Free places to go with kids this summer
The school holidays are fast approaching, which means six long weeks of fun! But finding ways to keep the kids entertained can be tricky, especially if you want to avoid spending lots of money. To help lighten the load, we’ve rounded up a list of free or low-cost activities to do this summer.
Summer craft party, Chelmsford
Just before the summer holidays start, on Saturday 12 July, the CPC Kids' Summer Craft Party will be taking place at Chelmer Village Hall. There’ll be holiday music, beach-inspired games, crafts, and a party bag to take home at the end. This event, which is for children aged four to10, is free to enter, as are the drinks and snacks! Register for a free a ticket.
Big Screen Summer Cinema, Southend
Join Focal Point Gallery at Elmer Square for Southend’s annual Big Screen Summer Cinema. These outdoor screenings take place on the first four Saturdays in August at 3pm. The films being shown this year are Shaun the Sheep, Migration, Paddington, and The Wild Robot. They’re all free, no booking necessary.
Summer reading challenge craft event, Basildon
From 23 July until 27 August, Basildon Library will be running Summer Reading Challenge themed craft sessions from 10am until 4pm every Wednesday. There will be a different craft every week, all materials are provided and it’s free! No booking required. Check out your local library to take part in this year’s summer reading challenge which takes reading to the great outdoors with the theme ‘Story Garden’.
Family Wild Wednesdays at Danbury Country Park, Chelmsford
Run by the Essex Country Parks Outdoor Learning Team, there will be child-led free play at Danbury Country Park every Wednesday from 6 to 27 August, 11am until 2pm. A range of equipment and activities from hammocks, den-building, water play, and a mud kitchen will be available. It’s free, but parking charges apply.
Table tennis, Chelmsford
As part of the Ping! initiative funded by Sports England, there are over 20 free-to-use table tennis tables at popular locations around Chelmsford. You can find your nearest table on Ping Chelmsford.
Picnic in the Park community event, Chelmsford
This free community event is taking place Monday 28 July to Friday 1 August in Melbourne Park. The activities are suitable for all children aged three to 11 years old (including those with accessible needs), and include sports, games, free play, balance bikes, a climbing wall, and crafts. The event is free, but places are limited so you’ll need to book. There are also free hot lunches available for children eligible for benefit-based free school meals.
Junior parkrun
If you’ve got energetic youngsters that need tiring out, why not try a junior parkrun? These 2k runs take place at different parks across Essex, and are for children aged four to 14. It’s a fun and friendly free event, and you’ll only need to register once (before your first visit). Find your nearest junior parkrun here.
Great Notley Discovery Park, Braintree
Great Notley Country Park is home to Essex’s longest play trail with plenty of interactive play equipment to explore. Entry is free, and parking prices start at £3.
Essex Police Museum, Chelmsford
With over 25,000 historical artefacts in the collection, Essex Police Museum tells the story of the local service from the Victorian era to today. It’s usually open to the public on Saturdays, and during the school summer holidays it will also be open on Wednesdays, 10am-4pm.
Brambly Hedge Sculpture Trail at Abberton Reservoir, Colchester
The characters from the classic children’s stories Brambly Hedge are brought to life at Abberton Reservoir in Colchester. Find seven of the characters along the sculpture trail using the Brambly Hedge map, available for £1 from the Nature Discovery Centre.
Turf Maze, Saffron Walden
The Saffron Walden Turf Maze is the largest example of its type in the world and is one of only eight surviving turf labyrinths in England. It’s publicly owned so it’s free to explore. There are also three other mazes in Saffron Walden to enjoy, including the Victorian yew hedge maze in Bridge End Garden, the Jubilee Garden Bandstand Labyrinth, and the Swan Meadow Maze.
Promenade Park, Maldon
With a sand pit, play fort, zip-wire, and a large activity feature in the shape of an old sailing ship, children can climb, slide, and run around to their heart’s content at Promenade Park. Entry is free, and parking prices start from £1.60.
Play in the Park
Play in the Park (PitP) is a series of free, two-hour sessions run for children aged between three and 11. During the summer holidays, PitP runs at multiple community venues across Essex and includes activities like sports, games, and crafts. Find your nearest event here.
Chelmsford Cathedral Trail
Pick up a free Trails of Discovery leaflet at the desk outside St Peter's Chapel. Created in collaboration with The Arts Society, the trails are designed to help visitors explore the art, architecture and history of the Cathedral. There are two sets of trails; one for preschoolers and one for primary-aged children.
Chelmsford Museum
Chelmsford Museum is located in Oaklands Park on Moulsham Street. It’s free to enter and there’s also free parking on-site. Once you’ve looked through the interesting exhibits on offer, the kids can let off some steam in the two fantastic playgrounds next door.
Southend Museums
Visit one of the four venues that make up Southend Museums, including Beecroft Art Gallery, Central Museum and Planetarium, Prittlewell Priory, and Southchurch Hall. All branches are free entry, but they gratefully receive donations if you enjoy your visit.