Events in Essex – Categories
ALL EVENTS LISTED IN OUR APRIL AND MAY CALENDAR ARE NOW POSITIVE, ONLINE VIRTUAL EVENTS.
If you are holding date specific online events that can help individuals during these challenging times, you are welcome to add these events to the calendar (using the green button below) providing you are a charity or community group and/or the events are free to access.
Please note: The events in Essex featured are all third party events: Healthy Life Essex is not normally directly involved in organising or running any of these events. As events may be cancelled or details changed without us being informed, please always clarify details with the organiser/contact listed. Healthy Life Essex cannot accept responsibility for incorrect information shown on our events listings.
Directory advertisers can add their own ad hoc events free of charge as can most charities. Other events may incur a cost. The directors reserve the right not to accept entries or to make a small charge.
September 2017
Super Science Experiments – Visitor Centre, Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
£6
Join us this afternoon for some crazy science experiments. Event suitable for children of 5 to 13 years of age. There is a donation request of £6 per child, £4 per sibling. Advance booking essential.
Find out more »November 2017
Weekend Wild Time – Brilliant Birds – Visitor Centre Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join us for our final wild time event of the year. This event is all about birds. You will be doing some craft activities: making some simple bird feeders, as well as using binoculars to see how many different species of birds you can spot. Event suitable for children of 5 to 13 years of age and must be accompanied. Advance booking essential.
Find out more »January 2018
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park – Bushcraft
Join us here at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park and have fun putting up a simple shelter, learn how to whittle a stick and we will also be toasting marshmallows. Event suitable for children 5+ years of age and must be accompanied. Advance booking essential.
Find out more »February 2018
Bushcraft – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Have fun putting up a simple shelter, making a fire and then toasting marshmallows. Event suitable for children of 5 to 10 years of age and must be accompanied. Advance booking essential.
Find out more »Under 5’s Follow the Footprints – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join us for an event designed especially for Under 5’s. Have lots of fun exploring our animal footprint trail, you can make your own footprints and even make your own creature out of clay to take home. At the end of the session there will be a story. Children must be accompanied. Please book in advance.
Find out more »Valentines Day Crafts – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Come along to TTNP to get crafty for Valentines Day. Event suitable for children of 5 to 10 years of age and must be accompanied. No need to book.
Find out more »Bird Box Building – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join us here at TTNP and have fun building your own bird box, materials, instructions and help on hand. Event suitable for children of 6 to 11 years of age and must be accompanied. Advance booking essential as there are a limited number of kits.
Find out more »Simple Bird Feeder Making – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Come along to TTNP and have fun making a simple bird feeder to take home. Event suitable for children of 5 to 10 years of age and must be accompanied. No need to book.
Find out more »Young Rangers – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join us for this new practical event designed for young people who wish to learn more about wildlife and conservation. Event suitable for children of 11 to 15 years of age. Although this event is free, advance booking is essential.
Find out more »Bird Making with ‘Bee Creative’ – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Sue from 'Bee Creative' will be here to help you make your own 3D bird, a fun event for both children and adults. Event suitable for ages of 6+ years, children must be accompanied. No need to book.
Find out more »March 2018
Nature Tots Taster – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join us here at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park to have a go at some activities and get information about our new toddler group, starting on 17th April. Event suitable for ages 18 months to 4 years of age.
Find out more »Easter Trail and Craft – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Follow the Easter trail and find all the clues to get your Easter treat! Easter crafts will also be available. Event suitable for children of 5 to 10 years of age and must be accompanied. Advance booking essential.
Find out more »April 2018
Dinosaurs! – Thameside Nature Park
Come along to Thameside Nature Park for a dinosaur adventure. You can Hunt for dinosaurs on our trail, make your own dinosaur hat and much more! Please come dressed for doing outdoor activities. Event suitable for children of 4 to 10 years of age and must be accompanied by an adult. Booking and donation in advance essential.
Find out more »Under 5’s Going to Space – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
An event for under 5's. Make your own telescope to take round our starry trail. Then more crafts and a story. Children must be accompanied. Advance booking essential.
Find out more »Dinosaur Crafts – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join us for some fun dinosaur craft activities. Crafts to include gliders and wooden kits (subject to availability). This is a self led event Event suitable for all ages but children must be accompanied. Advance booking essential.
Find out more »Young Rangers – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join us for this new practical event designed for young people who wish to learn more about wildlife and conservation. Event suitable for children of 11 to 15 years of age. Although this event is free, advance booking is essential.
Find out more »Bird Making with ‘Bee Creative’ – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Sue from 'Bee Creative' will be here to help you make your own 3D bird, a fun event for both children and adults. Event suitable for ages of 6+ years, children must be accompanied. No need to book just drop in.
Find out more »Pirate Crafts – Thameside Nature Park
Come along to Thameside Nature Park and have a go at some pirate crafts. Crafts to include: pirate ships, masks and mini treasure boxes (subject to availability). Event suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance booking essential.
Find out more »Thameside Explorers – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Come along for a drop-in day in our education area. Activities will include mini-beast hunting, bird watching, den building and natural crafts. Event suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied. No need to book.
Find out more »Bushcraft – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join us here at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park and have fun putting up a simple shelter, learn how to whittle a stick and toast marshmallows. Event suitable for children of 5+ years of age and must be accompanied. Advance booking essential.
Find out more »June 2018
The Big Wild Weekend – The Big Den Build
Join Us at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, for The Big Wild weekend, we will be unveiling our collection of Den Building wood, tarps and ropes, have a go at making your own den, we can come and test it for waterproofness!
Find out more »July 2018
Introduction to Insects – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Insects are fascinating creatures, but most of us know very little about them. Do you know your insects from your arachnids? Or your molluscs from your earthworms? Invertebrates are incredibly diverse and sometimes difficult to identify. Join Rory Dimond on this beginner’s course at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park outlining the major groups of invertebrates in the UK and how to separate them. By the end, you should be able to answer the question, ‘what’s that bug?’. Suitable fro ages 16+…
Find out more »August 2018
Thameside Folk Festival – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
A Fabulous Folk Festival for the family with a variety of cool bands and artists. Beer and refreshment tent. Call for tickets or collect from the naturereserve.
Find out more »October 2018
Photography Workshop Level 3 – Close-up and Macro Nature Photography
Learn how to use your camera to make fantastic pictures from the tiniest details. On this one-day workshop with Daniel Bridge we look at techniques, lenses, flash and how to find subjects. Suitable for 16+ years
Find out more »November 2018
Guide in the Hide – Thameside Nature Park
An informal, free event for people of all ages who would like to have a go at bird-watching but have no idea where to start! Meet in the bird hide at Thameside Nature Park. Wear suitable clothing and footwear for walking to and from the hide. Scopes and binoculars will be provided, but please bring yourown if you have any.
Find out more »December 2018
Festive Buttons Crafts – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join Essex Wildlife Trusts very own Crafty Carol for a Festive Button Craft Workshop She'll be loaded with ideas, buttons and crafty knowhow! Get to amaze your friends and family with a new craft
Find out more »Festive Buttons Crafts – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join Essex Wildlife Trusts very own Crafty Carol for a Festive Button Craft Workshop She'll be loaded with ideas, buttons and crafty knowhow! Get to amaze your friends and family with a new craft Booking is essential
Find out more »Festive Buttons Crafts – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join Essex Wildlife Trusts very own Crafty Carol for a Festive Button Craft Workshop She'll be loaded with ideas, buttons and crafty knowhow! Get to amaze your friends and family with a new craft
Find out more »Festive Buttons Crafts – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join Essex Wildlife Trusts very own Crafty Carol for a Festive Button Craft Workshop She'll be loaded with ideas, buttons and crafty knowhow! Get to amaze your friends and family with a new craft
Find out more »February 2019
Dog Days – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Thameside Dog Days is an informal gathering on the 2nd Saturday of each month for dog lovers. This month is focusing on small breeds - but all furry family members welcome, meet in front of the Visitor Centre, admire each others furry baby, maybe take a stroll around one of our way marked trails. Dogs are not allowed in the centre but well behaved dogs on leads may visit the roof viewing platform.
Find out more »Archery – Thurrock Thameside
This event at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park is suitable for beginning archers or those with a passion for the sport. Enjoy competing for the perfect shot! Suitable for children aged 5-11 years Children must be accomponied by an adult. Booking is essential.
Find out more »Drop-in winter crafts – Thurrock Thameside
Drop into Thurrock Thameside Nature Park and make a clever craft with EWT volunteer, Crafty Carol. Make this a regular event and enjoy making different themes of craft every week! Advance booking is essential. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Find out more »Survival and Campfire Cookout – Thameside Thurrock
Come along to Thameside Thurrock and have a great family time at the Essex wildlife Trust's survival and campfire cookout. Advance booking is essential. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Find out more »Imperial Birds Of Prey Owl Evening – Thurrock Thameside
Imperial Birds of Prey bring their informative and fun show to Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, capturing your attention and imagination. Covering a wide range of topics that include conservation, habitat, diet, adaptations and biology and giving you the opportunity to be up close and personal with these magnificent birds. DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR CAMERA! A great night for all ages but please bear in mind the birds will be flying, and may upset very young children. Booking is essential
Find out more »Nature Tots – Thurrock Thameside
A fun morning of indoor and outdoor activities for pre-school children. Suitable for 18 months up (under 18 months free when accompanying an older sibling). Enjoy outdoor activities and crafts with your little ones! Meet other kids and parents. Learn about nature through games, stories and songs! Recommended for under 5s, babes-in-arms free. Booking Essential
Find out more »March 2019
Wildlife Walk: Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
The Havering EWT Local Group have arranged a wildlife walk and bird watching trip to Essex Wildlife Trust's Thurrock Thameside Nature Park to look for wintering birds. The walk finishes at about 1:30pm with an option to continue after lunch, so a packed lunch is recommended. Meet at the Visitor Centre
Find out more »April 2019
Bumblebee Bushcraft – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Come to Thurrock Thameside Nature Park and enjoy our Bushcraft for 6-10 year olds who enjoy being outdoors. Learn how to collect firewood, start a fire, and make tools from natural materials. Meet at the lower car park by the big entrance sign, dressed for outdoor action in the woods. Booking is essential
Find out more »Forest Clay Creatures – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Join the team at TTNP for a session where little ones who love being outside get to be creative in nature! We’ll use natural materials to create animals and fantastic creatures from clay, make a home for them and go hunting for some real creatures too! NOTE: We’ll be meeting at the lower car park by the big entrance sign. Come dressed for outside action! Suitable for anyone old enough to enjoy being creative with clay. Children must be accompanies…
Find out more »Kids’ Astronomy Talk and Crafts – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Suitable for kids 8-12 who are into science and astronomy. We'll have a short talk about the solar system and the Milky Way, then make some space-themed crafts to help us understand the enormous, mind-bending distances involved! Meet at the visitor centre and be prepared for indoor and outdoor intergalactic adventure! Booking Essential
Find out more »Easter Egg Crafts – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Various Easter related crafts to enjoy! Suitable for children of all ages. Explore nature through crafts. This is a drop-in event - no need to book. EWT volunteers will be on hand to help but there may be a delay at busy times.
Find out more »Essex Rocks! Geology Day – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park is proud to host the Essex Rocks group for our awesome Geology day! There'll be activities and exhibits, samples of rocks and fossils, and even some digging for ancient treasures! This is a drop-in event suitable for all ages. It offers a great chance to experience the geology of Essex. We'll even have our self-led Mammoth Trail so you can explore the park. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Find out more »Kids’ Book Club – Thurrock Thameside
Come along to our brand new book club! Perfect for children aged 8-12 who love reading and want discuss their favourite books. We will be starting with the first Harry Potter book - The Philosopher’s Stone - so get reading! Booking Essential
Find out more »Campfire Storytelling – Thurrock Thameside
Join the EWT team at Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve for an afternoon of stories and songs and folklore and mythology! Tales of nature, animals and even monsters around our campfire, surrounded by nature. Recommended for children aged 8-12. Must be accompanied by an adult. Booking Essential
Find out more »Brilliant Bird Feeders – Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve
Visit Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve during this drop-in event (no need to book) and learn how to make bird feeders from pine cones! Take your bird feeder home so you can watch birds feed from it and enjoy the signs of spring. Fun for all the family, both little and big nature fans!
Find out more »Signs of Spring Walk – Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve
Join the knowledgeable team at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park and discover birds, butterflies, bugs and flowers coming out now that spring is here! Fun for everyone to discover and learn. (This is an adult only event) Perfect for newbies who are interested in starting out.
Find out more »Young Rangers – Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve
This event is perfect for young people wanting to learn more about nature, working outdoors, and practising new skills. Drop the off at the event and they'll have a great time! This is a practical session for like-minded youngsters aged 8-12. Bring a packed lunch and dress for outdoor activities. Meet at the lower car park by the main entrance to the site. Booking Essential
Find out more »Easter Funday – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
A full day of fun for all the family at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, that includes a magic show, bouncy castles, tractor trailer rides and an Easter trail. Skittleman Magic Show 11am - Spend an unforgettable hour with Crazy Skittleman for his Magic and Mayhem Show! £6 per child — booking essential Adults Free TLM Bouncy Castles 10am - 4pm Bouncy away the day on the fabulous Pirate Funship and Mr Croc Bounce all day £5 per person Tractor Trailer…
Find out more »May 2019
Young Rangers – Thurrock Thameside
This is a new session for young people aged 8-12 wanting to learn more about nature, working outdoors, and practicing new skills. Bring a packed lunch and dress for outdoor activities. Meet at the lower car-park and drop off your children for a fun-packed few hours. Booking is essential
Find out more »Spring Bank Holiday Funday – Thurrock Thameside
Enjoy an afternoon of free music from The Yardarm Folk Orchestra and open mic sessions at Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve. This is a free event -apart from bouncing, food and drink! -but donations are welcome to support the work of EWT. More music and entertainment in the centre featuring: Rosewicke, One Tree Hillbillies, Pete Hamlyn, A shanty workshop and Talk on Thames History. Call Clive on 0208 262 5118 to perform
Find out more »June 2019
The Reintroduction of Beavers to Essex with Russell Savory – Thurrock Nature Reserve
Renowned wildlife photographer and filmmaker Russell Savory will be giving an illustrated talk about his recent work filming the progress of a pair of beavers released into the wild in Essex for the first time in 400 years. A number of partners, including Essex Wildlife Trust, were involved in this natural flood management scheme project at Spains Hall Estate in Finchingfield. Russell will also be sharing some helpful photography tips and tricks! Russell has been photographing and filming wildlife for…
Find out more »July 2019
Bug-Hunting Bonanza- Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve
A bug-hunting adventure suitable for little ones in the Thurrock Thameside woodland. Centipedes, millipedes, beetles and other minibeasts are out there to be found. Plus, take a look at what's living in the new pond. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential. Meet at Crown Green
Find out more »Thurrock’s Attic Touring Exhibition
Thurrock has a fascinating heritage. Find out more by visitng the Attic Touring Exhibition being held at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park. Representatives of the museum will guide you through the digital display and handle artefacts. The artefacts chosen were the top three artefacts that were voted in a public vote of 10 artefacts for the Heritage Lottery Funded Project, Thurrock’s Attic.
Find out more »Bee Crafts – Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve
Make some simple -bee-based crafts at Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve. This is a drop-in event suitable for families with young children: no booking need to book.
Find out more »Brilliant Honeybee Adventure: Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve
Join the team at Thurrock Thameside visitor Centre for bee-themed crafts, games and facts. Did you know that all the bees you see out collecting honey are girls? Did you know the queen bee is the boss of all the bees and controls the others using her smell? Children must be accompanies by an adult. Booking is essential
Find out more »Beaver Walk – Thurrock Thameside
Beavers are fascinating creatures, and they have been re-introduced to Essex. Meet at Thurrock Thameside Visitor Centre for beaver-themed games, crafts and a walk around the site to collect information about these amazing animals. Booking is essential Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Find out more »Fossil Adventure – Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve
Join the Thurrock Thameside EWT team at the Visitor Centre for activities, crafts and facts both indoors and outdoors, all about fossils, mammoths and dinosaurs. Spend some time making your own fossils to take home and play some dino-themed games. children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential
Find out more »August 2019
Slime Making! Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Kids love making slime, so the team at Thurrock Thameside have created a session where they can find out how ordinary household goods can be turned into gooey fun! They will also be looking at the science behind the slime too. A fun way top deliver an educational lesson. This is a drop-in event: no booking required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Find out more »Crafty Saturdays – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Onsite parkingDrop into Thurrock Thameside Nature Park and make a clever craft with our volunteer, Crafty Carol. Each week there will be a different theme. This is a drop-in event suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Find out more »Recycling and Plastic Workshop – Thurrock
A recycling and plastics workshop for kids at Thurrock Thameside Visitor Centre. Everyone's talking about the problems with plastic and how we can turn this problem around! It's so important that kids learn how plastic affects wildlife and what they can do to help. The session is designed to be both and instructive and will include crafts and activities that teach kids why reducing plastic is necessary and how to do it right! Children must be accompanied by an adult.…
Find out more »Pond Dipping Adventure – Thurrock Thameside
The new pond at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park is filling up with all kinds of life as the summer rolls on! A great way for kids to interact with nature as we discover the world of underwater minibeasts. Meet at the lower carpark by the big entrance sign. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential
Find out more »Marine wildlife and fisheries of the Thames talk – Thurrock
Join the EWT team to learn more about the marine wildlife and fisheries of The Thames at this free, adult only talk. Spaces are limited and booking is essential August is Essex Wildlife Trust’s Marine Month. Marine Month is a chance to celebrate and enjoy Essex’s coastal and marine wildlife - but it’s also an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges facing our seas and do our bit to safeguard them for the future. The Thames Estuary and North…
Find out more »Pirtate Treasure Hunt – Thurrock Thameside
Meet the EWT team at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park Visitor Centre with your little ones for an eye-patch-wearing, peg-legged good time! We'll be having a range of indoor and outdoor pirate games, activities and crafts. Follow maps, adventure around the park and make your own pirate costume! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential.
Find out more »Songs and stories for Little Ones – Thurrock
A lovely session for the under 5s at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park. Meet at the Visitor Centre for a fun time. Enjoy a selection of songs and stories with lots of singing, clapping and stomping our feet. This is a drop-in event: no need to book. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Find out more »Wildfest – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Essex Wildlife Trust's debut Children's Festival at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park is packed with activities throughout the day to 'rewild your child' - educate and enthral children about wildlife and being outdoors in the countryside. It is also EWT's marine month and we'll be looking at how to protect the planet at this fantastic Site of Special Scientific Interest on the shores of the Thames Estuary. Activites include making a plastic rubbish sculpture, giant bubble blowing from the roof, music…
Find out more »October 2019
Young Rangers Bushcraft – Thurrock Thameside
This is a great event at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park for kids who want to learn and improve their outdoor skills - we'll be using flint & steels, building fires, cooking outdoors and learning how to use binoculars to spot birds. Dress for outdoor adventures! Children must be accompanied by an adult ADVANCE BOOKING ESSENTIAL Meet at the small car park by the park entrance.
Find out more »Survival Shelters and Campfire – Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Visit Thurrock Thameside Nature Park for the EWT survival shelters and campfire cookout with a fun session of bushcraft activities. Recommended for children 8-12 who must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Lower Car Par near the entrance to the site. Booking Essential
Find out more »December 2019
Thameside Folk
An afternoon of free live music at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park Visitor Centre for all the family. Four great acts have been booked plus space for floor acts Contact us if you would like to perform. No booking required. Just turn up and enjoy the fun
Find out more »January 2020
New Year’s Day Wellness Walk and Brunch – Thurrock Thameside
Enjoy a New Year's Day Wellness Walk and Brunch atThurrock Thameside Nature Reserve Get the year off to a wild, healthy start with this guided walk followed by a healthy brunch in the Visitors' Centre. All welcome! Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for being outdoors
Find out more »March 2020
Juggling Club – Thurrock Thameside
Come along to the Juggling Club at Thurrock Thameside Nature Reserve and learn how to juggle balls, clubs, silks, diablos...and just about anything else Learn or develop your circus skills in our friendly Sunday morning club every other Sunday. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Find out more »Early Years Foundation Stage Forest Skills – Thurrock
This Early Years Foundation Stage Forest Skills (EYFS) session at Thurrock Thameside Nature Park is designed for adults who want to gain skills and ideas to enhance play and learning outdoors. Please bring a packed lunch and dress suitably for this outdoor course. Booking is essential.
Find out more »