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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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
Odeon Cinema

Address

Head Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1NH

Colchester

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.
Firstsite

Address

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

Telephone
01206 713700

info@firstsite.uk.net

Colchester

Firstsite is Colchester's contemporary visual arts organisation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
Gnome Magic

Address

Old Ipswich Road, Ardleigh, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6HU

Telephone
01206 231390

info@gnomemagic.co.uk

Colchester

Gnome Magic is an unusual treat. Enjoy the delightful garden which blends into an amazing wood where the growing number of 500 gnomes and their friends live. Guaranteed to bring a little sunshine.