Free kids’ activities this summer | News

Theatre and cinema 

Kids Week at the West End, London 

Kids go free to 50+ West End shows between Monday 20 July until Monday 31 August with a paying adult as part of Kids Week. 

Theatre workshops, Southend 

Platform Theatre Arts are offering free theatre workshops to young people aged 13-19 on Tuesdays from 10am-3pm throughout August. Sessions include Play! Theatre Workshop, Comedy Improvisation Workshop, and Playwrighting Workshop. All are free to attend, but spaces are limited, so booking is essential. All the workshops are taking place at Kings Road United Reform Church. 

£1 cinema tickets, across Essex 

Odeon is offering cinema tickets for just £1 on weekend mornings and during school holidays. Adults and kids going together pay the same. There’s a small selection of movies offered each week through the ‘Odeon Kids’ deal - usually between one and three, labelled with ‘Kids’ on the website.  

Outdoor cinema, Chelmsford 

On Monday 24 August, there will be an afternoon and evening family film, plus children’s activities, food, and drinks on Channels Green. Details of the film will be announced soon at chelmsfordgarden-cc.gov.uk. 

Museums and history 

Museums, across Essex 

There are plenty of free museums across the county that are sure to fascinate youngsters. Here’s a few that you can visit for free: 

• Natural History Museum, Colchester
• Essex Police Museum, Chelmsford
• Essex Fire Museum, Grays
• Southend Museums (four different venues including the planetarium)
• Tiptree Jam Museum, Colchester
• Canvey Island Transport Museum (available to visit on the first and third Sunday of the month)
• Chelmsford Museum 

Rayleigh Windmill, Rayleigh 

Rayleigh Windmill is a 200-year-old Grade II listed building where you can learn how it worked, climb to the top, try the quiz in the museum, and dress up in traditional costumes. 
Entry is free of charge, but a donation of £1 per person is suggested.   

Prior’s Hall Barn, Saffron Walden 

Explore one of the finest surviving medieval barns in eastern England, dated to the mid-15th century. Entry to Prior’s Hall Barn is free, and it’s open on weekends from 10am-6pm.  

Music 

Music in the Park 2026, Southend 

This free event runs on selected weekends and bank holidays from 11 April – 27 September 2026 at the Priory Park Bandstand from 3-4.30pm. Discover which bands and musicians will be playing. 

Science and discovery

The Science of Space children’s lecture, Southend 

This free talk is accessible for children ages 10+, but will also be interesting to older children and adults. “Not Even Wrong”: The Strangest Ideas in Theoretical Physics is the fourth lecture in the series and will cover fascinating topics from String Theory, Dark Energy, Extra Dimensions, and the Multiverse. Taking place at Beecroft Art Gallery on Saturday 18 July 2026 from 11.30am to 1pm, booking is strongly recommended. 

Visitor Centre Experience with the Essex & East Herts Air Ambulance, North Weald 

You can book a free tour of the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance base in North Weald Airfield. You’ll get the chance to see the helicopter (operations allowing), sit in the pilot’s seat, and play an interactive game.  

Parks and play 

Play in the Park, across Essex 

Play in the Park (PitP) is a series of free, two-hour sessions for children aged three to 11. During the summer holidays, PitP runs at multiple community venues across Essex and offers activities such as sports, games, and crafts. Find your nearest event here. 

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. 

Picnic in the Park, Chelmsford 

This free community event runs from Monday 27 to Friday 31 July 2026 at Melbourne Park. Activities are suitable for all children aged three to 11 years (including those with accessibility needs) and include sports, games, free play, balance bikes, a climbing wall, and crafts. The event is free, but places are limited, so booking is required. Free hot lunches are available to children eligible for benefit-based free school meals. 

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 5 to 26 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. 

Sports 

Boxing and Mentoring Class, Chelmsford 

Aimed at children aged 13 to 16 years old, this free boxing class is taking place at Beaulieu Community Centre on Sunday, 13 September 2026, from 2-3pm. 

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. 

Junior parkrun, across Essex 

If your kids need tiring out, why not try a junior parkrun? These 2k runs take place at various parks across Essex and are for children aged four to 14. It’s a fun, friendly, free event, and you’ll only need to register once (before your first visit). Find your nearest junior parkrun. 

Nature trails 

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. 

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. 

Gruffalo Sculpture Trail, Brentwood 

Based in Thorndon Country Park North, the Gruffalo Trail is a fun walk through the forest where children can spot their favourite characters from the series of books by Julia Donaldson. It’s free to do, but parking charges apply. 

Home activities 

Downloadable activity packs 

Publisher Bloomsbury has lots of free downloadable activity packs for kids. They include ideas for activities in your home or garden, posters, and other resources.