The first in a string of festive family days out started at the weekend.

The Orchards Shopping Centre, Dartford, is holding Christmas activities every Saturday in the run up to December 25.

Each week children can join in the Make and Take creative workshops, just like four-year-old Taylor Mansfield and Jessica, seven, with adults and older children enjoying more specialist and technical crafts.

Shanice, seven, had her face painted as a festive scene, with a snowman on her nose.

Youngsters also had fun decorating Christmas mugs, cakes and biscuits, and sitting for story time with Santa’s Elves.

There was music and dancing, games, puzzles and balloon modelling as well.

Pupils have been invited along all this week to watch a mini pantomime.

The activity days will continue to run each Saturday before Christmas from 10am to 4pm, with extra events on December 23 and 24.

For more information visit www.orchardsdartford.co.uk