What's On in Essex

Guess How Much I Love You - A Garden Adventure

Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Website: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

The Guess How Much I Love You Garden Adventure is a trail inspired by the book of the same name. The trail contains a series of activities that encourage children to learn through play, using the senses...

Mars

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mars

This follows Gaia, whose run was extended due to phenomenal demand.This new artwork will allow visitors to the Castle to view Mars from the air, as though they are a satellite mapping and studying the...

Woodland Adventure Days

Venue: Audley End Railway

Website: www.audley-end-railway.co.uk

Enjoy off-peak, great-value days, where you can make use of the adventure playground, explore the fairy walk and ride on one of the trains! The perfect day out for parents and grandparents to take the...

Colchester Leisure World – Leisure Pool

Venue: Leisure World Colchester

Website: www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk

Splash into fun at Leisure World's Leisure Pool. Perfect for families, the pool features thrilling flumes, the exhilarating Crazy River, and bubbling jacuzzis. With shallow areas for little ones and deeper...

Family Activities at Colchester Sports Park

Venue: Leisure World Colchester

Website: www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk

Explore 76 acres of indoor and outdoor sports and leisure activities at Colchester Sports Park. Enjoy cycling on the floodlit track, play cricket, badminton, football, and more in our sports hall, or relax...

Great Notley Country Park Junior Parkrun

Venue: Great Notley Country Park

Website: www.explore-essex.com

Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old. Parkrun organise free, weekly, 2km timed runs around the world for children. They are open to everyone and take place...

Gruffalo Trail

Venue: Thorndon Country Park

Website: www.essexwt.org.uk/visit/nature-trail/gruffalo

Discover the magic of the deep dark wood with this self-led trail searching for the amazing hand crafted carvings of the Gruffalo characters. No booking required and the pathways are buggy friendly.

High Ropes Quiet Sessions

Venue: Nuclear High Ropes

Website: www.nuclearhighropes.co.uk

Embark on a uniquely tailored adventure where tranquility meets thrilling heights! The exclusive Quiet Sessions have been thoughtfully designed to cater to individuals with Special Educational Needs (SEN),...

Laser Tag Parties

Venue: Laser Mayhem

Website: www.laser-mayhem.co.uk

Offering Laser Tag from 7+ years and Mini-Paintball from ages 8-13. Laser Mayhem activities are perfect to keep up those team bonds. The large party rooms are ideal and they also offer food packages. Call...

Leisure World Holiday Camps

Venue: Leisure World Colchester, Highwoods and Colchester Sports Park

Website: www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/kids-activities/holiday-camp/

Leisure World Holiday Camps deliver action-packed days full of fun, creativity, and learning. OFSTED-rated camps ensure top-quality care and safety with passionate, experienced staff dedicated to making...

Little Monkeys Sessions

Venue: Nuclear High Ropes

Website: www.nuclearhighropes.co.uk

The new High Ropes Little Monkeys Sessions are crafted with your comfort in mind, offering access to the lower high ropes levels where you can build confidence at your own pace. Conquer your fears and...

Northlands Junior Parkrun

Venue: Northlands Park

Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/northlands-juniors

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds) held every Sunday at 9am. Free to join but you must register before you first go along. The aim is to have fun so go along and...

SEN Club

Venue: East Hanningfield Village Hall

Address: The Tye, East Hanningfield

Website: www.facebook.com/sen.club.2024

SEN Club is a lively, fun club for children with special needs and their families. There are a variety of activities for children to explore including toys, crafts and biscuit decorating. The children...

Swimming Lessons at Leisure World

Venue: Leisure World Colchester

Website: www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk

Boost your child's confidence and swimming skills with our Swim England qualified instructors at Leisure World. They offer lessons for all ages and abilities, from 4 months to adults. Monitor progress...

Try a free Perform Class

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.perform.org.uk/try

Packed with fun drama-based games, singing and dancing, sessions allow reserved children to come out of their shell and give energetic children the perfect outlet to express themselves. Every child is...

Young Farmers Club

Venue: Lambourne End

Website: www.lambourne-end.org.uk/youngfarmersclub

The young farmers will be in a group of 12 and led by one member of staff along with additional team leader volunteers. The club aims to provide opportunities for young people to develop and participate...

Easter Adventure Quest

Venue: Audley House and Gardens

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Visit Audley End this Easter holiday, crack the clues hidden around the grounds and enjoy a delicious chocolate reward! The quest costs just £2 to take part. This is for each child, whether you’re a...

Easter at Stantons Farm

Venue: Stantons Farm

Website: https://stantonsfarm.co.uk

Feed and stroke all the lovely animals, then head to their petting farm corner to meet the newest arrivals! Bottle feed the lambs, then hold a chick whilst watching the goat kids find their feet. Don’t...

Easter holiday fun at RHS Hyde Hall

Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Website: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

Children can turn detective while seeking out colourful eggs hidden in the gardens by buying a special code-breaker pack. There’s also bubble shows and storytelling too. It’s the perfect way to spend...

Easter Holidays

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com

This Easter, enjoy a wild adventure filled with daytime activities suitable for children of all ages. Visit the website for full details.

Super Solar System

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

Designed to inspire curiosity and a love for science, our space-themed trail is the perfect way for young explorers to learn about the wonders of our universe while enjoying their visit to Colchester Castle....

Family Tours – Brave Battles

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

Step back in time and experience Colchester Castle like never before on this family-friendly tour that brings history to life! Explore the castle’s fascinating past, from ancient Roman battles to medieval...

Easter Eggstravaganza

Venue: Museum of Power

Website: www.museumofpower.org.uk

Eggciting Easter egg hunt, crafts and activities for children aged 1-15 years. Enjoy transport related crafts as the Museum builds up to their annual event Transportfest which this year will be held on...

The Big Build

Venue: Audley House and Gardens

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Get creative with the master builders and help bring history to life with LEGO® bricks. Please note that this experience is first come first served, and due to capacity, queues may form. Each build...

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

Venue: Cliffs Pavilion

Website: www.trafalgartickets.com/cliffs-pavilion-southend

Step through the wardrobe into the magic kingdom of Narnia where a world of wonder awaits. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they meet new friends, face dangerous foes and learn the lessons of courage,...

Big Kid Circus

Venue: Braintree Village

Website: www.bigkidcircus.co.uk

Prepare to be amazed as Big Kid Circus celebrates its monumental 20th anniversary in 2025 with a show unlike anything the UK has ever seen! For the first time, witness the 30-foot-tall King Kong, a towering...

Easter Egg Hunt

Venue: Epping Ongar Railway

Website: www.eorailway.co.uk

Jump on board the Easter Express for the longest Easter Egg Hunt in Essex! Find all the eggs that the Easter Bunny has hidden all along the line. Running the length of the railway track, from Ongar through...

Rapunzel A Tangled Tale On Ice

Venue: Chelmsford Riverside Ice Skating Club

Website: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/ice-show

Prepare to be enchanted as Riverside Leisure Centre and Chelmsford Riverside Ice-Skating Club present Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale on Ice! Get ready for an unforgettable adventure as Rapunzel and her charming...

Harlow Ballet Presents Peter Pan and Paquita

Venue: Harlow Playhouse

Website: www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk

As always expect enchanting storytelling through the elegance of ballet, beautiful scenery, fabulous costumes, original music scores and a superbly rehearsed performance. An Easter extravaganza with something...

Dinosaur World Live 2025

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family.A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance...

Easter Obstacle Run

Venue: Nuclear Wild Forest

Website: www.wild-forest.co.uk

Take on the 2K woodland obstacle run, it’s a relaxed, fun vibe. Test your balance skills with an egg and spoon race to the finish line. Take some marshmallows to toast on the roaring fire pit and each...

Good Friday Festival

Venue: Chelmsford City Racecourse

Website: https://chelmsfordcityracecourse.com/

Start your Easter weekend with a memorable day at the races filled with entertainment, delicious food, exciting games and activities and entertainment that all ages will love plus the Kids Zone for endless...

Thameside Easter in the Woods

Venue: Thameside Nature Discovery Park

Website: www.essexwt.org.uk

Immerse yourself in the great outdoors as Thameside transform the woodland into a wonderland for a morning filled with family-friendly fun. Activities may include an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter-themed natural...

The Meadows Easter Crafts

Venue: The Meadows

Website: www.themeadows.co.uk

The Meadows is the place to be on Good Friday as you go green fingered to decorate a plant pot, then sow it with mustard and cress seeds to grow at home. For Easter Saturday things turn traditional as...

Cosmic Castle – A Day of space discovery

Venue: Colchester Castle

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

Dive into the wonders of the cosmos with space-themed activities, talks from the Tiptree Stargazing volunteers and interactive fun. You can also enjoy a space-themed craft and games hosted by the museum...

Nicky Trix Live: Easter Eggstravaganza

Venue: Palace Theatre

Website: https://trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend

Join Southend's favourite Nicky Trix, as he brings his unique brand of slapstick magic and ventriloquism back to the stage. Enjoy an egg-ceptional Easter celebration in a show that will leave you amazed,...

Puffling Percy

Venue: Colchester Arts Centre

Website: www.colchesterartscentre.com

Percy is a puffling who's afraid of flying and gets left behind when his parents and flock migrate south for the winter. Along comes a fearless field mouse called Shrimp who makes Percy feel braver and...

Knights of Middle England Joust

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Take part in medieval pursuits including archery and axe throwing, witness beautiful birds of prey flying in front of the Norman Keep and learn how to fight like a medieval knight! There is so much to...

Transportfest

Venue: Museum of Power

Website: www.museumofpower.org.uk

Enjoy everything to do with transport. From buses to coaches, bicycles to motorbikes, horses to carts and of course, a variety of cars of different ages.There will also be stalls selling wares and transport...

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Venue: Princes Theatre

Website: www.princestheatre.co.uk

Featuring much loved pop and musical theatre classics, including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door, There’s One More Angel in Heaven and Go, Go, Go Joseph. Book your dream ticket today! Recommended...

Peppa Pig and George

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com

Visit on Saturday 26th April to meet ever-popular children characters, Peppa Pig and George! Take your cheeky piglets to this character day where Peppa Pig and George will be greeting visitors at intervals...

Pop Divas Live!

Venue: Harlow Playhouse

Website: www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk

Featuring all their favourite female stars including ,Taylor Swift, Little Mix, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Beyonce, Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, Meghan Trainor and many more, the hits just keep on coming....

Wifi Wars

Venue: Towngate Theatre

Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk

WiFi Wars returns with an entirely new show to celebrate their 10th Anniversary. It’s the live comedy game show where you all play along. Log in with your smartphone or tablet and compete in a range...

Home Education Forest School Sessions

Venue: Danbury Country Park

Website: www.explore-essex.com

Children have the opportunity to building dens, use tools, cook on a fire, make things from mud and much more. By participating in engaging, motivating and achievable tasks and activities in a woodland...

Mini Museum Explorers

Venue: Hollytrees Museum

Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk

Designed for children aged 2 1/2 to 4, along with their parents, grandparents, and carers, these monthly sessions offer an immersive journey of exploration and discovery. The April session will focus on...

The Wizard of Oz

Venue: Towngate Theatre

Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk

Based on the 1939 film of the same name and L Frank Baum’s classic novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, join Dorothy as she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime when she hits her head during a tornado...

Children’s World Fun Park

Venue: Castle Park

Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk

All your children’s favourite rides and attractions in one place. Book tickets online.

Comedy Club 4 Kids

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

The show is family friendly, but without any patronising idiocy. In fact, it's just like a normal comedy club, but it's on in the day, kids are allowed in, and thus there is a higher than usual chance...

Indigo Moon Theatre: Mermarella - Cinderella of the Sea

Venue: Colchester Arts Centre

Website: www.colchesterartscentre.com

Puppetry, shadow theatre, enchanting music and a little help from the audience (and some torches!) bring this comic tale to its modern day outcome, aimed at thinking families and the young at heart of...

Stand and Deliver! Tales of Dick Turpin

Venue: Hedingham Castle

Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Relive the fearless escapades of Dick Turpin and his infamous peers through daring stagecoach robberies, heart-stopping trick riding escapes, dancing horses, epic sword fights and pistol duels.This exciting...

The Worst Princess

Venue: Chelmsford Theatre

Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk

The Worst Princess explodes from the page to the stage in Full House Theatre’s new family show based on the picture book by Anna Kemp. The whole family will enjoy a laugh-out-loud comedy, cool puppets,...

Dino Discovery Day

Venue: Colchester Zoo

Website: www.colchesterzoologicalsociety.com

Discover extinct species from millions of years ago, from gigantic carnivores to the graceful herbivores, as well as the chance to meet and greet the dinosaur friends along with their keeper. Advance booking...

FREE Kidical Mass Colchester family bike ride

Venue: Meet at Richmond Road Play Park

Address: Colchester

Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/583946906992805

Children will receive free bike flags, whistles, bike “number plates”, spokey dokeys, handlebar streamers and horns. The ride will be cycling to St. John’s Green School Abbey Field site, where younger...

Milkshake! Live

Venue: Towngate Theatre

Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk

Milkshake! Live is back with a brand-new show. Join your favourite Milkshake! friends on Holiday with Smurfette, Dora, Pip and Posy, Blue from Blues Clues and You!, Milo, Milkshake! Monkey plus two of...

The Essex Young Farmers’ Show 2025

Venue: EYFC Centre

Website: www.essexyoungfarmers.com

The show offers a diverse range of attractions including stock judging, fascinating forestry displays, and impressive steam engines. This year also introduces a new children's education area, providing...