Kids days out in and around South Woodham Ferrers
South Woodham Ferrers can be a superb day out or even weekend break destination, especially during the summer. The town has plenty of places to visit and things to do within a small radius, good leisure amenities and plenty of pubs and restaurants including Macdonalds. The Creepy Crawlies soft play centre is a pleasant place to spend an hour or two for the under sixes and there are plenty of swing parks within the town itself. Fun and family sessions at the local swimming pool are another possibility for an activity for an hour or so. The council run various activity sessions for kids at the lesiure centre throughout school holidays; take part in dance classes, trampolining, gymnastics and more.
Families with young children
The animal adventure park of Marsh Farm is a big draw in the town, children not only see and stroke animals but learn about them and participate in games and quizzes.
Tropical Wings, on Woodham Road, is another ‘small zoo’ and butterfly farm that is aimed at children. Summer is the best time to visit and there are outdoor bird displays, meerkats, otters, a bird section and the greenhouse full of vibrant flowering semi-tropical plants and goldfish ponds.
Both of the above attractions have soft-play areas, adventure playgrounds, coffee shops, a gift shop and picnic tables should you prefer to bring your own sandwiches and keep the costs minimal.
More animals to feed
Take a walk along the River Crouch beside Marsh Farm and feed the big flock of swans, or drive over to Hanningfield Reservoir, about 15 minutes away, to feed ducks, geese and enjoy a woodland walk. The woods are carpeted with bluebells at the end of April to beginning to May. Lunch and ice creams can be purchased at the café overlooking the water or bring a picnic to eat at one of the tables near te car park. This is essentially a fishing venue with boat hire and tackle shop although lots of people go to walk in and around the woodland or to birdwatch from the hides around the lake.
RHS Hyde Hall - another nearby venue that is good for young children
The RHS gardens are literally a five-minute drive from South Woodham Ferrers. There are always seasonal treasure hunts for children to do, craft activities during school holidays and an adventure playground. Picnic table are dotted about the big grassy areas and there is plenty of space where children can run around.
Fun places to visit for kids not too far from South Woodham Ferrers
About a twenty-minute drive in an easterly direction is the ancient town of Maldon with Promenade Park. This park has an outdoor splash park during the summer, a crazy golf course, paddle boats and a pirate ship in a giant sand pit. A short distance from the park is a multipurpose leisure building called Madison Heights which houses one of the biggest soft-play centres in Essex, a roller skating rink, snooker tables and a Chinese restaurant.
Other places that are not too far from South Woodham that children would like are: Adventure Island – a huge funfair and indoor play complex, Colchester Zoo and Castle.
