It can be hard to entertain childrn during the Easter break, especially when the weather lets you down.

East Anglian Daily Times: Try skatingTry skating

But don’t let a damp day ruin your plansm, there’s plenty of things to do in Suffolk and north Essex. See our guide here.

East Anglian Daily Times: Make a cakeMake a cake (Image: Archant)

Get your skates on!

Just because it’s raining, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy lots of energetic fun. Head down to Rollerworld, Colchester where there’s a whole host of things to do. Hire your skates and get set to whiz around the rink with your family or friends. Once you’ve tired yourself out, stop for drinks and snacks at the cafe or bar.

East Anglian Daily Times: Colour inColour in (Image: Archant)

For details, visit their websiteBake a cake

There’s something therapeutic about baking a cake, so why not embrace the rain and create something delicious?

East Anglian Daily Times: Go to the cinemaGo to the cinema (Image: Archant)

It’s a fun activity you can enjoy with the children or one you can get a lot out of alone. Whether or not you’re a seasoned baker or a have-a-go beginner, there’s something for everyone to try, from a classic, yet simple Victoria sponge to nostalgic cornflake cakes, the list is endless!

East Anglian Daily Times: Paint some pebblesPaint some pebbles (Image: NickNack R.Chai)

Paint some pebbles

If you’ve been wondering what to do with all those stones and shells you collected last summer with the kids, why not give them a new lease of life by decorating them with pretty or funky designs? Make sure to prepare and cover a work surface, then pull out the toxic-safe paints and get creative! There’s no limit to what sorts of designs you could come up with.

Play a board game

How often do you really get out those old board games? Last Christmas maybe? Well a rainy day makes for a good excuse to fetch these favourites out the closet. From Monopoly, Scrabble, Cluedo, Mousetrap, Operation and more, it’s a great way to have good, competitive fun with your family or friends.

Get creative with colouring

Let your imagination run wild and fetch out the colouring pencils and books for hours of creative fun. There’s no limit to what you could draw or design and it’s an inexpensive, but therapeutic way of spending a day when it’s pouring it down outside. Anyone one, of any age, can opt to do a bit of colouring in. In fact, adult colouring books or art therapy, as it is known, is the latest thing, with the craze sweeping the nation. The designs are beautiful and what better way to spend time with your children.

Make you own musical instruments

Instead of buying expensive professional instruments, you could always try making some of your own for a bit of improvised fun. Just fill a washed out, empty plastic drinks bottle, fill it with dry pasta or rice and put the lid back on to create a shaker. Or cut a hole in a cereal box for example, then carefully pop some elastic bands around the box, making sure to cover the centre and ta-dah! You’ve got yourself a DIY guitar.

Head to the theatre

It might be a bit damp and dreary outside, but plenty of laughs can still be had, by visiting a theatre show with all the family. There’s a wide variety of venues across the area putting on some of the best performances. If you choose to visit The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, with the tiny tots, don’t miss Goldilocks and the Three Bears, running on Friday, April 1 - Saturday, April 2, and find out about the bears, who only went out for a stroll to let their food cool down, but when the three bears get home, the house is a mess and baby bear’s porridge has vanished completely - this is only the beginning of the tale!

For details, visit their website