Best Things To Do & Days Out In Essex

Here at Where To Go With Kids we've found 264 fun things to do in Essex for you and the family to discover. Finding the right Essex day out for your family is easy – simply explore the links below or use the filters at the top of the page to plan your next adventure.

Want to know what to do with the nature lovers in your family? Walk on the wild side and visit our Animals listings for zoos, safari parks and wildlife parks. Or are you looking for nearby places to visit in Essex with a culture vulture? We've picked the best children's museums, discovery centres and historic locations in the Sightseeing section.

If you're after a big day out during the school holidays, we can tell you where the nearest theme park, water park or ski slope is. For quieter days near home in term time, we can help you find the best soft play, leisure centre or pottery cafe.

Things to do in Essex

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All Ages Indoor & Outdoor Museum Outdoor Fun

East Anglian Railway Museum

East Anglian Railway Museum, Station Rd, Wakes Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2DS

Things to do at East Anglian Railway Museum review The East Anglian Railway Museum is located near Colchester in Essex at the Chappel and Wakes Colne railway station. At the museum, you can immerse yourselves in a real steam railway museum and get up close to their wide collection...

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Primary Toddlers Tweens Indoor & Outdoor Animals Food & Fun Outdoor Fun

Boydells Dairy Farm

Boydells Dairy Farm, Braintree Rd, Braintree, Essex, CM7 4AQ

Things to do at Boydells Dairy Farm review Boydells Dairy Farm is a small working farm that specialises in milking near Braintree in North Essex. They are open to the public and they offer daily guided tours with hands-on activities including attempts at cow milking. You can help feed their...

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All Ages Indoor CInema and Theatre

ODEON Colchester

ODEON Colchester, 29-31 Head St, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1NH

ODEON Colchester review The ODEON Cinema in Colchester, Essex is situated in the heart of the town centre. The ODEON Cinema chain is the biggest in the UK. Their cinemas show the latest Blockbuster movies plus other classics from the past decades of films. To help make booking your...

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Toddlers Primary Tweens Indoor Indoor Fun Indoor Play Centres

Monkey Bizness Rochford

Monkey Bizness Rochford, 6 Purdeys Way, Rochford, Essex, SS4 1ND

Things to do at Monkey Bizness Rochford review Monkey Bizness Rochford, Essex is located just outside of the town and is also close to Southend-on-sea. It has a Jungle theme and it is a fun environment for kids and their adults. The centre is suitable for children from 0 months...

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All Ages Indoor Museum

Colchester Castle

Colchester Castle, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ

Things to do at Colchester Castle review Colchester Castle is home to a museum that explores different periods of history in Colchester, Essex. With modern, family-friendly displays that help make learning fun. The museum has a unique mix of fascinating displays with the latest technology and hands-on activities. There...

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All Ages Indoor & Outdoor Animals Indoor Fun Outdoor Fun

Barleylands Farm Park

Barleylands Farm Park, Barleylands Farm Office, Barleylands Rd, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2UD

Things to do at Barleylands Farm Park review Barleylands is a lovely little farm located within Barleylands farm and craft village. With lots to do, even in the rain. Outside there are 2 play areas, a bouncy pillow, zip line, Barleylands speedway, farm football, and a bumpy tractor ride...

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All Ages Indoor Indoor Fun

Jump Street Colchester

Jump Street Colchester, Cowdray Centre, 21 Mason Rd, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1BX

Things to do at Jump Street Colchester review Located in the Cowdray Centre near Colchester in Essex is Jump Street. It is an indoor adventure park with lots of trampolines. It is a smaller sister site to Jump Street Chelmsford. Jump Street Colchester has a number of trampolines...

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All Ages Indoor Indoor Fun Indoor Play Centres

Tenpin Colchester

Tenpin Colchester, Cowdray Ave, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1YH

Things to do at Tenpin Colchester review Tenpin Colchester, Essex is located on Cowdray Avenue close to the town centre. It is a family-friendly ten-pin bowling alley venue with pool tables, air hockey and arcade machines. This centre has 24 bowling lanes with Cosmic Bowl, glow in the dark bowling....

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Primary Tweens Teens Indoor Indoor Fun

Rollerworld and Laser Quest Colchester

Rollerworld and Laser Quest Colchester, 13 Moorside, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2TJ

Things to do at Rollerworld and Laser Quest Colchester review Rollerworld and Laser Quest is located on the outskirts of Colchester in Essex. They have one of the finest roller skating rinks in Europe and they run a number of sessions including themed nights, family tickets and more. They also...

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Teens Tweens Primary Indoor Adventure Indoor Fun

TeamSport Go Karting Basildon

TeamSport Go Karting Basildon, Festival Business Park, Unit 3 Festival Way, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3WB

Things to do at TeamSport Go Karting Basildon review Race your family and friends on their multi-level go-kart track in Basildon, Essex. TeamSport has a number of venues across the UK. Located in the Festival Business park next to the popular leisure park. This new £1.2 million facility has a 500-metre...

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All Ages Indoor Indoor Fun

Hollywood Bowl Basildon

Hollywood Bowl Basildon, 19 Festival Leisure Park, Festival Way, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3WB

Things to do at Hollywood Bowl Basildon review With 26 lanes to bowl along, a luxury VIP area, an American themed diner, a buzzing bar and a fun-filled amusements area; what are you waiting for? Head down to Hollywood Bowl's Basildon centre in Essex today! Their bowling lanes all have access...

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All Ages Indoor CInema and Theatre

Cineworld Basildon

Cineworld Basildon, Festival Leisure Park, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3WB

Things to do at Cineworld Basildon review Located in Basildon, Essex is the Cineworld Cinema. It is a 12 screen cinema situated in a leisure area close to the town centre. Cineworld is one of the leading UK multiplex cinema chains. They show the latest movies for young and...

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Primary Teens Tweens Indoor Indoor Fun

Mr Mulligan’s Basildon

Mr Mulligan's Basildon, Unit 9, Festival Leisure Park, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3WB

Things to do at Mr Mulligan's Basildon review Located in the Festival Leisure Park is Mr Mulligan's adventure golf course in Basildon, Essex. There are two epic 12 hole family-friendly themed courses plus a bar and restaurant. The two courses are themed on Funfair and Retro gaming. They feature eye-catching technology...

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Toddlers Primary Tweens Indoor & Outdoor Indoor Play Centres Indoor Fun

360 Play Basildon

360 Play Basildon, Festival Leisure Park, Festival Way, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3WB

Things to do at the 360 Play Basildon review So what is 360 play? Well, it's a children's goldmine of fun! Not only is there a 3 storey soft play for the older ones, there is a separate soft play for under 4s. Then there is an entire role...

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All Ages Indoor & Outdoor Railway

Colne Valley Railway

Colne Valley Railway, Castle Hedingham, Halstead, Essex, CO9 3DZ

Things to do at Colne Valley Railway review Colne Valley Railway is a heritage railway based at Castle Hedingham station in Essex. The railway has a 1-mile long-running line with a fully reconstructed station, signal box and railway yard. As well as being able to ride on a diesel...

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