Looking for things to do this summer? We've put together a list of activities and events taking place across Southend-on-Sea and surrounding areas for children and young people with SEND and their families.
From sports and outdoor adventures to arts and crafts, family fun days and more. There are plenty of opportunities to stay active, make new friends and enjoy the summer holidays. Many activities are inclusive, accessible and designed to support a wide range of needs.
If you know of something that should be added, please email details of the event or activity to LocalOffer@southend.gov.uk
We hope you have a fun, safe and enjoyable summer.
For information about other things to do, you can also look at the Visit Southend website.
SNAP have created a summer survival guide.
For autism-friendly activities further away see the Ambitious about Autism list.
Achieve Thrive Flourish
Achieve Thrive Flourish's Summer HAF School Club 2026 is open for fun-filled activities, football, games, and healthy meals. Free for children receiving benefits-related free school meals through the HAF programme. Families can access up to 16 days of activities during the summer holiday. Spaces are limited, secure your place today!
Active Southend
Active Southend is a community activity network that promotes physical activity and health in Southend-on-Sea. It collaborates with various sectors, including sport clubs and facilities, to enhance community engagement and wellbeing. It aims to provide opportunities for residents to participate in sports and physical activities ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all.
Art Ministry
The Art Ministry will continue to run their Monday and Tuesday evening sessions throughout the summer in Hadleigh for children and young people
They are also running a SEND session at Leigh-on-Sea Town Council on 4 August 2026.
Blossoms SEND CIC - Summer Holiday Programme
Blossoms SEND CIC is excited to be running their biggest Summer Holiday Programme yet, offering over 10 days of inclusive activities for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), aged 0 to 17 years.
Our programme includes stay and plays, swimming sessions, sensory activities, arts and crafts, soft play, outdoor play, and our brand-new BlossomFEST.
We are also proud to be delivering a range of HAF-funded sessions for eligible families alongside paid sessions open to all SEND families.
Sessions run throughout the summer holidays, with booking now available via our website. Some sessions are HAF-funded for eligible families, while others are open to all children and young people with SEND. For more information and to book, please visit the Blossoms website.
Cake Club Summer SEND Club
Summer SEND Club sessions are specifically aimed at families with babies, toddlers, preschoolers and school starters with additional needs and/or disabilities, with or without a diagnosis. We also look forward to welcoming back some of our families whose children have now moved on to school or other education settings and are no longer able to join us during term time.
If you have an older child with SEND who would like to join us, please contact us.
Sessions run from 10am to 12pm on 6, 13 and 20 August from 10am to 12pm and on 20 and 22 August from 2pm to 2.30pm.
Chaos and Calm
We are delighted to announce that we have managed to secure some spots for soft play at Kingsdown school this summer so we can still all get together and have some fun!
Sessions are only open to families who have attended Chaos and Calm since 2021
More information on our Facebook page.
Early Years SEND Play and Development Group
The Early Years SEND Support Team are running Stay and Play sessions for children with SEND aged 0 to 5 and their families in Southend over the summer holiday. View dates and details on the SEND Local Offer.
Feel Good Festival
On Saturday 8 August 2026, we will be hosting our annual Feel Good Festival from 11am at Garon Park. This is a free community festival open to all. There will be entertainment, food and drink, physical activity, a marketplace, local services, charities, businesses and more!
Free song-writing workshops at Southend Libraries
Practice rhythm and rhyme in free song-writing workshops for ages 5 to 11. A one hour activity with the Maths and English experts from Explore Learning.
Sessions run on various dates and times and at a range of libraries. For details and to book a place call 01702 568808 or email southend@explorelearning.co.uk
Freedom Club Night
If you're aged 18 plus, come along to Freedom, a full nightclub experience for anyone with a disability or a different ability.
The event runs every Wednesday from 6.30pm.
Freedom Kids
Freedom Kids is a nightclub experience (at Popworld in Southend) for anyone under 18 with a disability or different ability.
The next event is on Wednesday 19 August, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
Come and make new friends, socialise and have a lot of fun!
Friends and Places Together
Friends and Places Together are running a series of activities and days out during the summer holiday.
From cooking with friends, to visiting Colchester Zoo, to a trip to Adventure Island, there's lots to do!
More details on the Facebook page.
They also have a Hawaii themed summer party at the Westcliff Hotel on Friday 14 August, 7.30pm to 10pm (£12 entrance). For information email office@friendsandplacestogether.org.uk or call 07796 678939.
HAF (Holiday Activities and Food Programme)
You still have time to book our next HAF programme! Sessions run between Monday 20 July and 28 August 2026. Eligible pupils can book up to 16 days and only attend one club per day. Only eligible pupils in receipt of benefits related free school meals can attend the fun activities over the holidays.
Health4Life summer programme
A free two-day programme designed to help primary school aged children learn about healthy lifestyles in a fun, practical and engaging way. This is suitable for children who may benefit from building confidence and knowledge around healthy habits and wellbeing.
Over the two days, children will take part in a range of interactive activities, including:
- healthy eating and nutrition
- understanding portion sizes
- healthy food swaps and snack ideas
- oral health and caring for teeth
- sleep and wellbeing
- physical activity and staying active
Children will also have the opportunity to try a variety of activities, including: Tennis, Padel, Golf and cycling, and will take part in practical food activities, where they will prepare and make healthy recipes to take home.
The programme is delivered by the Health4Life team and aims to help children develop healthy habits, build confidence, make new friends and have fun during the school holidays.
Details: Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 August; 9:15am to 3:30pm at Garon Park Leisure Centre.
Places are limited and will be allocated once we have reviewed applications
To register your child's interest, please complete this booking form.
If there are any questions, please contact: 01702 534843 or email health4life@southend.gov.uk
Kids Kingdom SEN sessions
Making playtime feel more relaxed with a fully inclusive, calmer atmosphere where every child can play their way!
Sessions run 4 to 7pm every second Monday of the month.
Details on the Kids Kingdom website.
Little Heroes ASD Support Group
Little Heroes have a range of activities taking place over the summer holiday.
Further details and bookings on bookwhen.
Little Steps Gym - Summer Gymnastic Fun
Leigh Town Council, in collaboration with Little Steps Gym, is excited to bring gymnastics fun to our community centre.
SEND Session for 5+ year old on 14 August 2026 from 12.30pm to 13.30pm.
Join us for fun games gymnastic activities, and plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved and enjoy themselves. To book, email: ctevents@leighonseatowncouncil.gov.uk
MegaCentre Rayleigh
Summer SEND sessions at MegaCentre Rayleigh run on Wednesdays: 5, 12, 19 and 26 August 2026 from 10.00am to 12.00pm. Join us for crafts, games and toys, table football, field sports, sand pit, water play, sensory activities, secure garden area and more!
Booking is essential and spaces are limited.
More than a Tutor - More To Explore Summer Holiday Club
More To Explore is a summer holiday club for children aged 5 to 14, including those with SEND. It is run by qualified teachers at More Than a Tutor and is based in Rochford.
Children have the opportunity to play, learn and connect with others in a supportive environment. Activities include arts and crafts, sports and games and a selection of providers including a therapy dog, dance instructors, zoo animal, calisthenics, science and DJ workshops (please see the activity schedule.)
While our clubs are not exclusively SEND- specific, we aim to create welcoming, safe and fun spaces for a range of our local young people during the school holidays when childcare is required.
More to Explore runs from 3 to 21 August. Visit the More than a Tutor website for details.
Mushroom theatre company holiday workshops
Mushroom Theatre Company in Rayleigh have holiday workshops taking place this summer.
Punching for Purpose summer holiday camp
Punching for Purpose has a summer holiday camp taking place in Canvey, The camp includes boxing, games and fitness. It is running on dates throughout August. Read more about the holiday camp on the Punching for Purpose Facebook page.
RAW Learning - Summer Holiday Club
Our nature-based Summer Holiday Club is open to children aged 5 to 12. We provide experienced neurodivergent childcare support within a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment.
Children will enjoy a range of outdoor activities including bug hunting, woodland games, cooking, creative activities, bird feeders, bug hotels and water play, all designed to build confidence, encourage creativity and inspire a love of nature.
SAVS cold water dips and water safety workshops
SAVS is pleased to be supporting a series of free cold water dips and water safety workshops with Blue Therapy Active.
These friendly sessions are a great opportunity to try cold water dipping in a supported environment, learn more about staying safe in and around the water, and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of spending time by the sea.
No previous experience is needed, and safety tow floats will be loaned to swimmers at no cost.
Slim Ricks Outdoor Food Adventures
Slim Ricks BBQ School is an outdoor (sheltered) food venue and cookery school, promoting equality, inclusion and community engagement through food education. Visit the Slim Ricks website for details of what's on.
Southend Mencap Family Play and Respite Club
The Family Play and Respite Club is a multi-activity club for children and young people aged 5 to 16 with learning disabilities.
Southend Museum
Southend Museum hosts SEND Planetarium shows on the last Sunday of each month, rotating between the Lecture Theatre (for SEND) and the Planetarium (for SEN). Tickets for these can be booked via the front desk team at Central Museum 01702 212345.
Other events are listed on their Eventbrite page, and accessibility for these varies depending on the activity. Their Anglo Saxon Weekend is their next big event over the summer.
Southend Best Start Family Hubs - varied activities for 0 to 5's and their families
Visit the Best Start Family Hubs website for information about sessions and activities running over the 6 weeks summer holiday. All sessions are aimed at 0 to 5 year olds (older siblings are welcome). Most sessions are drop in and run on a first come first served basis.
You can also view their Instagram page.
To book onto any sessions email BSILsessionbookings@southend.gov.uk
Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre
There's fun for all the family at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre including sessions in the swimming pool with inflatables and floats.
Visit the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre website for details.
Swimming Tales - SEN sessions
Swimming Tales in Rayleigh has some SEN sessions taking place throughout the summer. Read about SEN sessions taking place on the Swimming Tales website.
The Hangout
The Hangout are hosting stay and play sessions for local schools within a 2 mile radius from The Hang Out Venue Ltd. Siblings are welcome, but we are trying to keep numbers low to accommodate as many school starters as possible.
The Music Man Project – Summer School
17 to 19 August from 10am to 3pm at Leigh Salvation Army with special guests and speakers. £30 per day. To book, email: davidstanley@themusicmanproject.com
The Song School
Drop the Mic!:
Calling all Young Artists! Drop The Mic is our regular open-mic event.
Whether you're a performer looking to showcase your talent, crew wanting to get involved behind the scenes, or just someone who loves being around live music - this is the place for you.
We've created Drop The Mic to be a safe, inclusive space where young people can perform, learn, connect, and be part of a real community. No gatekeeping. No judgment. Just great music and great people.
It's free to attend for young people from Southend-on-Sea and the surrounding areas.
Summer workshops:
We're also running a range of summer holiday workshops.
Book rehearsal time:
Our studio will be open at various times and days accross the summer for ages 16 plus to book free of charge rehearsal space! Book a rehearsal spot.
Wellbeing at Garon Park Enchanted Fairy Trail
Come along throughout the summer holidays to see the Garon Park fairy houses. Monday to Thursday, 10am to 3pm and Friday to Sunday, 10am to 1pm. £1 suggested donation.