Best Easter holiday activities for the family

Wondering how to keep the family entertained? Fear not, here are a host of fun-filled events you can choose from...

SCIENCE MUSEUM
In its centenary year, the Science Museum continues to demystify the laws of physics with interactive exhibits and over 300,000 objects charting technology throughout the centuries. Special events for children take place over Easter.
Mon-Sun 10am-6pm, free. Exhibition Road, SW7, 0870 870 4868. Tube: South Kensington.
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

LONDON ZOO
On Saturday, the capital's only living rainforest opens at London Zoo. Rainforest Life is a new experience, which introduces visitors to fascinating species of armadillo, monkeys, sloth and tamandua.
Mon-Sun 10am-5.30pm, £17.20-£18, child £13.70-£14.20, family £55.60-£57.80. Regent's Park Outer Circle, NW1, 020 7722 3333. Tube: Camden Town. www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/

ALTON TOWERS
Alton Towers tempts around three million visitors a year with some of the fastest rides in the country. The aptly named Rita — Queen Of Speed accelerates from standstill to 100mph in 2.5 seconds. Nearby, the Alton Towers hotel boasts 175 fully-furnished rooms for overnight stays.
Mon-Sun 10am-5pm, £30.40, child £23.20, OAP £15.20, family £21.60 per person; Water Park £14, child £7, OAP £10, family £11 per person. Stoke-on-Trent, ST10, 0870 520 4060. Rail: London Euston to Stoke-on-Trent. www.altontowers.com

SEA LIFE LONDON AQUARIUM
Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, the Sea Life London Aquarium teems with hundreds of varieties of fish and marine life, many of which have never been seen before on these shores. Hands-on displays provide an insight into the aquarium and its conservation work.
Mon-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri-Sun 10am-7pm, £17.50, child £12.50, OAP/NUS £16, under 3s free, family £54. County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1, 0871 663 1678. Tube: Westminster/Waterloo. www.sealife.co.uk/london

THE BRITISH MUSEUM
The museum, which first opened in 1759, attracts around six million people per year to scrutinise its vast array of art and antiquities. Tours are taken by Blue Badge guides, who bring to life more than two million years of world history. Mon-Sun 10am-5.30pm, free (charges apply for some special exhibitions); tours £8, concs £5. Great Russell Street, WC1, 020 7323 8299/8181. Tube: Tottenham Court Road/Holborn. www.britishmuseum.org

CADBURY WORLD
Cadbury World celebrates the history of cocoa and the Cadbury family during a tour that encompasses 14 different zones. Britain's very own version of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory opens in the Aztec Jungle, where visitors sample the Emperor of Montezuma's favorite drink, chocolatl, a warming mixture of cocoa, honey and spices.
Mon-Sun 9.30am-4.30pm until April 18, then Mon-Sun 10am-3pm, £13.90, child £10.10, OAP £10.50, family £42-£49. Linden Road, Bournville, B30, 0844 880 7667. Rail: London Euston to Bournville via Birmingham New Street.
www.cadburyworld.co.uk

MADAME TUSSAUDS
Realistic waxworks of actress Dame Helen Mirren (from May) and actor Robert Pattinson are the latest additions to the world famous museum. Visitors also get to rub shoulders with political heavyweights (Tony Blair, Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela).
Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat & Sun 9am-6pm (Mon-Sun 9am-6pm on peak days), £25.54, child £21.46, family 88.78. Marylebone Road, NW1, 0870 400 3000. Tube: Baker Street. www.madametussauds.com/london/

LONDON DUNGEON
Henry VIII's daughter, Mary Tudor — nicknamed Bloody Mary on account of around 300 murders during her five-year reign — stalks the corridors of London Dungeon this year. The murderous monarch is the new addition to the dark pits of despair below Tooley Street, where visitors face their fears on two rides: Extremis: Drop Ride To Doom! and Traitor, Boat Ride To Hell!. Actors and special effects add to the realism as visitors travel back in time to 1666. This Easter, a 6ft tall Beaster Bunny will be on the loose, leaving paw prints for young visitors to follow.
Mon-Sun 10am-5pm (except April 3-18, 9am-7pm), £22.50, child £16.50, concs £20.50. 28-34 Tooley Street, SE1, 020 7403 7221. Tube/Rail: London Bridge. www.thedungeons.com

CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES
The newly opened Wild Asia zone encourages exploration, including a walkthrough aviary at Lorikeet Lagoon and the Tuk Tuk Turmoil Dodgems. Away from the rides, Chessington also boasts a zoo and a sea life centre.
From Saturday, Mon-Sun 10am-5pm, £34, under 11s £23, OAP £24, disabled £14-£21, family £73.50-£119. Leatherhead Road, Chessington, KT9, 0870 444 7777. Rail: London Bridge to Chessington South via Wimbledon. www.chessington.com

DRAYTON MANOR THEME PARK
Venture to Antarctica at Drayton Manor this Easter to experience the new Happy Feet 4-D Experience. For thrill seekers, there are more than 50 rides and attractions.
Mon-Sun 9.30am-5pm, £28, ages 4-11 £24, OAP £14, disabled £19, under 4s free, family £69-£115. Tamworth, B78, 0844 472 1950. Rail: London Euston to Tamworth. www.draytonmanor.co.uk