What To Do In Essex This February Half Term (2026)

With the unpredictable weather that February brings coupled with stretched bank accounts following the festive period, it can be challenging to fill the days during February half term (14th to 22nd February). While many of the seasonal attractions in Essex aren’t reopening until the Easter holidays, some are open for February half term.  This post has a range of boredom busting suggestions for all budgets in Essex if you are looking for ideas of what to do with your children in half term.

Tuesday in half term is pancake day so keep an eye out for pancake themed events on that day (or plan a pancake special at home). Chinese New Year also takes place in half term so expect some celebrations to welcome in the Year of The Horse. 
 

 
A sheep next to a newborn black lamb taken at Barleylands Lambing Week in February half term 2022
February Half Term Sees Newborn Lambs at Barleylands 



Where To Go In Essex This February Half Term (2026)


Contents



Animal Experiences

Days out at Essex Farms, Zoos and Attractions with Animals

  • Ashlyns Wildlife Park
    Ashlyns Farm, Epping Road, North Weald, Epping CM16 6RZ
    Open every day
    Ashlyns Wildlife Park is continuously improving with a growing number of animals as well as 3 play areas. Tickets for half term are half price and you can get a bundle deal if you book soft play at the same time. The half price tickets are £4.23 for adults and £3.73 for children.  This doesn't include the soft play so if you want to book a slot there to warm up you will have to book those at the same time (for a 10% discount). Soft play costs £6.45 for preschoolers, £7.45 for 5 plus and £1.50 for adults.

  • Barleylands Lambing Week
    Barleylands Farm Park & The Village, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2UD
    Saturday 14th February to Sunday 22nd February
    Tickets are £15.75 per person (over 2), under 2's £3.40, babies under 6 months go free.
    Get the opportunity to meet the adorable newborn lambs and perhaps even see one being born! Bottle feeding demonstrations, biscuit decorating, plus all the usual fun at Barleylands which includes soft play and tractor rides.
    As an extra bonus on pancake day (Tuesday 17th) there will be pancakes available between 10.30am and 1.30pm.

  • Boydells Dairy Farm
    Braintree Road, Braintree CM7 4AQ
    Saturday 14th February to Sunday 22nd February
    This half term Boydells is open for prebooked farmer experiences only. Different experiences run throughout the day so whether your little ones is more into birds, ponies or wants an overview of the farm life they can find out more and get hands on. £15 a child including an accompanying non-participating adult. Click "Get Tickets" on their Facebook page

  • Colchester Zoo
    Maldon Road, Stanway, Heckfordbridge, Colchester CO3 0SL
    Tickets £18.80 adults, £15.20 children (advanced price without a donation). 
    Colchester Zoo are filling half term week with extra daytime activities suitable for children of all ages including parties on the stage. If it's a cold day make sure to spend some time at the Exploratorim in Kalahari Theatre where they have boxes of activities. If you have children under 10 you can advance book a free slot in the softplay (they are usually fully booked on the day).  Read how to make the most of your visit to Colchester Zoo here.

  • Daisy May's Farm
    • Hall Road, Elsenham, CM22 6DN
    £6 per person, no booking required. NO CARD PAYMENTS SO BRING CASH
    The community farm continues to be open 7 days a week 10am to 4pm. You can visit the farm to meet baby sheep and goats, hold baby chicks, enjoy a trail, a play area and arts & crafts. Ride the woodland train for an additional £2 pp, animal feed 50p a bag.

  • Foxholes Farm
    London Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 7NT
    Saturday 14th to Sunday 22nd February
    £6 for children, £4.95 for adults.
    A short distance from Essex, Foxholes Farm has their Big Tractors Experience Day returns over half term. Enjoy opportunity to sit in their tractors and pretend to drive them as well as see some of the animals in their winter homes. If you also want to go in the playbarn make sure you buy the ticket that includes this (an extra £6.95 per child)

  • Get To Know Animals
    Forest lodge commercial complex, Epping Rd, Waltham Abbey, Epping CM16 5HW
    1hr handling experiences are running from Monday 16th to Friday 20th February at 11am and 2pm.
    £25 per person.
    Ticket includes 1 hour group experience, free entry to the small indoor rescue zoo and a free return visit to the zoo.  There are a maximum of 26 places per event. You will get to meet up close and hold around 10 different animals, these might include furries, reptiles, snakes, exotics and invertebrates.

  • Lee Valley Family Adventure Park
    Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey EN9 2EF
    Running the 14th to 22nd February. Book online in advance for £8.49 (plus 50p booking fee per person).
    If it's a dry half term then a day at Lee Valley should be fun. Expect some animals (including the  wallaby walkthrough), a great playground, mini golf, bouncy pillow and more. 

  • Old MacDonalds Farm
    Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AY
    The farm is open 14th to 22nd February.
    Tickets £24 adults, £23 children, but you get over 25% off if you book in advance.
    Half term sees a Pop Academy event at OMDs (think those Demon Hunters rather than general pop music).  Old MacDonalds Farm is a fun place to visit for younger children with farm animals you can pet, plenty of play areas and some fairground rides. Activities are mostly outside so wrap up warm. 

  • Marsh Farm
    Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers CM3 5WP
    Half term tickets (from 14th to 22nd Feb) advanced booking £9.95 per person, or £12.45 per person if you want to add on the rides and skating. Additional 50p per person booking fee.
    Also putting on a K Pop themed event over half term Marsh Farm will have a silent disco, performances and meet & greet. They also have animals, play areas and a good size soft play. You can read more about visiting Marsh Farm here.

  • Maldon Promenade Petting Zoo 
    Maldon Promenade Park, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ
    Reduced price entry until 13th March of £6 pp (apart from on event days), Meerkat meet and greet add on £10 per person.
    The mini zoo is back open for half term after closing for much needed renovations. 

Outdoor Adventures

  • Essex Wildlife Trust Events
    Various locations and dates. Prices from around £7
    Wrap up warm for one of the low cost, fun activities at Essex parks and beaches this half term with activities organised by Essex Wildlife Trust. These include:
    • Stone Age Adventure at Thameside on Monday and Wednesday.
    • Family orienteering at Langdon on Tuesday.
    • Bird Box building at Hanningfield on Wednesday.

  • RHS Hyde Hall
    RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Chelmsford CM3 8ET
    Advanced tickets start at £15.35 for adults, children under 5 are free and over 5's are £5.
    The new Wind in the Willows trail opens in half term (and runs all year). In addition on Tuesday there there will be storytelling sessions and you can book planting and craft workshops on Wednesday to Friday (additional charge). Read my review of RHS Hyde Hall before you go.

  • Adventure Island
    Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1EE
    Advanced day tickets cost £25, Annual passes are currently on sale for £50.
    Adventure Island, the coastal 'theme park' is back open for February half term from 14th to 22nd February. If the weather isn’t great there is always the soft play and arcades to warm up in. Read more about Adventure Island in my post here. 

  • Essex Outdoors
    Harlow, Bradwell, Danbury and Mersea Island (near Colchester)
    For February Half Term, all centres except Bradwell have reduced these days to half price, £20pp.
    Children age 8-16 can take part in Essex Outdoors school holiday activity days. Each day they will take part in four different activities, such as climbing, canoeing and archery. All equipment is provided so all they need is the right set of clothes and a packed lunch.

  • Wyvernwood
    St. Osyth Road, Alresford, Colchester CO7 8AP
    You can currently get 15% off tickets with code EARLYBIRD, but without that advanced tickets are £16.49 for children, £15.49 for adults. Tickets £22 per person on the gate.
    Wyvernwood is an outdoor immersive storytelling world with lots of play areas and very little cover. Over half term they have a Merlin's School of Magic themed event where you will learn to be a wizard and then help the dragon (Zephyr) get his roar back. 

Museums and History

  • Colchester Castle Museum
    Castle Park, Colchester CO1 1TJ
    Castle entry costs £12.75 for adults, £7.50 first child, £3.75 each for additional children
    Colchester Castle Museum has a few events on this half term, including:
    • Mythical Castle Creatures family tour aimed at 5+ years, which lasts 45 minutes and runs between the 16th and 20th February. The tour will bring folklore and mythical creatures to life. Tickets are £3.75 on top of castle admission and need to be prebooked.            
    • It's the last chance to visit the mythical creatures exhibition that has been running since last summer ends as it ends after half term.
    • You can also download and print (or just access from a phone/tablet) the free '50 ways to play' challenge which has 50 fun activity suggestions for if you are exploring the Natural History Museum, Hollytrees Museum and Colchester’s Castle Park
      Read my review of Colchester Castle here.

  • Epping Ongar Railway
    Ongar and North Weald
    • On 14th, 15th and 18th February the heritage railway is running it's "Kids for a Quid offer", (adults £16). Get a heritage bus from Epping station before riding diesel and steam trains and checking out the new play area at North Weald.
    On the last weekend of half term (21st and 22nd February) they have a special event in partnership with Fox & Edwards events where you can ride the Extinct Express and meet baby dinosaurs. This 2 hour event starts and ends at Epping station. Tickets are £25 for adults, £15 for children.  Book your tickets here.

  • Hedingham Castle
    Hedingham Castle, Bayley Street, Halstead, England, CO9
    Brightsworths School of Magic is back from 16th to 22nd February.  This 2 hour indoors event is suitable for children aged between 3 and 10 and has plenty of magic and mystery featuring: magic wands, potions, spells and entry to the enchanted animals enclosure. Tickets are £22.95 for children over 3 and adults are £14.95.

  • Hollytrees Museum
    Castle Park, Colchester, CO1 1UG
    Open Monday to Saturday, but on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th they have additional events which are included in the entry fee. £4 adults, £2.50 first child, £1.50 additional children.
    19th February there is a meet the servants event between 10.30am and 12pm where you can find out what it was like to be a Georgian servant.
    20th February there are sessions running at 10.30am or 3pm where children can take part in crafts inspired by past toys. 

  • Museum of Chelmsford
    Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ
    17th to 19th February. £6 per child (free accompanying adult, additional adults pay museum entry of £4
    Linked to the Oi Chelmsford! Kes Grey exhibit the museum is running an "Oi! It's Half Term!" event where they will be bringing the books to life. Places need to be booked online. Read more about visiting Chelmsford Museum here.

  • Hatfield Road, Langford, Maldon, Essex CM9 6QA
    Thursday 19th February 9.30am to 3pm. Children 5 to 15 are £5 and adults £8.
    The Power of Spring event will be celebrating springtime with crafts, a treasure hunt and other activities. The Miniature Railway will be running and the Model Village is open.

 

Theatre Shows

  • Tales from Acorn Wood Live
    Sunday 15th and Monday 16th February at Chelmsford Theatre, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1JG
    Tickets start at £15.00
    Based on the popular book and full of lots of music, puppetry and story book fun.

  • Ministry of Science Live
    Monday 16th February at Harlow Playhouse, College Gate, Harlow CM20 1LS
    Tickets start at £15.50
    A science show direct for the West End looking at the scientists, engineers and inventors that have shaped the modern world. 

  • Comedy Club for Kids
    Monday 16th February at Harlow Playhouse, College Gate, Harlow CM20 1LS
    SOLD OUT
    Stand up comedy suitable for children.

  • K-Pop Superstars
    Monday 16th February 7pm at Brentwood Theatre, 15 Shenfield Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 8AG
    Tickets £23
    Live stage show that "celebrates the sound, style and spirit" of K-Pop. Includes numbers inspired by acts like BTS, BLACKPINK and Katseye. 2 hour standing concert including 20 minute interval and meet and greet.

  • Unicorn Live!
    Tuesday 17th February at Harlow Playhouse, College Gate, Harlow CM20 1LS
    £13 per ticket. 
    Following Princess Live! last year, Unicorn Live! claims to be 'Featuring your favourite pop and musical theatre songs, dazzling costumes, and a real unicorn called Sparkle. This show is like no other and will be sure to entertain children of all ages.'

  • Natural History Museum presents Dinosaurs Live!
    Tuesday 17th to Wednesday 18th February at Chelmsford Theatre, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1JG
    Tickets start at £17.00
    A a pre-historic journey through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and watch the life-like dinosaurs come alive right on stage.

  • K-POP Party
    Thursday 19th February at Harlow Playhouse, College Gate, Harlow CM20 1LS
    £15 per ticket. 
    Dance, sing and party with a virtual K-Pop group (K-POP Icons) and live dance crew.

  • Silly Billy Panto Adventures
    Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st February at Harlow Playhouse, College Gate, Harlow CM20 1LS
    £13.50 per ticket. 
    Knowing Silly Billy (who is the highlight of all the Harlow panto's) this will be a hilariously silly 50 minute show. Followed by a meet & greet. 

  • The Dinosaur that Pooped a Rock Show
    Friday 20th February at Harlow Playhouse, College Gate, Harlow CM20 1LS
    Tickets start at £16.50
    Perfect for children who find poo hilarious. This show is an adaptation of the books with songs written by the authors Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter of McFly fame. 

  • Rude Science
    Saturday 21st February at Cliffs Pavillion, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, SS0 7RA
    Tickets from £20.50
    A new show by Stefan Gates designed for children. Listed as 'The show transforms complex biology, physics and chemistry into educational hilarity using Stef’s signature stunts and encyclopaedic science knowledge'.

Events

  • Scotts of Southend 
    Sutton Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 1LQ
    Enjoy a 45 minute Magic & Mayhem with Skittleman! for £6 per person on Tuesday 17th & Wednesday 18th February.
    Meet The Farm Animals at the garden centre this half term from Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st February. Get close to a selection of cute farm animals for £6 per person. 

  • Southend Mega Fun Day 
    Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre, SS2 4FA
    Thursday 19th February. Remaining tickets are £11.99 per child (plus £1 booking fee).  
    Inflatables, a disco party and a children's game show. Aimed at children aged 2 to 11.

  • Kids Play Bouncy Castles Stay and Play
    Debden Park High School, Willingale Road, Loughton IG10 2BQ
    Wednesday 18th to Friday 20th February, £12 per child (prebook online).
    Taking over a large hall in the Debden Park High School Kids Play Bouncy Castles set up a main area of inflatables for 4 to 11 year olds and a smaller area with inflatables and soft play for children age 6 months to 3 years. There are 3 bookable time slots each day lasting 2 hours (9.30am, Midday and 2.30pm). 

  • Essex Vegan Festival
    Charter Hall, Colchester Leisure World, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester CO1 1YH
    10.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday 21st February. Standard entry is £5 and under 16’s free, advanced booking only.
    Over 60 stalls where you can discover vegan products for small businesses across East Anglia (and further afield) and listen to talks. The venue has parking and disabled access.

Free and low cost activities for February Half Term in Essex

  • Harlow Playhouse
    Harlow Playhouse, College Gate, Harlow CM20 1LS
    The Harlow theatre has a jam packed Family Week this over February half term. Most of the performances are listed above, but they also have lots of taster sessions for everything from Ballet to Hip Hop. These sessions are free, but need to be prebooked.

  • Libraries
    Make sure to keep an eye on the socials/website for your local library as they regularly run free or subsidised workshops and events for children during school holidays. In the past we have attended magic shows and arts and crafts workshops during the school holidays. Selecting books to take home is also a great way to spend an hour or so and there are often colouring stations or LEGO building stations set up too. Essex libraries are running an animal themed winter reading challenge which runs up until the 22nd February 2026 if your little one needs some motivation to get reading.

    Promotional Offers
  • Don't forget to make the most of the kids eat free and £1 deals that many restaurants run during the school holidays, our updated list of participating restaurants is linked here. Also if you are a customer, check Sky rewards or your mobile phone, energy provider to see if they are offering any promotions. Octopus Energy often run 2 cinema tickets for £10 and Three sometimes offer £3 cineworld tickets.

More Inside Places To Go With Children in February Half Term 

If you are still looking for somewhere to keep warm and dry then I have a great range of suggestions here including: where you can go to the cinema, soft play, ceramic painting or play crazy golf in Essex.  If you have tweens or teens to entertain then check out the suggestions in this post. 


    Did you know we have a Facebook page where we share lots of ideas of things to do in Essex? Why not check it out and follow us for more inspiration.  
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