CHILDREN and parents are set for an early Easter holiday this year.

Schools across Bolton will break up tomorrow for a two week-long break.

In a bid to help parents beat the school holiday blues, reporter, TRACEY SCOTT takes alook at some of the events and activities on offer across the borough.

To add details fo your event on our FREE listings service click HERE

Indoor Fun Smithills Hall, Smithills Dean Road, Bolton, is holding an Easter Holiday Quiz for all the family.

The quiz will run from Saturday, March 15 to Sunday March 30, from 12pm to 5pm. Quiz sheets cost 20p, children free entry, adults £3. The last admission is at 4.15pm. For information call 01204 332377.

Bolton Museum will host a free treasure trail from Saturday, March 15 to Saturday, March 29, 9am to 5pm. Sheets are available at the front desk.

There will also be an Wildwood exhibition on March 20, between noon and 3.30pm, when families can mark the first day of Spring.

For information call 01204 332211.

An indoor "eggstravaganza" will be taking place at Bolton Lads and Girls Club throughout the Easter holiday.

Children can take part in activities including drama, computer lessons, baking and badminton.

Entry £5 per half a day, or £12.50 for a full day, with meals from 60p.

For information on openign times call 01204 540109.

Outdoor Family Adventures

A Nature Discovery Walk and Minibeast Hunt will be held in Moss Bank Park, Moss Bank Way, Bolton. Meet at the entrance to Animal World, on March 15 at 10.30am for an 12pm finish.

Frog watchers can explore the gravel pits of Darcy Lever with a park ranger.

The 27-acre site is part of Moses Gate Country Park in Farnworth, which has three large lakes and a large area of parkland.

Wellies at the ready for a 1pm start. Meet at the Rock Hall Visitor Centre in Hall Lane, Farnworth on March 15.

AN Easter egg hunt will be held at Smithills Open Farm, Smithills Dean Road.

Between March 21 and 24, there will be two hunts a day.

Children and parents will also have the opportunity to hold easter chicks in Pets Corner. For information call 01204 595765 The Annual Easter Bunny Hunt at Moses Gate Country Park will take place on March 23. The aim of the game is to find the bunnies, follow the clues and claim the prize.

Meet at Rock Hall Visitor Centre, Hall Lane, Farnworth at 12.30pm. There will be a cost of 50p per child, and the event ends at 3.30pm.

FAMILIES are being given the chance to search for signs of spring at Moss Bank Park, Moss Bank Way, Bolton this Easter.

Meet at the Animal World and Butterfly House entrance on March 23 at 10am for an 11.30am finish.

To help keep children entertained over Easter, Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park has organised a series of free events and activities to take place between Tuesday, March 18, and Monday, March 24.

On Tuesday, March 18, join Little Bo Peep and Miss Muffet for a wander around the park looking for farmyard pals. On Thursday, March 20 follow Old Macdonald on his Easter Animal Hunt looking for his lost animals. Spend Good Friday making puppets and masks inside the park's mall with the animal crafts team. Visit www.middlebrook-bolton.co.uk for more details.

Discover the magic of Spring on a sensory Earthwalk through Moses Gate Country Park.

If you wish to take part in the two-hour trek meet at Rock Hall Visitor Centre, Hall Lane, Farnworth on March 26 at 1pm.

A WILDLIFE Gardening Day will be held by the Friends of Seven Acres at the Environmental Centre in Bury Road, Breightmet.

The free event takes place on Saturday, March 29 from 11am to 2pm. Those who attend can make a bird or bat box, a bird feeder, and find out about wildlife in Bolton.

Fitness and Exercise

Bolton Wanderers Football in the Community is holding a series of courses at Bolton Arena, Horwich Community Leisure Centre, and Thornleigh Salesian College.

During the two-week holiday children can tour the Reebok Stadium, experience general coaching, or learn the art of goal keeping.

For prices and venues cal 01204 480601.

Canoeing, archery and mountain biking will fill a fun day at Moses Gate Country Park on March 30.

The Active Outdoors event will run from 10.30am to 4pm.

Other activities on the day include a climbing wall, walking and orienteering.

Meet at Rock Hall Visitor Centre, Hall Lane, Farnworth.

Gym sessions and climbing will keep the children busy up at Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Spa Road, Bolton.

Coaches and gym trainers will spend the Easter break encouraging children across the borough to get fit.

Entry £5 per half a day, or £12.50 for a full day, with a full meal from 60p.

The centre will be closed from March 21 to March 24. Activities will resume from Tuesday, March 25.

For information call 01204 540109.

Arts and Crafts

A craft and gift fair will roll into the Reebok Stadium, Horwich, on March 23 and March 24.

The fair will see 140 exhibitors display their work across the stadium's large exhibition hall.

There will be free parking with level access.

Each exhibition runs from 10am to 5pm.

Grab your glue stick and glitter pen and start creating an Easter bonnet masterpiece.

Rumworth Hall, Prescott Street, Bolton, is staging a bonnet parade on Easter Sunday.

After the competition children will take a short walk to the nearest park for an egg hunt, concluding with refreshments back at Rumworth Hall.

The all-day event runs from 11am to 4pm. Tickets cost 50p per child. all children must be accompanied by an adult.

For information call 01204 411007.

Animal face painting at Middlebrook will keep the children entertained this half term.

The free event will take place on Saturday, March 22 from 12pm to 4pm.

Go potty at a pot fair at Turton Tower this Easter.

The free event will feature pottery and ceramics, for sale and on display, and visitors will have the chance to paint their own pot.

A hawk owl display will be held in the tower grounds, while children's activities will run throughout the day inside a play tent.

Refreshments will be available from the Turton Tower Tea Room.

The event takes place on March 24, from noon until 5pm.