The decorations may be coming down, but there is plenty to enjoy during Twixmas

50 Ideas for Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year (Twixmas) in Essex

Extend Christmas With These Festive Activities

1. Go ice skating. The seasonal rinks at Lakeside and Braintree Village are both open until 5th January.
2. Visit a light trail. The Enlightened trail at Hylands Estate (Chelmsford), Epping Ongar Railway Lights Express train as well as some of the London lights are open between Christmas and New Year. Check out a full list here: light trails in London, Essex & Hertfordshire.
3. Visit Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, it's open until 5th January. Check out our tips for visiting with children here.
4. See a pantomime. Look for any remaining tickets to see Dick Whittington (Harlow Playhouse), The New Adventures of Peter Pan (Mercury Theatre, Colchester) or Snow White (Chelmsford Theatre).
5. Head to the sales if you got some Christmas money to spend. Lakeside and Braintree Village have great stores, restaurants and plenty of free parking





Have a family board game tournament






Things To Do At Home

6. Use up those leftovers with an indoor picnic or leftover pie (add everything to a pie dish, add gravy and roll ready made pastry on top).
7. Make a time capsule. Let the children each choose something to go in representing what has happened this year. You don't even need to bury it, if you put small items in a glass jar and place it on your shelf it makes a great talking point.
8. Sort through your wardrobes and toy boxes to clear out unwanted items. Avoid throwing anything away by recycling items, taking them to your local charity shop, offering them on free websites like Freegle or look for your nearest nearly new sale or indoor boot sale. 
9. Create a 2024 photo book with your favourite family memories. Use a website such as ASDA Photo or an app like Free Prints to gets photos sent to you and stick into a scrap book.
10. Have a family board game tournament. Everyone gets to choose a game and who ever wins the most games gets to be the champion.
11. Get a head start on New Year’s resolutions. Get everyone to write down their family goals and hopes for the year ahead. 
12. Have an indoor treasure hunt.
13. Enjoy a family baking session. Use up leftover sweets and chocolate by making a simple rocky road or fudge like this slow cooker fudge using Terry's Chocolate Orange and condensed milk.
14. Make an ornament for future years, like this ribbon bauble that shows how tall your child was this Christmas.
15. Make and write thank you cards for the gifts.
16. Host a family talent show. Use those new Christmas presents (instruments, clothes etc.) to put on a fun family performance.
17. Build a den in the living room and maybe even have a sleepover in it.
18. Get the kids to make a calendar. Make it easy using this blank 2025 calendar from Baker Ross (affiliate link).
19. Have a film day: whether you’re still watching Christmas films or never want to see another one again! Get the popcorn out and take it in turns to choose what to watch.
20. Make a list of food and other items that didn’t get used or eaten to be put away with the Christmas bits to help prevent waste when shopping next year. 
21. Start a new hobby together. 
22. Have a pamper day together if you received smellies for Christmas (and if you didn't check out the sales shelf in the supermarkets as they clear out all the unsold gifts).
23. Plan a getaway for next year. Maybe you fancy a caravan holiday for half term, an off grid farm stay or a city break in Europe.



Spend time planning ideas, hopes and goals for next year




Indoor Activities Out Of The House

24. If your children are starting to climb the walls from being home too long book a session at a climbing wall. Rock Up at Lakeside and Vertigo in Harlow are both open between Christmas and New Year. 
25. Visit the cinema. There is a great range of films for the family to enjoy including new releases: Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 as well as Wicked, Paddington in Peru and Moana 2.  
26. Escape! Or at least see if you can, from a festive escape room, Cluetopia have a range of different festive storylines to choose from at their sites around Essex.
27. Have afternoon tea together. Mad Dogs and Englishmen in Leigh-on-Sea are offering The Nutcracker or Snow White themed teas until 5th January.
28. Take a trip to your local library to borrow some books.  Essex Libraries are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Sundays and New Year's day but check your local branch for details.
29. Visit a local ceramics café, most are open during Twixmas, but book ahead. Find out where your nearest ceramic café is here.
30. Head to the pool for some fun for the whole family. 
31. Learn something new at a local museum. We have plenty to choose from including Chelmsford Museum (free), Colchester Natural History Museum and Southend Museum.
32. Get away. Down Hall are have a twixmas break for some post-Christmas pampering so take advantage of family being around to babysit the kids.
33. Wear the children out while you enjoy a coffee at one of the many soft plays in Essex. For older children try a trampoline park with extra activities like Air Hop (Chelmsford or Colchester) or Ninja Warrior (Chelmsford).



Blow the cobwebs away with a walk on the beach






Outdoor Adventures

34. Sign up for the Southend Boxing Day Swim.
35. Clear out the cobwebs and prepare to get muddy at the Wild Forest Bobble Hat Run on 28th and 29th December.
36. Alternatively go to the neighbouring Nuclear High Ropes for their Illuminated High Ropes session after dark on 28th December. Suitable for children from age 6 to adults.
37. Enjoy some fresh air on a book themed woodland trail. We are spoilt for choice in Essex with the Peter Rabbit Woodland Trail in Basildon, Gruffalo and Stick Man Trail in Brentwood and Wind in the Willows at Hanningfield Reservoir. Check out these tips for going on a winter walk with children.
38. Go on a Winter scavenger hunt. Explore Essex's Festive Trail is running until 5th January. You can download a trail sheet here or use these ideas for a winter scavenger hunt anywhere.
39. Wrap up in waterproofs and head to one of these great playgrounds. 
40. Enjoy some peace bird watching at a local nature reserve. Great options in Essex include Abberton Reservoir (Colchester), Thameside (Stanford-Le-Hope) or Rainham Marshes (although it's worth noting the cafe and shop are closing permanently around Christmas).
41. Work together to complete a photography walk challenge.
42. Collect winter nature items for crafting.
43. Try your hand at skiing, snowboarding or tubing at Brentwood Ski Centre.
44. Take a donation to your local animal shelter, they are always appreciative of bedding, towels, toys or food.
45. Go for a family bike or scooter ride. There are downloadable maps for routes across Essex available here.
46. Go Geocaching with the family and take part in the world's largest treasure hunt!
47. Download a walking treasure trail. Treasure trails has a number of trails in Essex where you can explore your local area in a fun and creative way. Download the trails straight to your phone. 
48. Blow away the cobwebs with a beach walk, here are some of the best beaches in Essex.
49. Head to the zoo. You can see penguins at Colchester or head further afield and see polar bears and reindeer at Jimmy’s Farm (Ipswich).
50. Visit a historic house. Enjoy a stroll through the gardens before heading into the house or cafe to warm up. Christmas at Ickworth (Bury St Edmonds) is on until 5th January or you could visit Audley End House and Gardens. 

Have a film day with popcorn

• Many attractions offer special Twixmas pricing or family tickets.
• Check social media for last minute event announcements.
• Consider buying a membership for frequently visited attractions. All these great places offer annual passes.
• Pack emergency snacks and drinks.
• Keep an eye on weather forecasts and follow these tips for keeping warm.
• Many venues require advance booking during this period.
• Check parking arrangements as some car parks have holiday schedules.
• Look for "kids eat free" deals at restaurants during this period.