Days out with Kids in Essex

Enjoy a fantastic family day out at Hedingham Castle, a Norman Castle with one of the finest Keeps in England. Visit the beautiful gardens ideal for a summer picnic. Take a walk through the extensive woodland and around the lake.

Visit the website to see full details and dates for special events throughout the year including jousting, archery and re-enactment battles.

Web: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

(ADJACENT TO MOUNTFITCHET CASTLE) Three attractions for the price of one. Visit the toy museum which has over 50,000 toys making it the largest toy museum in the world. See the vintage amusement and slot machine zone encounter where you can play the machines of yesteryear. Also see memorabilia of your favourite stars at the legends of rock and roll, film, TV & theatre experience. Open daily 10am-4pm. Situated 2 miles from junction 8 of the M11.

Web: www.colchester-zoo.co.uk

Web: www.oldmacdonaldsfarm.org.uk

Our progressive play programme is designed to develop your child’s physical skills. Using bespoke colourful equipment, we focus on agility, balance, climbing and co-ordination, which enhances brain development and builds confidence.

Every session is supervised by our amazing specially trained staff, getting the best out of each child. Up until 3 years, grown-ups participate as well so that parents, carers and even grandparents can spend time with little ones as they develop.

The journey begins for babies from 6 months old who can sit up unaided. Here’s how our classes break down:

6 Months – Walking
Babies explore the equipment in a happy and relaxed environment. This enhances their brain development and helps them to reach key milestones such as crawling, cruising and walking, taking them onto the next class.

Walking - 2 Years
Confidently walking toddlers are now introduced to an exciting circuit of equipment as well as hand held co-ordination activities, developing their fine motor skills. ‘Circle Time’ helps language development through rhymes and action songs.

2 - 3 Years
Working together in small groups, little ones are introduced to stations with more challenging equipment to refine their agility, balance and climbing skills. Following instructions and learning to take turns develops their listening and social skills, as well as confidence.

3 Years - School Age*
Children now take part independently without their grown-up, putting into practice their skills for life. Our staff challenge each child individually to their full potential, preparing them for school, physically, socially and mentally.

Gymbobs (School Age - 7 Years)*
Gymbobs is the pinnacle class of Tumble Tots, bringing together everything children have learnt so far! Using challenging equipment setups, relay races, team games and warm-up exercises, Gymbobs is a perfect addition to a child’s school P.E. provision.

*For the 3 Years - School Age and Gymbobs (School Age - 7 Years) classes, parents must remain on site. Please note that annual membership applies, class prices vary across the country and pre-booking is required.

Toddler activity groups in Addlestone, Amersham, Basingstoke, Bolton, Bramhall, Brighton, Bromley, Cambridge, Chester, Chigwell, Ely, Epsom, Fylde, Glasgow, Gloucester, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Loughborough, Macclesfield, Market Harborough, Marlow, Alsager, Middlewich, Holmes Chapel, Northwich, Sandbach, Newark, Newcastle, North Cotswolds, Witney, Banbury, Northampton, Nottingham, Orpington, Palmers Green, Penrith, Reading, Redditch, Salisbury, Southend, St Albans, Stourbridge, Sutton Coldfield, Trafford, Wakefield, Waltham Forest, Warrington, Wirral, Worthing and York

The National Cycle Network is 5000 miles of safe, signed, attractive cycle routes, open and mapped in June 2000. It is made up of traffic-free sections and traffic-calmed road and minor roads, running right through urban centres and reaching all parts of the UK.

Sustrans is the charity co-ordinating the project and will continue to work with local authorities to expand the Network to a target of 10,000 miles by 2005.

For more information on the National Cycle Network and Sustrans and a copy of their free catalogue of maps, information sheets and technical publications please call the number above or visit their website.

E-Mail: [email protected]

Stretching between Waltham Abbey in Essex and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire this 1,000 acre park has been transformed from old gravel pits to an inspiring country park for all the family to enjoy.

There’s miles of surfaced pathways making it the ideal place to enjoy an invigorating walk or cycle ride (cycle hire available) amongst picturesque surroundings. You can hop on an electric pleasure boat, pedalo or rowing boat at Lee Valley Boat Centre and navigate the River Lee, let the kids go wild in miles of open space while sitting back and watching the wildlife go by, or simply relax and unwind with a picnic.

If you’re an adrenalin enthusiast, a trip to the brand new Lee Valley White Water Centre (host to the London 2012 Canoe Slalom events) is a must. Whether you fancy riding the rapids yourself, or simply want to watch the action from the café terrace, it’s well worth a trip!

Car parks: Fishers Green car park, Stubbins Hall Lane, Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 2EF (no public transport)

Pindar car park, Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire EN9 1XQ

For more information and inspiration for your visit, go to www.leevalleypark.org.uk

Formerly an Iron Age hill fort, this historic site was also a Roman signals fort and later a Saxon and Viking settlement before being attacked in 1066 by William the Conqueror who built a wooden motte and bailey castle here.

Web: www.mountfitchetcastle.com/

UKClimbing.com offers a comprehensive list of local climbing centres throughout the UK.

Web: www.ukclimbing.com/databases/listings/clubs.html

Web: www.colnevalleyrailway.co.uk

Log on for full information on the museums found in Colchester including the Colchester Castle museum with it's 2000 years of history dating back to Roman times.

Web: www.colchestermuseums.org.uk

Web: www.royalgunpowdermills.com

Web: www.rollerworld.co.uk

Orginally built by the first Earl of Suffolk between 1603-1616 this country mansion remains one of the most significant Jacobean houses in England. Successive owners have left their stylistic imprint, both inside this wonderful house and in the surrounding parkland.

The gardens are ‘Capability’ Brown’s most successful pastoral landscapes and remain substantially as they were when first created. Later features include a restored Parterre garden, a rose garden and fountains, and the restored 19th century walled kitchen garden now in use as a working organic kitchen garden. Attractions thoroughout the year include open-air concerts, craft and garden shows and landscaped garden walks.

Kids days out in Walden in Essex

Web: www.molehall.co.uk

Kids days out in Southend-on-Sea

Web: www.adventureisland.co.uk

With centres all over the UK, a fun time of bowling with friends and family is waiting for you. Our centres all offer a wide range of facilities and dining options to make your experience a great one for the whole family.

If you'd like to throw a fantastic party this year, head for Megabowl & Tenpin. We've got a terrific party package that is available for groups of six adults or more and for children aged 5 years and over, our Birthday Party packages are great fun!

Check our website regularly for our latest news as well as to join our online club so you can be the first to hear about our exclusive offers, events and promotions.

Acres of Magical Fun for everyone!

This fabulous Farm Attraction is situated in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex.

Meet all your farmyard friends, Tractor & Trailer Rides, Indoor and Outdoor Play, Animal Interactions, Pesky Pet Show, Birds of Prey, Pet Barn, Milking Demonstrations and much more

TopGolf is an innovative sports entertainment facility that’s fast becoming a favourite destination for all occasions.

It’s great fun, competitive, totally interactive and best of all you don’t need to be a golfer! Microchips in each ball record individuals’ performances and scores are instantly displayed on screen in your all-weather bay.

Play with family, friends, colleagues… whatever your age and ability, we’ll get you started and guarantee you’ll be hooked.

Locations: Addlestone, Chigwell and Watford

Web: www.secretnuclearbunker.co.uk