WITH the school holidays now upon us, we know that family members are all looking for ideas to keep the kids amused.

Our beautiful coast is a wonderful escape for sheer fun and great activities from theme parks and water sports, to crabbing and seal watching.

Enjoy wildlife spotting and pond-dipping at many of the Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserves, with the visitor centres providing lots of other hands-on activities. Two Beside the Seaside events at Clacton on July 22 and Harwich on August 12 are sure to provide lots of family fun.. A family fun day is also being held at Chelmsford City Racecourse on 25th August in support of Help for Heroes.

Take the stress out of the day and leave the car at home - travel by train from Colchester to Walton-on-the-Naze on August 2, 16 or 30 on the Community Rail Partnership Bucket and Spade trains when all tickets for children include a free bucket and spade too! Or if you fancy a ‘dip’ at Colchester Leisure World, there’s flumes and water fun to be had.

Kids love comic characters, and what better place to see the stars of Paw Patrol than at Epping Ongar Heritage Railway. The railway is open every weekend throughout the holidays, and you may even see the Gruffalo if you’re quick! Kids can also enjoy The Gruffalo Trail at Weald Country Park providing hours of fun, and the wonderful new play area this year at Cudmore Grove, East Mersea - or picnic and play at Cressing Temple Barns.

Does your child fancy being a firefighter? Then the fire station open days at Wivenhoe, West Mersea, and Hadleigh Farm are just the thing.

Open-air cinema has really taken off in Essex, and there are various films being shown at Maldon Promenade, Hylands Estate and Lee Valley White Water Centre, as well as outdoor theatre including Treasure Island at Hedingham Castle, The Importance of Being Ernest at Marks Hall and A Woman of no Importance by Oscar Wilde at the Museum of Power.

Visit visitessex.com/events/ or search social media.