Summer Fun
Welcome to your guide to fun activities for the family this summer
We know that keeping the kids entertained over the holidays can be a challenge
That's why we are gathering together all that's going on locally that you can do as a family - and on a budget
Save this page to your favourites as we will be updating regularly with new events, offers and ideas
The Big Lunches are back!
These community led events have become a highlight of the Summer in Thurrock
Entry to The Big Lunches, and the majority of activities, are free and families are encouraged to come along with a picnic to share
Thanks to Start Thurrock, visitors to the Big Lunches will be able to enjoy a range of exciting workshops, performances and creative activities at each location. Impulse Leisure and Active Essex are putting on physical activities, sports and games for people of all ages to try, plus there will be stalls, bouncy castles and face painting, music, performances and a DJ. Some additional activities may incur a small cost, and refreshments such as tea, coffee, ice creams and cakes will be available to buy on the day
The Big Lunch events run from 12noon to 4pm
Corringham Big Lunch – Thursday 28 August
- Corringham Town Park, Springhouse Rd, Corringham, SS17 7LF
- Highlights: Join Cohesion Plus for a lively, interactive Bhangra workshop that celebrates culture, community, and the joy of dance.
The Big Lunch is a community-run initiative, supported by a partnership between Start Thurrock, Thurrock Council, Thurrock CVS, Impulse Leisure and Active Essex
For more information: Big Lunches & Picnic in the Park 2025 - Start Thurrock
Experience the Great Outdoors at Grangewaters
Thurrock's very own activity and education centre, Grangewaters, offers a host of exciting activities, from kayaking to navigation, archery to abseiling, paddleboarding and canoeing to climbing, as well as special activities for the little 'uns
For children, aged 18 months to five years old, the Wiggly Bugs nature group runs every Friday morning (9.30am to 11am)
The Grangewaters dedicated website is coming soon, making it much easier to book your tickets and plan a great day out. Watch this space.
Discover your heritage at the Thurrock Museum
Explore 250,000 years of Thurrock history at our museum space, on the ground floor of the Thameside complex
NEW MUSEUM EXHIBITION: From Here To Zero
- Until Thursday 11 September
- A thought provoking look at the history of Thurrock's journey towards becoming a net zero borough
NEW MUSEUM EXHIBITION: Tell Them Of Us
- Until Thursday 4 September
- The stories and photos of local people who served in the Far East during World War Two. The exhibition marks the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory over Japan.
Find out more about these two FREE exhibitions
Embrace the great outdoors in Thurrock
Summer is the perfect time to explore the unique and outstanding parks and open spaces in your borough.
Get closer to the local wildlife, enjoy a picnic with the family or take a short stroll. Thurrock has many green spaces and parks, each with its own unique charm and many with activities for the young ones, like the Grays Beach Riverside Park (pictured)
Park events
Davy Down Park
Hammered Leaf Printing
Using natural leaves and flowers, make beautiful hammered leaf prints — a simple but striking craft where you press real plants onto fabric or paper using a hammer, revealing their natural pigments and patterns. All materials provided.
Saturday, 30 August 30, 11am to 4pm
Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
Davy Down Visitor Centre, South Ockendon, RM16 5UL
Thurrock is renowned for the diversity of its natural beauty; from woodlands to riverside walks; historic forts to wonderful wildlfe. One of the best way to enjoy the borough is following one of these walks
Davy Down and Mardyke Woods Circular
- Distance: Approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: Woodland trails, Mardyke River views, wildflowers like wood anemones and bluebells, and potential sightings of kingfishers
Thames Estuary Path
- Distance: Approximately 29 miles (47 km) from Tilbury to Leigh-on-Sea
- Sections in Thurrock:
- Tilbury to East Tilbury: 7 miles (2.5–3 hours)
- East Tilbury to Stanford-le-Hope: 3.5 miles (1–1.5 hours)
- Features: Riverside views, historic forts, and diverse wildlife.
Langdon Hills Country Park
- Distance: Various trails ranging from short walks to longer hikes
- Highlights: Ancient woodlands, panoramic views over the Thames Estuary, and diverse wildlife.
- Access Points: Car parks at One Tree Hill and Westley Heights.
Find your new favourite local park: Parks and countryside | Thurrock Council
Thameside Nature Discovery Park
The Thurrock Thameside Nature Discovery Park is real gem, with opportunities for birdwatching, insect watching and ship watching as well as wonderful walks and cycle paths and stunning views across the Thames Estuary
Find out more: Thameside Nature Discovery Park | Essex Wildlife Trust
Grays Fire Station annual Open Day
An amazing cree open day at Grays Fire Station, including emergency service demonstrations, rides, stalls, Fire Museum, food, face painting, bouncy castle, dunk a fire fighter, a raffle and even a haunted house! Plus LOADS more. It's a great family fun day out with activities for all ages.
Sunday, 31 August, 10.30am to 4pm
Grays Fire Station, Hogg Lane Grays RM17 5QS
Summer Beach at The Destination @ Lakeside
FREE ENTRY fun at the Lakeside Summer Beach, the ultimate family day out!
Family rides, games, food stalls & a licensed bar. All rides operate on tokens – £1.20 each or 10 for £10
Open until Sunday 31 August, 12pm to 8pm
The Quay, Lakeside Shopping Centre
Check out the full programme of school holiday activities at our leisure centres designed to keep families active, engaged and smiling
Summer holidays at Impulse Leisure
Get down to your local library
The Summer Reading Challenge Story Garden
With the Summer Reading Challenge children read 6 books over the summer and get a certificate, a medal - and they learn the joy of reading that can stay with them for the rest of their life!
Find out what is going on at your local library here
Don't forget that all year round libraries run a host of clubs for young and old, from reading groups to sewing circles and story times Find out what's happening at your local library
Family Hubs
We have ten Brighter Future family hubs in the borough.
They support families with children of ages 0 to 18 years-old, or to 25 years-old for young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
There is a host of special Summer events for the young ones and families at our family hubs.
Register with your local family hub and check out what is available over August
Find Your Active Self
Active Essex has a brilliant website that tells you about a host of fun and healthy activities and sports, available in Thurrock and across Essex. It includes stuff that is free or low cost.
Get started on Finding Your Active Here
And if you have young ones, don't forget to download the Summer Activity fun book. It has plenty to entertain your kids, including quizzes, tasty kid-safe recipes and loads of actitivies, garden games and other fun ideas to keep them from being bored.
Your monthly guide to staying physically active for free or low cost
Every month, Thurrock's Community Volunteer Service (CVS) and Find Your Active Thurrock produce a guide to free and low cost physical activities in the borough. It's really useful for the summer months, but also helpful all year round.
Sign up for their free monthly e-booklet here
RSPB Rainham Marshes
Rainham Marshes is a peaceful paradise and haven for all kinds of wildlife – birds, water voles, dragonflies and more – right on your doorstep in Purfleet
It is free to enter and the perfect place to wile away a beautiful and memorable summer day with the family. There are nature trails, woodland and riverside walks and a toddler play area There are also free and very low cost fun activities for young ones and familes right through August
Butterflies and Dragonflies
It’s all about butterflies and dragonflies in the family area; colouring sheets; make your own Dragonfly activity; Butterfly and Dragonfly Spot-it sheets to take as you explore the reserve.
Throughout August
Cost: FREE
Spot and Score Trail
Pick up a Spot and Score booklet from the Visitor Centre then as you explore the reserve, tick off any wildlife you see along the nature trail. Add up your score when you get back to the Visitor Centre. DON'T FORGET YOUR PENCIL!
Throughout August
Cost FREE
Nature Detective Grab Bag
Explore the reserve with a fun nature detective bags. There are plenty of hands-on activities to keep everyone happy.
Throughout August
Cost £2.00
For more details: Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve, Essex - The RSPB
Essex ActivAte Summer Holiday Clubs
This Summer Essex ActivAte will be delivered at more than 30 clubs across Thurrock.
There are free funded spaces for children on income related free school meals identified by the school. If you qualify you will have received an email from ‘Holiday Activities’ which includes a voucher with 20 credits to attend any of the holiday clubs listed! Just click the book now link and search your area.
For more information about the Essex ActivAte Holiday programme go to - Essex Activate | Active Essex
Arts Outburst
For almost 20 years, Arts Outburst has been co-creating art and cultural projects with the people of Thurrock (and beyond)
Arts Outburst is taking part in the Big Lunches over the summer and they also run adult events, from Zumba classes to choirs.
They offer some amazing creative classes and opportunities for young people living and studying in Thurrock over the summer and into the autumn
Check out their summer calendar
Are we missing any events or happenings in the borough? Please let us know by emailing the information to communicationsteam@thurrock.gov.uk