101 Things to Do in Chelmsford with Children This Summer - Part 5

And finally Part 5 of 101 Things to Do in Chelmsford with Children This Summer. This post includes soft play areas and everything slew that didn't really fit into the first four posts. 

Have a fantastic six weeks! Let us know what you've loved (and loathed!) about the places that have been suggested...

81. The Playloft at Rivendell Village in Maldon

82. Dizzee Rascals in Maldon

83. Creepy Crawlies in South Woodham Ferrers

84. Mace Playce

85. Kids and Koffee

86. Pickles Playhouse in Witham

87. Rocky's Funhouse

88. Wacky Warehouse

89. Cheeky Monkees in South Woodham Ferrers

90. Lathcoats Farm and PYO

91. Hazle's Pottery Barn

92. The Glazed Look

93. Ceramics on the Hop

94. Odeon Cinema

95. Swimming

96.  Essex Libraries reading challenge

97. Tenpin Bowling

98. Pitch and Putt

99. Ice Skating

100. Shopping (It's almost last on the list as I know it's most parents idea of hell but it's going to have to be done anyway for all the back to school stuff!)

and finally 101: A nice relaxing day at home!!


Don't forget to check out the other blogs in this series!

Part 1: Summer Courses, Camps and Holiday Clubs 1-20

Part 2: Days Out 21-40

Part 3: Events and Activities 41-60

Part 4: Get Outside! 61 - 80

101 Things to Do in Chelmsford with Children This Summer - Part 4

Part 4 of 101 Things to Do in Chelmsford with Children This Summer is a showcase of some of the best parks and outdoor spaces that we have right on our doorstep in Chelmsford. We'd all love for the sun to shine all summer, so I've included some of the closest beaches to Chelmsford as well. So go on - get outside and try somewhere new!

61. Play Cafe with Natural Foundations in Writtle

62. Hylands Park

63. Oaklands Park

64. Danbury Lakes

65. Galleywood Common

66. Hatfield Forest

67. Thorndon Country Park with Gruffalo Trail!

68. Saltcoates Park

69. Promenade Park

70. Walton-on-the-Naze

71. Clacton on Sea

72. Frinton Beach

73. Great Notley Country Park

74. Castle Park in Colchester

75. Epping Forest

76. Admirals Park and Tower Gardens

77. Three Shells Beach in Southend

78. Brightlingsea Beach

79. Cudmore Grove Country Park

80.  Mersea Island


Don't forget to check out the other blogs in this series!

Part 1: Summer Courses, Camps and Holiday Clubs 1-20

Part 2: Days Out 21-40

Part 3: Events and Activities 41-60

Essex Libraries Summer Reading Challenge

Essex Libraries have just launched their Summer Reading Challenge. They have been running these challenges for many years and I have memories of going to Chelmsford Library to prove I had read my 6 books and collect my certificate at the end of the summer!

This years challenge is called 'Mythical Maze' and to complete the challenge, and meet some new mythical creatures along the way, you need to read six books over the six weeks of the summer holidays. There are stickers to collect as you read each book and when you have completed the challenge, you are awarded with a medal. Even if you don't quite manage to read all six books, everyone is given a certificate to show they have taken part. Also, for the first time this year, under 3's are also being encouraged to take part and will be given special stickers.  

Another first this year is the development of an app that brings the mythical creatures to life. The downloaded app will allow you to scan pictures of the creatures in the library and find out more about them. The app also features stories and games involving the creatures.

Mythical Maze will be running from Saturday 19 July to Wednesday 3 September. Medals can be collected until 6 September. Some libraries will be starting the challenge earlier and mobile libraries from early July. 

Find out more about the challenge here.

Find your local library here.

101 Things to Do in Chelmsford with Children This Summer - Part 3

Part 3 of our series '101 Things to Do in Chelmsford with Children this Summer' covers various special events that are taking place in and around Chelmsford. I've tried to keep them in date order but some of the activities take place on more than one day so do check the links to find out more. 

41. Wild Wednesdays at Danbury Country Park 23, 30 July, 6, 13, 20, 27 August

42. Play in the Park - Taking place at various venues across Chelmsford 

43. Submerge Pool Disco at Riverside Ice and Leisure 23rd, 30th July and 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th August 

44. Horse and Carriage Rides around Hylands Park 23rd, 24th 28th July, 1st August

45. Wednesday Wonders at Chelmsford Museum 30th July, 6th, 13th and 20th August

46. Archery at Hatfield Forest 6th July and 17th August

47. Maldon Carnival in Maldon High Street and surrounds 2nd August

48. The Puppet Festival at Southend Pier 2nd and 3rd August

49. Horrid History Weekend: The Time of Witches and Witchcraft at Mountfitchet Castle 2nd and 3rd August

50. Open Sundays at Sanford Mill 3rd, 17th and 24th August

51. Inflatable Fun at Hylands Park 3rd-6th August

52. Kids Fest at Marsh Farm 8th -10th August

53. Southend Carnival 16th August

54. Carnival-on-the-Naze 16th and 17th August 

55. Late Night Opening at Colchester Zoo 9th and 23rd August

56. Clacton Air Show 21st and 22nd August

57. Jousting with The Knights of Middle England! at Castle Hedingham 24th and 25th August

58. Alice in Wonderland at Hylands Park 26th August

59. Scrapbook Safari at Hylands Park 30th July and 27th August

60. Train Operating Days at Colne Valley Railway 



Don't forget to check out the other blogs in this series!

Part 1: Summer Courses, Camps and Holiday Clubs 1-20

Part 2: Days Out 21-40

101 Things to Do in Chelmsford with Children This Summer - Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 in our blog series, 101 Things to Do in Chelmsford with Children this Summer. This post will focus on days out, so pack a picnic and hope that the sun shines! 

Some of these are a little further afield than Chelmsford but you are going for the day...

Days Out

21. Colchester Zoo - book tickets online to get a discount.

22. Marsh Farm

23. Tropical Wings

24. Chelmsford Musuem

25. Barleylands

26. Hyde Hall

27. Essex Police Musuem

28. Museum of Power

29. Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

30. Adventure Island in Southend. Get your wrist bands in advance on the website to save money!

31. Old MacDonald's Farm

32. Colchester Castle

33. Audley End House and Gardens

34. Tilbury Fort

35. East Anglian Railway Museum

36. Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary

37. Hedingham Castle 

38. Combined Military Services Museum

39. Cressing Temple Barns

40. Layer Marney Tower

Don't forget to check out the other blogs in this series!

Part 1: Summer Courses, Camps and Holiday Clubs 1-20

Part 3: Events and Activities 41-60

101 Things to Do in Chelmsford with Children This Summer - Part 1

With the Summer Holidays fast approaching and parents torn between 'how lovely to have 6 weeks with my children' and 'September can't come soon enough!!' I've put together 101 things you can do with your children in Chelmsford this summer. (OK - some of them aren't strictly in Chelmsford but none of them are more than an hour's drive!)

The first 20 include courses and camps that will need probably need booking before the holidays start - so get yourself organised if you need to!

Summer Courses, Camps and Holiday Clubs

1. Activity courses at Riverside Ice and Leisure

2. Activity courses at Chelmsford Athletics Centre

3. Activity courses at Dovedales

4. Activity courses at South Woodham Leisure Centre

5. Supercamps at New Hall School

6. City Camps run by Chelmsford City Council in different Chelmsford Venues. New this summer!

7. Netball Youth Camp run by England Netball at Sandon School

8. Mega Camps in Brentwood

9. Barracudas Day Camps at Chelmsford County High School

10. Jesters Holiday Club in Bicnarce

11. YMCA Holiday Club in Central Chelmsford

12. Little Stars Theatre Workshops at venues across Chelmsford

13. Mad Science Summer Camps in Great Baddow

14. Bear Grylls Kids Survival Day Courses in Chelmsford

15. One Day Activity Courses at Danbury Outdoors Centre

16. Holiday Clubs at Danbury Sports and Social Centre

17. Essex Cricket Summer Courses

18. Dance courses at Essex Dance Theatre

19. Animation Workshop at Just Imagine

20. Saracens Rugby Camp at Chelmsford Rugby Club

Don't forget to sign up via email to receive the rest of the posts in this series!

Part 2: Days Out 21-40

Part 3: Events and Activities 41-60