Whats On in Essex this February? Essex is bursting with family-friendly activities and events. If you are looking for things to do in Essex during February Half Term, you are in the right place! This Guide to family friendly events in Essex also includes FREE half term events in Essex and free day out recommendations.
There are also some great new additions to parks across Essex this year, including a NEW Guess How Much I Love You Trail, a NEW Stick Man Activity Trail and a NEW inclusive playground at Thames Chase Forest Centre! February Half Term 2025 in Essex is going to be great!
There is also lots to do during February half term in Essex. The February half term holiday for Essex schools is Monday 17th February to Friday 21st February 2025. This guide will help you explore the best family-oriented events in Essex, ensuring you create unforgettable memories with your loved ones during the school holiday.
Explore one of our wonderful parks, playgrounds, nature reserves or gardens. Just remember to wrap up warm. Read on to find out What's on in Essex for February Half Term 2025.
Whats New in Essex - February 2025
NEW Guess How Much I Love You Trail
Its's been a while since a new trail hit Essex! This February Half Term the new Guess How Much I Love You Trail hops over to RHS Hyde Hall. The trail is included with admission to the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens. You can find out all the details by checking out our blog post on the NEW Guess How Much I Love You Trail!
NEW Africa Enclosure at this FREE farm!
On 17th February 2023 the NEW Africa enclosure officially opens at Pets Corner in Harlow Town Park! Admission to Pets Corner is totally free, making this a great free family day out in Essex. Expect a fun day of keeper talks and activities. You can also enter the naming competition for a chance to name the new animals. Drop in between 11am and 3pm, no booking required!
NEW Stick Man Adventure Trail
There is a brand NEW Julia Donaldson trail in Essex! Thames Chase is home to the latest Stick Man Trail. Complete the trail to find Stick Man's family tree. This trail is FREE, activity packs can be purchased from £4 per pack.
NEW Inclusive Playground!
There is a BRAND NEW Inclusive play area coming to Thames Chase Forest Centre. The new playground officially opens on Sunday 16th February 2024 at 10,30pm. There will be free children's crafts and face painting available in the heritage barn from 10.30am-1pm. We can't wait to check it out!
If you are looking for an inclusive playground check out our guide: The Best Inclusive and Accessible Playgrounds in Essex
Indoor Play Ares in Essex
Playgrounds are great for letting children burn some energy and sometimes you just need an indoor playground. Indoor play areas are great if you are looking for things to do on a rainy or cold day in Essex. Our Guide has over 30 listed by area.
Free Character Trails in Essex
Stick Man Trail - The Stick Man Trail is at Weald Country Park. There are a series of wooden, sculptures located close to the car park and around the lake.
Peter Rabbit Trail - There are a series of wooden characters along the trail at Langdon including all the Peter Rabbit favourites such as Jemima Puddleduck and Benjamin Rabbit.
Wind in the WIllows Trail - you can find the Wind in the Willows Trail at the beautiful Hanningfield Reservoir. There are a series of wooden sculptures and brass rubbings along the woodland trail.
Abberton Reservoir is home to the Bralmey Hedge woodland trail.
Eastbrookend Country Park is home to Artys Sculpture Trail. The trail starts and ends at the Discovery Centre. The trail starts with Robin Rue’s sculpture next to the Discovery Centre.
The Longest Play Trail in Essex can be found at Great Notley Country Park. The Great Notley Play Trail is a 1.2km loop with various pieces of play equipment and playgrounds along the route
Free (and low cost) Events and Low Cost Things to do in Essex - February Half Term
Tourmaline and the Museum of Marvels Trail 15th - 23rd February 2025 at Chelmsford Museum in Oaklands Park - The national trail for families is inspired by Tourmaline and the Museum of Marvels by Ruth Lauren – a fun, feminist adventure series for children aged 9 – 12. Pick up a free activity sheet from the front desk. Complete the spotter trail and get a free Tourmaline sticker! Children can also design their very own Museum of Marvels.
It is FREE to enter the very kid friendly Chelmsford Museum, which is set in the grounds of Oaklands Park. There are also two great play areas in Oaklands Park worth checking out!
Kids Crafts at Hanningfield Waterside Park - 18th February - you can find a well stocked crafting at the cafe at Hanningfield Waterside Park. You can also find a great kids play area there is a lovely woodland to walk through. Drop in between 11am and 1pm. £2, cash only.
FREE Crafts - 18th and 19th - FREE drop-in woodland craft activities running 10am to 11.30am
Half Term Eye Spy Trail -14th - 23rd February
£1 trail map available from the Visitor Centre between 10am and 4pm. Follow the trail but have your eyes peeled! Can you spot the woodpecker holes, squirrel dray and signs that spring is on its way? Complete the trail and collect a mini prize from the Visitor Centre. No pre-booking needed.
Chelmsford Book Trail - 17th to 21st February - Become part of the Chelmsford Fairytale and join the programme of FREE Book Week activities.
Monday - Storybook Creations: Mixed Media Collage Workshop. Learn how to make beautiful mixed media collages using vintage book pages. You will be given a secret collage pack to get creative with colours, textures, and tell your own unique story. John Lewis, Floor 2. Drop-In Sessions 10am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 4pm
Tuesday - Book Adventures at Chelmsford Market - FREE Beaded Bookmark Workshop Drop in between 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm to make your own.
Pop-up book stand from local authors… ready for you to buy your next read… including brand new Children’s book ‘The Cute Nute’ by Carley-Ann Osborn. There will be short story sessions of this book at 10am, 11am, 12am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm – along with colouring sheets from the book, illustrated by Carley-Ann herself. Location Chelmsford Indoor Market (North Hall – behind the flower stall)
Wednesday - Book Week Bonanza: Family Arts & Crafts - Dive into the world of storytelling and literature through four exciting art and craft workshops. Location: The Meadows Shopping Centre. Drop-In Sessions 10am – 2pm
Thursday - Zine Workshop - Join illustrator and author Hayley Wells to learn how to make your own zine. This workshop is suitable for ages 5+ and all materials will be provided. Location: High Chelmer Shopping Centre. Drop-In Sessions 10am-11am & 1pm-2pm
Friday - Fairytale Facepainting -High Chelmer Shopping Centre. 10am – 4pm (queue closes at 3:30pm)
Book Trail All Week - Chelmsford For You will be hiding books at a number of locations across the city centre, It’s time for the kids to become the detective in their own story to track them down! Clues to each book’s location will be added to CFY social stories intermittently from 10am. If you find the book, it’s yours to keep!
Anime and Manga Week at Southend Libraries
MangaZine Event - 15th February The Forum Southend -an exhibition all about Anime and Manga at The Forum library and take part in a host of FREE workshops and activities throughout the week!
Magical Girl Wand Workshop - 19th February - The Forum - build your own Magical Girl Wand from craft materials you could find at home and help transform it (and yourself) into something magical! Suitable for children and young people aged 8+.
You can also find The Forum Playground outside of the The Forum Library.
Jaywick Martello Tower: Origami Workshop for Young People 18th February - This hands-on workshop is perfect for young people who are interested in crafts and looking to try something new. No prior experience is necessary, just bring your enthusiasm and we'll provide the rest! Free event - prebooking required.
February Fun Day - 22nd February - Celebrate half term in Shenfield at the February Fun Day from Brentwood Connected to mark the opening of Shenfield Library!
Shenfield Library - Face painting with from 11am-3pm, Animal handling with Exotic Explorers from 11am-2pm, Animal crafts with Retro From Scratch from 1-3pm, Storytime from 2.30-3pm
Hutton Road - Meet the walkabout animal character from 11am-3pm, Children's cup & saucer ride from 11am-3pm, Play centre from 11am-3pm
Family Friendly Events in Essex - February Half Term
Essex Wildlife Trust Abberton Reservoir is a great Nature Discovery Park. As well as the great wildlife spotting, kids will also love natural play area and the Bramley Hedge woodland character trail.
16th - Nature Tots Sunday Special - As the seasons change, discover and learn through a range of fun wildlife-themed activities from bug hunting and leaf spotting to natural painting and stick creatures. £7
18th - Brilliant Birds - Make a bird box, toast marshmallows on the fire and complete our bird-based trail round the reserve. £7 plus £8 per bird box kit.
21st - Nature Adventures - Excited to learn some unique outdoor skills? We are providing crafts and activities that allow you to use tools, sticks, and mud to make some fabulous creations, including, dens, woodcraft, and natural art. £7
15th - 23rd - Lambing! visit the Lamb Nursery and meet our adorable new born lambs and their proud Mothers. You can also meet the Shepherd who can tell you everything you need to know about a Sheep’s pregnancy. If you are lucky, you might even see a lamb being born! From £15 per person, under 2s £3.40
There are plenty of amazing ancient woodland to explore at Belfairs Woods in Leigh-on-Sea! Children will love den building, splashing in the streams and puddles.
15th - Winter Tots & Saturday Forest School - £7
There are plenty of regular events at the Bedfords Park Nature Discovery Centre. There is also a wooden play area, visitor centre, cafe and you can feed the deer!
18th - Bird Boulevard Trail - explore the Frosty Forest, on a journey to find the bird eggs scattered throughout. Then claim your rewards, and have a go making your own bird from the provided materials. £4
Daws Hall is a 25 acre private nature reserve on the Essex/Sussex Border.
19th - Pond dipping, Minibeast Hunt + Craft - Take part in some minibeast hunting and pond dipping with a picnic and marshmallows by the fire at Lunchtime. Have fun, get out and about and maybe even learn something new! £8
Eastbrookend Country Park has a great play area and sweet Tearoom which is located next to the playground. The Eastbrookend Country Park Tea Room serves a variety of hot and cold food. This February Half Term children can enjoy biscuit decorating for just £5.
17th - Valentines Disco - Calling all princess and superheroes. Spider-man and Elsa invites you to, Marvel training activities, Disney dancing and singing. Photo opportunity with Olaf. Action packed party game and more! £7.50 per Child with accompanying adult. Details Here.
There are amazing birdwatching opportunites at this Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Centre. Explore bird hides with estuary views. There is a great play area and there are regular family friendly events hosted by EWT.
19th - Code Breakers - Calling all aspiring secret agents! We have received intelligence that some top-secret messages have been hidden around the nature reserve. Can you find all the messages, crack the codes, and complete the challenges? £7
21st - Winter Warm-Up - Discover your way to our wintry woodland site, and then build a shelter to protect yourself from the elements,. Cook tasty treats over the campfire and learn to light fires. £8
16th - Poo and Other Clues - What animals are at Fingringhoe? What do they eat and where do they live? Find out by looking at their poo and other clues!. Dissect some owl pellets to reveal the bones within, make a plaster cast of the animal prints we find, and do a spot of bug hunting. £7
Great Notley Country Park is home to Sky Ropes during school holidays! You can also find The Longest Play Trail in Essex - a 1.2km loop with various play equipment.
15th - 23rd - Sky Ropes - Swing, swoop and soar on our specially designed Sky Ropes course at Great Notley Country Park. This is our two-level high ropes course .
There are so many things to do at Hainault Forest Country Park! You can find Foxborrows Farm (which is free to enter), the Hainault Thomas Train Ride and a great adventure playground at Hainault Country Park. The playground was renovated in July 2023 and is a great addition to the park.
18th - Forest Explorers - Have a go at making different designed shelters using branches and debris from the forest and learn how to put up a tarp shelter. £5
14th - Forest Explorers - Can you make a natural water filter? Next make your own pine needle scrub and learn about the other trees and plants in the forest that can help you get clean! £5
The Royal Horticultural Society's Hyde Hall has a variety of stunning, seasonal gardens. There is plenty of open space and also a children's play area. This February half term at Hyde Hall explore the Guess How Much I Love You garden adventure trail and more family friendly event.
From 15th - Starting on Saturday 15 February and continuing all year, explore the Guess How Much I Love You™ – A Garden Adventure trail. Bounce, hop and stretch like Little Nutbrown Hare, investigate colours, textures and shapes found in the garden, and learn about nature, growing and the changing seasons.
17th and 19th - Craft Workshop (prebook, £2.50 + admission)
17th and 19th - Face Painting (£5)
18th - Story telling walk
21st - Planting Workshop (prebook, £2.50)
Entrance to the gardens Adults £15.85 (£17.45 with gift aid), Children £7.95 (£8.75 with gift aid ), Under 5s Free
Hanningfield Reservoir is home to the Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Centre. The Wind in the WIllows Trail starts at the visitor centre - there are a series of brilliant wooden character sculptures and brass rubbings along the woodland trail. There is also a great play area on the other side of the wood at Hanningfield Waterside Park.
19th - Bird Box Building - Come and build a bird box to help the feathered friends in your garden! £10
20th - Famiy Forest School - Join us for a session spent in the woodland as it slowly starts to wake from winter £7
21st - Nature Tots - Enjoy exploring the woods with your toddler and looking for signs of early Spring in our forest! £8
Hedingham Castle is great for a family day out. There is plenty of history! The keep is nearly 900 years old and the House now over 300 years old. There are plenty of family events at Hedingham Castle throughout the year.
17th - Knight School - Learn together and fight together in duels and team battles at Knight School! Using padded weapons, you will learn how to fight like a medieval knight! In each 1 hour session, be coached in combat techniques by members of Knight’s Tower Medieval Combat School. £2.50 + admission fees Juniors £16, Under 4s Free, Adults £21.50
15th - 23rd - February Trail - Pick up a map from inside the Nature Discovery Centre and venture outside to complete the February trail. Once you've completed It head back to the centre to collect a prize! £4 per child. No booking required.
19th - Langdon Reptile Talk and Show Evening - Barleylands bring their exciting reptile show to Langdon for a special evening. Take the opportunity to see snakes, lizards and amphibians up close and learn fascinating facts about these interesting animals. £12, booking required.
19th - 22nd - Springtime crafty activities for all through the half term holiday - stone painting, make a paper flower, make a puppet, springtime Hunt, experiments and puzzles and more. On Thursday 20th Feb ONLY, Astaria Model Village will be open and the miniature steam train (at extra cost). Entry to museum Adults £8, Children £5, Children 1 - 5 years £1
The Naze nature reserve has beautiful, coastal walking trails. It is the home of the iconic Naze Tower.
18th - Animals in Winter Trail - Head out across the wild and windy Naze on our winter trail, and find all the animal clues to claim your prize. Back at the centre we'll be making some crafts using natural materials £7
19th and 21st - Family Fossil Discovery learn about The Naze geology and where to find fossils before heading out on a group fossil hunt £4
19th and 20th - Magical Madness & Kids Rave with Skittleman! - Skittleman’s Comedy Magic Show—packed with tricks, laughs, and surprises! Then crank up the tunes and hit the dance floor! Dance, sing, and show the kids how real ravers roll, all under dazzling party lights! £10 per child and £6 per adult.
21st and 22nd - Meet The Farm Animals - Come meet and learn about your favourite farmyard friends— curious, and full of charm. Tickets £5 each and available by prebooking only.
18th - Air-drying clay woodland craft - You could make a fox, owl, mouse ,the possibilities are endless! £4 per child
Essex Wildlife Trust's Thameside Nature Park is amazing for families, walkers and little explorers. The reserve has nature hides to sit and observe birds and nature from, walking trails and a visitor centre with a viewing deck. Small children will love the boat themed playground and there is also a wooden assault course for bigger kids.
20th - Bird Feeders £7
21st - Stone Age Adventure - immerse yourself in all things Stone Age! Use what you can find in the woods to build a shelter to protect yourself from the elements, try making your own paint out of natural materials, and practice fire lighting so you can cook a tasty snack on the campfire we build! £7
Wat Tyler Country Park has fantastic opportunities for wildlife spotting, great country walks and an huge inclusive children's play park.
17th, 19th, 20th, 21st - Pond Dipping £6.55
17th and 19th - Plant and Craft £7.65
20th - Orienteering £7.65
17th and 20th - Soft Archery £6.55
Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration -
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