More related content:<\/p>\n
- Easy craft projects and outdoor nature activities for children to do at home<\/a><\/li>\n
- Virtual escapes: magical woodlands and forests<\/a><\/li>\n
- Make delicious Easter biscuits<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div>
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<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>This is the time of year when the sun shines directly on the equator, making night and day nearly equal all over the world. Ecclesiastically fixed on 21st<\/sup>\u00a0March, the Spring Equinox\u00a0heralds the beginning of the new season, even though our Gregorian calendars date spring from the beginning of March.<\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nWhy do we celebrate Easter Sunday?<\/h2>\n
The Spring Equinox has traditionally been celebrated as a time of rebirth or renewal, hence why in Christianity, Easter Sunday represents the resurrection of Christ.<\/p>\n
When were Easter eggs first invented?<\/h2>\n
The exquisite Faberg\u00e9 eggs were invented in 1885 as Easter gifts for the Russian royal family to give to family and friends.<\/p>\n
In early 1880s in parts of Germany, eggs were used as birth certificates. They were dyed, inscribed and decorated and could even be used as proof of identity in court.<\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>The exquisite Faberg\u00e9 eggs were invented in 1885 as Easter gifts for the Russian royal family\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Where does the name \u2018Easter\u2019 come from?<\/h2>\n
The name\u00a0Easter\u00a0is thought to come from the German goddess Eostre, whose name derives from Proto-Germanic meaning \u2018dawn\u2019.<\/p>\n
What is the meaning of hot cross buns?<\/h2>\n
As part of a Good Friday tradition, the English would hang a hot cross bun in the house for an entire year to protect the kitchen from fire and ensure perfect bread. In the Christian faith, the eating of a hot cross bun \u00a0signals the end of Lent and the\u00a0cross\u00a0represents the crucifixion of Jesus.<\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Delicious homemade hot cross buns\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Make homemade hot cross buns with this recipe<\/a><\/p>\n
Fun family activities to enjoy at home this Easter<\/h2>\n
Rosee Woodland shares a selection of fun family activities to enjoy at home this coming Easter weekend.<\/p>\n
Go camping, no really!<\/h3>\n
With all those Easter al fresco trips cancelled, why not camp out in your garden instead? Pitch your tent, snuggle up in sleeping bags, and light a fire. Cotswold Outdoors\u2019 has designated Saturday April 11, the Cotswold Outdoor Easter Camp In. The company is encouraging people to share pictures of their home campsites, camp food and camps views via the hash-tag #campingathome. To find out more, including tips on how to prepare yourself for the day, visit: cotswoldoutdoor.com\/outdoors-on-your-doorstep<\/a><\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Have a mini adventure by camping in the garden this Easter weekend\/Credit: Cotswolds Outdoors<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Help your local wildlife<\/h3>\n
Spring is a time of activity for garden wildlife and there are many ways to get involved.<\/p>\n
Make a log bird feeder <\/a>to encourage more birds to your garden, or a bug hotel <\/a>or even or make a micro-nature reserve with these instructions from the Wildlife Trusts.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Turn your garden into a bug haven with a homemade bug hotel. (Getty)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n For more great nature-themed ideas, including insect identification guides, instructions for building a mini pond, see our easy daily activities for children to do at home.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n
Build a hedgehog house<\/h3>\n
Build a hedgehog house of your own to encourage them into your garden.<\/p>\n
Dorset based writer Joanna Quinn has recently welcomed home a hedgehog she rescued last year, which was cared for over winter by her local rescue centre Paula\u2019s Wildlife Rescue<\/a>. Joanna said: \u201cOur hedgehog Robin is thriving, and eating lots of cat food at the moment. We found him in the middle of a road in Dorchester on our way to get a Christmas tree, which is why he\u2019s called Robin.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Robin the hedgehog as a hoglet\/Credit: Paula\u2019s Wildlife Rescue<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Robin, who was a baby when he was rescued, is now making himself at home in a special hedgehog house<\/a> in the family\u2019s garden, and you can make one yourself from simple materials.<\/p>\n
Go on an Easter egg hunt<\/h3>\n
Even if you haven\u2019t manage to track down a chocolate Easter egg, there\u2019s nothing stopping your little ones enjoying an Easter hunt in the garden if you have some normal eggs that you can blow<\/a> and then decorate.<\/p>\n
Just make sure you save the precious insides for something delicious, such as this\u00a0asparagus and sweet potato hash with smashed avocado and egg recipe.<\/a><\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Sowing seeds in eggshells<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n Eggs shells can also be used as a handy container for sewing seeds.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n
Press flowers \u2013 or paint with them!<\/h3>\n
You don\u2019t need a flower press to preserve flowers. A couple of heavy books will do the trick! Lay the flowers between two sheets of absorbent paper \u2013 coffee filters and newspaper both work well \u2013 and then insert between the pages of the book and lay some more on top.<\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>You can reuse your homemade flower press over and over again, preserving hundreds of different flowers (Photo by: Westend61 via Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n For more details, see this flower pressing tutorial<\/a> \u00a0or learn how to print with flowers<\/a> instead.<\/p>\n
Try bird watching from your window<\/h3>\n
If you don\u2019t have access to an outdoor space, why not join the Self Isolating Bird Club?<\/a>\u00a0This new Facebook group was set up by Springwatch presenter Chris Packham<\/a> to boost birdwatching during the lock down. Members have set up mini cameras in nest boxes (see our favourite bird box cameras<\/a>) and on bird feeders to capture the busy spring season. There is a daily morning live feed, which attracts more than 500,000 viewers.<\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Watch birds from your window and record the species you spot\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n See our garden bird guide for species identification and tips on attracting them to your garden<\/a><\/p>\n
Sow salad and vegetable seeds for summer<\/h3>\n
Whether you\u2019ve got several acres, or a window box, now is a good time to sow some seeds<\/a> . Salad seeds grow very easily and likes a shady spot, or you can get more ambitious, with tomatoes and courgettes \u2013 both will also grow well indoors in a sunny spot with plenty of ventilation.<\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Children of all ages will enjoy sewing seeds and growing their own flowers and vegetables\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Compost<\/a> has been in short supply recently, but you can re-use old compost, topped up with plant food for hungrier crops. Sieve it first to take out old roots, weeds and any unwanted beasties.<\/p>\n
See some baby animals being fed or stream a wild animal feed<\/h3>\n
If you have a city farm near you, check their website or Facebook page as they may be showing footage. Bath City Farm<\/a> has been streaming live feeds on Saturdays when volunteers feed the baby animals.<\/p>
For a wilder experience, the Wildlife Trusts have live feeds of many interesting animals all over the country. Watch an osprey nest<\/a> in Cumbria or pipstrelle bats in Essex<\/a>.\u00a0You find a full list of Wildlife Trust webcams, via \u00a0wildlifetrusts.org\/webcam<\/a><\/p>\n
Best Easter treat recipes<\/h2>\n
- Virtual escapes: magical woodlands and forests<\/a><\/li>\n
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