With the six-week school holidays fast approaching, Essex and Thurrock are bursting with exciting opportunities to keep families and little ones active and entertained! Whether you’re enjoying sunny afternoons in the garden, exploring your local park or blue space, or setting off on a fun-filled family day out — there are loads of fun ways to squeeze the most out of the summer break! Discover some inspiration below and start planning a season of memories…
Enjoy free activities at a summer, Essex ActivAte club!
Our summer holiday clubs across Essex and Thurrock still have limited spaces left, and eligible school-aged children receiving income related free school meals can join in for free! Packed with fun activities, exciting outdoor adventures and a tasty, nutritious meal, families’ can book young people on with their emailed HolidayActivities voucher from school, or reach out directly to a nearby club to secure a place.
Some clubs may offer discretionary paid places and paid for places, so there is something for everyone at an Essex ActivAte club! Take a look at what’s on here by popping your location in and looking for a local club.
Enjoy summer at home!
The summer holidays don’t have to break the bank! We’ve rounded up easy ways to make the most of the long break without spending a fortune—all from the comfort of your own home.
- Give our free, summer activity booklets a go! They are packed with fun recipes,, a summer scavenger hunt, ways to get creative and so much more!
- Check out our family support pack which also offers a range of resources, tips and guidance for parents, carers and grandparents
- BBC Bitesize is full of learning, games, enrichment and more to keep young people aged 3-16 years busy, take a look here.
- Head over to the Activity Village and discover thousands of free printables. From puzzles to learning resources and colouring pages, there’s something for everyone!
- Give Oxford Owl a browse, as it offers free educational resources—including eBooks, learning activities, phonics support, and expert advice—to help children aged 3–11 thrive both at home and in school!
Download your Essex ActivAte booklets for free and find even more activity ideas on the Essex ActivAte Family Support Hub!
Summer events and days out!
From scenic parks to sunny beaches, Essex and Thurrock are bursting with places to explore and events to enjoy this summer! Dive into some of our top picks for family fun happening throughout the holidays below…
North Essex
Colchester – Firstsite Creative Sessions
Enjoy daily drop-in creative activities from 10am–2:30pm, outdoor sports ideal for ages 4–11 (but all are welcome), and a hot, nutritious lunch in a relaxed canteen space!
Dates: July 29th, 2025 – August 30th, 2025
Address: Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 1JH
Price: FREE
Find out more here.
Clacton On Sea – Clacton Airshow
The seafront comes alive with jet-age marvels, historic warbirds, and dazzling aerobatics—culminating in Thursday’s twilight sky festival of illuminated aircraft, lasers, and pyrotechnics!
Dates: 21st and 22nd August from 11am
Address: Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1FS
Price: FREE
Find out more here.
Harwich – Summer Fayre
Celebrate summer at Harwich Museum’s Summer Fayre with family-friendly stalls, games, and community fun!
Date: 16th August
Address: Harwich Museum, Anglia House, Main Rd, Harwich CO12 3NB
Price: FREE – activities at extra cost
Find out more here.
Mid Essex
Chelmsford – Play In The Park
Chelmsford’s Play in the Park offers free, fun-filled sessions for children aged 3–11 this summer, with games, crafts, and outdoor activities across local parks—just book ahead to join the adventure!
Dates: 23rd July – 4th August
Address: Various locations
Price: FREE – must pre-book a space
Find out more here.
Maldon – UFest Festival
UFest 2025 brings music, art, and community spirit, celebrating wellbeing, creativity, and connection in a vibrant all-day festival – all ages are welcome!
Date: 15th August
Address: Promenade Park, Park Dr, Maldon CM9 5JQ
Price: FREE – activities at extra cost
Find out more here.
Witham/Braintree – Dinosaur Train
Hop aboard the Dinosaur Train for a roar-some journey from Witham to Braintree, complete with goody bags, fun activities, and discounted entry to Braintree Museum’s animatronic dinosaur exhibition ‘Extinction’2.
Date: 29th July
Address: Promenade Park, Park Dr, Maldon CM9 5JQ
Price: £3 per child, £5 per adult
Find out more here.
West Essex
Saffron Walden – Audley End Summer Festival
Audley End Miniature Railway’s Summer Festival invites families to a magical woodland adventure with train rides, fairy parades, live music and crafts!
Date: 19th July – 31st August
Address: Audley End Rd, Audley End, Saffron Walden CB11 4JF
Price: Young children from £8.50, adults from £17
Find out more here.
Great Dunmow – Easton Lodge Family Fun
Enjoy a relaxing summer’s day at the Gardens with children’s trails, family games, music, and stories of Kim the Victorian-era baby elephant—plus refreshments and dog-friendly fun!
Date: 17th August
Address: The Gardens of Easton Lodge, Little Easton Lodge, Little Easton, Dunmow CM6 2BB
Price: FREE for children, adults £6
Find out more here.
South Essex
Castle Point – Family Fun Fest
Castle Point’s Family Fun Fest promises a jam-packed day of animal encounters, donkey rides, music, fairground fun and food stalls – great for all the family!
Date: 8th – 10th August
Address: Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, Somnes Avenue, Canvey Island SS8 9RA
Price: £5.79 each
Find out more here.
Southend – Southend Beach
Southend Beach offers seven miles of scenic coastline, perfect for sunbathing, seaside strolls, and family fun—with award-winning sands, splash fountains, and stunning estuary views!
Address: Western Esplanade, Southend, Essex, SS1 1EE
Price: FREE
Find out more here.
Thurrock
Big Community Lunches!
At various locations across Thurrock this summer, enjoy family, fun-filled afternoons with free, children’s entertainment and performances – pack a picnic and enjoy your local green space!
Price: FREE
Find out more here.
Thurrock Council have also popped together a directory of summer activities for little or no cost at all, for families and children of all ages – take a look at what’s on here.
To find more summer events and days out across Essex and Thurrock with Visit Essex, click here.
Take a look at a range of free, summer family fun days happening across the county during the six weeks holidays here.
Other family fun activities:
Beyond summer events and activities, there’s plenty of green and blue spaces to explore, community events and family-fun days happening across Essex and Thurrock, as well as museums and landmarks, country parks and nature reserves! You can also discover how to get moving with the family for little or no money, with Find Your Active.
