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, 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
Blackshots Big Lunch – Monday 18 August
Impulse Leisure, King George’s Field, Blackshots Lane, RM16 2LP
- Highlights: Blackshots hosts its first-ever Big Lunch with a vibrant Bhangra performance by Cohesion Plus, complete with dhol drums! Enjoy a thrilling Skate Jam show and workshop from King Ramps, plus basketball coaching for all skill levels.
Aveley Big Lunch – Friday 22 August
- Recreational Ground, High St, Aveley, RM15 4BX
- Highlights: Folk Dance Remixed’s Ceilidh Experience brings high-energy folk dancing with a funky twist and live music. Enjoy a DJ set, creative activities, sports, stalls, and free scooter and skateboarding coaching from Team Rubicon.
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
Grangewaters has organised a weekly calendar of activities for all the family over the Summer break
This includes archery, sailing, climbing, bushcraft, high rope, kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddleboarding
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.
Thameside Complex
HOME:ZERO - MAKERS OF IMAGINARY WORLDS
13 August to 18 August, Thameside Cafe
An interactive performance invites visitors into a fantastical world where time is running out. In this playful, immersive installation, inspired by National Gallery paintings, families spark their imaginations to create extraordinary changes and envision a more sustainable future. Ideal for families with children aged 6-10, session time: 25 minutes. This is a sister event to the Here To Zero exhibtion at the Thurrock Museum (see below).
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
- Saturday 9 August to 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
- Saturday 2 August to 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
SALUTE! free open air festival to mark VJ Day
As part of the borough-wide events to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre is holding Salute! a free open air film and music festival on Purfleet Green, on Sunday 17 August.
The day begins with the annual Gurka Festival, celebrating the historic links between the UK and the Ghurka regiment.
There will be open-air screenings of short war films and animations and the classic WW2 movie, The Dam Busters, followed by live music and what is billed as the borough's biggest singalong! Family activities include a field gun challenge, building an Anderson centre as well as stalls and a Ghurka ambulance.
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
Koala Park
- Football, boxing and refreshments
- Every Tuesday, 4pm - 5pm
- for more information contact Kelly at kherring@atfcommunity.com
King George's Park (known as Daisy Park), Tilbury
- Football, boxing and refreshments
- Every Wednesday, 4pm - 5pm
- for more information contact Rachael at rlong@atfcommunity.com
West Thurrock Memorial Park
- Family Fun Day
- Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August, 4pm to 6pm
- Activities include mini-football, basketball, dance, refeshments and more
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 or check out these great outdoor activities
Thameside Nature Tots Summer Picnic
- Monday 18 August
- 10:00am - 12:00pm
A morning to explore, relax, enjoy a craft, or get mucky in the woods! We will finish the session around the campfire (weather permitting). Advance booking is essential and children must be accompanied by an adult. Please come dressed for the weather. £8.80 per child
Thameside Wildlife Safari: Pond, Meadow and Woodland
- Monday 18 August
- 2pm-3:30pm
- Meeting point: Crown Cottage Car Park
Explore a range of habitats with magnifying glasses, ID charts, and sweep nets, and discover the fascinating creatures that live in our meadow and woodland! All equipment provided. Minibeast-themed crafts and activities will also take place! £7.73 per child
Thameside Wild Night Out
- Wednesday 20 August
- 7:00pm - 9:00pm
- Meeting point: Crown Cottage Car Park
Discover the wildlife of Thameside as the sun sets, with bug hunting, pond dipping, forest fun, and a campfire (weather permitting). This event is suitable for children over 5, and children must always be accompanied by an adult. £7.73 per person
Essex Fire Museum Open Day
Free open day at the Essex Fire Museum. including emergency service demonstrations, rides, stalls, the Fire Museum, food, face-painting, a raffle and even a haunted house! It's a great family fun day out with activities for all ages.
Tuesday, 19 August, 10.30am to 4pm and Sunday, 31 August, 10.30am to 4pm
Essex Fire Museum, 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
Free swimming and FootGolf seesions at your local leisure centre
Impulse Leisure has launched a programme of summer fun of activities at the borough’s leisure centres - including some special Midweek Mayhem free events
Free swimming sessions
Every Wednesday at different leisure centres over the holidays
- Wednesday 13 August at Belhus Leisure Centre
- Wednesday 20 August at Blackshots Leisure Centre
- Wednesday 27 August at Corringham Leisure Centre
Booking is required via the Impulse Leisure app or website, and sessions will be clearly marked as free
Free adventure FootGolf at Belhus Park
Perfect for families, kids and adults alike – the FootGolf course is open and free every Wednesday throughout the holidays
No need to book, simply turn up and play
Plus, there's expanded summer access to gym sessions tailored for young people, encouraging active habits from an early age
Check out the full programme of school holiday activities at the leisure centres designed to keep families active, engaged and smiling
Find out more about free swimming and FootGolf sessions and other summer holiday offers here
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 babies and toddlers can also join the Summer Reading Challenge and collect their own stickers and gold sticky medal and certificate!
Brush up on oral health
The oral health team will be holding drop in sessions, handing out free toothbrush packs for children 0-3 and 3+ and giving advice
East Tilbury Library - Thursday 14 August, 10:30am to 12:30pm
Grays Library - Tuesday 26 August, 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Pick up your free sunflower seeds!
As part of the Summer Reading Challenge our libraries have partnered with Thurrock Garden Centre in South Ockendon who have donated free sunflower seeds for children. The seeds will be available at the Imagination Station events and the summer rhyme time events and at the Big Lunches
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
Get your bike checked for free!
Free cycle checks and repair drop-ins with the Forward Motion Cycle Hub at our libraries
Aveley Library
- 11am to 1pm
- Thursday 14 August
Belhus Library
- 1:30pm to 3:30pm
- Thursday 14 August
East Tilbury Library
- 3pm to 4:30pm
- Thursday 21 August
Tilbury Library
- 12:30pm to 2:30pm
- Thursday 21 August
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
Summer Youth Club at Thurrock Rugby Club
A summer club for 13 to 17 years old will by running on selected days at the rugby club during the holidays
Youngsters can enjoy football, music, dance, cookery, bushcraft, yummy food and more - and it's free
- Tuesday 26 August, 3pm to 5pm
The club is organised by JTD Arts and Active Essex. You can call 07856 869296 or just turn up.
Thurrock Rugby Club, Long Lane, RM16 2QH
Youth activities at Purfleet-on-Thames
The Riverview Charitable Trust and its local partners in Purfleet-on-Thames have organised regular sports and fun activities for young people over the summer holidays
The Sports in the Parks events include football and basketball. The Outreach events include arts and crafts, multi-sports and light refreshments. At all the events there are friendly youth workers available for a chat
Thursday 17 August
- Youth Outreach
- 2pm to 4pm
- Uplands Estate Parks
Wednesday 23 August
- Sports in the Parks
- 2.50 to 3.50 – Opera House Park
- 4pm to 5pm - Spider Park
- Open to all – aged 9+
Thursday 24 August
- Youth Outreach
- 2pm to 4pm
- River Green
Find out more: Riverview Charitable Trust (formerly St Stephen's Community Trust) Purfleet-on-Thames
Get walking and gardening with T100 and Kinetika
T100 is a unique, local cultural project that helps young people and the whole community to really connect with Thurrock and its surroundings in new and unexpected ways
It holds regular free walks
It manages a community garden, created and maintained by volunteers, on a section of former wasteland in Purfleet-on-Thames
The community garden, located in the grounds of High House Production Park in Purfleet-on-Thames, is a friendly and welcoming space for everyone, operated by the arts group Kinetika.
They are looking for regular volunteers who can come down and help every third 3rd Wednesday of the month in to maintaining the garden and get involved in growing plants to be used for natural dyes. Under 18s are welcome but need to be accompanied by parent/guardian throughout.
Next date: Wednesday 20 August. Spots are limited so please email george@kinetika.co.uk for full information and to confirm you’d like if you plan to attend.
Find out more about T100 and its Young Ambassadors
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
Some special events that might take your fancy:
- Sunday 17 August Wildlife Walk Tickets £8 - £10
- Friday 22 August Butterfly Guided Walk Tickets £12 - £15
There are also free and veyr low cost fun activities for young ones and familes right through August
Bug Hunting - Sweep Netting
Ever wondered what strange creatures live in the long grass? Expert volunteers are on hand to show you what to do and help you to identify what you find. All equipment provided. Suitable for children aged 5yrs+, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Drop in sessions: 10.30am to 11.15 and 11.30 to 12.15
- Friday, 15 August
- Tuesday, 19 August
- Thursday, 21 August
- Tuesday, 26 August
- Friday, 29 August
Cost: FREE
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