50+ Things to do in Essex this Summer Holiday 2025 (including FREE Events and Activities)
- Essex Parks
- 3 days ago
- 11 min read
Updated: 12 minutes ago
From thrilling attractions to free family activities, Essex has something for everyone this summer of 2025. Get ready to make the most of the sunny days and warm evenings with our ultimate guide to 50+ things to do with kids in Essex this summer. The Parks of Essex Summer 2025 guides includes days out, events and amazing Essex attractions! There are also tonnes of great free things to do in Essex this Summer.
With so much to see and do, Essex is the perfect destination for a summer to remember. Whether you're a nature lover, thrill-seeker, or family looking for fun-filled activities, Essex has it all. This Summer 2025 Essex Event Guide has family friendly festivals, splash parks, historical attractions, farms, museums, reservoirs and so much more!
Make sure you check opening dates and times with the venue before travelling! You may need to book tickets in advance.
Free Things to Do in Essex
Who says you need to break the bank to have a good time? Essex offers a plethora of family friendly free events. Whether you're a local looking for a fun day out or a visitor exploring the area, here are some free things to do in Essex.
Visit a Playground
We have lots of great playgrounds listed if you are looking for free days out in Essex. Our Directory has A-Z of over 100 Parks in Essex. As well as finding playgrounds near you (check out our map!), we have guides to parks across Essex including the best playgrounds in popular Essex towns including Chelmsford, Southend-on-Sea and Braintree.
We also have a list of Over 50 playgrounds which have FREE PARKING. These parks have designated free car parks, perfect for a totally free day out in Essex. So, gather your friends and family for a picnic at one of Essex's brilliant parks .
Free Events in Essex this Summer
Free event in Essex Summer 2025 include family festivals, nature trails, outdoor film screens, windmill open days, family forest sessions, pond dipping and an airshow!
Bug and Butterfly Trail at Hadleigh Country Park 19th July - 31st August. Help your children find the bugs and butterflies hiding in the park and count up your answers. Hadleigh Park has a great play area, cafe and is great for bike lovers!
Summer Magic Trail at Country Parks across Essex including Cressing Temple, Thorndon, Belhus Woods, Great Notley Country Park, Danbury, Weald, and Cudmore Grove 19th July - 31st August. Find fairies, trolls, and maybe even unicorns, who live deep in the hidden corners of the Essex Country Parks. Count up your answers and send them in to enter our prize draw to WIN a goody bag and Explorer Pass (worth £85).
Mountnessing Windmill Open Day 20th July and 17th August. Visit Mountnessing Post Mill as part of Heritage Open Days. The historic mill was built in 1807. Mountnessing Mill is also next to a great village playground.
Hadleigh Park Family Events Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the summer holidays. There will also be selected family movie nights.
Festival of Archaeology at Cressing Temple Barns 24th July. A fantastic new and FREE festival for anyone with an interest in archaeology, history and the heritage of Essex – young and old. Enjoy children’s activities and re-enactments, talks and tours.
A programme of lectures and activities taking place throughout the day, including workshops with a children’s author, are now live to book! Visit the food stalls or bring your own picnic.
Crown Street Summer Party 26th July. Candyfloss and popcorn, face-painting, kids' craft activities, and party games in the heart of Crown Street, Brentwood!
Mini Disco at The Baytree Shopping Centre 29th July. Dance and play games at intervals throughout the day!
Pond Dipping and Woodland Crafts at Salary Brook 29th July and 6th, 12th, 19th, 26th August. Join the Education Rangers for this FREE drop-in pond dipping session at Salary Brook and discover what creatures hide under the surface. Then get creative! Use natural materials to make your own spinner, bracelet, woodland pencil... the possibilities are endless! Drop in anytime between 1.30pm and 3pm.
Burnham Family Activities Day at Riverside Park 31st July. King Ramps will be delivering a community skatepark activity in the newly constructed skatepark from 12pm to 5pm. Maldon & District CVS will be running a Green Space Games activity from 1pm to 3pm. Dengie Hundred Leisure Centre will have their sports hall open for table tennis and badminton between 12pm and 1:30pm, and 2:30pm to 4pm.
Family Fun Day at Warley Playing Fields 1st August. Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities in Warley. Free entry, wristbands available for rides and some activities (£5).
This summer Elmer Square is hosting the annual Big Screen Summer Cinema! Free Outdoor Film Screenings. The outdoor screenings take place on the first four Saturdays in August at 3pm – free, no booking necessary. HERE for full listings.
Royal Crafternoon at The Baytree Shopping Centre 4th August. Get creative with crowns, castles and crafts fit for royalty!
Wild Wednesdays at Danbury Country Park throughout the summer holidays! 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th August 2025. Free Family Fun including hammocks, tarp building, mud kitchen, sweep nets and more. Free, no booking required.
Family Fun Day in Brentwood 6th August. Enjoy a variety of free, fun family activities in and around High Street, Brentwood
Screen Printing at Chelsmford Museum - 8th August. Suitable for chiildren over 7. Booking is essential. The activity itself is free, but all adults, including those accompanying participating children, will need to pay the museum £4 entry fee. Entry to Chelmsford museum is free for children under 18. Chelmsford Museum is in the grounds on Oaklands Park - where there are two great play areas!
Superhero Studio at The Baytree Shopping Centre 14th August. Design your own cape, mask up and strike a pose!
A free family festival ! U Fest - a free all-day community festival in Maldon Promenade Park will be held on 15th August. This popular river side park is situated on the river Blackwater. Promenade Park hosts a sandpit, pirate themed playground, petting zoo, adventure golf, skateboard park, BMX track, model boating lake and an amazing seasonal splash park. You can read more about Promenade Park by checking out our post.
Family Fun Day in Shenfield 20th August. Enjoy a variety of free, fun family activities in Hutton Road, Shenfield
Clacton Airshow - 21st and 22nd August - The glorious seafront plays host to dynamic aerial displays, land based entertainment & attractions.
Face Painting at The Baytree Shopping Centre 26th August. Transform into your favourite character!
We're Going on a Bug Hunt at Culver Sqaure in Colchester on 12th July to 25th August -Step into the shoes of a bug explorer and enjoy a fun, educational adventure around the square.
Harlow Community Fete is back at the Walled Gardens on 16th August - discover the range of community groups Harlow has to offer, along with live music and refreshments.
Music in the Park returns to Priory Park - The bandstand will come alive with top local bands and musicians! This free event runs every weekend until the end of September. Don't forget to check out the playground and Prittlewell Priory. All the info HERE.
Family Fun Day at Hutton Recreation Ground 29th August. Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities in Warley. Free entry, wristbands available for rides and some activities (£5).
Play in the Park - parks across Chelmsford
FREE 2 hour sessions of play, games, sports, arts and crafts throughout the Summer holidays in Essex. Some sessions have additional activities including bouncy castles, face painting and parkour. Tickets are free, but should booked in advance
Chelmer Village Green - 8th August
Oaklands Park - 8th August
Great Leighs Village Green - 25th July, 1st, 12th, 18th August
Beaulieu Community Garden - 19th August
Great Baddow Rec -31st July, 21st August
Chelmer Park - 29th July
Central Park - 22nd August
Great Baddow Recreation Ground - 14th August
Dawson Memorial Field - 4th, 18th August
Saltcoats Park - 23rd July
Runwell Park - 5th August
Andrew's Park - 24th July, 15th August
John Galley Memorial Ground - 5th August
Little Waltham - 4th August
Paradise Road - 25th July
Nursery Playing Field - 12th August
Great Waltham Rec - 13th August
Saltcoats Park- 20th August
Melbourne Park - 11th August
East Hanningfield Village Hall and Green - 28th July, 22nd August
Springfield Parish Centre - 13th, 19th August
Free Character Trails
Stick Man Trail - The Stick Man Trail is at Weald Country Park. There are a series of wooden, sculptures located close to the car park and around the lake.
Peter Rabbit Trail - There are a series of wooden characters along the trail at Langdon including all the Peter Rabbit favourites such as Jemima Puddleduck and Benjamin Rabbit.
Wind in the WIllows Trail - you can find the Wind in the Willows Trail at the beautiful Hanningfield Reservoir. There are a series of wooden sculptures and brass rubbings along the woodland trail.
Abberton Reservoir is home to the Bralmey Hedge aoodland
Eastbrookend Country Park is home to Artys Sculpture Trail. The trail starts and ends at the Discovery Centre. The trail starts with Robin Rue’s sculpture next to the Discovery Centre.
The longest play trail in Essex can be found at Great Notley Country Park. The Great Notley Play Trail is a 1.2km loop with various pieces of play equipment and playgrounds along the route
Visit some animals!
Did you know it is FREE to enter Pets' Corner at Harlow Town Park! There is also 2 hours free parking, making this a great free day out in Essex. Don't forget to visit the brilliant accessible Pet's Corner playground whilst you are there!
Feed the Deer at Weald Country Park - You can find an enclosed deer park, close to the car park and visitor centre at Weald country Park. The friendly herd can be fed via feeding funnels or by holding fruit and vegetables through the fence.
You can also Feed the Deer at Bedfords Park - The friendly deers are a real highlight of the park. The deers are fenced off but come right up to the fencing.
Foxburrows Farm can be found at Hainault Country Park - Foxburrows Farm is open 7 days a week. You can find ponies, alpacas, sheep, duck, chicken, peacock and goats. Admission to the farm is free, donations very welcome.
Visit the Beach!
Who doesn't love a visit to the British seaside? Enjoy a peaceful walk along the stunning beaches of Essex or visit a buzzlng seaside town!
Visit Mersea Island - Escape to the tranquil Mersea Island, known for its beaches and fresh seafood. The beautiful sandy beach at Mersea Island is lined with traditional beach huts. The perfect place to enjoying incredible sea views and stunning Mersea Island sunsets. We have a guide to the best child friendly places on Mersea Island, check out this post.
Visit Southend-on-Sea - The 7 miles of Southend-on-Sea sea front stretches from Leigh-on-Sea to Shoebury. Whether you are looking for a quiet stretch of beach on the Southend seafront, or are visiting to experience the hustle and bustle city beach, there is a beach to suit all. We also have a guide to seaside playgrounds in Southend-on-Sea, discover the 7 beach side playareas in Southend in this post.
Head to the Woods
Epping Forest - Lose yourself in the natural beauty of Epping Forest, perfect for hiking, cycling, or simply enjoying a leisurely day in nature. Did you know you can hire bikes at Epping Forest?
Belfairs Woods - There are plenty of amazing ancient woodland to explore at Belfairs Woods in Leigh-on-Sea! Children will love den building, splashing in the streams and the adventure playground.
High Woods Country Park - High Woods Country Park is perfect for walking due to the wonderful meadows, lakes and woodlands. Highwoods Country Park also has nature inspired children's play areas.
Visit a Museum
Chelsmford Museum - Chelmsford Museum is a super child friendly museum located in Oaklands Park. There are also two playgrounds within the beautiful park grounds.
Visit a Reservoir
Essex Wildlife Trust Abberton Reservoir is a great Nature Discovery Park. As well as the great wildlife spotting, kids will also love the Bramley Hedge woodland character trail
Hanningfield Reservoir is home to the Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Centre. The Wind in the WIllows Trail starts at the Centre. There is also a great play area at Hanningfield Waterside Park which can be reached a short walk away through the woodland.
Splash Parks
Cool off on a hot summer day at a water park! Essex is home to several great Splash Parks from Brentwood, to Grays to Southend-on-Sea. For links to book and for further information check out our Essex Splash Park & Fountains Guide.
King Georges Splash Pad in Brentwood
Jubilee Beach Water Fountains
The Beach - Destination @ Lakeside
Pavillion Water Park
Barking Splash Pad
Promenade Park Splash Park
Grays Riverside Park Splash Pad
Pubs with Play Areas in Essex
We know the perfect family friendly pub garden to enjoy a drink, while the kids have a blast playing nearby! In fact we have over 50 pubs with play areas listed in our Family Friend Pubs with Play Areas Guide. Our top recommendation is The White Horse in Billericay. The play area at The White Horse was refurbished this summer! We also recommend The Victory at Mersea where there is a good sized play area in the pub garden and beautiful sea views from the pub garden.
Summer Holiday Events in Essex - Summer 2025
Abberton Reservoir You can find an Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Centre at Abberton Reservoir. The Wilder Learning Team run brilliant events during the school holidays. Events this summer include Nature Journalling for Children, Nature Tots, Butterfly Seekers, Pond Dipping, Wilder Holiday Club, Colours of the Wind and Poo and Other Clues!
Audley End Enjoy a day out exploring the spacious grounds and estate of one of England’s grandest mansions, English Heritage Audley End. Summer Holiday Events include Music at Audley End House and Gardens and Come Play featuring Taskmaster!
Bedfords Park, RM4 1QH There are plenty of events at the Bedfords Park Nature Discovery Centre. This summer there are events for children of all ages, including a special Nature Tots session, Family Forest Fun, Stone Age Survival and Summer Survival for Families!
Daws Hall Nature Reserve, CO8 5EX Daws Hall is a 25 acre private nature reserve on the Essex/Sussex Border. Holiday Activities - Minibeast hunting, pond dipping and craft. 30th July and 13th August. £8 per child
Fingringhoe Wick, CO5 7DN There are amazing birdwatching opportunites at this Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Centre. Explore bird hides with estuary views. There are regular family friendly events hosted by EWT including Campfire Creations and Adventures, Bow and Arrows, Wilder Holiday Club, Back to the Stone Age, Woodland Fairies and Elves and Code Breakers.
Attractions at Parks in Essex
Take a trip on a UNICORN PEDALO at this Park - The Magical Unicorn Lake. Head to the lake at Barking Park, where there is also a great sandpit playground.
The Burnham Ferry: Wallasea Island to Burnham-on-Crouch - The Burnham Ferry is a passenger ferry that runs between Wallasea Island and Burnham-on-Crouch.
Family Friendly Festivals in Essex for Summer 2025
Lazydays Festival - Priory Park 25th - 27th July. This family festival promises "Huge lineup, great independent drinks, good vibes". Kids under 11 go free!
Smoke and Fire Festival - This foodie festival returns to Promenade Park on 16th and 17th August 2025. This huge BBQ festival promises live music, food eating competitions, amazing food vendors and family entertainment.
Colchester Pride - Colchester Pride 2024 returns on 16th August 2025 at arts venue Firstsite. There will be indoor and outdoor activities.
Tribute Festival Nearly Festival returns to Promenade Park over the 19th and 20th August 2025. Children Under 5 go free!
Festival of Archaeology at Cressing Temple Barns 24th July. A fantastic new and FREE festival for anyone with an interest in archaeology, history and the heritage of Essex – young and old. Enjoy children’s activities and re-enactments, talks and tours.
A programme of lectures and activities taking place throughout the day, including workshops with a children’s author, are now live to book! Visit the food stalls or bring your own picnic.
Visit somewhere Historic!
Chappel Viaduct is an impressive structure. The Viaduct was built in 1849 and is a Grade II listed building. It is a great spot for a day out, interesting photos and the Chappel Viaduct playground is a huge bonus.
Colchester Castle Park is home to Colchester Castle. Entry to the park and play area is free. Colchester Castle Park Play Area is being refurbished! Read More about the plans HERE. Catch Gaia at Colchester Castle this summer betweem 19th July and 15th September!
You can find the historic Prittlewell Priory at Priory Park in Southend-on-Sea. There are regular events held at Prittlewell Priory throughout the year and especially throughout the school holidays. The Anglo Saxon Weekend is on 3rd and 4th August.
Hedingham Castle : Step back in time with a visit to the enchanting Hedingham Castle, a medieval masterpiece set in the Essex countryside. Tehre are also great events at Hedingham Castle - this summer you can expect outdoor theatre productions, outdoor cinema, classic and vintage car show and a teddy bear's picnic!
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