Browse the siteWelcome! From bumps to teens we have it covered.
This is your one-stop site for everything you need to know about living in Southend with children.
We have everything you need for a summer of fun:
☀️What's on guide - Your summer bible to finding all the local events. Use the list to browse all events or click the calendar to jump to any date in the future
☀️70 FREE & low cost things to do this summer - Including local events and places to visit
☀️Things to do - A huge category of local attractions including museums, farms and zoo's, sports and leisure, transport, out and about and hands-on activities.
☀️Summer Holiday Planner - An A3 planner to print out and help you get organised COMING SOON
☀️Summer bucket list - A cute activity to do together
☀️Guide for working parents - Evening and weekend events for working parents
☀️Places to stop on The Open Top Bus - Suggestions on where hop on and off!
☀️Summer holiday guide for Under 5's - COMING SOON
☀️Holiday clubs and classes - Local summer camps and regular groups still running through the holidays. This includes baby and toddler groups!
☀️Where to play Crazy golf - A round-up of all the places you can play crazy golf in and around Southend
☀️Days out for teens & tweens - A great list if you're stuck on ideas for the older ones
☀️Where to find discounted tickets for local attractions - Get discounted tickets for Adventure Island and Sealife!
☀️Places to take babies and toddlers - If you're looking for somewhere quieter to take the younger ones!
☀️ Summer Reading Challenge - Sign up at any library for free!
☀️ Kids week - Take the kids to a London Theatre for FREE with a full paying adult ticket
☀️Summer Scavenger hunt - A cheap idea to keep you busy whilst out and about
☀️ Kids eat free - COMING SOON
☀️Parks and Playgrounds - COMING SOON
☀️Children's trails in Essex - COMING SOON
☀️10 FREE & low cost days out in London - COMING SOON
A great day out for every summer is fruit picking and it's fun for the whole family. We don't have many farms that you can pick your own near Southend unfortunately, but we've pulled together the closest. Always check before travelling what and if/what fruit is available, depending on how much has been picked the day before. Most PYO farms require you to book before visiting.
Click here to find out more about these PYO farms
🍓 Hilltop Farm - Benfleet, SS7 1PH (Approximately 15 - 20 minutes from Southend)
🍓 Lathcoats Farm - Great Baddow, Chelmsford. CM2 8LX (approximately 30 minutes from Southend)
🍓Little Mountains Farm (approximately 45-50 minutes from Southend)
🍓 Cammas Hall Farm - Hatfield Broad Oak. CM22 7JT (approximately 50 minutes from Southend)
🍓 Foxes Farm Produce - Colchester. CO6 3PR (approximately 1 hour from Southend)
🍓 McLauchlans of Boxted - Boxted Berries - CO4 5RB (approximately 1 hour from Southend)
Is fruit picking on your list this summer? If you go somewhere new, tell us about it here
My Pet Pals workshops - FREE
(FREE)
17th July
- 28th August
Pets at Home, Rochford Road, Southend
The Destination Lakeside Summer beach -FREE
(FREE)
17th July
- 1st September
Destination Lakeside, Thurrock
Bugs and butterfly summer trail - FREE
(FREE)
18th July
- 31st August
Hadleigh Country Park, Hadleigh
Summer Magic Trail at Thorndon Country Park
(FREE)
18th July
- 31st August
Thorndon Country Park, Warley
Summer Pass 2026
20th July
- 31st July
Nuclear Adventures, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood
Monday evenings at The Hive
20th July
ATF at Wellbeing Garon Park, Southend
Summer at Barleylands
20th July
- 31st August
Barleylands Farm, Billericay
Summer holiday fun
(FREE)
20th July
- 30th August
Hadleigh Rare breeds centre, Hadleigh
FREE summer activities at Hadleigh Hub
(FREE)
21st July
- 23rd July
Hadleigh Farm Estate, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh
Superhero and Princess summer trail
(FREE)
21st July
- 31st August
The Village at Barleylands, Billericay
Little Drivers play session
21st July
Ashingdon & East Hawkwell Memorial Hall, Rochford
Animal Feeding time
(FREE)
21st July
The Green Barn Farm Shop, Benfleet
Toys 'N' Tuck free summer holiday activities
(FREE)
21st July
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Bubble 'n' Bop Children's Festival at Marsh Farm
22nd July
- 31st August
Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers
Crafty Kids at The Ironworks
22nd July
The Ironworks, 72-73 Elm Road
Splash
23rd July
- 28th August
Nuclear Wild Forest, Brentwood
Oceans, rivers and seas - Summer holiday fun
23rd July
Museum of Power, Maldon
Animal Feeding time
(FREE)
23rd July
The Green Barn Farm Shop, Benfleet
Toys 'N' Tuck free summer holiday activities
(FREE)
23rd July
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Beach Explorer fun
23rd July
Leigh Community centre, Leigh on sea
Summer holiday lego club - Pokemon
23rd July
Christ Church, Pall Mall, Leigh-on-Sea
Family fun festival
(FREE)
24th July
Rayleigh Methodist Church, Rayleigh
Crafty Kids at The Ironworks
24th July
The Ironworks, 72-73 Elm Road
Kite Festival
(FREE)
25th July
Eastern Esplanade, Southend
Outdoor Cinema at the Big Screen - Wicked
(FREE)
25th July
The Forum / Focal Point Gallery, Southend-On-Sea
Music in the park
(FREE)
25th July
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Animal Feeding time
(FREE)
25th July
The Green Barn Farm Shop, Benfleet
Rayleigh Windmill 20th Anniversary Celebration
(FREE)
26th July
Rayleigh Windmill, Rayleigh
Essex Fire Museum - Family Open day
(FREE)
26th July
Essex Fire Museum (Grays Fire Station), Grays Fire Station
Classic cars on the beach
(FREE)
26th July
Southend Seafront, Southend On Sea
London to Southend Classic Vehicle run
(FREE)
26th July
Southchurch Park East, Southchurch
Music in the park
(FREE)
26th July
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Summer Scarecrow hunt
26th July
The Hive, Southend-On-Sea
Monday evenings at The Hive
20th July
ATF at Wellbeing Garon Park, Southend
Toys 'N' Tuck free summer holiday activities
(FREE)
21st July
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free summer holiday activities
(FREE)
23rd July
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Beach Explorer fun
23rd July
Leigh Community centre, Leigh on sea
Kite Festival
(FREE)
25th July
Eastern Esplanade, Southend
Outdoor Cinema at the Big Screen - Wicked
(FREE)
25th July
The Forum / Focal Point Gallery, Southend-On-Sea
Music in the park
(FREE)
25th July
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Classic cars on the beach
(FREE)
26th July
Southend Seafront, Southend On Sea
London to Southend Classic Vehicle run
(FREE)
26th July
Southchurch Park East, Southchurch
Music in the park
(FREE)
26th July
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Summer Scarecrow hunt
26th July
The Hive, Southend-On-Sea
Monday evenings at The Hive
27th July
ATF at Wellbeing Garon Park, Southend
Toys 'N' Tuck free summer holiday activities
(FREE)
28th July
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Summer Fayre - FREE
(FREE)
29th July
Trust Links Shoeburyness, Southend-On-Sea
Create and make
(FREE)
29th July
The Forum, Southend-on-Sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free summer holiday activities
(FREE)
29th July
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free summer holiday activities
(FREE)
30th July
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Climb with Spiderman
31st July
Indirock, Southend
KPOP @ Trove
31st July
Trove Play Cafe, Leigh-On-Sea
Southend pier puppet festival
31st July
- 2nd August
Southend Pier (Pier head), Southend On Sea
Outdoor Cinema at the Big Screen - Coco
(FREE)
1st August
The Forum / Focal Point Gallery, Southend-On-Sea
Music in the park
(FREE)
1st August
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Music in the park
(FREE)
2nd August
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free Pokemon card trading
(FREE)
2nd August
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Monday evenings at The Hive
3rd August
ATF at Wellbeing Garon Park, Southend
Toys 'N' Tuck free summer holiday activities
(FREE)
4th August
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Fossil trail at Belfairs
(FREE)
6th August
- 9th August
Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre, Leigh-On-Sea
Sing & Sign Summer special - Beach Bonanza
6th August
West Leigh Baptist Church, Leigh-on-Sea
Around the world Summer fun at The Victoria
(FREE)
6th August
The Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend-On-Sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free summer holiday activities
(FREE)
6th August
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Fossil crafts at Belfairs
(FREE)
7th August
Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre, Leigh-On-Sea
Feel Good Festival Southend - FREE
(FREE)
8th August
Garon Park, Southend
Outdoor Cinema at the Big Screen - Matilda the musical
(FREE)
8th August
The Forum / Focal Point Gallery, Southend-On-Sea
Music in the park
(FREE)
8th August
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free Lego smart play demo
(FREE)
8th August
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Music in the park
(FREE)
9th August
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Monday evenings at The Hive
10th August
ATF at Wellbeing Garon Park, Southend
A morning with Ms Rachel
10th August
Trove Play Cafe, Leigh-On-Sea
Holidaying at home
11th August
Highlands Methodist Church, Leigh-On-Sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free summer holiday activities
(FREE)
11th August
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Summer Fun Day
12th August
Leigh Road Baptist Church Hall & Garden, Leigh-On-Sea
Sing & Sign Summer special - Awesome animals
13th August
West Leigh Baptist Church, Leigh-on-Sea
Around the world Summer fun at The Victoria
(FREE)
13th August
The Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend-On-Sea
To infinity.....and TROVE
14th August
Trove Play Cafe, Leigh-On-Sea
Sing & Sign Summer special - Gleeful gardens
14th August
West Leigh Baptist Church, Leigh-on-Sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free Lego smart play demo
(FREE)
14th August
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Superhero Weekend at Adventure Island
15th August
- 16th August
Adventure Island, Southend
Outdoor Cinema at the Big Screen - Sing
(FREE)
15th August
The Forum / Focal Point Gallery, Southend-On-Sea
Music in the park
(FREE)
15th August
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Music in the park
(FREE)
16th August
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free Pokemon card trading
(FREE)
16th August
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Monday evenings at The Hive
17th August
ATF at Wellbeing Garon Park, Southend
Sublime Science Week
17th August
Leigh Community centre, Leigh on sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free summer holiday activities
(FREE)
18th August
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
A morning with Bluey
20th August
Trove Play Cafe, Leigh-On-Sea
Around the world Summer fun at The Victoria
(FREE)
20th August
The Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend-On-Sea
Little Drivers play session - Digger theme
21st August
Ferndale Baptist Church, Southend
Southend Fire Station Open day
(FREE)
22nd August
Southend Fire Station, Southend
Music in the park
(FREE)
22nd August
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free Lego smart play demo
(FREE)
22nd August
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Classic cars on the beach
(FREE)
23rd August
Southend Seafront, Southend On Sea
Music in the park
(FREE)
23rd August
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Monday evenings at The Hive
24th August
ATF at Wellbeing Garon Park, Southend
Toys 'N' Tuck free summer holiday activities
(FREE)
25th August
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
A morning with Elsa
27th August
Trove Play Cafe, Leigh-On-Sea
Around the world Summer fun at The Victoria
(FREE)
27th August
The Victoria Shopping Centre, Southend-On-Sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free Lego smart play demo
(FREE)
28th August
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
The big garden party
(FREE)
29th August
Leigh Library Gardens, Southend-On-Sea
Music in the park
(FREE)
29th August
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Music in the park
(FREE)
30th August
Priory Park, Southend-On-Sea
Toys 'N' Tuck free Pokemon card trading
(FREE)
30th August
Toys 'N' Tuck, Southend On Sea
Monday evenings at The Hive
31st August
ATF at Wellbeing Garon Park, Southend
Here's the latest recommendations from our visitors and followers. Click on the business name to find out more. If you'd like to add a recommendation for a business or organisation search for their listing here on the site and click on the Leave a recommendation button.
"We have been attending Monty's since our son was 13months and he is about to turn 3. We absolutely love the chilled and inclusive environment at Monty's. There is a diverse range of puzzles, crafts and activities to keep babies and toddlers of all ages entertained, and the parents are even given a cuppa whilst the little ones play freely and help themselves to a healthy snack! Zen acoustic music accompanies each session and we have made close friendships throughout our Monty's journey. 5 stars just isn't enough; Emma does a wonderful job. Long may it continue to enrich the lives of more little stars and their parents alike."
Why not browse through some of the listings we have recently added to the site...
© 2012-2026 Mum's Guide To Limited (All rights reserved)
Registered in England & Wales No.8045592
"Mum's guide to Southend", "Mum's guide to", and the "Mum's guide to" Logo are trade marks of Mum's Guide To Limited
Please be aware that this website uses a mixture of paid-for advertising from local and national businesses, as well as pay-per-click programmes.
