If you know of any other great indoor play areas in Essex which aren't listed on DAYoutWITHtheKIDS, please get in contact with us, so we can add them to the website and share the fun places to go with other children - thanks a lot
Family Days Out in Essex
Childsplay Adventureland
Colchester
Childsplay Adventureland For the older children there are three ball ponds with slides, a large spooky area fitted with special effects, aerial glide, spiders webs, giant rapids and a cascading ball foundation for them to explore.
Crazy Kids Adventure Play
Braintree
Crazy Kids Adventure Play An exciting wonderland of fantasy and adventure play awaits! A massive, air conditioned, modern warehouse fitted out for high adventure and excitement in a controlled and monitored environment. This is children's playtime entertainment at it's very best and safest.
Go Bananas Indoor Soft Play Centre
Colchester
Go Bananas Indoor Soft Play Centre This is the ultimate in climbing frames with over 5000 sq ft on three levels. Children will be entertained for hours as they bounce on the Aztec Ruins; scream in the spook rooms with strobes, smoke machines and skeleton squeeze rollers.
Kids Kingdom Indoor Soft Play Centre
Southend On Sea
Kids Kingdom Indoor Soft Play Centre Kids Kingdom has approximately 8,000 square feet of play including a 14 foot vertical drop slide and our own 14 foot JELLY MOUNTAIN as well as obstacle course climbs and run.
Gymboree
Colchester
Gymboree Gymboree Play & Music offers interactive classes for babies and children from newborn to under 5. Our classes feature sensory stimulation, exploration and learning through play, music and movement.
Play Rascals
Clacton On Sea
Play Rascals Indoor adventure play with a dedicated section for the under 3's, including ball pool, raised tunnel and slide and an array of toys. For the older children a fascinating labyrinth of nets, climbing walls and slides. Also outdoor play in summer.
Kidspace Romford
Romford
Kidspace Romford Kidspace is a magical, award-winning indoor adventure park. There's something for everyone, including adults! Kidspace is different. And proud of it. We have taken the very best elements of activities from the top leisure park operators in Europe and developed a new breed of centre.
Jungle Mania
Bourne End
Jungle Mania - Giant Soft Play frame for children from 3 to 11 years - Separate Toddlers Soft Play frame for the under 3's - Disco Room, Indoor Football / Basket Ball pitch and Party rooms overlooking the entire play area
Small Monsters
Stanford-le-Hope
Small Monsters is an indoor adventure play area for the under five's and their parents.
Creepy Crawlies Play Centre
Chelmsford
Creepy Crawlies Play Centre We are a fun and exciting place for children to come and use up all their energy. We have a suitable softplay area for toddlers all on one level. Another softplay section on two levels for toddlers and youngters. Also a baby section with mats, baby gyms and toys.
Tumbletown Children's Indoor Play Centre
Basildon
Tumbletown Children's Indoor Play Centre - is a children's indoor soft play centre for babies to big kids.
Monkey Puzzle at Madison Heights
Maldon
Monkey Puzzle at Madison Heights It’s great place to take the whole family whatever the weather! There is an amazing giant play frame that is over 6 meters high with a series of exciting climbing structures and educational toys and packed with slides, fun areas to explore and loads more!
Partyman World Of Play
Basildon
Partyman World Of Play Basildon's BIGGEST indoor play centre! With the UK's ONLY indoor climb-able volcano! With a fully licensed bar and restaurant, two huge themed play structures, soft play, go karts, a football pitch, toddlers area, sensory zone, free internet access and comfy seating.
Partyman World of Play
Grays
Partyman World of Play Join in the fun with a fantastic three level soft play structure, a majestic sports arena, super swirling slides, shooting ball cannons, drop slides and stupendous stage shows.
Wild n Wacky
Harlow
Wild n Wacky A state of the art, jungle-themed indoor play & party centre for 0 to 12 year olds offering play, parties, private hire and freshly prepared food and beverages. Facilities include: state of the art three-tier play frame, 160 seater air conditioned cafe, free wifi internet access, leather sofas and free customer parking.
Coco Nuts Play Ltd
Dunmow
Coco Nuts Play Ltd Multi tiered frame indoor play facility with dedicated toddler areas and varying bonus features! Outside play area with bouncy castle open May to September. Parties hosted in animal themed rooms.
Tumble Downs
Saffron Walden
Tumble Downs Children and adults will love this new centre - there is lots to keep the children amused whilst the parents relax in the Tumble Downs cafe area with comfortable sofas. One of the many fun family places to visit if you're looking for things to do with children in Essex
Monkey Bizzness
Hockley
Monkey Bizzness Traverse climbing wall, 4 Lane waterfall Astra slide, Canon soft ball shootout guns, 5-a-side football and basketball court, separate under-5's area with mini cars, ball juggler, educational key panels etc
Rayleigh Megazone
Rayleigh
Rayleigh Megazone A unique, multi age family laser game, staff controlled and easy to follow.
Wam Bam Boomerang
Burnham On Crouch
Wam Bam Boomerang Indoor play and party centre, offering dedicated toddler area and much excitement and craziness for the bigger ones.
Safari Tots
Somerton
Safari Tots Soft play frame with many features including whizz slide, crawl tube and spinning discs. Also has a dedicated toddler version and a baby arena. Outdoor area open in summer months with games, picnic tables and bouncy castle.
Cheeky Monkeez
South Woodham Ferrers
Cheeky Monkeez Play centre for children aged 0-5 years separate baby area for non- walkers. Strong emphasis on imaginative play. Cafe area for 40.
Little Monsters
Harwich
Little Monsters Standard soft-play fare, toddler area, ball pit, slides and colourful toys etc.. Cafe on site, parties offered.
Cheeky Chimps Funhouse
Haverhill
Cheeky Chimps Funhouse Wildlife themed soft adventure play with age appropriate sections including a baby room.
Also has private room for nursing mothers.
Junglee Fun Hornchurch
Hornchurch
Junglee Fun Hornchurch Designed for the under 7s and run by a former Ofsted inspector, this colourful fully equipped purpose built soft play area is a great place for children to interact and burn off their excess energy.
Jungle Adventure
Colchester
Jungle Adventure Huge jungle themed indoor adventure play offering terrific features like aerial glides, ball pools it rains in, cannons, trampolines, assault course and more. In the toddler sensory zone everything apparently comes to life, including a talking tree!
Adventure Island
Southend on Sea
Adventure Island Situated on Southend Seafront on both sides of the world famous pier, the park boasts over 40 rides and attractions!
Colchester Zoo
Colchester
Colchester Zoo One of the finest zoos in Europe with over 250 species of animals set in 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes. A great place to go if you are looking for family days out in Essex.
Sealife Adventure
Southend-on-Sea
Sealife Adventure There is no greater adventure than the one that takes place beneath our planets ocean waves. From sharks to tropical fish - all under one roof at sealife. One of the many good places to go if you're looking for things to do with kids in Essex.
Tropical Wings World of Wildlife
Chelmsford
Tropical Wings World of Wildlife Set in acres of attractive gardens and features one of the largest butterfly houses in the country. There are many different species of birds, insects and animals available to interact with.
Old MacDonald's Farm
Brentwood
Old MacDonald's Farm This year there are 5 new permanent attractions for the kids to play around on.ou upto date with exciting new features
Ponyland at The Dutch Nursery
Colchester
Ponyland at The Dutch Nursery This pleasant child friendly enterprise offers pony rides, pony care sessions and pony themed birthday parties. For all things equine, this is your place!
Seaquarium at Clacton Pier
Clacton on Sea
Seaquarium at Clacton Pier An informative, educational, fun learning opportunity to appreciate from an up close perspective some of the intriguing creatures surrounding our coastal areas.
Colchester Castle Museum
Colchester
Colchester Castle Museum Lots of hands-on exhibits of appeal to children and adults alike. Displays on castle prisons, medieval and norman colchester - lots going on.
The House on the Hill Toy Museum
Stansted Mountfitchet
The House on the Hill Toy Museum This is the largest privately-owned toy museum in Europe with over 80,000 individual items
of mixed antiquity on display, based on the collection of one man who started in 1946 by buying a Hornby train set with his pocket money.
Hollytrees Museum
Colchester
Hollytrees Museum Follow the story around this beautiful Georgian building taking in domestic life and childhood in Colchester over the past 300 years. Meet many different characters from the past and experience Colchester's fascinating history.
Natural History Museum Colchester
Colchester
Natural History Museum Colchester A fascinating chance to get closer to nature. Find out about wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change in a family friendly environment full of hands on activities.
Colchester Leisure World
Colchester
Colchester Leisure World - has a great leisure pool which boasts 176,000 gallons of water-based fun with 16 features including two 13-metre flumes, river rapids crazy river, waves, geysers, slides and spa pools
Belhus Park Leisure Centre
South Ockendon
Belhus Park Leisure Centre There is a 25m swimming pool with water slide, as well as a teaching pool to cater for the extensive Aquatics swimming lesson programme. Also a sports hall, aerobics, mini gymnastics, sunbed, childminding facility and 11 bay floodlit golf driving range.
Blackwater Leisure Centre
Maldon
Blackwater Leisure Centre - boasts a superb leisure pool, incorporating the challenging Jungle River ride, a fun flume ride, lazy river ride, a safe swimming area for children and novelty bubble pool. We also have a separate Baby Pool for our youngest visitors, plus a 4 lane, 25 meter pool for all fitness and fun swimming.
Hornchurch Sports Centre
Hornchurch
Hornchurch Sports Centre 1, 3 and 5 metre diving boards. The site also offers fun swims, swimming lessons, diving and other exciting activities in its two pools, as well as other sporting opportunities.
Fulwell Cross Swimming Pool
Ilford
Fulwell Cross Swimming Pool 1m and 3m springboards and 5m platform (limited public access, see Opening Times). Swimming pool and other facilities. Handily near a library for some quiet time afterwards.
Bramston Sports Centre
Witham
Bramston Sports Centre Main and teaching pools, fun and diving pool with flume, and plenty of varied sporting opportunities.
Brightlingsea Open Air Pool
Colchester
Brightlingsea Open Air Pool Two pools, one a 15m paddling pool, and the second a 50m main pool.
Woodup Pool
Maldon
Woodup Pool A very basic salt water bathing pool with an area of sand at one end. Open May to September. It should be noted they do not have lifeguards. Currently undergoing changes, call before going.
Braintree Swimming Centre
Braintree
Braintree Swimming Centre Facility includes a great family fun orientated pool, with slide and interactive equipment. Children must be under 8 years to use this pool and acompanied by a parent or an adult.
Audley End House and Park
Saffron Walden
Audley End House and Park Audley End is a Jacobean house set in a serpentine park. The park was designed by Lancelot Brown in 1763 It contains a circular temple and a bridge over the River Cam - loads of events go on through the summer - check website for details
Mountfitchet Castle
Stansted Mountfitchet
Mountfitchet Castle Mountfitchet Castle & Norman Village of 1066 is the only motte & bailey castle in the world that has been faithfully reconstructed on its original site.
A unique time capsule that is steeped in history, enabling the visitor to travel back to Norman England and experience life as it was in 1066.
Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Bunker
Kelvedon Hatch
Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Bunker Come and witness the three lives of the bunker starting with its role as an RAF ROTOR Station, then a brief period as a civil defence centre through to its most recent life as a Regional Government HQ. Designed for up to 600 military and civilian personnel, possibly even the Prime Minister!
The Cressing Temple Barns
Braintree
The Cressing Temple Barns This year we have a calendar packed with great events to suit everyone. We have jousting knights, history brought alive with re-enactors from down the ages. Smell the cordite with Sharpe's Rifles and clash swords with the Vikings. Be transported to Tudor times with sound and taste or be enthralled by the Master of the Hospitallers.
Layer Marney Tower
Colchester
Layer Marney Tower A great place to visit whether you are planning to exhaust the children in the play area or enjoy the tranquility of the garden. The view from the roof shows the church, outbuildings, play area, gardens, estate and wildlife walk.
Southend Planetarium
Southend
Southend Planetarium - presents a range of talks about astronomy and the night sky. All our presentations are given live, giving plenty of opportunity for any questions you may wish to ask, and are generally suitable for ages 7 to adult
Valentines Mansion and Gardens
Ilford
Valentines Mansion and Gardens Country house and gardens with recreated period rooms including Victorian kitchen and a dedicated Family Room. Enjoy the house and gardens through special trails and borrow a free backpack to explore the mansion and outdoors. Special events run throughout the year with a FREE family Sunday once a month.
Bourne Mill
Colchester
Bourne Mill Set in tranquil grounds next to a millpond and a bubbling stream. The mill still has a working waterwheel, which was originally used for milling flour. Please note the limited opening times.
Coggeshall Grange Barn
Coggeshall
Coggeshall Grange Barn 13th-century monastic barn. One of Europe's oldest timber-framed buildings, it has a cathedral-like interior and is linked to a local Cistercian abbey. Inside the barn hosts an exhibition of local woodcarving, tools and a collection of agricultural carts.
Paycockes
Coggeshall
Paycockes Marvel at the stunning woodcarving and elaborate panelling inside this merchant's house. Outside, there is a beautiful and tranquil cottage garden.
Rayleigh Mount
Rayleigh
Rayleigh Mount An early medieval motte and bailey castle site, which offers sweeping views across the Crouch Valley. Make the most of your day by visiting the adjacent windmill to explore historical exhibitions.
Brentwood Park Ski and Snowboard Centre
Brentwood
Brentwood Park Ski and Snowboard Centre Overlooking 54 acres of beautiful scenic woodland, the Centre offers an exciting variety of dry skiing and snowboarding to suit all ability levels from age 4. They also incorporate other exciting facilities such as a go-Karting track, golf driving range.
Rollerworld of Colchester
Colchester
Rollerworld of Colchester 25 x 50m roller skating rink - regarded as the finest in Europe allegedly! A great place to go if you're looking for fun family days out in Essex.
Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre
Chelmsford
Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre The latest in sound and lighting effects combine with a lively disco atmosphere in Riverside's ice rink to get some great family skating done.
Romford Ice Arena
Romford
Romford Ice Arena Modern ice rink with many different sessions, classes clubs and party options. Cafe also on site. One of the many good places to go if you're looking for things to do with kids in Essex.
Sk8rs at Madison Heights
Maldon
Sk8rs at Madison Heights Family friendly roller rink and skate hire, an excellent fun and healthy activity for the whole family. Other activities available o site.
Stubbers Adventure Centre
Upminster
Stubbers Adventure Centre Family adventure starts here, from individual activities to whole days and courses, with a fantastic range including motor sports, jet ski, laser tag and bushcraft.
Flatford Boat Hire
Flatford
Flatford Boat Hire Row a boat along the river in beautiful Constable country
Legacy XS Centre
Benfleet
Legacy XS Centre A 4,500 sq ft indoor skate park and 5,500 sq ft outdoor park containing a 6ft volcano, 90° and 45° hips, 8ft quarter-pipe, vert wall and more!
Essex Outdoor Activities
Chelmsford
Essex Outdoor Activities Crazy outdoor shenanigans for the over sixes, from quad biking and quad trekking, go karting, high ropes and target shooting to the water tag maze. You won't be bored!
Laser Mayhem
Abridge
Laser Mayhem Laser combat games are great fun and ideal for active kids between the ages of 8 and 12. All the fun of paintball without the mess! Plus they have an indoor arena incase of bad weather.
Off Road Action Park
Wickford
Off Road Action Park Affordable high adrenaline outdoor activities for all ages (6+) and abilities, like army assault course, target paintball shooting, quad biking, off road rally buggies or perhaps a bit of Archery. With professionally trained and qualified staff.
Basildon Bowl and Quasar
Basildon
Basildon Bowl and Quasar 20 modern tenpin bowling lanes, fully sanctioned by the BTBA and a Quasar Elite Arena, all with a great family atmosphere.
Walton Pier Bowl
Walton on the Naze
Walton Pier Bowl Set beside the pier's funfair and amusements, this family friendly bowling centre is a refreshing break out of the sun and a great excuse for a few games!
Rollerbowl
Romford
Rollerbowl With 34 lanes they are one of the biggest centres in the country; add that to large Arcade area with the newest games, fruit machines and 9 brand new pool tables.
Tenpin Chelmsford
Chelmsford
Tenpin Chelmsford Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!
Tenpin Colchester
Colchester
Tenpin Colchester Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!
Tenpin Southend
Southend On Sea
Tenpin Southend Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!
AMF Hollywood Bowl Basildon
Basildon
AMF Hollywood Bowl Basildon Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!
CJs Bowling
Hockley
CJs Bowling 12 tenpin bowling lanes with free entry kiddie soft play area also on site. Cafe plus pro shop.
Madison Lanes
Maldon
Madison Lanes Tenpin bowling in their Air Conditioned environment with 22 fully computerised Tenpin bowling lanes, in two fun areas, to ensure you have the time of your life.
Namco Funscape Braintree
Braintree
Namco Funscape Braintree Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!
Namco Funscape Dagenham
Dagenham
Namco Funscape Dagenham Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!
Namco Funscape Romford
Romford
Namco Funscape Romford Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!
Buckmore Park Karting
Chatham
Buckmore Park Karting An iconic, floodlit, outdoor 1200m MSA licensed competition kart circuit that offers karting experiences for ages 4-84. It has a stunning but convenient location just off junction 3 of the M2 ‚– only 45 minutes from London and 30 minutes from Essex, specialising in karting experiences and parties for ages 4-16.
Kartsport
Cambourne
Kartsport Recently relocated from Essex and now able to offer a UK first: indoor and outdoor karting at the same site! With electric karts and an inflatable circuit for 4yrs and up, all the way up to the proper roary scary versions we all know and love. And whatever the weather!
Lakeside Karting
West Thurrock
Lakeside Karting Passengers can be taken as young as two, and kids can drive from as young as eight. Karting is a thrilling activity for kids, especially here where you can take tiny passengers.
Wessex Raceway Indoor Karting
Salisbury
Wessex Raceway Indoor Karting They have an exciting variety of formats available to younger karters (between the ages of 8-15) including Cadet Arrive and Drive, Kids' Parties, Training and Racing Sessions and Holiday Racing.
Brentwood Karting
Brentwood
Brentwood Karting This is an outdoor circuit, 825m in length, with plenty of options for the younger karter from Bambino School to Junior Raceway.
Rayleigh Indoor Karting Stadium
Rayleigh
Rayleigh Indoor Karting Stadium Suitable from age 10, the Arrive and Drive sessions provide a great introduction to karting and a chance to compete with the whole family.
Jimmys Farm
Wherstead
Jimmys Farm An exciting day out for all the family. We are a working farm and breed rare breed pigs but also have cows, sheep, chickens and more! We have a nature trail, butchery and shop, cafe and playground. We hold farmers markets on 1st Saturday of every month.
Lee Valley Park Farms
Waltham Abbey
Lee Valley Park Farms If you want to get the kids out of the house and are looking for something that¯Â¿Â½s fun, interesting and educational, Lee Valley Park Farms in Waltham Abbey has all of this and more! With lots of different farm animals to meet.
Marsh Farm Country Park
Woodham Ferrers
Marsh Farm Country Park - a working farm where children can get close to farm animals and play safely in our adventure play areas. There is also a Country Park, which boasts excellent coastal walks and superb views of the River Crouch.
Colne Valley Railway
Castle Hedingham
Colne Valley Railway Sample the atmosphere and take a ride on an award winning period country railway. A pretty line, relocated station buildings, signal boxes and bridges all lovingly restored and rebuilt. A large and varied collection of operational vintage steam and diesel engines, carriages and wagons that represent much of our Railway Heritage is available to explore around.
Audley End Minature Railway
Saffron Walden
Audley End Minature Railway A delightful 1.5 mile ride on Lord Braybrooke's private 10 and a quarter inch gauge railway through Estate woodland. The children all enjoy looking out for the teddies that live in the woods!
East Anglian Railway Museum
Wakes Colne
East Anglian Railway Museum An open air museum where the preserved buildings on site form parts of the museum itself and you stroll between sections. For kids who like trains this will be a proper treat, and they also host regular child oriented fun days with Thomas and more.
Castle Park and Gardens
Colchester
Castle Park and Gardens Features include a children's play area, crazy golf & putting green, children's boating lake, cricket ground, traditional cafe, riverside walks, and Hollytrees Museum.
RSPB Rye Meads Nature Reserve
Stanstead Abbotts
RSPB Rye Meads Nature Reserve A fantastic day out for all the family! Come and explore this lovely nature reserve, just 8 miles north of the M25/J25. Get close to fantastic wildlife, borrow children's explorer backpacks or bird bingo sheets, or come to one of our fabulous family events.
Waltham Abbey Gardens
Waltham Abbey
Waltham Abbey Gardens Discover this truly magical heritage site. Wander around the remains of what was once one of the largest Augustinian Abbeys in the country, founded by King Henry II in 1177 and reputed to be the site of King Harold's grave after the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Promenade Park
Maldon
Promenade Park Formal gardens, splash park, adventure playground, an ornamental lake, a sandy play area for children, picnic, play and recreation areas for both adults and children, maze, tennis courts, shops and cafés, a large model boating lake, skateboard park and much, much more...
Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park
Braintree
Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park A whole day's worth, including a sensory trail, endless play equipment suitable for multiple age groups, cycle hire centre, fishing, visitor centre and bistro, sports and educational facilities, plus an extensive events programme.
Hatfield Forest
Bishop Stortford
Hatfield Forest Extraordinary woodland involving trees of up to 1200 years old. Great for outdoor play, hiking and picnicking. Please note the adjacent car park has seasonally limited opening.
Abbey Fields Play Park
Colchester
Abbey Fields Play Park Grassy slopes for running and rolling, adventure playground and a heated outdoor swimming pool in summer.
Cudmore Grove Country Park
East Mersea
Cudmore Grove Country Park Located at the eastern end of Mersea Island, the park includes a sandy beach backed by a large expanse of open grassland, perfect for summer games, picnics and taking in the views.
High Woods Country Park
Colchester
High Woods Country Park Had three superb adventure play areas and also includes woodland, open spaces (ideal for picnics) a lake and wildflower meadows.
Abberton Reservoir Nature Reserve
Colchester
Abberton Reservoir Nature Reserve Great for rambling, bird watching and nature photography; there's also a visitor centre. In the spring there is the unusual sight of Cormorants nesting in trees, one of the few places in Britain where they do this
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve
Fingringhoe
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve Set in a spectacular position overlooking the Colne Estuary the visitor centre provides stunning views even on the dullest days It offers the visitor real peace and quiet. Out on the reserve you will find a picnic area, nature trails and bird hides.
Gosfield Lake Resort
Halstead
Gosfield Lake Resort The activities on site are wide-ranging from the gentle relaxation of Fishing, to the excitement of Water Skiing together with a variety of other leisure activities all catered for at one location. A pleasant safe environment for family fun and relaxation.
Grays Beach Riverside Park
Grays
Grays Beach Riverside Park Great play equipment like their giant sand pit, adventure trail, aerial slide and the famous Grays Beach play galleon are open all year round and during the summer months there's a whole treasure trove of activities, competitions and special events.
Admirals Park
Chelmsford
Admirals Park A wide range of facilities; football and cricket pitches, pitch and putt golf, bowling green, tennis courts, angling, canoeing and play areas offer recreational opportunities.
Baddow Hall Park
Chelmsford
Baddow Hall Park Popular with families and dog walkers this area offers plenty of open space for games and a great children's adventure play area.
Bedfords Park Visitor Centre
Havering atte Bower
Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Offers visitors a really warm welcome and the opportunity to find out about the wildlife within the 215 acre park, which includes many valuable species rich habitats - so take your magnifying glass and sketchbook or camera for the kids to identify mini beasts!
Chelmer Park
Chelmsford
Chelmer Park An adventure play area, outdoor gym equipment, football pitches, netball and tennis courts, plus oodles of green open space to play and picnic in so take your frisbees, bats and balls!
Brook End Gardens
Chelmsford
Brook End Gardens Children's play area, formal gardens and recreational gardens. Not huge, not fancy, but just the thing for a couple of hours on a sunny afternoon. Take a ball!
Leigh on Sea Beach
Leigh on Sea
Leigh on Sea Beach When the tide comes in it is excellent for swimming, windsurfing and sailing, but has no lifeguard cover at any time. Next to a town so all facilities nearby. Voted in the Top 100 British Beaches - lovely sandy beach which stretches for 7 miles from Leigh to Shoeburyness
Frinton on Sea Beach
Tendring
Frinton on Sea Beach Good swimming with some lifeguard cover, nice sand and excellent fossil hunting territory close by. Deliberately traditional, no arcades, etc.
Cineworld Braintree
Braintree
Cineworld Braintree Family friendly cinema chain with all the latest kid's films and more to chill out together on a wet weekend.
Walton Pier
Walton on the Naze
Walton Pier Walton Pier - There's a whole host of rides for children and Pirate Petes Adventureland - an indoor play centre.
Mistley Place Park
Manningtree
Mistley Place Park Animal sanctuary and tea rooms. An educational day out where you can feed the animals and teach the kids something important.
Zorbit
Waltham Cross
Zorbit Recommended 8yrs plus, Zorbiting is a safe exciting high and a really unique experience.
West Park Pitch Putt and Crazy Golf
Chelmsford
West Park Pitch Putt and Crazy Golf Established 18 hole pitch and putt course, with a 9 hole crazy golf course, cafeteria, equipment for hire and a large car park.
Thanks for all the great things to do and Indoor Play Areas in Essex with kids you keep sending in.
Now the school half term is upon us are with winter and the christmas holidays fast approaching, we're trying to find as many fun things to do with kids as possible, especially cheap and free family friendly places to visit this year - theme parks, waterparks and swimming pools, museums, indoor playcentres and softplay for toddlers, petting farms, wildlife parks and zoos, aquariums, castles, steam railways, pottery making and ceramic cafes, roller and ice skating rinks, karting tracks, snowdomes, dry and indoor ski slopes, climbing walls, activity centres, ten pin bowling alleys and all the other best family tourist attractions, that you can visit at the weekend.
Also teachers may find the site useful for ideas for the best places to take their classes on school journeys with many historical and educational atractions listed
So, if you've been for great days out with the kids, or a school trip, which isn't shown above, just send in an email and we'll add it on so people visiting on holidays and all the other children in Essex can enjoy the great day out as well.
Family fun in Hertfordshire | Fun days out in Suffolk | Fun with kids in Norfolk
Things to do in Kent | Indoor Play Areas in Hertfordshire | Attractions in Surrey
Things to do in Colchester | Chelmsford Soft Play | Play Centres in Colchester
Places to visit in Chelmsford | Places to go in Harlow | Indoor Play Areas in Suffolk
Indoor Play Areas in Harlow | Soft Play near Braintree | Play Centres in Southend-on-Sea
