What To Do In Essex This February Half Term

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 (15th to 23rd 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.

 
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 (2025)


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
    While Ashlyns Wildlife Park doesn't have a lot of animals it does have a few playgrounds and could be worth visiting this half term as they currently have February admission for just £2.50 per person (deduction shows on checkout). 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 15th February to Sunday 23rd February
    Tickets are £15.30 per person (over 2), under 2's £3.55, 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.

  • Boydells Dairy Farm
    Braintree Road, Braintree CM7 4AQ
    Saturday 15th February to Sunday 23rd 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 and accompanying adult. Click "Get Tickets" on their Facebook page

  • Colchester Zoo
    Maldon Road, Stanway, Heckfordbridge, Colchester CO3 0SL
    Tickets tbc but around £20 per person
    Colchester Zoo are filling half term week with extra daytime activities suitable for children of all ages. 'Keeper on the Couch' will also be returning to teach visitors what it takes to care for endangered species. 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 15th to Sunday 23rd February
    £5 per person
    A short distance from Essex, Foxholes Farm has their Big Tractors Experience Day returns on. Enjoy opportunity to sit in their tractors and pretend to drive them as well as see some of the animals in their winter homes. 

  • Get To Know Animals
    Forest lodge commercial complex, Epping Rd, Waltham Abbey, Epping CM16 5HW
    1hr handling experiences will be back on, running from Tuesday 18th Feb - Friday 21st 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 15th to 21st February. Book online in advance for £7.99 (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 15th to 23rd February.
    Advanced tickets currently £17 per person. 
    Expect farm babies and probably special events (tba, last year they had Singing Princesses in February half term). Old MacDonalds Farm is a fun place to visit for younger children with farm animals, 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 12th to 25th Feb) currently £7.99 when booked in advance, or £9.99 if booked on the day.
    There will be various entertainment (details tba), some animals, play areas and a good size soft play. You can read more about visiting Marsh Farm here.

Outdoor Adventures

  • RHS Hyde Hall
    RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Chelmsford CM3 8ET
    Tickets start at £15.85 for adults, children under 5 are free and over 5's are £7.95.
    Fans of the 'Guess how much I love you' book series will enjoy the new interactive garden trail and activities featuring Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare. Arriving in February half term and staying for the rest of 2025 there will be storytelling walks, facepainting and planting and craft workshops (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
    Adventure Island, the coastal 'theme park' is back open for February half term from 17th to 25th 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. They even provide playground games on request for any non-swimmers. All equipment is provided so all they need is the right set of clothes and a packed lunch and you’re good to go!

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:
    •  Reeking Romans- A sensory Family Tour aimed at 4+ years, which lasts 40 minutes and runs between the 17th-21st February. Explore the Roman vaults and hold historic objects whilst getting a whiff of authentic Roman smells!  Tickets are £3.50 on top of castle admission. 
    • They are also running a £5 Roman Gods Trail during half term and is best for children aged 6+.
    • 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.

  • Hedingham Castle
    Hedingham Castle, Bayley Street, Halstead, England, CO9
    • Knight School 17th to 19th February. If you fancy having a go at learning to fight like a medieval knight, this is the place for you.  Using padded weapons pupils will be coached in combat techniques by members of Knight’s Tower Medieval Combat School. Intended for children aged 6+ and adults too. Tickets cost £2.50 in addition to entry for Snowdrop walks and sessions must be prebooked (Snowdrops walks entry costs £25 for 1 adult family and £34 for a 2 adult family. 
    • Brightsworths Dragon Trainers 21st to 23rd February. This 2 hour indoors event is suitable for children aged between 5 and 10 and has plenty of magic and mystery featuring: magic wands, potions and dragon training. Tickets are £18.95 for children over 3 and adults are £9.95.

  • Epping Forest District Museum
    39-41 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1EL
    • Museum entry is on a ‘pay what you can’ basis, workshops are £3-4 per child.
    • Daily craft workshops being held for children during half term.
    • Choose from friendship bracelets, floral fun, sun catchers, valentines cards, storytelling with biscuit decorating, and making a paper pet.
    • Sessions vary between drop-in and pre-booking required, see the website or Facebook page for details.

Theatre Shows

  • Science Museum Live
    Monday 17th February at Harlow Playhouse, College Gate, Harlow CM20 1LS
    Tickets start at £16.50
    The Science Museum but not as you know it. With fun, interactive experiments and explosives, this is a show that will entertain and educate the whole family.

  • Pirates Love Underpants
    Tuesday 18 February and Wednesday 19 February at Chelmsford Theatre 
    Tickets start at £14.00
    Based on the popular book and full of lots of music, puppetry and pirate fun.

  • Princess Live!
    Tuesday 18th February at Harlow Playhouse, College Gate, Harlow CM20 1LS
    £11.50 per ticket. 
    Princess Live! claims to be 'the ultimate hour long princess pop party, featuring your favourite fairy-tale royalty in this all singing all dancing hour long concert show.'

  • Rude Science
    Wednesday 19th February at Cliffs Pavillion, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, SS0 7RA
    A 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'.

  • The Dinosaur that Pooped a Rock Show
    Thursday 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. 

Events

  • Princess Afternoon Tea at Wivernhoe House
    Park Road, Colchester, CO4 3FA
    Enjoy an afternoon tea with added princesses, singalongs, story telling, crafts and surprises. There are currently still places on the 11am session on Wednesday 19th February, prebooking essential, £30 per person.

  • Scotts of Southend 
    Sutton Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 1LQ
    Have two events on this half term including Magical Madness & Kids Rave with Skittleman! for £10 per child (£6 per adult) on the 19th & 20th February or' Meet The Farm Animals' on 21st & 22nd February £5 per ticket.

  • Southend Mega Fun Day 
    Thursday 20th February - Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre, SS2 4FA
    Inflatables, a disco party and a children's game show all for £7.99 per ticket (early bird price may change). Aimed at children aged 2 to 11.

  • Circus Fantastia
     Trinity Park Showground, Felixstowe road, Ipswich, IP3 8UH
    Friday 14th February- Sunday 9th March. 
    Tickets are £9.50 plus booking fee.
    Whilst just outside of Essex (this is based in Ipswich) the circus is always a great night for the whole family. 2 hrs of great acts including: acrobats, sword balancing, juggling on a moving quadbike, ladder artistes and much more.

  • KandiJam 
    • Mace Playce, Chelmsford - Wicked inspired workshops on 17th February 10-11.30am and 12-1.30pm. Decorate your own backpack to take home in pink and green patches and embellishments and customise two slimes, one pink, one green with charms and add ins. Tickets are £12pp.
    • Dreamy Play Days, Southminster - CutieClogs workshop on 18th February, 10-11.30am. Decorate a pair of clogs (unbranded crocs) with a big selection of different shoe charms, scrunchie backs and beads. Tickets are £20pp.

  • Kids Play Bouncy Castles Stay and Play, Debden Park High School, Willingale Road, Loughton IG10 2BQ
    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. Running from 19th to 21st February there are 3 bookable time slots each day lasting 2 hours (9.30am, Midday and 2.30pm). £13 per child, prebook online. 

  • Valentine's Day afternoon tea at Daily Bread Cafe
    St Peter's Church, Claughton Way, Hutton, CM13 1JS
    Share a Valentine’s Day afternoon tea with the kids on 19th February, 2-4pm, and enjoy a selection of sandwiches, cakes, a scone and unlimited teas and coffees. Adults £10pp and children £7pp.

  • Bunny Valentine’s brunch at Together Animal-assisted therapy
    Langham Community Hut, School Rd, Langham, Colchester, CO4 5PA
    Enjoy rabbit and guinea pig cuddles with refreshments available to purchase from the Langham Community Shop on 16th February, 1-3pm. Craft activities of bouquet and card making are also available. Tickets are £5pp.

  • PlayPalz Party and Soft Play Centre
    Telford Road, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 4LP
    Call to book these events: 01255 422255
    • 16th February, 4.15-5.45pm - Valentine’s Taylor Swift-inspired Party. Includes a Valentine's mocktail, hair braiding, disco, softplay, games and photo opportunities. 1-12yrs £12, 6-11m £2.50, 0-5m free, Adults £2.
    • 18th February, 10-11.30am - Superhero Party. Celebrate the release of the new Captain America film with a fancy dress competition, softplay, superhero meets and games. 1-12yrs £10, 6-11m £2.50, 0-5m free, Adults £1.50.

Free and low cost

  • Chelmsford Book Week with Chelmsford for You
    Activities include looking for hidden books around the town centre, craft sessions and face painting. Check out their Facebook page for the latest information.

  • 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 a dragon themed winter reading challenge which runs up until the 22nd February 2025 if your little one needs some motivation to get reading.

  • Colchester Toy Library
    Library, Prettygate, Prettygate Road, Colchester CO3 4DZ

    Not quite free but incredible value. Membership to this wonderful little toy borrowing library is £12 for six months membership and with the membership you are able to borrow up to 4 toys at a time to take home, I think for 6 weeks at a time. They are open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 till 12:30 including during the holidays but check their Facebook page before you make the journey.  Visitors can play before choosing which toys to take home, there is a small soft play, slide, ball pit and lots of puzzles, games, dolls houses, play kitchen and a range of SEND toys. I would say this is best aimed at children under 6. Colchester Toy Library is based above Prettygate library, close to two charity shops and a lovely cafe with a small, indoor play area (Coffee Hog Prettygate) there are also playgrounds within walking distance so it is easy to make a full day of it. 
  • Promotional Offers
    Also dont 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 mini golf. If you have tweens or teens to entertain then check out the suggestions in this post. 

Other fun inside places to visit in Essex during half term include:

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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