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
To search the listings, enter a keyword, location and/or date in the boxes below.
When entering a location, select the best location match from the list that appears, then click Go.
Click here to clear your search.
Great Notley Country Park Junior Parkrun
3rd February-31st March 2025
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
3rd February-31st March 2025
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
3rd February-31st March 2025
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
3rd February-31st March 2025
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
3rd February-31st March 2025
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
3rd February-31st March 2025
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
3rd February-31st March 2025
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
3rd February-31st March 2025
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...
Try a free Perform Class
3rd February-31st March 2025
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
3rd February-31st March 2025
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...
Guess How Much I Love You™ – A Garden Adventure
15th February-31st March 2025
Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Website: www.rhs.org.uk
Explore the Guess How Much I Love You™ – A Garden Adventure trail following Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare around the garden. Investigate colours, textures and shapes found in the garden,...
Home Education Forest School sessions
24th February-31st March 2025
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. Children have the opportunity...
British Science Week 2025
7th-16th March 2025
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.britishscienceweek.org
British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths which takes place each March. The theme for 2025 is 'Change and adapt'. Visit the website to download the activity...
KS1 Science Home Education Session (5 - 7 years)
13th March 2025
Venue: RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Website: www.rhs.org.uk
Take your home-educated children to RHS Garden Hyde Hall for a morning of discovery and garden exploration led by their Education Officers. These educational workshops are curriculum-adjacent and designed...
Tap Factory
14th March 2025
Venue: Towngate Theatre
Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk
Prepare to be captivated as eight extraordinary male performers deliver a sensational blend of dance, acrobatics, music and comedy, creating a show that appeals to audiences of all ages. This mind-blowing...
Strictly Air Ambulance
15th March 2025
Venue: Brentwood Centre
Address: Essex
Website: www.ehaat.org
The Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) is delighted to announce the return of its annual fundraiser, Strictly Air Ambulance, now celebrating its thirteenth consecutive year. This spectacular...
Tap Factory
15th March 2025
Venue: West Cliff Clacton
Website: www.westcliffclacton.co.uk
Prepare to be captivated as eight extraordinary male performers deliver a sensational blend of dance, acrobatics, music, and comedy, creating a show that appeals to audiences of all ages.This mind-blowing...
Science Sunday
16th March 2025
Venue: Museum of Power
Website: www.museumofpower.org.uk
Part of National Science Week: Wild & Wacky Demonstrations with ‘Mad Professor Jones’, CHAOS Science, Star with our Stormtroopers, Miniature Railway, Model Village & lots more….Adult £9, Children...
Great Big School Clean 2025
21st March-6th April 2025
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.keepbritaintidy.org
Join the Great Big School Clean this spring and be part of the #BigBagChallenge - make a big difference to care for the places and the planet we love. Pledge as a school and you’ll receive a...
Red Nose Day
21st March 2025
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.comicrelief.com
The funniest day of the year is back on 21 March 2025. Get ready to feel good, give big and do something funny for money. Times are tough but if you can give just a little bit it will go to people in the...
Strawberries In The Snow
22nd March 2025
Venue: Colchester Arts Centre
Website: www.colchesterartscentre.com
Hers is an adventure through the seasons from crisp white paper pages to bright colourful pop-up scenes in a show about the changes in the seasons, unseasonal weather patterns, overcoming adversity and...
Tinkerbell, Hook & the Golden Treasure
27th-29th March 2025
Venue: Towngate Theatre
Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk
When Peter Pan goes missing in search of buried treasure, Tinkerbell decides that as his best friend, she must try and find him. With help from her friends in Neverland, she sets sail for the spooky and...
Schools Football Week 2025
31st March-6th April 2025
Venue: Nationwide
Website: www.schoolsfootball.org/campaigns-and-events/schools-football-week
Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this fantastic campaign celebrating the importance of schools’ football, competitive or otherwise, to pupils across England and provides teachers and coaches...