Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Essex
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The Great Nest Trail
29th March-28th April 2024
Venue: Markshall Estate
Website: www.markshall.org.uk
Head out into the Arboretum and eggsplore beautiful blossom, trees from every temperate zone and natural play areas as you discover the giant nests. Use your booklet to identify the eggs and share photos...
Thunderbirds and Co: The Joy of Puppetry
29th March-30th June 2024
Venue: Colchester Castle
Website: www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colchester-castle/
Embark on a nostalgic journey through the enchanting world of puppetry. Running from 29 March to 30 June, this exhibition is a celebration of the art and legacy of early television puppeteers, including...
The Greatest Magician: An Evening of Wonders
24th April 2024
Venue: Harlow Playhouse
Website: www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk
Following a completely sell out run in 2022 - James Phelan, the magician most infamous for jamming the BBC switchboard after correctly predicted the lottery presents with an all new show for 2024. This...
Steam Gala
26th-28th April 2024
Venue: Epping Ongar Railway
Website: www.eorailway.co.uk
An intensive service will operate, during which the engines will need to work hard on our challenging gradients. Services will additionally run until late evening on Saturday. All trains will be running...
Wifi Wars
28th April 2024
Venue: Cliffs Pavilion
Website: www.trafalgartickets.com
Wi-Fi Wars returns with the live comedy game show where you all play along! Log in with your smartphone or tablet and compete in a range of games, puzzles and quizzes to win the show, and prizes! Hosted...
Nicky Trix Live: Magic and Mayhem
4th May 2024
Venue: Cliffs Pavilion
Website: www.trafalgartickets.com
From jaw dropping magic, to ventriloquism with everybody’s favourite cheeky elephant, Nambu! This is a show that will be enjoyed by the entire family and is guaranteed to leave you amazed, laughing,...
All About Kids Colchester presents: Family Fest
5th May 2024
Venue: Charter Hall
Website: www.colchester-events.co.uk/event/family-fest
Bounce that energy away on one of the variety of inflatables! Take part in a whole host of activities offered by local companies from karate, to messy play, to basketball, dancing, learning some circus...
Great Dunmow Soapbox Race
5th May 2024
Venue: Great Dunmow
Website: www.greatdunmowsoapboxrace.co.uk
The Great Dunmow Soapbox Race will take place on Sunday, 5th of May 2024, bigger and better than ever! Expect to see incredible hand-built soapboxes, spectacular crashes, and some brilliant obstacles all...
There's A Monster In Your Show
5th-6th May 2024
Venue: Chelmsford Theatre
Website: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk
Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage as the beloved Who’s in Your Book? series makes its debut as a brand-new musical show. A high-energy 50-minute...
Rookie Rush Weekend
11th-12th May 2024
Venue: Wild Forest Obstacle Activity Centre
Address: Parsonage Farm
Website: www.nuclear-races.co.uk
Nuclear Rookies are fun, pumped-up muddy obstacle courses for 4-14 year old kids of any fitness level. Rookies can test their skills on a specially designed fun 1.5/3km course filled with around 20 kid’s...
Family Wave and Ride and Slide
12th May 2024
Venue: Wild Forest Obstacle Activity Centre
Address: Parsonage Farm
Website: www.nuclear-races.co.uk
The Nuclear Races Family Wave is designed to get you all out on course together to enjoy the mud and obstacles as a family. It's a great introduction to Nuclear Races for your Rookies who are nearly ready...
Meet Peppa and George
12th May 2024
Venue: Colchester Zoo
Website: www.colchester-zoo.com
Take along your cheeky piglets to this character day where Peppa Pig and George will be greeting visitors at intervals throughout the day. Due to popularity of the event, admission for Colchester Zoo will...
Milkshake! Live
12th May 2024
Venue: Towngate Theatre
Website: www.towngatetheatre.co.uk
Join your favourite Milkshake! friends on Holiday with Dora, Pip and Posy, Blue from Blues Clues and You!, Milo, Milkshake! Monkey plus two of your Milkshake! presenters for an all-new adventure! Pack...
Adventure Magic in Wyvernwood
Venue: Wyvernwood
Website: www.wyvernwood.co.uk
Step through a magic portal to enter the Kingdom of Wyvernwood to experience an enchanting story about fierce dragons, fabulous fairies, a warrior princess, spell-blinding wizards, menacing goblins, magical...
Diddy Dragon Days
Venue: Wyvernwood
Website: www.wyvernwood.co.uk/diddy-dragon-days/
Thursdays and Fridays are Diddy Dragon Days between 10am and 2pm, and there’s a different theme each week. Experience toddler friendly activities including meet and greets with the characters, storytelling...
Essex Police Museum Kids Club
Venue: Essex Police Museum
The Essex Police Museum has lots of activities and events throughout the year for all ages and runs childrens' crafts, trails and quizzes. To join just collect a Kids Club loyalty card at the till and...
Exhilarating Family Fun
Venue: Essex Outdoors
Website: www.essexoutdoors.com
Discover family friendly activities to keep the kids entertained or embark on a memorable adventure to for all the family to enjoy. Activities are ideal for groups and individuals aged 8 – 80, and are...
Explorer Zone
Venue: Chelmsford Museum
Website: www.chelmsford.gov.uk
Pick up resources to help your children explore the museum and park. The resources are free to borrow and return at the end of your visit. There are explorer bags, including a sensory trail to support...
Fairy and Elf Walk
Venue: Audley End Miniature Railway
Website: www.audley-end-railway.co.uk
Wander through the enchanted Fairy and Elf Walk to find the winged friends in their charming hand made homes. Create your very own magical wand to enhance your spotting abilities and use it to tick off...
Harlow High Adventure
Venue: Essex Outdoors
Website: www.essexoutdoors.com/school-holiday-activities
Discover two exciting, pay and play, outdoor climbing activities at Harlow High Adventure. Providing fun for all the family or just the kids in a safe environment with a coffee shop onsite. High Ropes...
Jigsaw Weekend Performing Arts School
Venue: Moulson High School
Website: www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk/performing-arts-school/chelmsford/
Every student can benefit, in some way, from the performing arts maybe to unlock their hidden talents, overcome their shyness or increase their confidence and social skills. However, what all students...
Laser Tag Parties
Venue: Laser Mayhem
Website: www.laser-mayhem.co.uk
Renowned for cutting-edge technology and amazing playing areas packed with features to deliver the very best kid's parties. All the equipment and camouflage overalls are provided for all players. For...
Northlands Junior Parkrun
Venue: Northlands Park
Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/northlands-juniors/
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds) held every Sunday at 9am. Free to join but you must register before you first go along. The aim is to have fun so go along and...
Perform weekly drama, dance and singing classes
Venue: Various venues
Website: www.perform.org.uk/try
Confidence-building drama classes for 4-7s and 7-12s. A unique mix of fun drama games, dance and singing specially designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. To book a...
Stagecoach Performing Arts
Venue: Various locations in Essex
Website: www.stagecoach.co.uk
Children and teens flourish while improving their singing, dancing and drama skills during weekly main stages performing arts classes. These fun and friendly performing arts classes operate during term...
The Beach
Venue: Baytree Shopping Centre
Website: www.baytreeshoppingcentre.com
The Baytree is kicking off the summer with the return of its free and popular beach for families to enjoy! Enjoy the sunshine by playing in the fantastic outdoor sand pit, open daily from 10am-4pm. Visitors...
The Landrover Safari
Venue: Chelmsford Equestrian Centre
Website: www.offroadkids.co.uk/adventures/
An approximately 25+ minute guided drive around the equestrian centre fields. Great fun for groups and families. Kids will love it. If you are lucky, you will see hares and foxes. This is a guided tour...
Thriftwood
Venue: Thriftwood Scout Camp Site
Website: www.thriftwood.org.uk
Set in a beautiful woodland environment, Thriftwood is the ideal venue for an adventurous activity party or to meet friends at the Chillout Holiday Club. Suitable for children aged 8-16, parties are tailor...
Trains at Audley End
Venue: Audley End Miniature Railway
Website: www.audley-end-railway.co.uk
Take one of the Steam or Diesel Engines through the beautiful Audley End Estate Woodland. During your journey you can use your I Spy Sheet to look out for the many characters, animals and even teddy bears...
Young Farmers Club
Venue: Lambourne End
Website: www.lambourne-end.org.uk/youngfarmersclub
The young farmers will be in a group of 12 and led by one member of staff along with additional team leader volunteers. The club aims to provide opportunities for young people to develop and participate...