Easter has fallen quite late on the calendar this year, and many of us have been anticipating the final arrival of the Easter break and those extra bank holiday days for some time now. The fact that Easter this year has fallen towards the end of April also means that the weather is warmer than the average Easter, and this can provide a valuable chance to make the most of the extra time off, and get out there and do something fun and interesting with our dogs.

If you’re wondering how to make the best of the Easter break and are looking for inspiration on something to do with your dog or something new and interesting to try out with them, look no further.

In this article we will share our pick of five great ideas on things to do with your dog over the Easter break, and how to make the best of them.

1. Hit the beach before seasonal restrictions come into play

Packing up the car and heading for a day at the beach with a picnic is a great way to spend any spring or summer day, but many beaches in the UK place restrictions on dogs, either limiting the hours that they can use the beach for, or banning them entirely during peak times.

This means that you should always check before you head out for a day at the beach with your dog, to be sure that they will be permitted to join in!

Many beaches only forbid dogs from May to September, or around similar dates when the area is likely to be the busiest, which means that Easter provides a great opportunity for a final trip to your favourite shores before the hot weather and dog restrictions kicks in on many of the most popular beaches in the UK.

The weather will also be cool enough to enable your dog to run and play on the beach without risking overheating due to hot weather.

2. Hold a special dog-friendly Easter egg hunt for your dog and his pals

Dogs and chocolate do not mix, and Easter can be one of the most challenging times of the year for dog owners when it comes to keeping dogs safe. Not only is chocolate virtually everywhere we turn, but Easter egg hunts are held all over the country and often on public land, which means your dog runs the risk of finding a stray chocolate egg out on walks, which you should be vigilant about preventing!

Involving your dog in a children’s Easter egg hunt isn’t generally a good idea unless the dog is on the lead and can be stopped from chowing down on anything they find, so why not consider setting up a dedicated dog Easter egg hunt for your pooch and his furry friends? You can use treats or even special Easter eggs made just for dogs, and let your dog get in on the fun too, without risking their health.

3. Visit a forest, national park or nature reserve and enjoy the spring flowers

Using one of the Easter bank holiday days to explore a new area is great fun for your dog and family alike, so think about packing the car up and taking your dog to somewhere they haven’t visited before to explore the new terrain, make friends with other dogs enjoying the weather, and to check out those first spring flowers.

Most national parks, country walks and even nature reserves welcome well behaved dogs (always check the rules, as some places will only permit dogs on leads), and will often recommend good walking trails and things to do with your dog when you get there.

4. Try out a new sport or activity

Spring often makes us want to think about getting more active and finding activities to enjoy with others all summer long, and the Easter weekend also often sees regional and local dog clubs and sporting organisations hold open days, demonstrations, and have-a-go sessions.

Sports like agility, flyball and herding dog trials often launch on or around the Easter weekend as the start of their seasonal events calendars, so check out clubs and groups local to you and find out if there’s something going on that your dog could try their paw at.

5. Join a dog walking group

Many areas have dog walking groups and informal clubs in place that arrange organised walks in set areas at certain times that people are invited to bring their dogs along to take part in.

These can provide an excellent opportunity to allow you to meet, make friends and chat with other dog owners in your local area, and they also ensure that your dog will always have playmates for their walks and have the chance to make new friends.

Check out local dog clubs, social media groups and event pages, and you are sure to find something happening over the Easter weekend that you and your dog might enjoy taking part in.