Essex


<p>Let’s be honest; summer holidays can rinse your wallet faster than a theme park gift shop. Six weeks of non-stop entertainment, snacks on demand and keeping the small people happy? It’s no picnic. But fear not, savvy parents – fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We’ve done the legwork (you’re welcome), and rounded up five <em>free</em> Essex things to do with the kids. Frightening bank balance? You&#8217;ll soon see it revert back to normality.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-take-them-to-the-circus"><a href="https://firstsite.uk/event/holiday-fun-summer-2025-circus/">1 TAKE THEM TO THE CIRCUS</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/1-6-1000x667.jpg" alt="Free circus workshop Firstsite Colchester " class="wp-image-24908" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/1-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/1-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/1-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/1-6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Pardon me? A no cash needed circus on our free things to do with the kids? OK, so it&#8217;s a play on words, but Colchester&#8217;s Firstsite gallery has a <a href="https://firstsite.uk/event/holiday-fun-summer-2025-circus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holiday Fun: Circus</a> event on <strong>30 Aug</strong>. An hour long, it&#8217;s a step right up session to learn some circus skills with artist and tutor Beef Wright. Suitable for the whole fam from age 4+, spin plates, flower sticks, juggle, Diabolo and more. Tickets need to be purchased in advance; extra released three days in advance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-take-them-to-the-beach"><a href="https://www.visitessex.com/explore/coastal-destinations/walton-on-the-naze" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2 TAKE THEM TO THE BEACH</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/2-8-1000x667.jpg" alt="Walton on the naze beach " class="wp-image-24909" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/2-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/2-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/2-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/2-8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>What&#8217;s next on our free Essex things to do with the kids? Sandy toes: our coastline’s blessed with beaches to let them play. Our hotspot? <a href="https://www.visitessex.com/explore/coastal-destinations/walton-on-the-naze" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walton on the Naze</a>. Search for fossils, with shark’s teeth and whale bones common finds. Bring a bucket, spade, SPF, snacks and sunhat and you can&#8217;t go wrong Just swerve the arcades or it won&#8217;t be free. We say divert their attention with &#8216;Guess what? I&#8217;ve bought plenty of Haribo in the car as you&#8217;ve been so good today&#8217;. It&#8217;ll work.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-take-them-exploring"><a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/belfairs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3 TAKE THEM EXPLORING</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/3-7-1000x667.jpg" alt="Essex wildlife trust nature reserve " class="wp-image-24910" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/3-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/3-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/3-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/3-7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Next on our free Essex things to do with the kids? Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essex Wildlife Trust</a>, which manages more than 100 nature reserves and parks. Many cost nada to enter, meaning it&#8217;s time to visit a few for some gorgeous walks, like Belfairs and Chigborough Lakes. <a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/belfairs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Belfairs</a>&#8216; one we rate – gateway to the Daws Heath Woodland, enjoy woodland colours they really will &#8216;ooo&#8217; and &#8216;ahh&#8217; at, as well as getting the chance to see rare butterflies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-take-them-back-in-time"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/colchester-st-botolphs-priory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4 TAKE THEM BACK IN TIME</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/4-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="free Essex things to do with the kids this summer picnic " class="wp-image-24911" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/4-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/4-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/4-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/4-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Fancy packing a picnic and heading somewhere different? Colchester&#8217;s <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/colchester-st-botolphs-priory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Boltoph&#8217;s Priory</a>&#8216;s a beautiful Norman ruin tucked away on Priory Street. It’s often empty, so you and yours are likely to have this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/colchester-st-botolphs-priory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">English Heritage</a>&nbsp;gem all to yourselves. Sarnies, sausage rolls and scotch eggs at the ready, or come over all fancy with a feast of all feasts. Subject to their approval – no need for tantrums as you didn&#8217;t bring along the Dairylea Dunkers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-take-them-to-a-maze"><a href="https://www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk/2020/02/turf-maze-labyrinth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5 TAKE THEM TO A MAZE</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/5-2-1000x667.jpg" alt="Saffron walden maize " class="wp-image-24912" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/5-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/5-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/5-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/5-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Did you know Saffron Walden has its very own&nbsp;<a href="https://www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk/2020/02/turf-maze-labyrinth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Turf Maze</a>, the largest of its kind in the world? Until we did a little Googling we didn&#8217;t either (looks down in shame). Found on the common, follow the circular path to the centre and, if you complete it mega-fast, move onto the next maze in Jubilee Garden. You can&#8217;t even get lost, as it’s one long winding path cut into the turf. Well you’ll want to get home later for Netflix and Sav Blanc. Especially after the summer hols enduring &#8216;why can&#8217;t I have my iPad/XBox controller/Switch?&#8217; at least 25 times a day.</p>


Feeling the pinch? 5 free Essex things to do with the kids

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