There are loads of activities lined-up across Chelmsford to keep children entertained for the upcoming October half term.
From a monster invasion swarming Chelmsford’s high street, to holiday camps and a popular Halloween exhibition – there’s plenty for your family to do this half term.
Monster Invasion
Giant inflatable monsters are set to take over Chelmsford for another year running, bringing free half term fun to the city centre.
Chelmsford For You are getting ready to transform Chelmsford from Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 October with a set of huge colourful characters. Alongside this, there will be events and activities taking place, as well as a trail around the city with special prizes and offers up for grabs.
More information will be published soon, so keep an eye on Chelmsford For You’s website and social media for details.
Hocus Pocus
Explore the myths about witches, separate fact from fiction and discover if there really were witches in Chelmsford in the return of the popular exhibition, Hocus Pocus, in Chelmsford Museum. Artefacts from the museum’s collection will be on display and there will be a chance explore the history of witchcraft itself.
Opening on Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 October, there will be plenty of time over the half term to visit the museum. The exhibition will be open all day in the Wells Suite on the first floor (opposite the bees) from 10am to 5pm and is free to visit. The museum team encourage dressing up for the occasion!
More information can be found on the Chelmsford Museum website.
Gaia cathedral garden events
For £2 per child, Gaia garden arts and crafts is be a fun and affordable way to keep the family entertained between 24-28 October. You can choose from the morning (10.30-12.30pm) or afternoon (1.30-3.30pm) sessions. Ten different activities in the Guy Harlings garden of Chelmsford Cathedral will explore themes of the sea, space, animals, things that grow, weather and climate change throughout the week.
Jean Elliott, together with local artists Lynn Excell and Jennifer Flint, will be running the workshops and there’ll be a chance to take part in sponge printing, still-life drawing and acorn planting, alongside craft activities such as junk modelling and mask-making. Children can also decorate umbrellas with their thoughts about climate change and the weather, as well take part in an exciting scavenger hunt.
These sessions are open to children of all ages and adults must be on-hand to supervise their children throughout. Tickets will only need to be purchased for under- 16s and accompanying adults will not need a ticket. Bookings can be made on Eventbrite.
Get In! holiday camps
All four council-owned leisure centres are gearing up for their Get In! holiday camps this October half term. Suitable for children of all ages, there are a variety of activities available including swimming, ice skating, athletics, bouncy castles, and Lego building. There’s also a chance in some locations to take part in canoeing and scuba diving. For many of the course, the Chelmsford Sports teams offer 15% sibling discounts. Find out more on the Chelmsford City Sports website.
Family Science Day with ARU
On Saturday 15 October, Anglia Ruskin University will bring a day of science and fun to Chelmsford Cathedral in celebration of Gaia. Activities are free and include a blue marble hunt, interactive virtual reality experience and a range of family-friendly sessions based on science and sustainability. You’ll need to book your spot in advance.
The family day is part of the wider Chelmsford Science Festival which is taking place on the university’s campus from 11-18 October. Events throughout the festival will include free public lectures, workshops, exhibitions, drop-in sessions, and hands-on activities. Visit the Chelmsford Science Festival webpage for more details.
Cycle routes
Get outside and explore the city by bike! There are plenty of cycling routes to try across Chelmsford that are suitable and safe for the whole family. The Chelmsford City Sports team have suggested a variety of short, medium, and long family-friendly routes to choose from. The shorter cycle routes are ideal for those with younger children. Each route takes you through Chelmsford’s beautiful scenery and avoids large roads, keeping safety in mind. To discover what cycle routes to explore, check out the Chelmsford City Sports website.
Visit our Parks
Chelmsford’s parks are beautiful to explore this time of year. You can visit the Love Your Chelmsford website to see a list of all Chelmsford City Council’s green spaces, as well as the facilities that can be found in each location.