From egg hunts to petting zoos - 12 things to do in Ireland over the Easter holidays

The long Easter weekend has begun, and with it comes an abundance of chocolate eggs, pastels and tummy aches. 

You may be quite content staying indoors eating your chocolate and relaxing as if it's any other weekend, but if you'd like to get kids out of the house, there's plenty to see and do across Ireland over the next few days. 

Visit the Easter bunny at Kildare Farm Foods, Co Kildare 

Much like a visit to Santa at Christmas time, meeting and greeting the Easter Bunny is becoming a popular way to spend the Easter break. 

The bunny himself will be walking around the family-run Kildare Farm Foods this weekend for their Easter Family Adventure (running until March 30), where kids can dance at the Mad Hatters Party and spend hours on the Live Bunny Trail, meeting the farm's many bunny rabbits. 

Easter egg hunt in Brigit's Garden, Co Galway 

Explore Celtic folklore and admire indigenous Irish plants in Brigit's Garden, which is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. 

The event will be split into two separate events for different age groups, so there's no fear of little ones losing out! 

Kids can also enjoy face painting, arts and crafts and games on March 31 and April 1 from 12pm to 4pm. 

Hop aboard the Easter Express at Oakfield Park, Co Donegal 

Explore the gorgeous grounds of Oakfield Park in Donegal aboard the Easter Express, and take part in an Easter egg hunt, games and a bunny hop disco. 

The popular event runs from March 29 to April 1.

Egg and spoon race at Vandeleur Walled Garden, Co Clare 

Join other families at Vandeleur Walled Garden for fun activities including an Easter trail, egg and spoon race and competitions from 10am until 4pm until April 1. 

Kids can enjoy all the activities and may even spot the Easter Bunny as well! 

Flower arranging at The Woollen Mills, Dublin City 

A flower arranging workshop is taking place at the popular city centre location on Saturday (March 30) and is an ideal activity for those looking to take it easy. 

Nothing says Easter quite like a colourful bouquet of tulips! 

Explore the Easter treasure trail at Westport House, Co Mayo 

A perfect day out for all the family, the Easter Treasure Trail takes place on the grounds of Westport House on Easter Sunday (March 31) from 11am to 3pm. 

The first 150 children to complete the trail will receive a free chocolate surprise! 

Pet the bunnies at Clonfert Pet Farm, Co Kildare 

Spending time with the baby rabbits at the Clonfert Pet Farm sounds like a perfect day, doesn't it? Well, you can do it! Visit the farm for their Easter Festival (running until March 31) and enjoy the fun fair, treasure hunt and kiddie disco. 

If the rabbits aren't enough to tempt you, all kids who take part in the treasure hunt will receive a chocolate egg! 

Hunt for chocolate at Murtagh's Organic Farm, Co Westmeath 

Murtagh's Organic Farm is hosting its first ever Easter egg hunt this weekend for their Easter Fun event (taking place on March 30 and March 31). 

Families can meet the Easter Bunny, stroll through the Fairy Garden and dive into the Easter colouring competition throughout the two days of festivities. 

Follow the bunnies' trail at Strokestown Park, Co Roscommon 

This Easter break, the grounds of the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park have been transformed into an Easter Egg Trail for kids to enjoy. 

Look for clues left by the park's mischievous bunnies in the Victorian Walled Gardens, or put pencils to paper for the Easter colouring competition. 

Whether you can colour between the lines or not, everyone will walk away with a chocolate prize! 

Easter panto at Rathwood Home and Garden World, Co Carlow 

Kids will love the story of Fiona the Fairy and Thomas Toffee and their rescue of Hop the Bunny from the evil Sirius Chocolayte at Rathwood Home and Garden World. 

Take a seat and enjoy the show and, afterwards, join in the fun of the annual Easter egg hunt and meet the Easter Bunny! 

Due to demand, extra dates for the show have been added on April 1. Tickets start from €15.95 for adults. 

Go Easter scavenging at Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, Co Cavan 

If you want to keep the Easter fun going after the bulk of the festivities are over, head off on a self-led scavenger hunt at Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark to see what you can find. 

Bring the whole family on the Easter trail to find clues among the area's 650 million years of history and get a prize at the end! 

The hunt takes place on April 2 and April 3. 

Easter tractor run at Timahoe Heritage Centre, Co Laois 

If your kids love the farm as much as they love chocolate, the tractor run at Timahoe Heritage Centre on March 30 might be the perfect activity for them. 

Bring any form of wheels with you to dash around the green! 

The event starts at 12pm.