The summer holidays are on us once again and every parent knows the feeling of trying to keep their little ones entertained while school and nursery is closed.

We’ve put together a list of some of the best, free events across Essex to help you keep them busy and your bank balance in the black!

If you have any more suggestions of free things to do with your children comment below.

Keep an eye on our website for more events, ideas and tips to keep you going through the school holidays.

1. Rocky Ride Extreme at Hadleigh Park (geocaching)

WHERE: Chapel Lane Car Park, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh WHEN: Wednesday, July 29 

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Join us for a very unique extreme event at Hadleigh Castle Country Park We are planning some fun Wherigos for the event including an extreme one which requires cachers to navigate the colossal course by bike in order to complete it. The course is certainly not for the faint hearted and you'll need a very good level of fitness to be able to ride on it.

Other caches will be available for attendees not able to attempt the Olympic course and there are also some great family friendly, safer routes around the park so the event can still be enjoyed by families. Dogs are also welcome to the event, but must be kept under control.

Along with the Olympic course there is a practice track where bikers can practice tackling some of the obstacles that are encountered on the course. There is also a short BMX course, a tandem circuit and an easier circuit.

For more details, go to www.mega2015.org.uk.

2. Crazy Golf at firstsite

WHERE: Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester

WHEN: Until Sunday, September 20

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? This new commission for Firstsite approximates the recently closed Colchester Castle Park crazy golf course, albeit with design cues inspired by a powerful dream the artist had about Tiger Woods, and a strange dvd he once bought in Tokyo. Open 10am until 5pm. 

3. Green Bunch at Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre

WHERE: Hawkswood Road, Downham, Billericay

WHEN: 23rd and 30th July, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th August

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Join our group of young volunteers, aged 11 - 18, and take part in practical conservation work to help manage our reserve. Booking Essential.

www.essexwt.org.uk/reserves/hanningfield-reservoir

4. Community Games Orienteering Challenge

WHERE: Castle Park, Colchester

WHEN: Saturday, July 25 from 10am until 3pm

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Try something new! Essex Stragglers Orienteering Society present the Community Games Orienteering Challenge.

Long Urban Route - Suitable for adults (16+) and accompanied juniors Short Park Route - Suitable for all including beginners.

Untimed Quiz for whole family.

Prize for winners of each course - adjusted for age class.

Prize for family/group accumulating most points over all three classes.

Certificates and medals for participants will be presented at the closing ceremony.

No experience necessary. All abilities catered for. Help for beginners.

Dress suitable for weather conditions.

Suitable for all ages - Young children should be accompanied by an adult.

Bring a picnic and make a day of it.

www.visitcolchester.com

5. Mersea Day at Mersea Island

WHERE: Mersea Island

WHEN: Friday, July 31 10am until 4pm

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Mersea Island is the most easterly inhabited island in the UK and has a population of around 6,500 people. A causeway joins the island to the mainland which is covered at high spring tides. The island is famous worldwide for its oysters.

East Mersea is rich in history with influences going back to the Celtic times. It also includes one of the few moated churches in the country, St Edmund, King and Martyr church. The area is believed to be the camp of the Viking Hasten who spent two winters on the island.

Cudmore Grove Country Park, also on the East side of the island, is rich in wildlife, fauna and flora. It is being sympathetically managed to allow the wildlife to flourish. There are also some interesting geological exposures at the park. www.mega2015.org.uk.

6. Play in the Park

WHERE: Saltcoats park, South Woodham Ferrers, near Chelmsford

WHEN: Tuesdays and Wednesday from August 4 until 19. 10am until 1.30pm

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Play in the Park is a series of free two-hour multi-activity sessions for children aged at various community and parish venues during the Easter & Summer Holidays. Join the Play Workers for sports, arts, crafts, games and free-play.

Following feedback from parents we are pleased to announce that we now cater for children aged 0-11!

Conditions for taking part:

•Ages 0-5yrs must be supervised by a parent or adult guardian at all times.

•Ages 6-11yrs can stay without parents.

•Under 8s must be dropped off and picked up by an adult (a password will be required) •If your child is arriving alone please print, read and complete the Registration form for children arriving alone and ask your child to bring it on the day. All Children arriving alone should bring an emergency contact number.

•There is no need to pre-register; just turn up on the day and visit the registration desk.

•Please ensure your child wears suitable clothing for playing games, that they bring a drink, and that they are prepared for any weather.

Most activities are based outside but we usually go ahead whatever the weather! Gazebos provide shade and shelter for arts activities and in inclement weather.

7. Roman Food at Colchester Castle Museum

WHERE: Colchester Castle, Castle Park

WHEN: Tuesday, August 11 Sessions at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Discover what the Romans ate when they came to Colchester. From oysters to dormice, find out the truth about the Roman diet.

www.cimuseums.org.uk

8. Treemendous Tuesday at Weald Country Park

WHERE: WHEN: 4th, 11th, 11th and 25th August from 11am to 12:30pm and 1.30pm to 3pm.

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Join the Rangers for some FREE messy play games and activities out in the park. Dress to get messy in the park. Ideal for accompanied children under 12.

www.visitparks.co.uk

9. Clacton Airshow

WHERE: Town Centre, Clacton

WHEN: Thursday, August 27 to Friday, August 28

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Clacton's award winning seafronts and west greensward are transformed over the two days into a fun filled events site and viewing area. Impressive aerobatic displays take to the skies whilst a whole host of exhibition, trade stands, food court and on-site entertainment are available at ground level.

The 2014 flight line up included a "once in a lifetime" display from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Canadian Lancaster, a most fabulous display by the Vulcan and of course the world famous Red Arrows to a special appearance both days by the Typhoon amongst other thrilling craft! www.clactonairshow.com or 01255 686633.

10. Make It Maldon

WHERE: Town Centre, Maldon

WHEN: Saturday, August 29 to Monday, Aug 31

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? Join us for FREE arts, craft and writing activities in Maldon High Street this August Bank Holiday weekend!

Take part in our range of inspiring events, to be held at Maldon’s High Street shops, cafés and businesses throughout the three-day weekend.

From talks and demonstrations by local artists to beginners’ poetry workshops, and live music performances, creatives from all over the Maldon District will be sharing and showcasing their skills in unique venues and spaces across our town.

Make It Maldon believe, through connecting people in our district and sharing our talents, Maldon town centre will flourish. We are uniting artists, businesses and the community to show that creativity is for everyone!

https://www.facebook.com/MakeItMaldon