AS the Easter holidays approach, it can be daunting trying to think of ways to keep your little ones entertained throughout.

The Gazette has teamed up with Visit Essex to bring you a selection of activities and events taking place across Essex.

From watching jousting knights to making pizza, from going on a dinosaur hunt to canoeing - there really is something for everyone this Easter in Essex.

By staying local with your activities, you can help support businesses in your area and not have to waste time sitting in traffic jams, meaning you can spend more quality time enjoying the break.

Gazette head of content Dominic Bowers said: “There are so many fun activities you can do in Essex without having to travel too far.

“The holidays are a great chance to get out and try something new – you never know, your children might find a great new hobby.

“So start planning your activities now and take advantage of everything Essex has to offer.”

Visit Essex is the official website offering tourist information about events and activities in Essex.

Visit visitessex.com

Here are ten top things to do:

  • Epping Ongar Railway’s beloved Bertie Bunny will be leading what is probably the longest Easter egg hunt in Essex from April 14 to 17. Running the length of the railway track, from Ongar through to Coopersale, the distance covered is equivalent to 131,579 eggs placed end to end.
  • Easter at Barleylands Farm from April 3 to 17 is going to be egg-cellent. From meeting the Easter Bunny to taking part in our self-guided giant Easter egg hunt, there’s something for everyone.
  • Mistley Kitchen is running a series of kids’ cookery courses during the Easter holidays. From making pizza to cookies and cupcakes, these two-and-a-half hour courses will not only entertain and educate your little ones but make sure you all have something tasty to enjoy when you get home.
  • Transportfest on April 16 at the Museum of Power, near Maldon is certainly one of the county’s most unusual Easter attractions. Fans of vintage cars, buses, lorries, tractors, motorbikes, military vehicles and, of course, steam engines will be in seventh heaven.
  •  If you want to see Britain’s best canoeing stars battle it out and then have a go yourself, then paddle over to Lee Valley White Water Centre for some wet and wild action. It’s free to spectate at the British Selection event, running from April 15 to 17 and you can even have a go yourself.
  • Watch history come to life at Hedingham Castle’s Jousting with the Knights of Middle England! Plus there will be archery demonstrations by the Norfolk Longbowmen and the chance to test your own skills and much more on April 16 and 17.
  • Science shows with Professor Nitrate set the scene with crashes, bangs and booms in the Mad Lab over at the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey.
  • Bring the whole family along for an egg-cellent time as you hunt around the grounds of Gilwell Park in Chingford on April 16, following the clues to find the prize.
  • Get your heart racing and explore high in the sky in a quest to conquer Sky Ropes and win a prize! Sky Ropes will be open every day from April 1 to 17.
  • Discover what it was like when dinosaurs ruled the earth at the Naze Education and Visitor Centre on Easter Bank Holiday Monday from 10am and midday.