1. Ski Lessons and Snow Play

You don’t have to wait for a ski holiday to introduce children to the snow. While there is an outdoor slope with a SkiTech surface in Brentwood, a better option if choosing structured ski lessons for kids are available on real snow at indoor centres within easy reach of Essex, including The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead (about 40 miles from Chelmsford). These sessions are designed to feel more like games than lessons, helping children develop balance, confidence and a love of movement on the slopes. Even short sessions allow kids to enjoy sliding, stopping safely and experiencing snow in a fun environment.

2. Cycling Adventures

Bike riding is a brilliant way to get kids moving and exploring the outdoors. Essex is full of family-friendly cycling routes, including:

• Epping Forest - miles of trails and gentle hills, perfect for all ages.
• Hadleigh Park, Benfleet - open spaces and trails ideal for family rides as well as the London Olympics Mountain Biking course.
• Castle Park, Colchester - flat paths and plenty of room for beginners (only the path by the river in Lower Castle Park is suitable for cycling).
• Flitch Way - a 15 mile flat route along a former railway line running from Bishops Stortford to Braintree

Whether it’s a casual ride through the trees, a mini treasure hunt or a family picnic along the route, cycling encourages balance, coordination and endurance while giving children a sense of freedom and adventure. Many of these routes are great for scooting too if your child hasn't quite got to grips with cycling.

3. Climbing and Adventure Play

Climbing isn’t just for indoor walls. Essex has several soft-play centres and adventure parks where children can climb, crawl and explore safely. A few favourite locations include:

• Harlow Town Park Adventure Playground - climbing frames, rope bridges, and slides for all ages.
• Funtopia at Adventure Island, Southend - inside this large softplay for under 10s there are climbing areas mixed with other play zones.
• Stubbers Adventure Centre, Upminster - As well as a great outdoor play area you can book exclusive hire of the indoor climbing walls. 
• Fairlop Waters, Ilford - Explore the free outdoor boulder park where children (And adults) can climb carefully design concrete boulders.

You might also find these posts helpful: climbing walls and soft plays in Essex. 

Even at home or in the garden, creating mini climbing challenges or setting up soft obstacle courses can be an exciting way to keep children active and encourage problem-solving skills.

4. Martial Arts-Inspired Games

While formal martial arts classes are great, you can also introduce martial arts-inspired activities at home or in the park. Simple routines, balance exercises and “superhero moves” allow children to practise coordination, focus and body control while having fun. Games like “ninja training” or obstacle courses that involve jumping, rolling and dodging can make exercise feel like imaginative play rather than structured sport. These activities also teach patience, perseverance, and confidence, and can be adapted to almost any outdoor or indoor space.

5. Swimming and Water Fun

Swimming doesn’t have to be limited to lessons. Many Essex pools offer family swim sessions, including:

• Maldon Leisure Centre - family-friendly sessions with games and floats.
• Chelmsford Leisure Centre - large pool and paddling areas suitable for kids.
• Brightlingsea Lido - safe open water fun during summer months.
• Clacton Pavilion Water Park - great fun for little ones who don't want to go in the sea.

You can find all the public indoor swimming pools in this post and our splash zones and aqua parks here.

Backyard paddling pools also provide opportunities for children to enjoy the water, improve coordination, and burn off energy. Water-based activities are not only fun but also excellent for strength and stamina.


Encouraging children to try different activities and sports, both indoors and outdoors, allows them to discover what they enjoy while developing essential physical, social and emotional skills. In Essex, there are endless possibilities: from ski lessons and cycling adventures to climbing playgrounds, martial arts-inspired games and water fun.

The key is to keep it playful. Children are far more likely to try new sports and enjoy physical activity when it feels like a game rather than a formal lesson. Trying different activities also helps them build confidence, resilience and creativity as they explore new ways of moving their bodies.

Whether sliding down snow slopes, cycling through leafy trails, scaling a climbing frame, pretending to be a ninja, or splashing in the pool, this year is full of opportunities to get children active, happy and engaged. Making time for these activities as a family also encourages a healthy lifestyle and creates memories that last far beyond the playground.