With the flat season getting into full swing by the time we hit Easter weekend, the one dead cert you can be sure of, is a fun day out, that offers great value for money.

School holidays often present logistical issues for parents, constantly on the search for activities that offer a full day of childcare around working hours.  The struggle is real!  Is the club that they enjoyed last term still running?  Can I get them into something new that they wanted to try?  Or simply where are there spaces as I’ve left it too late to book!  Those lucky enough to have family nearby can often call in some favours, but the children still need entertaining.

Step forward horseracing, an action-packed day of sport and activities, all in the great outdoors – away from screens, with the opportunity to have family fun together.

In terms of cost effectiveness, it really doesn’t get better than this.  Accompanied under 18’s are admitted FREE to all of Yorkshire’s nine racecourses and with admission starting from as little as £6 or £3.50 for those over 66, depending on which course you visit, you’ll be hard pushed to find cheaper holiday activities.

Easter themed family days kick off at Catterick on Wednesday 9^th April, week one of the Easter holidays, which coincides with their first flat meeting of the year.  There are seven races, plus Easter side stall shows, a slide and bouncy castle in the Course Enclosure.  Gates open at 12 noon, with the first race due to take place at 2.13pm, so enjoy a leisurely morning, before heading on down to the course to take full advantage of everything going on.

Slightly less child focused, but still one for the doting Grandparents to consider is OAP Free Day at Pontefract, which takes place on Monday 14^th April.  With under 18’s getting in for free and OAP’s being eligible for a free Grandstand & Paddock ticket, when booked in advance, admission to the races could literally cost you nothing!  The qualifying age for a free ticket is over 60 and is restricted to one ticket per email address and ID will be checked upon entry, but this really is a deal not to be missed.  Gates open at 12 noon and the first race is 2.05pm.

On Wednesday 16^th April, Beverley racecourse are holding a Peter Rabbit Easter Trail around the racecourse.  It’s a case of solving clues and finding characters around the racecourse, until you find Peter and can collect your Easter treat!  Free face painting will also be taking place in the Course Enclosure and of course, there’s seven flat races to enjoy.  Gates open at 11.40am and the first race is 1.40pm

We head to Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse at Ripon on Thursday 17^th April, where the youngsters can enjoy a bouncy castle, balloon modelling, face painting, glitter tattoos and fire juggling in addition to seven races, which start at 2pm.  Offering good prize money, there are sure to be plenty of runners to get the new season started, so lots of excitement both on and off the track.

Good Friday offers something a little different as the yards in Middleham open their doors to the public.  Nine yards will be open between 9.30am and 1pm, most accessible by shuttle bus.  Parking is on the Low Moor gallops or Tennants Auction Centre.

Once the yards have closed, head up to the Low Moor, where there will be retraining of racehorse classes, children’s sports, a demonstration by New Beginnings retired racehorses, a parade of hounds and the ultra-competitive inter-yard challenge.

Tickets for the open day are £12.50 for adults, or £8.50 for concessions and under 16’s are free.  Use the code GRIY20, to get a 20% discount when purchasing tickets online.

The Easter activities wrap up on Easter Monday at Redcar.  Free family entertainment in the Course Enclosure includes bouncy castles, a playground, face painting and the Easter Bunny and friends, who will be entertaining the children with traditional games.  This is all in addition to the seven races, which get underway at 11.55am.

If the Easter holidays to you means a two week break abroad, then don’t worry, we’ve still got you covered!  Take a trip to Wetherby on Sunday 27th April for their family day and Guinness World Record holding Mascot Gold Cup!  The Mascot Race will take place about an hour before the first race and competitors will warm up in the Parade Ring beforehand.

Also in attendance will be the National Festival Circus, New Beginnings Horses with an ambassador horse and their exhibition unit, as well as horse-themed crafts, a giant inflatable slide and a bouncy castle.

Gates open at 12 noon, the first race is at 2.30pm and the Mascot Gold Cup will take place around 1.30pm.