Golf game costing €12.95 per person per round. See supersocial.ie