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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: 39
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Address
Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SLTelephone
01206 331292Colchester
Colchester Zoo is set within over 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes and is home to over 155 different species, including the critically endangered Amur leopards, Black and White Ruffed lemurs and Bornean orangutans.
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
Wyvernwood is an immersive story-led experience near Colchester, Essex, for families with children aged 2-12.
Come and join in with the magic at WyvernwoodAddress
Castle Park, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJTelephone
01206 282962Colchester
Six walking trails of Castle Park - each aimed at a different age group
Address
Chappel And Wakes Colne Station, Station Road, Colchester, Essex, CO62DSTelephone
01206 242524Colchester
Classic cars, vintage motorbikes and modern head-turners, alongside the museum exhibits and FREE steam train rides.
Address
Visitor Centre, Turner Road, Highwoods, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5JRTelephone
01206 853588Highwoods, 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.
Address
South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Fingringhoe, Essex, CO5 7DNTelephone
01206 729678Fingringhoe
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.
Address
Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JHTelephone
01206 713700Colchester
Firstsite is Colchester's contemporary art gallery.
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
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
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
Bourne Mill, Bourne Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8RTColchester
An opportunity to visit this Elizabethan fulling mill, which has an 18' working waterwheel.
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…
East Mersea
A family friendly lake offering water sports activities for all ages and abilities, including paddle boarding, kayaking and sailing.
Colchester
An important part of Colchester's rich history with three centuries of fascinating toys, costume, clocks and decorative arts displayed in an attractive Georgian town house from 1718.
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
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
Upper Bowling Green, Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 579 499Colchester
An adventure golf course and clubhouse cafe, set in the beautiful and historic surroundings of Castle Park, Colchester. Designed to suit all abilities from the novice to the experienced golfer so the whole family can play.
Address
21 Mason Road, Cowdray Centre, Colchester, CO1 1BXTelephone
0330 223 3333Cowdray Centre
Air Hop trampoline parks offer jump sessions in Essex, suitable for both adults & children. Air Hop is based both in Colchester & in Chelmsford, also offering adult fitness classes, toddler sessions, special needs support sessions.
Address
Visitor Centre, Turner Road, Highwoods, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5JRTelephone
01206 853588Highwoods, Colchester
High Woods Country Park is one of Colchester's best-loved beauty spots, with plenty of opportunities to relax, play and explore the large grounds.
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