30 Chelmsford activities for the family this summer

The school holidays have landed and if you’re wondering how to keep the family entertained throughout the long, hot summer, check out our roundup of 30 things to do in Chelmsford – that’s almost enough to do something different every day of the holidays!

Spend time in nature

Writtle Sunflowers, Off Road Kids and Go Ape offer fantastic outdoor activities for little ones.

Writtle Sunflowers

This family-run pick-your-own flower field is reopening from Saturday 19 July and you’ll be able to pick sunflowers and mixed flowers. They may only be open for a couple of weeks while the flowers are blooming, so don’t miss out! This year, every child’s ticket comes with a Buzz & Bloom nature trail for little ones to enjoy along the way. As well as flower picking, this summer they’re running a kids’ magical mindfulness and yoga experience in the flowers on Wednesdays. Advance booking is essential.

RHS Hyde Hall’s Great Woodland Adventure

There’s plenty to do at RHS Hyde Hall this summer, with varied activities celebrating nature. Throughout the holidays, their Tremendous Trees Trail will explore the mighty world of trees. From 23-25 July kids can work together to build a giant woodland adventure castle in The Big Den Build. While later into August, there’ll be crafts themed around the forest and magical nature storytelling walks with Mike Dodsworth.

Off Road Kids

Off Road Kids is an outdoor driving adventure for young children aged 3+ in which they drive tough lookalike mini Landrovers around guided routes, navigating obstacles and completing challenges as they go. Prices start at £10 per child.

Wild Teens at Hanningfield Reservoir

Essex Wildlife Trust’s Hanningfield Reservoir has lots on offer this summer holiday, including dedicated Wild Teens sessions for older kids. Suitable for ages 11+, these sessions offer teens the chance to escape into the tranquillity of the woods and connect with nature as they learn bushcraft, conservation skills, campfire cooking, green woodworking, and much more. Running on Thursdays in late July and August.

Swing, zip and climb at Go Ape

If you’re a fan of heights, then look no further than Go Ape for a thrilling way to experience the woodlands at Hylands Park. There are three adrenaline-filled high ropes activities to try: Treetop Challenge, Treetop Adventure and Treetop Adventure Plus. There’s a course suitable for all ages, so the whole family can have a go at the various high-speed ziplines, tricky tree-to-tree crossings, and exhilarating free-fall Tarzan Swing!

Wild Wednesdays at Danbury Country Park

Essex Country Parks’ Outdoor Learning Team is running child-led free play sessions on Wednesdays at Danbury Country Park. Activities and equipment will vary depending on the weather, but may include hammocks, den building, a squirrel trail, tug of war and water play. There’s no need to book – just drop in and enjoy. And don’t forget, you can also download their free Summer Magic Trail sheet to explore any day of the week, with the chance to win prizes!

Free fun

There are lots of free activities and events to enjoy around Chelmsford, including Buzz in the City, Chelmsford Market's Family Fun Day and Picnic in the Park.

Buzz in the City

Join the buzz and explore Chelmsford’s first ever art sculpture trail, consisting of 30 giant bee sculptures and seven mini bee swarms – each uniquely decorated by talented artists and local schools and community groups. The trail is free to explore, with multiple route options. Simply download the Buzz in the City app, choose your route and get exploring! Along the way, you'll discover that each bee features rewards and prize draws provided by local businesses including Chelmsford City Council. The trail is on from now until Tuesday 9 September.

Play in the Park

Run by the council's Community Sport and Wellbeing team, Play in the Park is a much-loved series of free multi-activity sessions available at community and parish venues across the Chelmsford district. This year, 34 sessions will be held at 19 venues, from Saltcoats Park in South Woodham Ferrers to Taylor Park in Little Waltham, between 23 July and 22 August. Activities vary at each location, but expect plenty of inflatables as well as crazy golf, face painting, Dragonball and slime making. Booking in advance is essential.

Chelmsford Market Family Fun Day

Families will take over Market Square on Saturday 26 July with Chelmsford Market’s Family Fun Day! Expect face painting, balloon modelling, a petting zoo, children’s fairground ride and soft play area (for ages 2+). Plus, Essex Cosplayers will be roaming Market Square dressed as popular characters, while special guests Lenny the Lion from Chelmsford City Sports and Pops the Penguin from Riverside Leisure Centre will be on hand for cuddles and photos with little ones.

Eco-themed activities at Chelmsford Cathedral

Chelmsford Cathedral is celebrating the arrival of Buzz in the City this summer, with free nature-themed activities for children, between 23 July and 27 August. For those who love Lego, there’s the opportunity to design and build insects of all shapes and sizes, while for crafty children, there’ll be junk-modelling and collage-creating in bug and bee friendly designs. An especially note-worthy session will see the cathedral’s music team creating instruments from veggies, as well as all kinds of recycled materials, and learning how to make insect sounds.

Picnic in the Park

Picnic in the Park returns this summer, with the usual selection of activities for 3-11-year-olds including a rock-climbing wall, parkour, face painting, balloon workshops and arts and crafts. There’ll also be food demonstrations with goodie bags of ingredients to take home; pick your own fruit and veg sessions; and of course, a free hot lunch for eligible children. Find out more on the Picnic in the Park webpage.

Story Garden Summer Reading Challenge 2025

This year, Essex Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge will inspire children to explore the magical connection between storytelling and nature, with a set of Story Garden characters created by illustrator Dapo Adeola. Children can take part in the challenge between Saturday 19 July and Sunday 6 September, with six stickers to earn and a certificate and medal for completing the challenge. It’s the perfect way to motivate your children to have some quiet reading time and it’s free!

Active play

Kids can burn off some energy at Marsh Farm, Ninja Warrior UK Chelmsford and the Cycle Skills Circuit.

Summer mini and city camps and kids courses at district leisure centres

Leisure centres across Chelmsford and South Woodham Ferrers are ready to help burn off some energy this holiday with mini camps, city camps and kids’ courses for kids aged 4 to 12. Running from 23 July to 29 August, there’s plenty to keep them entertained, including scuba diving, inflatable swim sessions, gymnastics and ice skating. Book now and don’t forget there’s a 15% sibling discount on all courses!

Bubble ‘n Bop at Marsh Farm

Marsh Farm is hosting a thrilling summer children’s festival from 23 July until 31 August. Bubble ‘n Bop is set to feature tonnes of activities, including a dinosaur interactive exhibit, the much-loved foam machine, their popular beach and splash pool, a charming train ride, fairground rides and animal encounters. This year, for every fully paid child ticket, you’ll receive an activity book worth £16.99 and a free festival lanyard.

Soft play at Wacky Warehouse

At Wacky Warehouse in Great Baddow Barn Pub, kids can burn off steam with soft play activities while the rest of the family enjoy a drink and a bite to eat. Their varied menu includes brunch, lunch and dinner, so you can have a light meal or a full blown three course dinner while the kids bounce in ball pits and slip down slides. It’s open from 11am to 9pm with free onsite parking.

Crazy golf at Rascal Bay

Located close to the centre of Chelmsford, Rascal Bay crazy golf course is well-loved by families across the district and beyond. Their course has some incredible hole setups, including an impressive erupting volcano! There’s also cannons, an octopus, waterfalls and dinosaurs to navigate along the route. It’s £7 for under 16s and £9.50 for adults, or you can get a family ticket (two kids and two adults) for £27.50.

Cycle Skills Circuit launch event

Join the Community Sport and Wellbeing team for the official opening of Chelmsford’s new Cycle Skills Circuit in Tower Gardens on Thursday 14 August, 10am-12pm. All are welcome to this free event, where the Deputy Mayor of Chelmsford will officially open this new, safe space where children and families can learn valuable cycling skills. The new venue has a dedicated learn-to-ride area, alongside a cycle practice zone for new riders to develop their skills. During the event Bikeability instructors will run a series of free come-and-try activities, and a smoothie bike will also be available, so you can pedal away to make a delicious fruit smoothie.

Ninja Warrior

Inspired by the popular ITV show, this adventure park is a world of fun for children aged five and over. Kids can climb, jump and swing across a huge selection of obstacles and inflatables. Please note that time slots are one hour long, and the course has varied difficulty levels to tackle.

Spectacular shows and exciting exhibits

There are plenty of performances and exhibits to enjoy this summer, including shows at Chelmsford Theatre and Hylands Estate, and Rangers and Raptors at Call of the Wild Zoo.

Adventure Cinema

Young film fans can immerse themselves in the magic of outdoor cinema this summer with family favourites set to be screened in the open air at Hylands Park. Moana 2, The Gruffalo and Stick Man, The Goonies, Wicked and Shrek are all set to be shown. Don’t forget to bring a comfy cushion or seat, blanket, and some movie night snacks!

Milkshake Live On Holiday

Milkshake! Live is back with a brand-new show for the summer, appearing at Chelmsford Theatre on 3 August. Little ones will see their favourite Milkshake! friends including Smurfette, Dora, Pip and Posy, Blue from ‘Blues Clues and You!’, Milo, Milkshake! Monkey plus a Milkshake! presenter for an all-new adventure.

Outdoor theatre: The Wind in the Willows

Hylands Estate has a treat for all the family on 19 August with the classic story of the Wind in the Willows, presented by multi-award nominated Immersion Theatre. Join Ratty, Mole, Badger, and the fantastically irrepressible Toad as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime! This energetic show features heaps of interaction, stunning costumes, toe-tapping music, and larger-than-life characters.

Everyman Toddler Club

Everyman is continuing its popular Toddler Club over the school holidays – the perfect place to introduce tots to the magic of the movies! Coming up in the school holidays they’ve got Stickman and The Gruffalo's Child, Elio and The Land Before Time. Each ticket includes a hot drink and a slice of cake or small popcorn for you to enjoy while the little ones are occupied.

The Koala Who Could

Join Chelmsford Theatre for a heartwarming and empowering musical puppet show based on the bestselling picture book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field. The Koala Who Could follows Kevin and his friends kangaroo and wombat as they embrace change and try new things in the great Australian Outback. This new stage adaptation is at Chelmsford Theatre from Monday 28 to Wednesday 30 July.

Rangers and Raptors at Call of the Wild Zoo

Get ready for a ROARsome summer adventure at Call of the Wild Zoo! Their Rangers and Raptors exhibit returns from 19 July to 31 August to take little ones on a prehistoric journey with some mighty dinosaurs! In addition to some prehistoric displays, the zoo also has over 90 species of modern-day animals to get up close to. Bring the whole family and enjoy a day out packed with live performances and fascinating discoveries. 

Creative moments

Get creative at art and drama sessions over the holidays.

Screen printing at Museum of Chelmsford

Kids and adults alike can make time for some creativity this summer with a screen-printing session at the Museum of Chelmsford on Friday 8 August. Expert Katie Kennedy will guide you through the screen-printing process as you choose from a range of beautiful designs to create your own work of art. Suitable for ages 7+, this workshop is free with museum admission, but booking online in advance is advised. Make sure to wear old clothes or bring an apron along.

Chelmsford Theatre’s Discover workshops

Chelmsford Theatre is getting ready for a summer of acting, dancing and singing as they prepare for a new series of Discover workshops for young performers. Many sessions for July and August are now fully booked, but there are still limited spaces available for Circus Skills for ages 11-16 on 25 July, Beatboxing for ages 8-12 on 28 July, and Musical Theatre Intensive: Wicked for ages 12-18 on 1 August. Get booking now before they sell out.

Messy play at The Art Place

The school holidays aren’t just for older children! Toddlers can have some fun too with The Art Place’s Messy Play sessions for ages 18 months to five years. Every Sunday morning these sessions allow little ones to explore different textures through sensory dry and wet messy play areas. The activities help children to develop their fine and gross motor skills and strengthen their creativity, while keeping the mess out of your house!

Competitive play at Geek Retreat

This summer local geek culture venue, Geek Retreat, is running regular events, from Dungeons and Dragons Learn to Play sessions to a Disney Lorcana tournament. On Wednesday 13 August they’ll be holding a special Pokémon event to celebrate the Pokémon World Championships. For £7 you can compete in the Geek Retreat championship and potentially win prizes! You can also play traditional board games in store, paint miniatures and play other trading card games throughout the week.

History Heroes sessions at Museum of Chelmsford 

This summer little ones can explore different periods in history while getting creative, with dedicated themed activity weeks. Kids can craft their own Roman mosaics and coins, have a go at creating their very own morse code or dig up rocks and fossils, as well as enjoying some object handling. Starting from £5 for members, each session is suitable for ages 6+.

Heritage Open Days photography competition

If you have a budding photographer in the family, then why not encourage them to have a go at entering this year’s Heritage Open Days photo competition? This year’s theme is ‘architecture’ and there’s a dedicated category for under 18s. It’s free to enter, with a £50 prize for the winner. Simply email a photo of at least 2mb to hello@chelmsfordhod.co.uk by 31 August and state your age in the email. Entries are limited to one per person.