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Colchester and its surrounding area is full of child-friendly venues and can provide one of the best family days out in Essex and the East of England.
With one of the best zoos in the country and a historic and family friendly castle for starters, Colchester is an appealing destination for children and their parents alike. When the sun is shining you can discover beautiful local beaches, nature discovery centres, the magical Wyvern Wood, or the newly opened Colchester Sports Park. On wet weather days there's still plenty to enjoy 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.
Events for Children in Colchester
Discover a fun and entertaining 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.
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 city 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. Jump into our blog post on the subject to find out more.
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Browse our specially selected events listings for the perfect family activity that's right for you.- Find out how you can entertain the family without breaking the bank. From beaches to free festivals - it's all here.
- Don't let the rain ruin your holiday with our quick guide to easy solutions of what to do in a downpour.
Number of results: 52
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Address
Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SLTelephone
01206 331292Colchester
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
Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe and houses the town's main museum
Address
St Osyth Road, Alresford, Essex, CO7 8ASAlresford
Introducing Wyvernwood, an Enchanted Lost Kingdom that has existed for many centuries in a peaceful and beautiful setting near Colchester, in Essex.
This extraordinary world has only recently been discovered by the outside world and provides the…Address
Castle Park, High Street, COLCHESTER, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 573948COLCHESTER
The spectacular annual fireworks display in Colchester's Castle Park returns for once again for 2022.
Address
Chappel And Wakes Colne Station, Station Road, Colchester, Essex, CO62DSTelephone
01206 242524Colchester
The popular Small Trains Day at the EARM is back for 2022
Address
Peartree Retail Park, Moss Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0LETelephone
01206 561032Stanway, 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…
Address
Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PTTelephone
01206 573948Colchester
A highly respected regional theatre, home to the critically acclaimed Mercury Theatre Company, staging a broad mix of classic plays and new writing as well as working extensively within the local community.
Address
Colchester Castle Museum, Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282939Colchester
Join Father Christmas and his elves for a fun packed evening of craft, games and Christmas magic!
Address
Chappel And Wakes Colne Station, Station Road, Colchester, Essex, CO62DSTelephone
01206 242524Colchester
Our popular Small Trains Day is back for 2022 – but it's not just small trains – one of our full sized steam locomotives will also be in action with the Freight Train giving unlimited rides all day.
Our Miniature Railway will also be in operation…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…
Address
259 Greenstead Road, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2SJTelephone
01206 870700Colchester
Ultimate Ninja UK is a unique, purpose built indoor obstacle course located in Colchester, Essex.
Offering an impressive range full-sized ninja obstacles designed around a twin lane competition course built to provide a unique Ninja competition,…
Address
Visit Colchester Information Centre, Hollytrees Museum, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282920Colchester
Take a walk through Colchester Town Centre and discover fascinating facts about the Roman history right under your feet!
Address
Visit Colchester Information Centre, Hollytrees Museum, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282920Colchester
Discover a series of concrete murals around Colchester Town Centre depicting its history and famous characters from it's past.
East Mersea
A family friendly lake offering water sports activities for all ages and abilities, including paddle boarding, kayaking and sailing.
Address
Colchester Castle Museum, Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282939Colchester
Santa comes to Colchester Castle!
Address
Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex,, CO1 1YHTelephone
0871 222 36 75Colchester
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.
Address
Visit Colchester Information Centre, Hollytrees Museum, Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282920Castle Park, Colchester
The history of Colchester, but with all the gruesome gory and revolting bits (ie. all the interesting bits) left in
Address
Leisure World Colchester, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1YHTelephone
01206 282000Colchester
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.
Address
21 Mason Road, Cowdray Centre, Colchester, CO1 1BXTelephone
01206 911035Cowdray 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.
Address
Colchester Roman Circus Centre, Roman Circus Walk, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7GZTelephone
01206 501785Colchester
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.
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