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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: 56
, 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.
Address
Colchester Castle, Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282939Colchester
Join us this summer for our spectacular new exhibition, Gladiators, A Day at the Roman Games! Featuring the incredible Pompeii Murmillo gladiator helmet on loan from the British Museum.
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
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve, South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Fingringhoe, Essex, CO5 7DNTelephone
01206 729678Fingringhoe, Fingringhoe
Enjoy an afternoon of exploration, creativity, and fun in Fingringhoe’s wonderful woodland.
Address
Northern Gateway, Off of Junction 28 of the A12, Colchester, EssexColchester
A 76-acre sport and leisure facility providing indoor and outdoor facilities.
Address
East Anglian Railway Museum, Station Road, Wakes Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2DSTelephone
01206 242524Wakes Colne, Colchester
Join Thomas & Friends for family fun at the East Anglian Railway Museum. Take a train ride with Thomas, meet Sir Topham Hatt and join Sodor Station Sweepers Rusty & Dusty for a trainload of excitement. Don't forget Santa too!
There will be lots to…Address
Colchester Town Centre, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1AAColchester
Come along and enjoy impressive installations, workshops, and activities in this month long event celebrating the environment, green spaces, and gardening.
Colchester
Get up close to nature as you discover an interesting perspective on the local natural environment from the Ice Age right up to today.Explore the garden trail and stag beetle exhibition.
Address
West Mersea, EssexWest Mersea
West Mersea Town Regatta takes place on Mersea Island in Essex, and has been running since 1838
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.
Address
Visit Colchester Information Centre, Hollytrees Museum, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282920Colchester
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…
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
Abberton Reservoir Nature Reserve, Church Road, Layer-de-la-Haye, Abberton, Essex, CO2 0EUTelephone
01206 738172Layer-de-la-Haye, Abberton
Celebrate National Nest Box Week with activities at Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park
Address
Church Road, Layer-de-la-Haye, Abberton, Essex, CO2 0EUTelephone
01206 738172Abberton
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…
Address
Head Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1NHColchester
The ODEON Cinema in Colchester is a fully digital eight screen cinema showing RealD and 3D films. It includes a large Costa Coffee shop and a Ben and Jerry's ice cream parlour.
Address
37 Queen Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2PQTelephone
07719 468125Colchester
Dice and a Slice, where you can play board games and enjoy wonderful food and drink.
Address
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve, South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Fingringhoe, Essex, CO5 7DNTelephone
01206 729678Fingringhoe, Fingringhoe
Our Bushcraft drop off day is aimed at children aged 11-18.
Colchester
For over 50 years the East Anglian Railway Museum has been transporting visitors of all ages back in time to discover the unique history of the region’s railways.
Address
JobServe Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5UPTelephone
0845 437 9089Colchester
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.
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