The half time whistle’s been blown on the school term, so get in a huddle with your favourite family team mates and plan your downtime here! Jo Roberts reports.

THOMAS TIME

Kids’ favourite Thomas the Tank Engine will be pulling into TENTERDEN STATION and bringing some of his friends along for the ride. This year marks 70 years since the birth of the Railway Series by the Rev W Awdry. Celebrate by coming to meet the Fat Controller and take a ride on Annie and Clarabel behind Thomas while looking out for a naughty diesel engine and the troublesome trucks. The return ride between Tenterden and Northiam stations on the Kent and East Sussex Railway takes one hour and 10 minutes. A big screen TV will show the Muddy Waters episode of Thomas, imaginary station scenarios will be staged, and there will be additional activities with Uncle Myles, Charlie the Clown and Billy the Magic Rabbit as well as face painting, roundabout rides and a bouncy castle.

Details: The Fat Controller will open the gates at 10am on Saturday, February 14, Sunday February 15 and again on Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22. Tickets cost £17 for adults, £13 for children over 18 months and a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children costs £51.50. Visit www.kesr.org.uk or call 01580 765155.

ENCHANTED FOREST

Swing through the trees on giant tree swings or dare to tackle a raised board walk with its zip wire, suspension bridge, and rope swings at GROOMBRIDGE PLACE. Every child will have access to the Enchanted Forest to enjoy playing and exploring Crusoe’s World, and families can also take up the challenge of den building or following the nature trail to see what wildlife can be discovered. Youngsters can also make a home for a mini-beast by adding a bug hotel to the giant ‘Bug City’. If they don’t want to get their hands dirty, they can listen to folk tales and mystical music from a top storyteller, or build up their knowledge by finding out more about the birds from the RSPB experts. Anyone over six can also have a go at archery at a cost of £5 for 10 arrows or £10 for an hour-long instructor-led session, which can be booked on arrival.

Details: Entry to Groombridge, near Tunbridge Wells, costs £9.95, for adults, £8.45 for children, and £33.95 for a family ticket. Visit www.groombridgeplace.com or call 01892 861444.

BIRTHDAY BLASTAt HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL PARK, staff and visitors are celebrating its 40th birthday throughout this year. The park, near Canterbury, has been at the forefront of conservation with breeding programmes for some of the world’s most endangered species, including western lowland gorillas, clouded leopards and African elephants. Howletts’ Neil Spooner said: “We’re 40 years old this year and we’re really proud of our conservation work. Our visitors help us to continue this vital work, whilst enjoying a fun packed day out at a price that won’t break the bank.” During half term, weather permitting, visitors can also try their hand at the exciting Treetop Challenge – an obstacle course set.Details: Entry costs £19.95 for adults and £15.95 for children. Visit www.aspinallfoundation.org/portlympne or call 0844 8424647.

HORSING AROUND

Everything from beach collaging to junior sewing classes are on offer at Whitstable’s HORSEBRIDGE CENTRE this week. Beach hut postcard-making will be the theme on Tuesday, February 17 from 10am to 11am or 11.30am to 12.30pm. Sessions cost £5. The focus moves on to beach collage on Wednesday, February 18 at the same times and at the same cost. On Thursday, February 19 under-eights and their carers are invited to make hand and footprint keepsakes at a cost of £8 from 10am to 11am or 11.30am to 12.30pm. Book via www.horsebridge-centre.org.uk or call 01227 281174. In addition, Junior machine sewing courses will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am to noon at a cost of £11.25.

Details: Book with Angela Pressley on 01227 861065 or email thesewingclub@outlook.com

KITTY CAT

This half term there’s a chance to visit Hello Kitty in her beautiful themed house at DRUSILLAS. The park in East Sussex hosts the character for the first time this year on Wednesday, February 18. She will be meeting and greeting her young fans at regular intervals throughout the day. Visitors can also enjoy a little pampering in the Hello Kitty Parlour where there’s face painting, temporary tattoos and a range of hair accessories to buy. Drusillas Park also boasts three children’s rides, including a Hello Kitty car ride, a tea cup ride and a ‘reach for the sky’ hopper ride.

Details: Ticket prices vary but start at £31 online for a family of two during half term or £35 on the gate. Visit www.drusillas.co.uk or call 01323 874100.

FREE FUN

Entertainment including an unicyclist, stilt walker, juggler and magic shows all comes for free at HEMPSTEAD VALLEY this half term. It doesn’t stop there either – treasure hunts, face painting and fairytale princesses are all on site at the Gillingham shopping centre too! On Monday, February 16 and Wednesday, February 18 you will find two fairytale princesses roaming the malls at intervals between 11am and 3pm. On Tuesday, February 17, two face painters will be there between 11am to 4pm and Mark the all-round entertainer will be there on Thursday, February 19th between 11am and 4pm. On Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21 children can take part in wizard-themed treasure hunts between 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

Details: Visit www.hempsteadvalley.com for more info

FLIGHT OF FANCY

Celebrate National Nest Box Week at HEVER CASTLE’s Living with Birds event. Learn about birds and their nesting habits from expert Tim Christian. Young visitors can make a bird feeder in a free craft workshop and find out more about different species of British birds with the help of an activity sheet, and you could choose to take part in a bird box building workshop which costs £5 on top of your entry fee. Later, warm up in the castle, near Edenbridge, as you discover how birds were significant in Tudor times.

Details: Entry to the castle and gardens costs £16 for adults and £9 for children or £42.50 for a family ticket. Visit www.hevercastle.co.uk or call 01732 865224.

A DAY WITH THE DONKEYS

Pull on your wellies and get outdoors at KENT LIFE, where the fun includes trails and animal encounters, donkey rides and animal feeding. Set in 28 acres of countryside, the heritage farm park near Maidstone is also a real working farm, so there are plenty of other animals to see including pigs, sheep, ducks, goats and alpacas. Kids can get creative in the Paint-a-Pot Studio, take a tractor ride, meet some smaller furry friends in Cuddle Corner, whiz around the track on a quad bike, and go wild in the large indoor soft play area which has three floors of fun to explore, so there’s plenty to do whatever the weather.

Details: Tickets cost £5.70 for adults and £4.50 for children. Visit www.kentlife.org.uk or call 01622 763936.

MAGNA-FICENT!

Celebrate 800 years since the creation and seal of the landmark document, Magna Carta, at PENSHURST PLACE with educational trails, traditional medieval crafts, archery demonstrations and falconry displays. Meaning ‘the Great Charter’, the Magna Carta is one of the most important documents in history because it established the principle that everyone is subject to the law, even the king, and guarantees the rights of individuals, the right to justice and the right to a fair trial. History comes to life at Penshurst, near Tonbridge, the chance to experience first-hand what it feels like to wear chainmail from the period, and younger children can enjoy storytelling themed to history of the Baron’s Charter.

Details: Entry to the house, gardens and grounds at Penshurst costs £10.50 for adults, £6.50 for children or £30 for a family. Visit www.penshurstplace.com or call 01892 870307.

AHOY THERE!

Find your sea legs this half term at a Sailors’ Academy at the HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM. From Saturday, February 14, to Sunday, February 22, children and grown-ups can go aboard the impressive Victorian Naval Sloop, HMS Gannet and join the Sailors’ Academy to sharpen their nautical skills. They will learn how to tie knots and whistle commands; they can follow the ship’s cat trail; learn flag signalling and nautical language; try out a hammock and find out about HMS Gannet’s armaments. While aboard, they can explore her history through new display boards below deck. Activities are being held on deck, as well as undercover in the Commander’s Cabin and below deck. One of the Sailors’ Academy crew will be demonstrating the hazards of cannon firing in No 3. Covered Slip, and certificates will be awarded to the new recruits each day. Fully-fledged members of the Sailors’ Academy can join the rest of the Dockyard’s visitors and visit the brand new exhibition HMS Victory: The Untold Story.

Details: Entry costs £19 for adults, £11.50 for children or £49.50 for a family. Visit www.thedockyard.co.uk or call 01634 823800.

HURRY ALONG TO HURRICANE MUSEUMThe iconic RAF fighter planes of the Second World War, the Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI and the Hawker Hurricane IIC, are housed under one museum roof at the SPITFIRE AND HURRICANE MEMORIAL MUSEUM, Manston. It's an interesting and educational way to spend part of a day out towards the coast, and it's also free entry! The museum is a registered charity funded by donations and supported by volunteers. Visit www.spitfiremuseum.org.uk

HOP ALONGJoin Hopper the Rabbit, Barbara Beaver and Holey Moley for a fabulous day out at the HOP FARM. Indoor entertainment shows, animal displays, indoor soft play, the Magic Castle and Driving School all ramp up the appeal, come rain or shine. On Saturday, February 14 and Sunday, February 15, visitors can join in an Elsa and Anna tea party including a singalong, arts and crafts activities, a story time and a picture with Elsa and Anna. The tea parties, which take place from 10.30am to 12.30pm or from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, cost an additional £14.95 on top of entry costs and will take place again the following weekend on Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22.

Details: Hop Farm Family Park entry wristbands cost £4.95 for adults, £8.95 for children or £24.95 for families. Visit www.thehopfarm.co.uk or call 01622 872068.

ARTISTIC STREAK

Workshops with artist experts themed on collage, miniature-making and glass negatives are being held at THE GUILDHALL in Rochester. Young culture vultures are invited to take part in the series of activities in celebration of the Medway painter Charles Spencelayh, shown in a new exhibition. The Guildhall holds more than 20 of his paintings, together with drawings, engravings and preliminary sketches. Born in Rochester, his father a friend of Dickens, Spencelayh has rarely been acknowledged for his unique talent. Frequently portraying ordinary people, often the elderly in cluttered domestic settings, Spencelayh demonstrated wry humour and a discriminating eye for social observation, all underpinned by his extraordinary painting skill.

Details: See the exhibition at the Guildhall and take part in the workshops held between Monday, February 16 and Friday, February 20. Workshops are either free or cost just £2 per child. Visit visit www.medway.gov.uk or call 01634 332680.

ANIMAL BABIES

Keepers at PORT LYMPNE RESERVE are celebrating as not one but three litters of endangered African painted dog puppies! A mix of males and females, the puppies are now three months old and take the numbers of African painted dogs at the reserve, near Ashford, to a staggering 43, split between five packs. Port Lympne’s Adrian Harland said: ‘We’re delighted with the litters. All the pups are really strong and healthy. They are out and about exploring their surroundings and playing every day. They’re all very curious so visitors should easily be able to see them.’ During half term, visitors can take part in free activities, enjoy fact-filled talks and watch animal feeds.

Details: Entry costs £19.95 for adults and £15.95 for children. Visit www.aspinallfoundation.org/portlympne or call 0844 8424647.

HERO WORSHIP

If your little ‘uns like battling with lightsabres, singing along with Anna and Elsa or falling about laughing at the Minions, then Spotlites at the KING’S THEATRE, Chatham has something for them. The drama workshops for children aged five to 12 do not require any stage experience, yet bring the holiday magic to life with acting, singing and dance. Kids can take part in stories themed on Star Wars Rebels, Minecraft, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Tangled and SpongeBob Squarepants among others. Imagination is all that’s needed!

Details: Workshops take place on Tuesday, February 17, Wednesday, February 18 and Friday, February 20. Groups start at 10am and 11am each day and cost £6. Visit www.spotlites.co.uk or call 01634 829468.

TRUST US

If you’ve been stuck indoors all winter, then this is the perfect opportunity to make the most of the 91 hours, 39 minutes and 57 seconds of half term daylight at a National Trust property. CHARTWELL, near Westerham, has crafts and games inspired by Sir Winston Churchill. IGHTHAM MOTE, near Borough Green, offers the natural play area and winter activity packs with a selection of 50 things to do before you are 11¾. KNOLE, near Sevenoaks, is putting on wild arts and crafts and parkland walks, while SCOTNEY CASTLE, near Tunbridge Wells, has a team dedicated to designing and making your own kite in the discovery room. At SISSINGHURST CASTLE, near Cranbrook, find out how to build your own nest boxes and bird feeders for your garden for an extra £6, and afterwards explore the bird hide.

Details: Entry prices to National Trust properties vary. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

FAIRY TRAILOnce upon a time (and for at least next week!) there were five fairytale lands at the loveliest castle in the world, LEEDS CASTLE. Visitors to the castle near Maidstone can discover hidden objects from favourite fairytales as they follow the trail into the woodland, through the gardens and onto the adventure playgrounds. Look out for a glass slipper, red apple or a bowl of porridge as you explore the estate. The Fairytale Trail is £1 to enter and includes a chocolate prize at the end. Join the storyteller in the heated marquee by the maze, ride on Elsie the Land Train or enjoy the falconry demonstrations.

Details: Entry costs cost £24 for adults and £16 for children over four. Tickets are valid for 12 months. Visit www.leeds-castle.com

RACE YOU!

Famous for being the circuit where F1 legends such as Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button honed their skills as boys, BUCKMORE PARK is hosting two special events in half term for ages four and over, when ordinary members of the public can just turn up and have a go at karting. The circuit, near Chatham, holds its popular Family Turn Up ‘n’ Drive karting event on Wednesday, February 18 and a Friday Family Friday Fun Day on Friday, February 20 with the added benefit of being able to pre-book a time slot. Visit www.buckmore4kids.co.uk or call 01634 661617.

FROZEN FRENZY

The Ice Sisters is a three-day workshop at the BROOK THEATRE, based on the Frozen fever that is sweeping the nation. Anyone aged eight to 14 can learn about the story behind Frozen’s creation and join the Play On Words Theatre Company to put together their own production. There’ll be singing and dancing to famous tunes at the Chatham theatre, as well as other classic winter-themed songs. Young people taking part will also work with professional tutors to create their own characters, stories, puppets and costumes.

Details: The workshop will run from Monday, February 16 to Wednesday, February 18 from 10am to 4pm each day and costs £40. Call 01634 338338.

HIDE AND SEEK

Some favourite animal friends have been hidden around NOTCUTTS and it’s up to the children of Kent to scour the cosiest corners of the store to find and return all six. There’s also a yummy chocolate lolly prize up for grabs for those wild enough to complete the mission set by the Maidstone garden centre.

Details: Visit www.notcutts.co.uk

MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO

If it’s animals you’re after then WINGHAM WILDLIFE PARK will deliver the goods. Every kind of creature from gibbons to wolves and meerkats will be pleased to see you. Entry costs £15 for adults, £12 for children and £48 for families.

Details: Visit www,winghamwildlifepark.co.uk or call

WILD WAYSHedgehog homes and fun with frogs are among the workshops at WILDWOOD at Herne Common. Saturday, February 14 is themed on Valentine’s Day with a special feeding session of the loved-up wild boars. Each day of the half term week has a different theme, and all of them will allow you to experience the exciting range of British wildlife.

Details: Entry costs £11.45 for adults, £8.95 for children and £37.50 for families. Visit www.wildwoodtrust.org

FARMYARD FROLICS

The winter weather can do its worst but there’ll still be tractor rides, winter lambs and the creepy crawly world to enjoy at the RARE BREEDS CENTRE, near Ashford.

Details: It’s open from Tuesday, February 17 until Sunday, February 22. Entry costs £5.90 for adults and children. Visit www.rarebreeds.org.uk

SECRETS AND SPIES

Calling all super sleuths, secret agents and investigators - sharpen your detective skills with hands-on training in cracking codes and clues at DOVER CASTLE. Report to Mission Control to learn vital skills, uncover real secrets, try on wartime uniforms and to set off on your half term adventure.

Details: Entry is free to English Heritage members or £17.50 for adults, £10.50 for children or £45.50 for a family. Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk

BIRD BRAINS

There are more bird-related activities to mark National Nest Box Week at COOLINGS GARDEN CENTRE, including a quiz. In Knockholt, near Sevenoaks, Coolings is home to a resident colony of over 30 wallabies, as well as a site of interest for native plants and creatures. The Nature Trail winds its way past plenty of characters including Harry the pygmy goat and his larger friend Ray, Coolings’ famous Mangalitzas (otherwise knowns as the woolly pigs), Brian the Sanaan goat, Barry and Larry the Angora goats, and Benny and Frankie the pot-bellied pigs.

Details: Entry costs £3.50 for adults, £1.75 for children and £8.75 for families. Visit www.coolings.co.uk or call 01959 534386.