WITH a range of family-fun activities that includes a Pirate Trail, Meet the Rocket Man' and a Crazy Frog hunt, the Isle of Wight is just a hop, skip and a jump away this Easter.
At Amazon World Zoo Park kids can learn about conservation, come face to face with endangered species like the Two-toed Sloth, the Dwarf Crocodile and now the Crazy Frog.
This event, which is being held in honour of EAZA's (European Association of Zoo & Aquaria) Year of the Frog campaign (www.eaza.net) takes place from March 21 to 24.
Dozens of plastic toy frogs will be hidden around the park and the first 10 kids per day to take theirs to reception will receive an Easter prize. The Crazy Frog Hunt is free to paying visitors: £5.50 per child, £6.99 adult and £24 for a family ticket (www.amazonworld.co.uk).
During the 1960's Space Race, the Needles headland on the Isle of Wight was used as a rocket testing site after which time the rockets were flown out to Australia and launched into space.
On March 15 and 16, kids can find out what it was like to build and fire rockets and talk to one of the men involved in the programme.
Meet the Rocket Man takes place at the Needles New Battery (National Trust) from noon to 2pm (www.theneedlesbattery.org.uk/events) and is free.
Follow the clues to crack the secret code at the Pirate Trail at the Needles Old Battery ( www.nationaltrust.org/isleofwight) on March 21 from 10.30am to 4.30pm, (£2.10 child, £4.20 adult, family £10.50 (two adults and two children aged from five to 17).
Traditional egg hunts abound on Easter Sunday, March 23.
Head for the magical surroundings of Mottistone Manor Garden (£1.70 child, £3.35 adult, family ticket £8.40 plus £1 per trail sheet, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/isleofwight) or the historic setting of Appuldurcombe House (£5.25 child, £7.25 adult, family ticket £22, www.appuldurcombe.co.uk).
At the award-winning Seaview Wildlife Encounter from March 21 to 24, kids can combine their search with a daily programme of events which includes the Wallaby Walkabout and Meercat Madness (£5.50 child, £7.50 adult, family ticket £25, www.flamingoparkiw.com).
At Chessell Pottery Barns, kids can paint their very own Easter egg for just £5 but if you prefer the chocolate variety, then visit cliff-top theme park, Blackgang Chine (www.blackgangchine.com) which is launching a brand new Chocolate Emporium' when it opens for the season on 17 March (£9.50 per person (four to 60 years), Saver ticket (four persons) £35.
For details on how to get to the Isle of Wight, where to stay, eat and drink and more October half term activities visit www.islandbreaks.co.uk
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