Easter Activities for Children in Essex 2017

Edit: This list is for 2017, if you want to find out about Easter 2018 activities click here.

If you are looking for ideas of where to go in Essex this Easter there are a huge number of options. I’ve pulled together a list of local Easter themed activities (think more egg hunts and easter bunny than religious events). Some are just on for a day and need pre-booking, but many of the normal great days out have extra activities on throughout the holidays. Locations mostly in South Essex (plus a few others which are worth travelling too).

Title "Easter activities for children mostly in Essex" on a backdrop of coloured foil wrap eggs from the coop

I recommend checking the individual organiser's website or facebook site to check for availability and changes.

Audley End Miniature Railway, Saffron Walden CB11 4JB
Take the miniature steam train to the Easter bunny in the woods on 14th to 17th April. Booking required. Tickets (£11) include train ride, meeting the Easter Bunny and his friends, Easter Trail, Craft Making and gift for each child. 

Copped Hall, Epping CM16 5HS
Join the Easter egg hunt on Sunday 16th April between 2pm and 4pm. Entry £5 per person plus additional 50p per child taking part in the hunt.

Barleylands, Billericay CM11 2UD 
A giant Easter egg hunt and the Easter bunny will be at Barleylands during the holidays as well as lots of baby animals, lamb bottle feeding and maybe even the chance to see lambs being born. The special Easter activities are not running on 8th, 9th or 15th of April.

Coalhouse Fort Park, East Tilbury RM18 8PB
On Tuesday 4th and 11th April there are family fun sessions where you can decorate and roll eggs or on Thursday 6th and 13th they have an egg drop challenge for ages 5 up (make a protective case to protect the egg from a 3 metre drop). Booking recommended, £5 per child/ session
Danbury Country Park, Danbury CM3 4UU *SOLD OUT*
On Thursday 13th April there will be an Easter trail, egg painting and a chance to meet the Easter bunny (and have a photo). You can book a time slot between 11am and 2pm. For children aged 2 to 8 years 

Epping Ongar Railway, Ongar and North Weald
Get the Easter Express on 14th to 17th April and enjoy a visit from the Easter Bunny, a children’s disco and face painters. Possibly the longest Easter Egg Hunt in Essex. For the full experience get the special bus from Sheffield or Epping Station.

Essex Fire Museum, Grays, RM17 5QS
Visit on Wednesday 5th or Thursday 13th April between 10am-4pm £3 a child for crafts, family trails and the chance to sit in a fire engine.

Gilwell Park, Chingford E4 7QW
Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday 16th April at 11am and 2pm. Face painting, bushcraft and arts and crafts available too. Booking required.

Easter Egg Hunt and activities 14th to 16th April 10am to 4pm, £7 per child. No booking required.

Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch Country Park RM12 6DF
Book a slot for Saturday 15th or Sunday 16th to go on the Easter egg trail, crafts and the Easter Bunny. £6 donation in advance.

Langdon Visitor Centre, Basildon SS16 6EB
On Friday 14th April join Mr McGregor's Garden trail at the home of the Beatrix Potter trail. £3 per child between 11am and 3.30pm (drop in) or on Sunday 16th April there is an easter egg hunt and easter crafts. £7 per child, booking required.

Lee Valley Park Farms, Waltham Abbey EN9 2EF
As well as all the baby animals, play area and tractor ride to see the cows there is an Easter Egg Hunt 14th to 17th April. Open 10am to 5pm everyday.

Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers CM3 5WP
Claiming to have Essex’s biggest Easter Egg Hunt as well as special activities available daily between 1st and 17th April.

Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted CM24 8SP
Follow the clues to find the eggs at Mountfitchet castle on their medieval Easter egg hunt. The open air museum has a reconstructed motte and bailey castle and a toy museum on the same site. Easter egg hunt available 1st to 17th April between 10am and 5pm.

Paradise Park, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire EN10 7QA
The new Penguin exhibit opens this Easter which is enough reason to visit, but they also have the Easter bunny, an Easter egg hunt, arts and crafts and easter themed animal feeds.
Pet’s Corner, Town Park, Harlow CM20 2QG
This urban farm is open every day 11am to 4.45pm with free entry. Currently you can feed lambs at 11am, 1.45pm and 4.30pm for £3 a bottle, but pre booking is recommended, this needs to be done in person at the onsite shop.
Easter Family Fun Day 17th April 11am to 4pm includes Easter Bonnet Parade, Easter Egg Hunt (£1) and Lamb Feeding (£3).

RHS Garden Hyde Hall, South Woodham Ferrers CM3 8AT
This Easter experience is supported by Lindt so you know the chocolate at the end is going to be good. Follow the Easter Trail between 10 and 5pm from 1st to 17th April. Easter crafts are bookable too (not on Good Friday or Easter Monday).

Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey EN9 1JY
If you want the Easter Holidays to go with a bang visit the Gunpowder Mills where there is egg themed science fun, craft a "non-traditional" golden egg hunt.

Tropical Wings Zoo, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5QZ
Easter themed fun 1st April to 17th April includes arts and crafts, shows and displays in addition to the large butterfly house and zoo animals.

The View Epping Forest Visitors Centre, Chingford E4 7QH
On Thursday 6th April between 2pm-4pm you can paint paper mache eggs at the Visitors Centre or on Monday 17th April there are lots of Easter themed activities including: egg decorating, crafts, and Easter trail, the Easter bunny and egg rolling between 1pm-4pm (free).

Waltham Abbey Gardens, Waltham Abbey EN9 1XQ
Join in the Easter themed Orienteering Competition on Wednesday 5th April 1pm-3pm £5 on day, but pre-booking recommended.

Willows Activity Farm, London Colney, Hertfordshire AL4 0PF
All the normal activities are on over the holidays plus they have the Easter Bunny visiting and a Easter egg hunt (with chocolate prizes), great for Peter Rabbit fans. Easter themed activities from 1st to 17th April

360 Play, Basildon SS14 3WB
Join the Easter egg hunt, make an Easter bonnet or Easter biscuits on 16th April 11am to 2pm and other Easter themed activities throughout the holidays.

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