Kids & Families

Colchester is a town full of child-friendly venues and one of the best family days out in Essex. It has a fantastic selection of events for children and families running throughout the year ranging from kids sports, art activities for children, as well as nature clubs and games. From pre-schoolers to teenagers there's always something to keep the children entertained (and plenty to do that adults can secretly enjoy as well) making it the perfect destination for a family day out - or even a longer stay.

Where can I take my child for fun?

With a zoo and a castle for starters, you'll find plenty to spark a child's imagination in Colchester. You can discover local beaches and wildlife parks, as well as a range of fantastic family activities for wet weather days including a roller rink, trampoline park, and leisure pool.

Visit during the school holidays and you'll find a special programme of events put on by many of Colchester's best attractions, and there's always something available to do for free so a visit needn't break the bank.

Wet Weather Ideas

Bad weather needn't put a dampener on your trip to Colchester. You'll find plenty to do under cover, sometime in the least likely of locations!

In the town centre, all the musuems and art galleries are child-friendly and within two minutes walk of each other. Most are also free entry. Perhaps you could catch a kids show at the Theatre or Arts centre too?

Colchester Zoo has a special 'duck under cover' route, keeping you dry and indoors (where many of the animals will be sheltering too)

Or if you've really been stuck inside too long, burn off some energy at an indoor activity centre - take your pick from Leisure World, Rollerworld, Jump Street, or one of Colchester's numerous Soft Play centres.

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Number of results: 31

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Colchester Zoo

Address

Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL

Telephone
01206 331292

enquiries@colchesterzoo.org

Colchester

Colchester Zoo is home to 240 species set in 60 acres of parkland and lakes! Listed as the 11th best zoo around the world and in the top 2 zoos in the UK as part of the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Attractions.
Colchester Castle Museum

Address

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ

Telephone
01206 282939

museums@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe and houses the town's main museum
Leisure World Colchester

Address

Leisure World Colchester, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1YH

Telephone
01206 282000

contact.leisureworld@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

Leisure World Colchester is one of East Anglia's largest sports, leisure, recreation and entertainment venues and offers year round fun for all the family. The leisure pool includes outside river rapids ride, water cannons and flumes.
Jungle Adventure Soft Play Centre

Address

Peartree Retail Park, Moss Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0LE

Telephone
01206 561032

enquiries@jungleadventure.co.uk

Stanway, Colchester

Jungle Adventure is a multi award winning (15 times) family run soft play adventure centre located in Stanway, Colchester. We have been established for 8 years and are the parents preferred choice of play centre for so many reasons. From the moment…
High Woods Country Park Walks

Address

Visitor Centre, Turner Road, Highwoods, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5JR

Telephone
01206 853588

countryside.team@colchester.gov.uk

Highwoods, Colchester

Download a map, including three walking trails of different lengths, of High Woods Country Park to best discover this scenic Country Park situated to the north of Colchester town centre.
Curzon Cinema

Address

Roman House, 19 Queen Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2PH

Telephone
0333 321 0104

Colchester

Curzon Colchester is an independent arthouse cinema wih three screens, showing the best of quality mainstream including family films, independent gems and events. Two cafe bars and a roof terrace.
Rollerworld

Address

Eastgates, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2TJ

Telephone
01206 868868

info@rollerworld.co.uk

Colchester

DX's Rollerworld - internationally recognised as the finest roller-skating rink in Europe. DX's Rollerworld has got the lot! 25m x 50m maple floor, spectacular sound and light show. Laser Quest - Laser tag at it's best. And our BRAND new Karaoke…
Pallot & Collins Family Trail

Address

Visit Colchester Information Centre, Hollytrees Museum, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG

Telephone
01206 282920

vic@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

Discover a series of concrete murals around Colchester Town Centre depicting its history and famous characters from it's past.
Abberton Reservoir Nature Reserve

Address

Church Road, Layer-de-la-Haye, Abberton, Essex, CO2 0EU

Telephone
01206 738172

abberton@essexwt.org.uk

Abberton

Conservation centre run by the Essex Wildlife Trust, at a site of international importance for winter wildfowl. Nesting cormorants, common terns and nightingales. Nature trails for all the family and bird hides. Shop selling gifts, optics and…
Ten Pin Colchester

Address

Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex,, CO1 1YH

Telephone
0871 222 36 75

Colchester

Tenpin Colchester is an exciting venue for your day, or evening out, with 24 lanes, there is plenty of fun to be had for everyone. As well as bowling there are arcade games, American pool and air hockey.
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve

Address

South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Fingringhoe, Essex, CO5 7DN

Telephone
01206 729678

fingringhoe@essexwt.org.uk

Fingringhoe

Nature reserve over 200 acres of mixed habitat on the Colne Estuary. Nature trails, wheelchair access, bird hides, gift shop and visitor centre with tea room. Friendly atmosphere. Regular events for adults and children.
Castle Park

Address

High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ

Telephone
01206 282962

parks@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

The jewel in Colchester’s crown - an award-winning oasis of horticultural splendour boasting a children’s play area, putting green and boating lake.
Cudmore Grove Country Park

Address

East Mersea, East Mersea, Essex, CO5 8UE

Telephone
01206 383868

country.parks@essex.gov.uk

East Mersea

Cudmore Grove offers visitors a trip to the seaside with a difference at the eastern tip of Mersea Island. The park includes a sandy beach and open grassland, perfect for picnics and great views.
Roman Circus Visitor Centre

Address

Colchester Roman Circus Centre, Roman Circus Walk, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7GZ

Telephone
01206 501785

info@romancircus.co.uk

Colchester

The site of the Colchester Roman circus (chariot-racing arena) was discovered in 2004. It was built in the early 2nd century CE and seems to have been in use for about 150 years. It is the only known Roman circus in Britain.
Nightflix Drive-In Cinema

Address

The Old Sainsburys Site, Tollgate West, Tollgate, Colchester, CO3 8RG

Telephone
0203 9833383

info@nightflix.co.uk

Tollgate, Colchester

Catch some movies from your car at a drive-in cinema
Colchester United Football Club

Address

JobServe Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5UP

Telephone
0845 437 9089

ticketing@colchesterunited.net

Colchester

Colchester United was formed in 1937 and the club currently plays in League 2.
In August 2008 the club played their first match in their new stadium, now the JobServe Community Stadium, which is situated to the north of Colchester.
Childsplay Adventureland

Address

Clarendon Way, North Station, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1XF

Telephone
01206 366566

info@childsplayadventureland.co.uk

Colchester

*TEMPORARILY CLOSED* Childsplay Adventureland is the premier indoor play facility for under 11's (maximum height 4' 5"). We have special areas for babies, toddlers and youngsters as well as a pleasant atmosphere for parents.
Colchester Climbing Project

Address

Unit B&C Global Park, 12 Moorside, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2TJ

Telephone
01206 791194

Colchester

Essex's only dedicated bouldering centre, Colchester Climbing Project allows you to scale walls up to 4m high. No ropes are used and instead the floors are covered with deep mats.
Jump Street Colchester

Address

21 Mason Road, Cowdray Centre, Colchester, CO1 1BX

Telephone
01206 911035

info@jumpstreet.co.uk

Cowdray Centre

Jump Street trampoline parks offer jump sessions in Essex, suitable for both adults & children. Jump Street is based both in Colchester & in Chelmsford, also offering adult fitness classes, toddler sessions, special needs support sessions.
Go Bananas

Address

9-10 Mason Road, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1BX

Telephone
01206 761762

fun@go-bananas.co.uk

Colchester

Go Bananas Play Centre, soft play with Tiny Town for the under 5's, a 3 storey Aztec Adventure frame for those aged 5-12yrs and also a 6m Climbing Wall.