Monster Fun
Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock
August 1-7
The Lake Monsters arrive in the first week of the August and it's up to kids to find them. Explore a giant monster maze in the central atrium and play Hook-a-Monster.
www.lakeside.uk.com/summer.
Mini-Beast Hunting
Marsh Farm Country Park, South Woodham Ferrers
Now until Friday, August 5
Explorers of all ages will be able to take part in mini-beast hunting to discover the creatures that live in trees, hedges and long grass on a specially created
Monster Fun
Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock
August 1-7
The Lake Monsters arrive in the first week of the August and it's up to kids to find them. Explore a giant monster maze in the central atrium and play Hook-a-Monster.
www.lakeside.uk.com/summer.
Mini-Beast Hunting
Marsh Farm Country Park, South Woodham Ferrers
Now until Friday, August 5
Explorers of all ages will be able to take part in mini-beast hunting to discover the creatures that live in trees, hedges and long grass on a specially created path. Look out for beetles, woodlice, caterpillars, spiders, centipedes, ants, earwigs, slugs and snails!
Marsh Farm is open every day throughout the holidays and visitors can pick up a summer passport which gives you a third trip free once you've had two trips stamped.
Day tickets cost £9 for adults and £7 for children ages to two to 15 while under twos are free.
Summer Holiday Activities
Barleylands, Billericay
July 25-September 2, 10am-5pm
Lots of events and activities lined up over the summer holiday to stave off the boredom, including cooking, crafts and hands-on fun in the Farm Park. Tel: 01268 290213, www.barleylands.co.uk
Time Travellers Go… WWII
Audley End House and Gardens, July 27-31
Find out what life was really like during the 1940s and learn about Audley End's role during the war. How would you have fared during the Second World War with air raids, rationing and evacuation. Hands-on activities. Find out more about Time Travellers Go… events throughout the summer at www.english-heritage.org.uk
Pirates and Mermaids
Thorndon Country Park North
Friday, July 29
Can pirates and mermaids work together to solve the clues and complete the challenges to find Birdnest Beard's buried treasure? Come in costume. Starts at 11am, £5 per child. www.visitparks.co.uk/events/
Summer fun and activities
IWM Duxford,
Now until September 2
Fun every day including Feel The Force to see how large aircraft work, robot activities, the Airfix Make and Paint Zone, journey back to see what life was like on the Home Front with Gooseberries and Gas Masks, and meet expert and veterans. To find out about all activities go to www.iwm.org.uk/duxford or call 01223 835000.
The Vikings In East Anglia
Colchester Castle Museum
Monday-Thursday, August 1-4
Meet a local Viking settler and hear about Danelaw, the Battle of Maldon and more. See the Vikings's weaponary and find out how the Scandinavian invaders settled in East Anglia. Tel: 01206 282940, www.colchestermuseums.org.uk
Seaside Special
Cudmore Grove Country Park, East Mersea
Wednesday, August 3
Fun activities for kids such as kite making, seashell mobiles and beach scavenger hunt.
Starts 11.00am, £5.50 per child
www.visitparks.co.uk/events/
Teddies in their Dens
Thorndon Country Park South, Brentwood
Wednesday, August 3
Bring your teddy for an adventure in the woods. Mini dens, stories and games. Suitable for under fives.
Starts 10am, £4 per child
www.visitparks.co.uk/events/
Knights, Princesses & Dragons
Thorndon Country Park North, Brentwood
Friday, August 5
Join Thorndon's knights and princesses on their quest set in times of magic and legend. Enjoy the adventure and receive a prize. Come in costume. Starts 11am, £5.50 per child.
www.visitparks.co.uk/events/
Puppet Festival
Southend Pier
Friday-Sunday, August 5-7, 11am-5pm
Head to the world's longest pleasure pier for where Punch and Judy, marionettes and glove puppets will be putting on shows for kids and parents who want to relive their childhoods. Tel: 01702 618747.
The Essex Spectacular and Essex International Hot Air Balloon Festival
Barleylands, Billericay
Saturday-Sunday, August 6-7
New family event that promises a wealth of entertainment over the weekend including dozens of hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes which will take flight at dusk on Saturday evening for a Night Glow and son et lumiere show set to James Bond music, culminating in a fireworks display. Look out too for the Kids Zone (where there'll be a whole host of free activities), lifestyle, travel, home and car exhibits, a Taste Village with top chefs, a Motor Show and a packed schedule of entertainment. www.essexspectacular, tickets on 01702 428888.
Make Do & Mend Kids Club
94 Byron Road, Chelmsford
August 8-12
Make, Do & Mend's summer school is a chance for kids to be creative and try out various crafts. In a series of workshops during the week, they can learn knitting, crocheting, kite-making, screen printing and find out to make paper, beaded and button jewellery, felt, papier mache, decopatch and pottery painting. Workshops are £15 each or £27.50 for an adult/child combination. More details at www.makedomend.com