It’s a Saturday morning and you’ve either made it to the weekend after a week of work or survived the first week of the Easter school holidays. The kids are enjoying the great weather and you’ve a cuppa of tea in hand. But what to do? You know you want to make the most of the longer days but you’re slowly running out of ideas to occupy them and you want help quick! You need some ideas of things to do in Essex in April and yep, They need to family friendly too.
Well no need to google anymore, here’s a MASSIVE list of family day out ideas for this April. Sit down with that cuppa, allow the kids some Peppa Pig time and you’ll have the rest of your month planned out in no time!
Related Content:
- Looking for a fun, free Family Day Out? 15 Great Days Out in Essex
- Family Day out Ideas (Pinterest Board)
Things To Do in Essex This April (2017)
Saturday 1 April to Monday 17 April – Various times
Royal Gunpower Mills – Waltham Abbey
Professor Nitrate and his assistants have lots of family fun planned throughout the holidays. You can learn about the science behind bouncy eggs and make and fire rockets too! T Shirt printing, easter card making and lots more.
More Info –https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spring-into-easter-tickets-30924238229
Saturday 1 April to Monday 17 April – Various times
RHS Garden Hyde Hall – Chelmsford
Join the hunt to find the Lindt Gold Bunny. Hear the magical tinkle of the golden bell and spy the flash of Lindt Gold Bunny ears as you uncover clues to be rewarded with a delicious Lindt chocolate treat. Activities are free with normal garden admission unless otherwise stated
More Info – https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall/whats-on/easter-at-hyde-hall
Monday 10 April to Wednesday 13 April – full day sessions
Barracudas Activity Day Camps – Chelmsford (other locations avail)
Offering fun activities and based at Chelmsford County High School, children make new friends while trying new sports and activities. For children aged 4.5 to 14 years, they can try 80+ fun and exciting activities including swimming, archery, fencing, dance, football, basketball and jewellery making and much more!
More Info – https://www.barracudas.co.uk/camps/view/chelmsford
Monday 10 April to Wednesday 13 April – 2-hour slots
Play in the Park – Chelmsford (22 different locations)
For children between 3 and 11, two-hour sessions consisting of sports, games and crafts.
More Info – https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/leisure-theatres-and-museums/community-sport-and-wellbeing/play-in-the-park/
Monday 10 April to Monday 17 April – various times
Step Into Spring – Barleylands, Billericay.
As with all events at Barleylands, expect lots of activities. The easter holiday events include lots of baby animals, with a host of new arrivals to meet and greet.
Don’t forget to check out their ‘egg-cellent’ extra activities!
More Info – http://www.barleylands.co.uk/events/
Saturday 8 April – 9 am to 4 pm
Wind in the Willows Family Scavenger Hunt (Drop in) – Hanningfield Reservoir Centre, Billericay
Mr Toad is off on his spring vacation but he has managed to lose the things he needs in the woods. Can you help him find them? No need to book.
More Info – http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/events/2016/04/08/wind-willows-family-scavenger-hunt-drop
Tuesday 11 April to Saturday 15 April – Various Times (5 slots per day)
‘Oz’ … the search for Toto – Nevendon Manor Events, Wickford, Essex
Will we find Toto? We cannot say for certain. But one thing we know… along the way, we’re sure to meet all your favourite characters from the original.
You are taken on an outdoor trail around our grounds for approximately 1 hour.
More Info – https://nevendonmanor.co.uk/tickets/?event_id=wizard-of-oz
Wednesday 12 April to Sunday 16th April – up to 2 shows per day
Peter Pan on Ice – Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre, Chelmsford
Combining pantomime, ice dance and theatre, the talented local cast from Chelmsford Riverside Ice Skating Club will be showcasing their skating skills to entertain you.
Friday 14th April to Monday 17th April – 11 am to 5 pm
Eastertide at Kentwell – Kentwell Hall, Long Melford
One of the most popular weekends at Kentwell Hall. Expect Easter quizzes, farm visits and family fun trails.
As always lots of indoor activities, just in case the weather turns!
More Info – http://www.kentwell.co.uk/events/tudor/easter-re-creation-tudor-life
Saturday 15 April to Monday 17 April – 10 am to 4 pm
The Great Pier Easter Egg Hunt – Southend Pier, Southend-on-Sea
The very first easter egg hunt takes place at Southend Pier over the easter weekend. You’ll find ten easter posters that the Easter Bunny has hidden. A chocolate egg and certificate for every child who completes the challenge.
Face painting and more activities available in the Royal Pavillion too!
More Info – http://www.southend.gov.uk/events/event/2355/the_great_pier_easter_egg_hunt
Sunday 16 April to Monday 17 April – 10 am to 4 pm
Jousting with the Knights of Middle England – Hedingham Castle
Bold and bright costumes accompanied by stunts such as saddle falls, drags and rearing horses make this a show to remember.
More Info – http://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/event/jousting-with-the-knights-of-middle-england/
Sunday 16 April – 10 am to 4 pm
Transport Fest (Easter Classic Car Show) – Museum of Power, Maldon.
Pre 1985 transport with live music, craft stall and entry to the museum. Model village and Steam Pump Tea Room will be open on the day too.
More Info – http://www.museumofpower.org.uk/Events.html#TRANS
Saturday 22 April to Sunday 23 April
Spring Diesel Gala – Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar
Cab rides, prototype locomotives and the home fleet will all be on show over these two days. All trains will be running and operating between Ongar, North Weald, Epping and Shenfield stations.
More Info – http://eorailway.co.uk/events/diesel-gala/
Sunday 23 April – 12 pm and 3 pm
Invitation to view – Talliston, Great Dunmow
Once an ordinary house in an ordinary street, Talliston House and Gardens have been transformed into a series of inspiring locations, each set in a different time and place. Over 25 years, the project has taken a three-bedroomed, semi-detached ex-council house in Essex and transformed it into what The Sunday Times calls ‘Britain’s most extraordinary home.’
More Info – https://www.invitationtoview.co.uk/properties/talliston-house-gardens/
Sunday 23 April – 11 am to 5 pm
Southend Festival of Wheels – Southend High Street and seafront
Family friendly, lots on offer for everyone to enjoy a celebration of everything on wheels! Extreme Stunt Displays, coaching, motorbike trail stunts, 70 display cars and more!
More Info – http://www.southend.gov.uk/events/event/2317/festival_of_wheels
Saturday 29 April – 10 am to 2 pm
Bluebell Walk – Belfairs Woodland Centre
Come along and join our Woodland Ranger Ashley for a walk around the nature reserve to see the bluebells in full bloom along with many other spring flowers. Note – Booking is essential
More Info – http://www.essexwt.org.uk/events/2017/04/29/bluebell-walk
Saturday 29 April
Off the Beaten Track – Hedingham Road, Halstead
An event that has two aspects, the ‘Mountain Bike Challenge’ and the ‘Family Explorer Trail’.
Both events will offer a varied terrain with a mixture of off road tracks including flat out fast tracks, wooded and open sections and technical sections. Whatever your ability this event promises to provide a great mix of technical challenges and time to just have fun and enjoy a great ride.
More Info – http://www.headwayessex.org.uk/headway-events/mountain-bike-challenge
Saturday 29 April and Sunday 30 April – appearance timings on website
Peppa Pig and George Visit the Epping Ongar Railway
The first of this year’s character days. Train ticket includes unlimited travel on all steam and diesel train with added activities for children too.
More Info – http://eorailway.co.uk/events/peppa-pig/
Sunday 30 April – 11 am to 4 pm
Third Annual Bulldog Bonanza – Battlesbridge Antiques Centre, Battlesbridge
All dogs are welcome to this third annual bulldog bonanza. BBQ, KC companion dog show and various stalls including antiques.
More Info – http://www.battlesbridge.com/events/third-annual-bulldog-bonanza
Sunday 30 April and Monday 1 May – 10 am onwards
Essex Robin Hood Country Show – Brentwood Centre, Brentwood
I love this show and have so many fab memories of my 1st visit with Millie. So much to do for the whole family with jousting, displays and lots of doggy activities too. Millie even got little runners-up award for the water jump here. Do check it out.
Related Content: Best Country Shows in Essex: A Dog-Friendly Family Day Out
More Info – http://www.robinhoodcountryshow.co.uk/brentwood-robin-hood-show.htm
Still Looking for Things to Do in Essex this April?
If you are still in need of some inspiration, why not have a look at our previous blog on 15 Free Family Days Out in Essex? I’ve also pulled together a Pinterest board which may help with some indoor inspiration which you will find the blog too. Perfect for those days when the weather decides to spoil our fun.
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