The summer holidays are nearly here, bringing six weeks of adventure, excitement and opportunities for children and young people to stay active, try something new and make lasting memories.
Whether you’re looking for a local Essex ActivAte holiday club, a family day out, a coastal adventure, or simple ways to keep active at home, there are plenty of opportunities across Essex and Thurrock to help make this summer one to remember.
To help you plan your summer, we’ve rounded up some fantastic activities and attractions from across the county, alongside resources from Essex ActivAte and local partners that can help children and families stay active whatever the weather!
Starting with Essex ActivAte Summer Holiday Clubs!
For eligible families, Essex ActivAte holiday clubs provide a fantastic opportunity for children and young people to enjoy enriching activities, nutritious food and fun-filled experiences throughout the summer holidays.
From football and dance to cooking, arts and crafts and outdoor adventures, there are activities available for all interests and abilities.
Children attending Essex ActivAte clubs can:
- Get active and build confidence
- Meet new friends
- Learn new skills
- Take part in exciting activities
- Enjoy healthy meals and snacks
Thousands of children and young people attend Essex ActivAte sessions each year, making them one of the highlights of the school holiday calendar.
Take a look at what’s on here by popping your location in and looking for a local club.
Rainy Day? Stay Active at Home
We all know the British weather doesn’t always stick to the summer script and the summer holidays don’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Whether you’re looking for ways to keep the children entertained on a rainy day or want to encourage active play at home, there are plenty of free resources available to help families make the most of the break.
You can:
- Download the free Summer Activity Booklets
- Visit the Family Support Hub for a range of different resources
- Get moving with our active families work out channel
- Head to BBC Bitesize for learning, games and educational content for children and young people aged 3-16
- Activity Village is full of thousands of free printables, puzzles, crafts and learning resources
- Oxford Owl have free eBooks, phonics support, learning activities and advice for parents.
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 Zoo
One of Essex’s top family attractions, home to a wide variety of animals and offering engaging experiences, talks and feeding sessions throughout the day.
Address: Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL
Price: From £19.87
Find out more about it here!
Harwich Seal Watching
Visit Essex’s beautiful coastline and get up close to the area’s resident seals.
Address: 1 The Quay, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3HH
Price: £15.40 and £26.40 for a two hour trip.
Find out more here!
Colchester Pond Dipping- Essex Wildlife Trust
Explore Kits Pond this summer holiday and see the diverse range of wildlife thriving in this beautiful habitat.
Address: Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park, South Green Road Fingringhoe Fingringhoe CO5 7DN
Dates: Multiple dates available
Price: £5.64
Find out more here!
FREE activities and event in North Essex
Mersea Island Oyster Beds and Salt Marshes
Perfect for beach walks, crab fishing and exploring the Essex coastline. Print your route by clicking the link.
Find out more here!
The Clacton Air Show
Enjoy stunning views of the Clacton Airshow from all along the seafront. With plenty of space to spread out, you can choose between lively crowds or more peaceful viewing areas while watching the action unfold.
Address: Along Clacton’s glorious seafront.
Dates: Thursday 27 August: 11:00 – 22:00, Friday 28 August: 11:00 – 17:00
Find out more here!
Mid Essex
Museum of Chelmsford
Explore local history through interactive exhibitions and family-friendly activities.
Address: Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9AQ
Price: £4 per adult ticket, Children and carers free
Find out more here!
RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Enjoy a summer of discovery with nature walks, seasonal attractions and activities for all ages.
Address: RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Chelmsford CM3 8ET England
Price: From £5 per child, from £13.60 per adult
Find out more here!
FREE activities and event in Mid Essex
Hylands Estate, Chelmsford
Explore over 500 acres of picturesque parkland, gardens and woodland, ideal for relaxing strolls, family adventures and alfresco picnics.
Address: Hylands Estate, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 8WQ
Find out more here!
UFest Maldon
Bringing people of all ages together, UFest is a free festival filled with fun experiences, live entertainment and inspiring ways to support health and wellbeing.
Address: Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon CM9 5JQ
Date: Friday 14th August
Time: 11am to 4pm
Find out more here!
Children’s activity day
Climb aboard the historic Thames sailing barge Centaur for an engaging activity-based experience that brings local maritime heritage to life.
Address: sb Centaur, Hythe Quay adj Promenade Park, Maldon CM9 5HN
Date: Thursday 20th August
Time: 11:00, 12:15, 13:45 & 15:00
*Entrance is by donation
Find out more here!
West Essex
Woodland Storytelling & Dinosaur Days
Enjoy an engaging outdoor storytelling session based on The Three Little Pigs, where children can explore the woods, get creative and recreate parts of the beloved tale.
Address: The Hive, Church Road, Waltham Abbey IG10 4AJ
Date: Multiple dates available
Time: 10am-12pm
Price: £12 per child, plus a small Eventbrite fee.
Find out more here!
The West Essex Inclusion Project
Across the district, families can take part in dedicated SEND-friendly sessions that provide inclusive opportunities for fun, exploration and sensory engagement.
Multiple dates and activities available
Price: From £11
Find out more here!
FREE activities and event in West Essex
Weald Stick Man Play Trail
Inspired by Julia Donaldson’s much-loved story, this imaginative play trail brings Stick Man’s adventures to life as families follow his journey back to the family tree.
Address: South Weald, Brentwood, CM14 5QS
Find out more here!
Pets’ Corner at Harlow Town Park
Experience a traditional farmyard atmosphere where visitors can encounter both domestic and exotic animals. Entry is FREE, and support through donations or gift shop purchases helps fund its operation.
Address: Town Park, Edinburgh Way, Harlow CM20 2QG
Time: 11-4pm
Find out more here!
South Essex
Airland UK – Canvey Island
Enjoy a day of family fun at Airland UK, featuring thrilling rides, inflatable attractions, open-air cinema screenings, tasty food vendors and a relaxed adults-only bar area.
Address: Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, Canvey Island, England, SS8 9RA
Date: Multiple dates
Price: From £29.42
Find out more here!
Raver Tots Outdoor Festival Southend
Raver Tots is bringing its popular family dance music festival to Southend, featuring a packed line-up of DJs, dazzling special effects and an energetic atmosphere for children and adults alike.
Address: Garon Park Cricket Ground, Southend-on-Sea SS2 4FA, UK, SS2 4FA
Date: Monday 31 August 2026
Time: 13:00 – 18:00
Price: From £18
Find out more here!
Ultimate Kids Fun Weekender
Head to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood for a fun-filled summer event with live entertainment, exciting attractions, interactive animal encounters and entry to see the sanctuary’s rescued residents.
Address: Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Brentwood, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9BZ
Date: 25 July 2026 – 26 July 2026
Time: 10-4pm
Price: From £13
Find out more here!
Basildon Mega Fun Day
Get set for a day packed with outdoor fun as the Mega Outdoor Fun Day comes to Basildon, featuring giant inflatables, towering slides and bouncy castles for children aged 2–11.
Address: Basildon Sporting Village, SS14 3GR
Date: Tue 4 Aug
Time: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Price: Early bird tickets £8.99 pp
Find out more here!
Langdon family forest fun
Enjoy a day of woodland adventure with activities for all ages, from relaxing in hammocks and building dens to getting creative in the mud kitchen.
Address: Langdon Nature Discovery Park, 3rd Avenue, Lower Dunton Road,, Basildon, Essex, SS16 6EB
Date: Friday 21 August 2026
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Price: £8.80 per child
Find out more here!
FREE activities and event in South Essex
The Little Loves Summer Fayre Canvey
Discover a fantastic selection of stalls, activities and entertainment for all ages at The Little Loves Fayre, a family-friendly event packed with fun throughout the day.
Address: The Paddocks Community CentreCanvey Island, England
Date: Sunday 9 August
Time: 11am – 2pm
Find out more here!
Family fun days in the park
Families can enjoy a series of fun-filled events in local parks and high streets, featuring a range of free and low-cost activities focused on health, wellbeing and community spirit.
- Friday 31 July, 10:30am to 3:30pm – Ingatestone, Seymour Field, CM4 0HH
- Friday 28 August, 10:30am to 3:30pm – Hutton Recreation Ground, CM13 1LP
High Street Fun Days
- Wednesday 5 August, 10am to 4pm – Brentwood High Street
- Wednesday 19 August, 10am to 4pm – Hutton Road, Shenfield
FREE activities and event in Thurrock
The Community Big Lunches
These family-friendly events offer the perfect opportunity to get outdoors, meet new people and enjoy a variety of activities, live acts and creative workshops across Thurrock.
Address: Various locations across Thurrock
Date: 23 July – 17 August 2026
Time: 12pm – 4pm
Find out more here!
Thameside Nature Discovery Park
Set against the backdrop of the Thames Estuary, this popular nature park is the perfect place for family adventures, wildlife discovery and watching ships pass along the river.
Address: Mucking Wharf Road,Mucking, Stanford-Le-Hope, SS17 0RN
Date: 14 February – 31 October
Time: 10am – 5pm
*suggested donation
Find out more here!
Hello Essex
Looking for even more inspiration this summer? Hello Essex brings together events, attractions, activities and hidden gems from across the county, helping residents and visitors discover everything Essex has to offer. From family days out and outdoor adventures to cultural experiences and local events, it’s a great place to find new places to explore and make the most of the holidays.
Other family fun activities
Alongside Essex ActivAte summer clubs, there are countless ways for families to stay active, entertained and connected throughout the summer holidays. From beautiful beaches and country parks to family-friendly attractions, community events and local green and blue spaces, there’s plenty to discover across Essex and Thurrock. You can also discover how to get moving with the family for little or no money, with Find Your Active.
Have a fantastic summer holiday and don’t forget to share your adventures with us on social media using #EssexActivAte and #HAF2026
