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.
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...
Colchester Leisure World – Leisure Pool
16th March-10th May 2026
Venue: Colchester Leisure World
Website: https://colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/our-swimming-pools/the-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 sections for confident swimmers, there's something...
Easter Fun at Essex Country Parks
16th March-10th May 2026
Venue: Various locations
Website: www.explore-essex.com/blog/easter-fun-country-parks
Discover seasonal activities to put a spring in your step with Explore Essex this Easter. Pick up or download a free Easter Trail at seven country parks and Cressing Temple Barns, and help the Easter Bunny...
Essex Outdoors
16th March-10th May 2026
Venue: Bradwell (from May half term) Danbury, Harlow or Mersea
Website: www.essexoutdoors.com/school-holiday-activities
Keep 8 to 16-year-olds active and entertained and make memorable experiences in the outdoors. They'll sleep well at night and want to come back for more. Thrilling fun and all while you work. Sessions...
Family Activities at Colchester Sports Park
16th March-10th May 2026
Venue: Cuckoo Farm Way
Website: https://colchestersportspark.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...
Harlow Leisurezone Holiday Activities
16th March-10th May 2026
Venue: Second Avenue, Harlow
Website: www.harlowleisurezone.co.uk/kids-family
#JoinInTheFun at Harlow Leisurezone with their Holiday Activities Programmes. Whether it’s a half term or a school holiday, there’s always something fun happening! Choose from many exciting activities...
Jigsaw Performing Arts Brentford
16th March-10th May 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
16th March-10th May 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 our laser tag arenas, with Forts, Real Russian Battle Tanks, Planes, Helicopters and much more. Laser Mayhem is completely unique, they...
Leisure World Holiday Camps
16th March-10th May 2026
Venue: Colchester Leisure World
Website: https://colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/kids-activities/holiday-camp/
Keep your children active and entertained during school holidays with Leisure World Holiday Camps. These OFSTED-rated camps offer a full day of supervised fun for kids aged 5-12 years. Activities include...
Oi Chelmsford! SEN Friendly Days
16th March-10th May 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...
Swimming Lessons at Leisure World
16th March-10th May 2026
Venue: Colchester Leisure World
Website: https://colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/swimming-lessons-children/
Boost your child's confidence and swimming skills with Swim England qualified instructors at Leisure World, offering lessons for all ages and abilities, from 4 months to adults. Monitor progress online...
Brick Endangered Trail
27th March-13th April 2026
Venue: Romford Town Centre
Website: https://romfordbid.co.uk/events/brick-engangered-trail
The trail spans key locations across Romford, including The Brewery, The Liberty, The Mercury Mall, and Romford Shopping Hall, along with selected stores. Families can pick up a trail map and submit their...
Toto The Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape
2nd-18th April 2026
Venue: Mercury Theatre
Website: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk
A brand-new family musical for everyone over the age of 5! Based on Dermot O’Leary’s best-selling children’s book, illustrated by Nick East, this purr-fectly thrilling tale is filled with original...
Discover Exhibition
3rd April-1st November 2027
Venue: Hollytrees Museum
Website: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events
A major new exhibition launches at Hollytrees Museum with fascinating objects and stories from the past to discover, including a BIG surprise arriving over Easter weekend—keep an eye on Colchester Museums’...
Forest School sessions for Home Ed: Danbury Country Park
13th April-18th May 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...
Flowers And Friendship Bracelets
18th April 2026
Venue: Palace Theatre
Website: https://trafalgartickets.com/
‘Shake it Off’ to Taylor Swift; sing along to ‘Flowers’ with Miley Cyrus, dust off all your best dance moves and Hot To Go! With Chappell Roan, and not forgetting the unstoppable Sabrina Carpenter...
Sublime Science
18th April 2026
Venue: Queen's Theatre
Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk
Packed with hands-on experiments, dazzling demonstrations, and crowd favourite activities like slime making, sherbet creation, and rocket launches, it’s the perfect way to ignite curiosity and inspire...
A Star Wars Improv Show: The One-Man Made-Up Movie
25th April 2026
Venue: Colchester Arts Centre
Website: https://colchesterartscentre.ticketsolve.com/
Fresh from a sell-out residency at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the new and acclaimed show embarks on its 2026 tour. Based solely on your suggestions, Jon will improvise an entirely new Star Wars film...
WiFi Wars
25th April 2026
Venue: Towngate Theatre
Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk
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...
Tales From Acorn Wood
2nd-3rd May 2026
Venue: Palace Theatre
Website: https://trafalgartickets.com/
Based on the favourite stories by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler brought to life on stage for the first time in an enchanting lift-the-flap experience.
There's A Monster In Your Show
3rd-4th May 2026
Venue: Chelmsford Theatre
Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk
Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved Who’s in Your Book? series tours the UK in a brand-new musical show.A high-energy 50-minute...
Wild Keep Weekend
3rd-4th May 2026
Venue: Hedingham Castle
Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk
From fascinating performances and captivating storytelling, to experiential workshops and inspiring conversations, there is something for everyone to discover. Learn a new craft, breathe in the great outdoors,...
Riki Cycle
16th May 2026
Venue: Queen's Theatre
Website: www.queens-theatre.co.uk
An environmentally conscious, live-action musical performance with puppetry, songs and interactive recycling. Riki Cycle is in training, and with help from his puppet friends Ali, Woodz and Tic, he learns...
The Essex Young Farmers’ Show 2026
17th May 2026
Venue: Boyton Hall, Roxwell
Website: www.essexyoungfarmers.com
Enjoy horse displays and experience thrilling main ring entertainment, this fantastic event promises a full day of excitement for all ages. The popular Children’s Education Area returns once again, packed...