If you’re looking for ideas on how to keep your family entertained this Easter, our guide to activities and events around Chelmsford is here to give you some inspiration! From a bunny hunt at Chelmsford Indoor Market to The Amazing Bubble Man at Chelmsford Theatre, there’s sure to be something to pique your family’s interest.

Take part in a free bunny hunt at Chelmsford Market

Bring your family along to Chelmsford Indoor Market between 30 March and 13 April to see if you can spot any sneaky bunnies hiding around the market!

Simply head over to the North Hall (behind the flower stall), grab an entry form and hunt down the six colourful bunnies (and their carrots!) who have gone astray. Your entry form will provide clues to help you along the way.

Once you’ve found all the bunnies and counted their carrots, pop your completed form in the post box back at North Hall to finish the trail.

All entry forms will be reviewed and winners will be entered into a prize draw taking place on Saturday 13 April, with delicious chocolate prizes up for grabs!

Enjoy drop-in bead workshops

If your children love getting creative, why not visit Chelmsford Indoor Market on Friday 12 April for a fun and relaxed bead workshop?

This free workshop for children aged 3+ is run by Bertie’s Beads and offers two drop-in style sessions: 10am–12pm and 1–3pm. Let your childrens’ imaginations run wild as they create their own bracelets and necklaces using the colourful beads on offer!

Escape to another world at Chelmsford Theatre

Chelmsford Theatre has an outstanding programme of Easter shows lined up for the next few weeks. From dogs in tutus and a swashbuckling pirate panto, to creative LEGO® building and more bubbles than you’ve ever seen with The Amazing Bubble Man.

You can find the theatre’s full line-up on their dedicated Easter programme page. Prices range from £5 to £16 per person.

Get crafty at Chelmsford Museum

Give the kids some quality craft time at Chelmsford Museum’s free Victorian inspired Easter card making sessions, running from 3–5 April. Session times are 10.30am–12pm and 1.30pm–3pm. Children can create their very own collage or draw a nature-themed Easter card, taking inspiration from the museum’s natural world display or the object handling table laid out with Victorian and Easter inspired objects.

All sessions are drop-in, so there’s no need to book. If the room is full when you arrive, please check back later in the day. You can always grab a beverage or bite to eat from the wonderful Hive café while you wait.

Enter a nature-themed poetry competition

Calling all writing enthusiasts! This Easter Chelmsford Museum is giving children the opportunity to take part in an exciting Protect Nature poetry competition in collaboration with Essex Library Services. The competition runs from Monday 25 March to Saturday 20 April with three age categories: under 6s, 7–12 years and 13–18 years.

Children can write their poem from home or head down to Chelmsford Museum on selected dates for helpful templates, inspiring books, and hints and tips to help them get started. Once finished, entrants can submit their poems to Chelmsford Museum or any Chelmsford library.

Entries will be reviewed on 2 May. Poems will be judged based on their link to the theme of ‘protecting nature’, writing style and originality. First place in each age category will win a prize and certificate from Chelmsford Museum, and second and third place entries will also win certificates!

Experience Alice in Wonderland on Ice at Riverside Leisure Centre

Riverside Leisure Centre and Chelmsford Riverside Ice Skating Club have once again collaborated to bring you a beautiful amateur production of Alice in Wonderland on Ice this Easter.

Showcasing colourful costumes and well-known songs in a relaxed atmosphere, this event is great entertainment for children of any age!

The show runs from 3–7 April, so tumble down the rabbit hole into wonderland and book your tickets now! Please note: all performances contain flashing lights, strobe lighting, loud noises and pyrotechnics.

Attend free multi-activity sessions with Play in the Park

Play in the Park is back from 3–12 April! The free, two-hour multi-activity sessions are aimed at 3–11-year-olds and take place at community venues around Chelmsford and South Woodham Ferrers.

Activities include arts and crafts, face painting, inflatables, and parkour. Sessions are suitable for all children, including those with accessibility needs. Find out more in our dedicated Play in the Park article. Please note, early booking is advised.

Get active with dynamic sports sessions

Energetic whole and half day mini and city camps provide a varied schedule of Easter holiday fun for 4–12-year-olds.

This Easter, Chelmsford City Sports’ holiday camps will be available at four locations across Chelmsford and South Woodham Ferrers from 2–12 April. Activities range from swimming and athletics, to parkour and scuba diving.

With early drop-off options, sibling discounts and childcare vouchers accepted, city camps are a popular Easter holiday activity. You can read up on the pre-course information here.

Get moving with Beat the Street

Beat the Street is an exhilarating free game that encourages us all to unleash our competitive side and venture outdoors. The game began on 28 February and is running until Wednesday 10 April.

Round up your family this Easter and challenge yourselves to walk, run, cycle, or scoot across Chelmsford and South Woodham Ferrers to win as many points as possible for your team!

For a quick and easy explanation of how to play Beat the Street, see the below video or read the details here.

Get ready for the return of Chelmsford Takeover

Chelmsford Takeover is back for another year! Join in the fun in Chelmsford’s city centre on Saturday 13 April, 10am–4pm.

Hosted by Chelmsford For You in partnership with Essex Cosplayers, this exciting event will raise money for Little Havens Hospice, a local charity that provides palliative and supportive care for children.

Walking around the city centre, kids have the chance to interact with well-known characters (including dinosaurs and droids) and ogle at amazing cars from popular films, TV shows and comics.

All new for 2024 is a live stage directly outside Shire Hall, with appearances from RoboCop, Megatron, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and the Tooth Fairy. The stage will also host this year’s costume competition, which is open to everyone and divided into three categories: 16 and under, over 16s, and groups.

There’ll be plenty of workshops and activities to partake in too! Jump on the gaming bus, enjoy superhero cape making, or transform into your favourite hero or villain with expert face painting.

The full event programme will be available from early April via the Chelmsford Takeover web page.

Connect with the great outdoors at Hylands Estate

As we welcome spring, the Easter break is a perfect time to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. With many outdoor activities to choose from there’s always something to do at Hylands Estate!

Hylands activities include geocaching, Go Ape high ropes courses, a multimedia tour exploring the gardens, and orienteering. Find out more about these activities via our City Life article.

For even more things to do over Easter, check out Chelmsford For You's events calendar.