How to keep kids active in Essex this summer
These affordable ideas will keep your active kids amused during weekends and school holidays
Posted on 21st May 2025
Sky Ropes
Get your heart racing and explore new heights in a quest to conquer Sky Ropes at Great Notley Country Park in Braintree, Essex.
Put your balance and concentration skills to the test with this awesome adventure course suitable for the whole family, from tiny tots of two years to big kids and adults.
There are two separate courses. The main Sky Ropes course is suitable for children over 1.22m (4ft). Children measuring over 1m can go on but must be accompanied by an adult.
Sky Ropes Junior is suitable for children who are at least 2 years old but less than 1.22m (4ft) tall.
Book early to avoid disappointment.
Have fun at Family Forest School
Don’t let the children have all the fun, forest school and connecting to nature is for everyone, come and join us at our Family Forest School sessions at Danbury Country Park.
Leave the electronics at home and build relationships and skills whilst making memories with your friends and family.
Balance on slicklines, swing in hammocks and have fun making forest friendly crafts to take home.
Spaces are limited and booking is essential - book early to avoid disappointment.
The Gruffalo & Sick Man Sculpture Trails
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler book fans will love exploring the deep dark wood at Thorndon Country Park in Brentwood. Find The Gruffalo, Snake, Owl and more characters on this magical self-led wooden sculpture trail.
Travel 10 mins by car to nearby Weald Country Park and you can also meet Stick Man in his Family Tree. Walk along the pathways, past the resident deer and by the lake to meet more familiar characters from the much-loved book, illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Pick up a trail map from the café when you arrive and let the kids lead the way.
Play Areas and Trails
Set imaginations free at our kids play areas and trails. Play, climb and soar in beautiful outdoor locations. Specially designed, natural and unique play equipment can be found at many of our Country Parks across Essex.
Great Notley Country Park boasts the longest play trail in Essex spanning an impressive 1.2km of fun and includes giant seesaws, swing scales, rope climbers, slides, forts and a large sand play area.
Set sail and become a pirate or captain of the Mersea Island crew at Cudmore Grove’s nautical themed play area. Capture wooden hippos or dig for treasure in the giant sandy pit.
Compete with the birds at Belhus Woods and compose an interesting tune using the outdoor musical play instruments or climb high on the rope ladder.
Weald has two play areas. One for smaller explorers and another with slides, monkey bars and more. Not to mention deer, ducks and a large green space ideal for kite flying.
Hadleigh is a bike rider’s paradise. Scale hills, test your balance on the rocky off roading area or find your top speed on the Pump Tracks. Benefitting from one of the largest green spaces in Essex, its also perfect for new riders to learn how to ride. Bike hire is also available through Hadleigh Cycles for fun family rides.
Essex Outdoors Holiday Activity Days
Want to make this half-term memorable? Book the kids onto an Essex Outdoors school holiday activity day.
In small groups of around 10, children (aged 8-16) will enjoy four exciting activities each day with enthusiastic and highly qualified instructors.
Sessions range from high ropes, climbing and zip wire, to water sports including canoeing and stand-up-paddleboarding, to archery, mountain biking and bushcraft.
Childcare doesn’t have to cost a fortune! Days start from only £40, at either Danbury, Mersea, Bradwell or Harlow.
Activities for Children with Special Educational Needs
Essex Outdoors’ offer special All Ability days for children with SEN at their Harlow Centre.
Working in small groups, all ability kids will have the opportunity to take part in up to four fun and challenging activities each day.
Parents can have peace of mind that children will benefit from constant supervision to ensure they have a memorable and fun filled day! Find out more and book on their website.
The Lock
If you’re looking to find the thrill of achievement indoors, choose Essex’s largest indoor climbing wall, The Lock in Harlow.
Whether you’re a seasoned climber or a newcomer looking to try the sport, The Lock Climbing Wall provides exhilarating climbing experiences for children aged 7+ and their families.
Choose the Kids Fun Climb sessions to see if your child has what it takes to move onto the Youth Learn NICAS sessions to learn how to become an advanced climber.
You might like to read our 50 things to do in Essex in 2025 for more holiday inspiration.
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