Kids & Families

Colchester is a town full of child-friendly venues, and has a fantastic selection of events for children and families running throughout the year. 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.

With a zoo and a castle, you'll find plenty to spark a child's imagination. You can discover local beaches and wildlife parks, as well as a range of fantastic 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 our 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 indoors too long, burn off some energy at an indoor activity centre - take your pick from Leisure World, Rollerworld, Jump Street, or a Soft Play centre.

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Number of results: 29

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Colchester Zoo

Address

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

Telephone
01206 331292

enquiries@colchesterzoo.org

Colchester

*Temporarily Closed* 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

*Temporarily Closed* Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe and houses the town's main museum
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.
Jump Street Colchester

Address

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

Telephone
01206 911035

info@jumpstreet.co.uk

Cowdray Centre

*Temporarily Closed* 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…
Ten Pin Colchester

Address

Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex,, CO1 1YH

Telephone
0871 222 36 75

Colchester

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

*TEMPORARILY CLOSED* 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…
Castle Park Walking Trails

Address

Castle Park, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ

Telephone
01206 282962

parks@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

Three walking trails of Castle park - each aimed at a different age group
Go Bananas

Address

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

Telephone
01206 761762

fun@go-bananas.co.uk

Colchester

*Temporarily Closed* Go Bananas Play Centre
There is Tiny Town for the under 5's, a 3 storey Aztec Adventure frame for those aged 5-12yrs and also a 6m Climbing Wall.
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.
Firstsite

Address

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JH

Telephone
01206 713700

info@firstsite.uk.net

Colchester

*Temporarily Closed* Firstsite is Colchester's contemporary visual arts organisation.
Family Heritage Treasure Trail

Address

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

Telephone
01206 282920

vic@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

One of the best things about Colchester is that there's so much to explore that's completely free. Download a Family Heritage Treasure Trail, follow the map, and discover some of the town's historical highlights. With the choice of two routes; a…
Leisure World Colchester

Address

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

Telephone
01206 282000

contact.leisureworld@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

*Temporarily Closed* 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…
High Woods Country Park

Address

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

Telephone
01206 853588

countryside.team@colchester.gov.uk

Highwoods, Colchester

370 acres of woodland, grassland and wetland with path network, including circular walks and easy access trail. Visitor centre and interactive displays, rangers organise a range of activities throughout the year.
Natural History Museum

Address

High Street, Colchester, CO1 1DN

Telephone
01206 282941

museums@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

*Temporarily Closed* Discover and interesting 'hands-on' perspective on the local natural environment from the Ice Age right up to today. Explore the garden trail and stag beetle exhibition, free entry.
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…
Dice & a Slice - Board Game Cafe

Address

37 Queen Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2PQ

Telephone
07719 468125

diceandaslice@outlook.com

Colchester

Dice and a Slice, where you can play board games and enjoy wonderful food and drink.
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.
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.
Hollytrees Museum

Address

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG

Telephone
01206 282940

museums@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

*TEMPORARILY CLOSED* An important part of Colchester's rich history with three centuries of fascinating toys, costume and decorative arts displayed in an attractive Georgian town house from 1718.
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 of High Woods Country Park to discover the dedicated walking trails in this scenic parkland