As a working Mum who has a very active 5 year old I thought it was worth keeping track of what we have got up to during the school holidays and hopefully if you were at a loss for things to do with your kids it might give you a few ideas.
Please feel free to add to this because any entertainment tips would be greatly appreciated!
I have tried to keep to free entertainment in and around South Essex.
Davy Down – Thurrock
Great for bikes and has a footpath round a large grassy area where you can fly kites or play ball games.
There are two little bridges over the river here where you can play pooh sticks.
There is a pond with a pathway and bridge that has all sorts of interesting creatures and your very lucky if you spot a water vole.
Also a brilliant place for blackberry picking we have already made a crumble and a pie.
Every now and again a train streaks across the bridge which adds a bit of excitement.
click herefor an image of Davy Down.
Wat Tyler Country Park
A must for active kids a brilliant free play area, plus during the holidays they have inflatable days with loads of bouncy castles (this does have to be paid for) The RSPB also run different activities to get kids to engage with the wildlife.
Great park for a day out.
Canvey Beach
I love Canvey beach you can always park you can always find a spot on the beach and there is also a good little play area for little boys who get fed up with throwing stones in the sea.
Brilliant little cafes for bacon sandwiches tea, cake and ice cream!
Chafford Gorge
Another place that is well worth the visit we loved it and although the ducks can be a bit gang like when they see you getting out some bread, and you have to make a dash for it, it kept us entertained. You can also get small gifts and a drink at the Essex Wildlife trust building that gives you a good view over the gorge.
Grays Beach
Whilst it may have lost it’s flag award this year there is still plenty of play equipment to climb on and explore as well as extra entertainments throughout the holidays.
Cole House Fort – Tilbury Fort
You can walk from one fort to the other, along way for little legs but we took scooters, which work well for most of the way, but you do have to carry them over the grassy bits.
Really good place to talk about, and look at the river and all the ships / boats going up and down it.
Bottle Collecting
Not for tiny kids but great for older ones. If your walking between the forts there is a little bit of riverside beach that used to be a bottle dump and whilst you have to be very careful you can find allsorts of exciting treasure. Our kids found old marmite jars, Bottles with “Lung Tonic” written on them very pretty blue bottles and bottles of all shapes and sizes as well as loads of different painted china that they wanted to take home.
RSPB Centre Purfleet
A great walk out on to the marshes with the promise of a drink and a biscuit in the café on the way back. Again we took scooters which seemed to work well. You can also get right into the marshes via wooden walkways so you can really get a good look at the wildlife.
Hadleigh Castle
A real castle there is something special about visiting a real castle and the kids loved it. Good place for kites and the views are amazing.
Rubbish Riot Day
Whilst this was a one time only event at the Paddocks Canvey well worth a mention and hope it happens next year. There was loads going on all related to recycling and keeping South Essex tidy. Groundwork were there running a poster competition and there was the most amazing junk drummers where kids could join in bashing out all sorts of tunes on empty plastic barrels and containers.