Mid Essex – Summer Events

Pre-loved school uniform available for all families to come and pick up from the family hub.

Date & Time: Wednesday 30th July 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm

Venue: Carousel Family Hub at CM7 3QZ

Find out more: https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/hubs/carousel-family-hub/ 

Celebrate the opening of the Extinction! exhibition with family activities inside the museum and dinosaur-themed fun in the Urban Garden. Includes mindfulness crafts for children.

Date and Time: Saturday 26th July, 10am – 2pm

Venue: Braintree Museum & Urban Garden

Book a Space here: https://essex-activate.played.co/venues/d249995c-cbb8-4e83-83ac-abe988590718/courses/b2d1a6ef-ef2c-43bf-8490-45ea06b95d0f

Explore the connection between nature and habitat in the Museum Garden through a flower planting activity. Enjoy exhibition crafts focused on climate action.

Date and Time: Saturday 23rd August, 10am – 2pm

Venue: Braintree Museum & Garden

Book a space here: https://essex-activate.played.co/venues/d249995c-cbb8-4e83-83acabe988590718/courses/4a8f18fc-78ef-47b1-b85f-f6b5895090e2

Informal games and activities for the whole family to take part in.

Date & Time: 9.30am Every Saturday morning

Venue: King George Playing Field in Halstead.

Information: Home – ParkPlay

A free weekly SEND session for children aged 0-8 years and their parents/carers and siblings.

Date & Time: Every Wednesday at 1-2pm

Venue: Carousel Family Hub , CM7 3QZ

Information: https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/hubs/carousel-family-hub/

A peer led play session for children and families

Day & Time:
Toddler group from 9.30am – 11.30am for 0-5 year olds and
Baby group from 12.30pm – 2.00pm for 0-1 year olds.
Venue: Acorn Family Hub, Halstead, CO9 1JH.

A FREE weekly Infant feeding support group- drop in for support with breastfeeding/ formula feeding and more.

Day and Time: Every Friday at Carousel Family Hub 10.00am -11.30am

A FREE weekly play session for 0-12 month olds and their parents/ carers (under 1’s only, no siblings)

Days & Times:
Every Monday from 9.30am – 11.00am at Harlequin Family Hub, CM8 1NA,
Tuesday from 1.00pm – 2.30pm at Carousel Family Hub, CM7 3QZ
Friday from 10.00am – 11.30am at Acorn Family Hub , CO9 1JH
Friday from 09.30 – 11.00 at Silver End Family Hub, CM8 3RQ

A FREE weekly play session for children aged 1-4 years (upto 8 years old in school holidays).

Days & Times:
Every Wednesday 10.00am- 11.30am at Silver End Family Hub, CM8 3RQ,
Thursday 10.00am – 11.30am at Carousel Family Hub, CM7 3QZ,
Thursday 1.00pm – 2.30pm at Harlequin Family Hub, CM8 1NA

Open Centre delivery for young people aged 11–19 (up to 25 with SEND), offering a safe and supportive environment with activities and youth support.

Date and Time: Monday 4th August, 10am–4pm & Tuesday 5th August, 10am–4pm

Venue: Chapel Hill Youth Centre

Information: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=TzK0qFwVFUKg8X7YzJqZL9O9CHwcYhAkm6LMsczawRURExMWlVEVllHSDFZTTFCQklPN0NIUko4Ty4u&route=short
url

Home to Essex’s longest play trail and Sky Ropes, Great Notley Country Park offers the perfect family day out.

Information: https://www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/find-whats-nearme/great-notley-country-park

You can also take part in the Junior Park run here! ( Suitable for 4-14 year olds)

Date & Time: Every Sunday at 9am

More information: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=junior+parkrun+braintree&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-GB:&ie=UTF-8&oe=&safe=active&ssui=on

View an A-Z directory for all the parks and play areas within the Braintree district.

Information: https://www.braintree.gov.uk/directory/5/parks-and-play-areaslocations/category/7

A series of FREE 2 hour Play sessions in parks and parish venues around Chelmsford and SWF. Activities include; sports, games, crafts, and free play. Most sessions have additional ‘Extras’ including inflatables, parkour, petting zoos and more. Suitable for aged 3-11 yrs.

Date & Time: 23rd July-22nd Aug

Information: Play in the Park

FREE themed activity days at Melbourne Park. Activities are similar to Play in the Park but include a free lunch for anyone accessing benefit-based free school meals, along with food demonstrations available for everyone. Suitable for ages 3–11. Open to all.

Date & Time: 28th July – 1st August

Venue: Melbourne Park, Chelmsford

Information: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/picnicinthepark

Free pre-loved uniform available. Anyone can pop in and help themselves. Will be crafts/ refreshments available.

Date & Time: 13th Aug 2025 10.30am-12.30pm

Venue: Christ Church Chelmsford, 164 New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0AW

A special reading hour for families. Bring a picnic and get lost in the magic of storytelling.

Date and Time: 31st July at 11am

Venue: Galleywood Parish Council

Information: https://www.galleywoodparishcouncil.gov.uk/council_events/2717/

A day of fun including face painting, inflatables, treasure hunt, Mr B, archery, table tennis, basketball and much more. No booking required, just turn up.

Age Group: Not specified

Date and Time: Sunday 22nd June and 1–4pm

Venue: Great Baddow Parish Council

Information: www.greatbaddowparishcouncil.gov.uk

Dress up and design your scarecrows based on your favourite Disney character.

Date & Time: Designs to be submitted by 26th August

Venue: Chelmsford Garden Community Council

Information: https://www.chelmsfordgardencommunitycouncil.gov.uk/council_events/disneyscarecrow-week/

A FREE weekly play session for 0-8 year old children with SEND (No diagnosis needed) Siblings welcome. Parent/ carer must stay for the session.

Date & Time: Every Tuesday 3-430pm

Venue: Chelmsford West Family Hub, Dixon Ave, CM1 2AQ

A FREE weekly Infant feeding support group- drop in for support with breastfeeding/ formula feeding and more.

Date & Time: Every Wednesday 1pm-2.30pm

Venue: Chelmsford West Family Hub, Dixon Ave, CM1 2AQ

A FREE weekly play session for 0-12 month olds and their parents/ carers (under 1’s only, no siblings)

Date & Time: Every Wednesday 1pm-2.30pm

Venue: Chelmsford West Family Hub, Dixon Ave, CM1 2AQ

A FREE weekly play session for children aged 1-4 years (upto 8 years old in school holidays).

Date & Time: Every Friday 10am-11.30am

Venue: Chelmsford West Family Hub, Dixon Ave, CM1 2AQ

A FREE weekly play session for Multiples (twins, triplets and more) aged 0-4 years. Siblings under 5 welcome.

Date & Time: Every Tuesday 10am-11.30am

Venue: Chelmsford West Family Hub, Dixon Ave, CM1 2AQ

Fun, guided sessions for children (7+) and their parents/guardians in our indoor arena.

Dates & Times: Tuesday 29th July and Thursday 31st July. August Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays (5th, 7th, 12th, 14th, 19th, 26th, 28th)

Session times: 13:45–15:00 & 15:15–16:30

Cost: £10 per adult (pre-booked) but Children play FREE

Venue: Falcon Bowling Club, Channels Drive, Chelmsford, CM3 3FB

Pre-booking needed: Call: 01245 443666 (Mon–F

Open Centre delivery 10am–4pm for ages 11–19 (up to 25 with SEND).

Age Group: 11–19 (up to 25 with SEND)

Date and Time: 21st August 10am–4pm and 22nd August 12:30pm–4pm

Venue: Galleywood Youth Centre

Information: https://forms.office.com/e/T9k3fZsV6N

Open Centre delivery 10am–4pm for ages 11–19 (up to 25 with SEND).  Age Group: 11–19 (up to 25 with SEND)

Date and Time: 7th August, 10am–4pm

Venue: Chelmergate Youth Centre

Information: https://forms.office.com/e/T9k3fZsV6N

Youth Support workers will be bring the Youth Bus to Chelmsford Skatepark

Date & Time: 6th August 2pm-6pm

Venue/Address: Chelmsford Skate Park

Free to visit the museum on a Saturday. And during the school holiday’s on a Wednesday too.

Date & Time: Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am -4pm

Venue: Essex Police Museum Essex Police Headquarters, Springfield, Chelmsford CM2 6DN

Information: https://www.essex.police.uk/museum

Open daily. FREE for under 16’s and £4 per adult. You can take a walk through Chelmsford’s history, from the Ice Age, right through to the present day. See a mammoth, watch a princely Anglo-Saxon burial, and see stunning art by a Turner Prize winner.

Date & Time: 10am-5pm Daily (April-October)

Venue: Museum of Chelmsford, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQInformation: https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/

Free downloadable family friendly cycling and walking maps. Short and long routes for most areas in Chelmsford, including SWF. Play the i-spy game on your route and submit the answers to win a prize.

Date & Time: Open all year

Information: https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/leisure-centres/where/community-sportand-wellbeing/explore-chelmsford/

Free to use outdoor table tennis tables in Parks and Community areas around Chelmsford. Bring your own bats and balls.

Date & Time: Open all year

Information: Ping! table tennis

Find links to information about our parks and allotments, as well as Hylands Estate and sports in parks.

Information: Find a Green Space – Love Your Chelmsford

UFest is a free all-day community festival celebrating joy, connection, and wellbeing with live music, arts, performances, and family activities.

Date and Time: 15th August, 11am–4pm

Venue: Promenade Park, Maldon

Information: https://visitmaldondistrict.co.uk/2025/03/21/ufest-2025/

A free community event celebrating Burnham Skatepark with family friendly activities.

Date and Time: 31st July, 12pm–5

Venue: Burnham Skatepark

Free two-hour multi-activity sessions for families with children aged 3–11, including sports, arts & crafts, and games across Maldon District parks.

Dates: 28th July – 22nd August

Venue: Maldon Prom, Heybridge, Burnham, Tollesbury

Information: https://maldoncvs.org.uk/activities-projects/green-space-games

Free preloved school uniforms, crafts, and refreshments available to all.

Date and Time: 5th August, 2–4pm

Venue: Althorne Parish Hall, Althorne, CM3 6BY

Information: https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/hubs/maldon-family-hub/

Art and craft sessions for families.

Date and Time:
24th July, 10:00am – 12:00pm at Maldon Library, CM9 5FW

Information: https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/events/229272

14th August, 2:30pm – 4:00pm at Burnham-on-Crouch Library, CM0 8HQ

Description: A session for primary-aged children and families to explore fun ways to
stay active.
Date and Time: Every Wednesday, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Venue: Dengie Family Hub, CM0 8QB

Free weekly play sessions for children with SEND and their siblings.

Date and Time: Mondays & Wednesdays

Venue: Chetwood Family Hub CM3 5ZX and Dengie Family Hub CM0 8QB

Information: Maldon Family Hub

Free weekly play sessions for babies under 1 and their carers.

Date and Time: Thursdays & Fridays

Venue: Chetwood Family Hub CM3 5ZX and Dengie Family Hub CM0 8QB

Information: Maldon Family Hub

Youth support workers engaging with young people on the Promenade, with indoor space booked in case of bad weather.

Date: Wednesday 20th August

Venue: Maldon Promenade

A youth gaming project run by Maldon and District CVS. It provides a safe, social space for young people interested in gaming to connect with others.

Dates and Times:

Maldon Activity Centre: Every Friday, 5–7pm
Burnham Village Hall: 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month, 5–7pm

Information and to book: https://maldoncvs.org.uk/activities-projects/communitygaming-initiative-2

Free to access skate parks:

Prom Park, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ

Riverside Park Skatepark, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8HS

West Maldon Community Centre, Sunbury Way, Maldon, CM9 6YH