1st April -
Traditionally a day of jokes and tricks, but you have to play the joke before midday, otherwise the joke is on you.
Activities: Look online or in the papers and try to spot this year’s April fools. Lots of big organisations now publish one for you to spot! Come up with a list of jokes, and compile a joke book.
Take it further: Visit a comedy night, or put one on of your own. Look at the different types of humour, from slapstick to observational. Discuss your favourite comedy performers and shows.
21st April -
It is traditional for soldiers to fire cannons to celebrate royal birthdays or other national events. The Queen has an "official" birthday in June which is marked by the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Activities: Send the Queen a birthday card, make a royal themed craft such as crowns, or split-
Take it further: Visit Buckingham Palace in London, watch the Trouping of the Colour
23rd April -
The church festival of St. George is regarded as England’s national day (although not an official bank holiday). On this day some patriotic English people wear a rose pinned to their jackets.
Activities: Colour in the England flag, and know how it fits into the Union Flag. Attend a St Georges Day parade or celebration. Make a rose out of crepe paper, or another craft material.
Take it further: Look at what England has to offer, from tourism and entertainment, through to industry and commercial interests. How many English companies can you name? Investigate and see if you are right.
Start of Spring
April is considered to be the start of the spring, where the flowers start to bloom, and the countryside turns green once more.
Activities: Make cress heads; plant some seeds in an unusual item, like old wellington boots or unwanted saucepans. Go for a walk and see if you can spot spring flowers coming into bloom.
Take it further: Contact your council and see if you can take over a local flower bed. Plant and tend it through the year. Visit an allotment and plant some vegetables to harvest later on.
Badge Links: Guides Hobbies badge, or the Brownies Gardener badge
Holy Week / Easter (Christian Festival)
Easter is usually in early April, but can sometimes fall into late March
Palm Sunday: A celebration of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The day marks the start of Holy week and is observed by worship and parades using palm branches. Often worshipers will be given a palm cross.
Maundy Thursday: To remember the Last Supper, when Jesus met with his followers before he was betrayed by Judas and was captured by the Romans.
Good Friday: To remember the death of Jesus Christ, who was crucified (killed on a cross) by the Romans. Christian churches hold special services, and are often decorated with flowers.
Easter Sunday: The most holy day in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from his death by crucifixion. Observances include worship services beginning at sunrise, special music, feasting, and parades.
Easter Monday: A day for Christians to continue celebrating the resurrection of Christ
Activities: Act out the Easter story for your unit or families. Complete an Easter craft. Eat hot cross buns.
Take it further: Visit your local church, or ask the vicar to come and tell you the Easter story
Badge Links: Brownies Discovering Faith or Guides Faith Awareness Interest badges.
Easter Celebrations (Secular)
Although Easter is a Christian Celebration, many people in the UK will celebrate by exchanging gift, usually Easter eggs. The 2 Bank Holidays, and school break mark the start of the better weather and people will often take holidays. Easter egg hunts are held, and there are tales of the Easter Bunny.
Activities: Make an Easter card, or decorate an Easter egg. Hold an egg themed meeting with an Easter Egg hunt, egg and spoon races, and egg throwing games (outside!)
Take it further: Visit a chocolate or sweet factory, try making your own sweets, hold an Easter Bunny party.
Other ideas for April
April Showers – Puddle jumping
Birth Flower: Sweet Pea
Birth Stone: Diamond
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