Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Essex
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Family Fun at Leisure World and Colchester Sports Park
2nd February-15th March 2026
Venue: Leisure World and Colchester Sports Park
Website: https://colchesterleisureworld.co.uk
Free-to-Ride Area, BMX Pump Track for thrill-seekers, the pump track offers an adrenaline-filled challenge for all ages, Leisure Pool with Flumes and much more. For opening times and booking details, visit...
Jigsaw Performing Arts Brentford
2nd February-15th March 2026
Venue: Becket Keys Secondary School, Sawyers Hall Ln
Website: www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk
From babies as young as 6 months to teens of 18, Jigsaw's wide range of classes offers something for every budding performer. Join them this term and let your child take centre stage. Their journey in...
Laser Mayhem
2nd February-15th March 2026
Venue: Laser Mayhem, Pryors Farm
Website: www.lasermayhem.co.uk
With over 20 Call of Duty Style playing areas, you will be amazed by the laser tag arenas, with Forts, Real Russian Battle Tanks, Planes, Helicopters and much more. Laser Mayhem is completely unique, they...
Oi Chelmsford! SEN Friendly Days
2nd February-15th March 2026
Venue: Museum of Chelmsford
Website: www.chelmsford.gov.uk
Visit every 2nd Saturday of the month 10am to 4pm for the new SEN Friendly Day, to coincide with the 'Oi Chelmsford! Kes Gray: Chelmsford Born and Read' exhibition. This is an opportunity for visitors...
Snowdrop Walks
8th February-1st March 2026
Venue: Hedingham Castle
Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk
Visit on selected dates for the opportunity to see the magnificent snowdrops blooming on the estate. Tickets include entry to the gardens and Norman Castle, the best-preserved of its kind in the country,...
Mythical Castle Creatures: Family Tour
16th February-20th June 2026
Venue: Colchester Castle
Website: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colchester-castle
Join this 45-minute tour at 11am and 2.30pm and experience Colchester Castle like never before on this family-friendly tour that brings folklore and mythical creatures to life and embark on a quest to...
Forest School sessions for Home Ed: Danbury Country Park
23rd February-23rd March 2026
Venue: Danbury Country Park
Website: www.explore-essex.com
Aimed at home educated children, this series of six sessions at Danbury Country Park includes nature activities, forest crafts, imagination, physical play and building things.These sessions are run by...
Holmwood House Open Morning
27th February 2026
Venue: Holmwood House School
Website: www.holmwood.house/admissions/visit-us
The Open Morning will give you the opportunity to see the school in action and find out more about the excellent teaching, small class sizes and inspiring learning environment. Visit the website for more...
Thorpe Hall School Experience Day
28th February 2026
Venue: Thorpe Hall School
Website: www.thorpehall.southend.sch.uk/admissions/experienceday
An exciting day of free, fast-paced, fun-packed learning experiences for all Year 4 and 5 pupils including three fun and exciting sessions in Sport, Performing Arts and Science, run by specialist Thorpe...
Calm at the Castle
1st March 2026
Venue: Colchester Castle
Website: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colchester-castle
These sessions are designed for anyone who would benefit from a calmer environment, including visitors with autism or sensory sensitivities.They reduce sensory stimulation by turning off sounds and visual...
Hyde Hall Educator Open Evening
3rd March 2026
Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Website: www.rhs.org.uk
Join the Schools Team at RHS Garden Hyde Hall for an Educator Open Evening on Tuesday 3 March 2026 from 4-6pm. Discover some of the ways the RHS can help your school connect with nature and get gardening.
Year 7 Experience Evening
3rd March 2026
Venue: Holmwood House School
Website: www.holmwood.house/admissions/visit-us
Experience evenings are designed as a fun and immersive introduction to life at Homwood House in Year 7 and beyond and are aimed at current and prospective pupils and parents. Visit the website for more...
World Book Day
5th March 2026
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.worldbookday.com
Reading for fun is the single biggest indicator that a child will grow up to enjoy a happier and more successful life. The World Book Day mission is to promote reading for fun, offering every child and...
British Science Week
6th-15th March 2026
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.britishscienceweek.org
British Science Week is an annual ten day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths. The theme for 2026 is 'Curiosity:what's your question?' This theme is all about getting you thinking...
Comedy Club 4 Kids
7th March 2026
Venue: Colchester Arts Centre
Website: https://colchesterartscentre.ticketsolve.com
Cracking entertainment for everyone over six years old. Since 2005, the Comedy Club 4 Kids has been getting the best stand - ups and sketch acts from the international circuit to do their thing for an...
The Dinosaur That Pooped A Rock Show
8th March 2026
Venue: Chelmsford Theatre
Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk
Adapted from the best-selling books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, the whole family will have a poopy good time enjoying a brand new story for the stage. Featuring new songs by Tom and Dougie, a lot...
WiFi Wars
8th March 2026
Venue: Palace Theatre
Website: www.trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend
From classic TV game shows to zen-like word puzzles, from retro video games to modern first person shooters, WiFi Wars has something for everyone in its truly original whistlestop tour of all the ways...
Taylormania
14th March 2026
Venue: Harlow Playhouse
Website: www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk
An award-winning extravaganza that plays tribute to one of theleading contemporary artists of our time. Katy Ellis, a self-confessed ‘Swiftie’ with an incredible live band and dancers will deliver...
Tom Gates’ Epic Stage Show
14th March 2026
Venue: Queen's Theatre Hornchurch
Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk
Based on the bestselling books by Liz Pichon. Brand new for 2025, Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show comes to our theatre, bringing alive the illustrations and music that makes Tom Gates hugely popular around the...
Olaf Falafel's Stupidest Super Stupid Show
15th March 2026
Venue: Chelmsford Theatre
Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk
Join Olaf Falafel (if that is his real name) for an hour of kids' comedy which will be the stupidest he has ever let trickle from his brain. Expect jokes, poos on pogo sticks, more jokes and truth-telling...
Woodbridge School Open Morning
17th March 2026
Venue: Woodbridge School
Website: www.woodbridgeschool.org.uk
Woodbridge School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for students aged 4 to 18; an all-through school, once children join the Prep School, places are guaranteed as they move through...
Red Nose Day
20th March 2026
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.comicrelief.com
Taking place every March, this unique fundraising campaign uses comedy as a means to fundraise money for great causes. Anyone and everyone can get involved. Past years have seen bake sales, 24-hour dance-a-thons...
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
21st-22nd March 2026
Venue: Palace Theatre
Website: www.trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show,features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets. The production faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very...
Rapunzel
22nd March 2026
Venue: Towngate Theatre
Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk
Following the success of The Little Mermaid, Immersion Theatre proudly presents a hair-larious and exciting retelling of the family favourite, complete with a laugh-out-loud script, catchy songs, audience...
Ice Age Adventure Live
29th March 2026
Venue: West Cliff Theatre
Website: www.westcliffclacton.co.uk
Brace yourselves for a mammoth mission in the frozen world of Ice Age Adventure Live! Journey back in time to meet incredible prehistoric animals in the coolest family show this side of the arctic circle....