London is going Moomin crazy at the moment, the cheeky characters are popping up everywhere, from Dulwich Picture Gallery to the South Bank – and now they're ready to celebrate the Easter holidays with a botanical adventure in Kew Gardens this April.

The Moomins first appeared in the 1940s, courtesy Finnish writer and artist Tove Jansson. Now, for three weeks only, families discover an interactive Moomin trail winding its way around the botanical Kew Gardens, indulge in an Easter activity workshop in the 'Moomin Festival Camp', and meet a real-life Moomin-costumed character roaming the grounds.

Be inspired by the vibrant illustrated world of the Moomins in harmony with the stunning landscape at Kew. Spring will be well and truly underway and the Gardens filled with the spectacular colour of flowering daffodils, crocuses and magnolias, so bring your cameras.

The Moomin-themed Easter extravaganza will celebrate the beauty of nature at Kew, encouraging everyone to value and celebrate the British landscape and its flora. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in the gardens this Easter:

The interactive Moomin trail…

The botany-obsessed character of Hemulen is distraught! Some of his favourite plants have gone missing from his prized herbarium collection. It’s up to our young visitors to embark on a magical Moomin mission through the Gardens to get them back. At the gates, children will be presented with their very own Moomin newspaper which will help them on their quest to track down the missing plants. Along the trail, they will encounter glorious displays of spring flowers, from tulips to fritillaries, where they’ll be able to complete their newspaper with images of plant specimens.

The Moomin Festival Camp…

The trail will culminate in a specially-created Moomin Festival Camp in the wild woodland of the Conservation Area. Here, youngsters can find Kew’s very own Travelling Herbarium where they can report with all their marvellous botanical findings and collect their reward.

Children will be delighted at the chance to ‘meet and greet’ a real-life Moomin-costumed character who’ll be popping up to say hello in the Festival Camp.

(Daily between 11:30am -12:00pm and 2:00pm – 2:30pm)

Marvellous Moomin workshops…

(All activity workshops will run from 10:30am – 4:00pm daily)

In the Moomin Festival Camp, there will be a plethora of activity workshop tents for children of all ages. Inspired by the Moomins, who are accomplished foragers and gardeners, kids will be able to get stuck into den building and have the chance to plant their own courgettes to take home and care for. Other exciting activities on offer include Moomin storytelling, Moomin mask making and the chance to set up a Moomin tea party on Kew’s giant outdoor table.

Face Painting...

(10.30am to 5pm daily)

From £4 per face or 2 faces for £7. Get your face painted with a traditional Easter or Moomin inspired design.

Take home activities…

The Moomin fun doesn’t stop after leaving the Gardens – the Moomin newspaper will be jam-packed with at-home activities, an exquisite souvenir for youngsters.

Catering…

A variety of exciting culinary offerings will be available, including the Moomins’ beloved pancakes and other delicious Easter delights from pop-up shops in the Moomin Camp.

A specially designed Kew Moomin App…

Visitors will be able to enhance their experience of the Gardens even further with a new Moomin app, developed by Finnish company RealityXpander and made available for the first time as part of the Moomins Easter festival. Players, young and old, will be able to virtually collect and learn more about the beautiful plants they spot on the trail with this interactive, location-based game.

Easter Sunday…

On Easter Sunday itself, 16 April, Kew is once again teaming up with Lindt, meaning kids will be able to get their hands on delicious chocolate treats at the gates.