Fun February Half-Term Activities in Essex 2025
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If you’re looking for things to do during the school holidays, here is a roundup of some February half-term activities in Essex this year! Several of the Essex attractions hold special-themed weeks during the school break (Monday 17th February to Friday 21st February).
February Half-Term Activities Essex
*Will update as events are announced. Always check directly with businesses for current hours before travel*
In This Guide
East Essex
Colchester Zoo
🗺Maldon Rd, Colchester CO3 0SL
📅15th – 23rd Feb 2025
During the February half term there will be a range of activities happening throughout the week. From conversations with the keepers, a ‘Zootastic Party’ daily at 3pm with singing and dancing, face painting, discovery den and pop-up game stations to test animal knowledge!
For more information, check out the Colchester Zoo events page.
Roman Gods Trail at Colchester Castle
- 🗺Castle Park, Colchester CO1 1TJ
- 📅15th – 23rd Feb 2025
In additional to the Colchester Castle entrance, visitors can pay £5 to join in with the Roman Gods Trail around the different exhibitions in the castle. Once the trail is complete, explorers receive a prize!
Mid Essex
Chelmsford City Sports
- 🗺4 locations in Chelmsford
Chelmsford City Sports are running a variety of activities and ‘city camps’ for kids of all ages, throughout the February half term. Activities include: scuba diving, canoeing, arts and crafts, ice skating, and more. You can check out the full list on the website. Many of the activities also offer a 15% sibling discount to help out families with more than one child!
North Essex
Sky Ropes at Great Notley Country Park
- 🗺Great Notley, Braintree CM77 7FS
- 🕚15th – 22nd Feb 2025
Usually, the Sky Ropes climbing course at Great Notley Country Park is shut for the winter season. However, during the February half-term week, it is open daily for 2 sessions a day (11.45am and 1.45pm). The Sky Ropes session lasts 75 minutes. Climbers must be over 1m to participate in the Sky Ropes main course, those under 1.22m (4ft) must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Sky Ropes Junior will also be open for 2 sessions, each lasting 30 minutes (12.15pm and 2.15pm).
Tickets can be booked online in advance: Sky Ropes tickets
Parking charges apply at Great Notley Country Park, but there are trails and other play equipment that can be used too!
Lambing Season at Boydells Dairy Farm
- 🗺Braintree Rd, Braintree CM7 4AQ (near Shalford)
- 📅15th – 23rd Feb 2025
- 🕚Session based
- 💰From £15 per person (£10 for adults only session) – BOOKINGS ONLY
Boydells Dairy Farm in Braintree district is opening some areas of the farm during the February half term. The timing is perfect because it coincides with the lambing season! Visitors may be able to see a lamb being born as well as stroking and feeding some of the young lambs. I personally love Boydells Farm, even as an adult. The farm is family run and they are great at sharing information about the animals they have.
Due to the wet weather recently, they are limiting entrance during the lambing season. They are offering various sessions on a pre-booked basis.
North West Essex
Epping Ongar Railway
- 🗺Departing from North Weald Station
- 📅TBC
During February half term Epping Ongar Railway have a ‘Kids For A Quid’ offer. Adults are are £18 but kids over 3yrs are just £1 (under 3yrs are free). Both the steam and diesel trains will be running and the buffet car will be open for ‘indoor picnics’ as well as cakes and snacks being available for purchase. There are several walks around Ongar station, including a 1-hour self-guided walking tour.
South Essex
Southend LuminoCity Festival of Light
- 🗺Southend-on-Sea SS1 1EE
- 📅TBC
For part of the February half-term, the LuminoCity Festival of Light is returning to Southend! There is a selection of light installations spread out across Southend (mostly along the High St and seafront). Last year it was weather-dependent. If it’s too windy, some of the larger inflatable installations can not be put up. The event is free (car parking charges apply).
Woodland Half Term Activities at Essex Wildlife Trust Locations
🗺Various locations in Essex
Several of the Essex Wildlife Trust locations have half-term events, aimed at younger children. Activities must be pre-booked in advance. There are 66 locations all across Essex such as: Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Discovery Park in Billericay, Ingrebourne Nature Discovery Centre in Hornchurch, Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park near Colchester, and Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre in Leigh-on-Sea.
The discovery centres and nature trails and open outside of the special activity days, perfect for getting some fresh air without paying for the specific workshops.
February half-term activities include:
- Bird box building at many of the Essex Wildlife Trust locations (various prices)
- Winter warm-up at Abberton Reservoir
- Animals in Winter, trail and crafts at the Naze (18th Feb 2025 – £7.73 per person (prize included))
Check the Essex Wildlife Trust website for a full list of activities.
Other Things To Do in Essex
As well as the special events, many of the Essex attractions are open as usual during half term. This post here may give you some ideas: Cheap or Free Things To Do In Essex During The School Holidays or this the weather isn’t great, check out Indoor Activities In Essex | 11 Things To Do In Essex In The Rain.
Clacton Pier (soft play, adventure golf, rides, arcades, and bowling) and Adventure Island in Southend (opens at 11am) will be open throughout half term. There are several indoor mini golf courses and escape rooms in Essex.
