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More on KentOnline
The long Easter school holidays kick off this weekend. Here's our guide to what you could be getting up to across Kent:
DOC.YARD’S LAB, HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM
Get your vocal chords warmed up for the return of Doc.Yard’s Secret Lab for the Easter holidays, starting on Saturday, April 6. Inside the lab, which runs until Saturday, April 20 in the No.1 Smithery, Doc.Yard has set off on a nuclear submarine and left Bunsen with several experiments that explore the use of sound.
Young visitors get to see some of Doc’s favourite sound experiments in a 20-minute interactive - and loud - experience. They’ll also get to learn how the Royal Navy built ships like HMS Cavalier and have a conversation through a drainpipe. To find out more and book tickets for the site, go to thedockyard.co.uk
ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM, GILLINGHAM
Activities for children at the museum this Easter holidays are inspired by the exhibition, the Sapper As An Artist. Sappers were taught military sketching at Chatham to aid their work as surveyors and map makers, children can paint and design their own mug, coaster or egg cup. There’s also a Headwear Hunt, looking for unusual hats, caps and helmets worn by the Royal Engineers over the past 300 years. Activities cost £2 plus standard admission prices. Find out more at re-museum.co.uk/for-kids
EASTER ACTIVITIES, KENT LIFE, MAIDSTONE
Meet the cute baby lambs, goat kids and piglets born around this time of year and have a go at bottle feeding the lambs and kids at sessions throughout the day. Sessions run from Saturday, April 6 to Easter Monday, April 22. Events lead up to a big Easter weekend when there will be bonnet making, a parade and a bunny hunt. Find out more at kentlife.org.uk or call 01622 763936.
EASTER ADVENTURE, BLUEWATER, DARTFORD
Bluewater’s Egg-cellent Adventure gives little ones the chance to spot the items that have been transformed into eggs by the dastardly Professor Oeuf. Using his Egg-a-tron 3000, the professor has scrambled eight well known things into eggs - some are up to 6ft tall. You can pick up a map for £1, complete the trail and get a sweet treat. During Easter the Selfie Factory is also open and the nature trail. Find out what is going on throughout the holidays at bluewater.co.uk
DINO LIVE, ROYAL VICTORIA PLACE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
After it wowed the crowds in 2017, the dinosaur attraction is back at the shopping centre for the Easter holidays. A new selection of dinosaurs will be making the centre their home from Saturday, April 6 to Tuesday, April 23. The free event sees life size animatronic beasts ready to roar including a Parasaurolophus, Shunosaurus, Raptorex and Stegosaurus. To find out about the shopping centre's opening hours go to royalvictoriaplace.com
BETTESHANGER COUNTRY PARK, DEAL
Besides the spring trail running until Wednesday, April 17, you can try target archery on Sunday, April 7 for £8, or making punchy potato prints from Tuesday, April 9 to Thursday, April 11, for £2. There’s also Battlezone Archery on Wednesday, April 10. Details at betteshanger-park.co.uk
The world’s biggest bouncy castle is set to spring back at the park for Easter. The inflatable, which can take 100 fun-seekers at a time, first appeared in 2017 and returns in time for the Margate park’s re-opening for the holidays on Saturday, April 6. Filled with 1143 cubic metres of air, it will be at the park until Easter Monday, April 22. Under sevens need to be accompanied by an adult. Tickets in advance cost £3, and £3.50 on the door. The normal entry price is being scrapped for the reopening, which includes a Camp Bestival takeover. Details at dreamland.co.uk
HEMPSTEAD VALLEY SHOPPING CENTRE, GILLINGHAM
There will be free family fun at the centre every day from Monday, April 8 to Saturday, April 20, which includes visits from the kmfm street team, Easter-themed crafts and free face painting. Events will be outside Boots from 11am to 3pm. Details at hempsteadvalley.com
MEDIEVAL STORY GARDEN, CANTERBURY TALES
Are you battle ready? The story garden is back at the Canterbury attraction from Saturday, April 6 until Sunday, April 21, between 11am and 3pm daily for the Easter school holidays. Families can enjoy a knights' tournament and children (and grown-ups) can practice their battle skills including mock jousting and sword skills, plus some medieval remedies. Entry to the attraction in Margaret Street costs £10.95 and £8.95 for children. To book, go to the website at canterbury-tales.org.uk or call 01227 696002. The garden will open next in the summer.
EASTER AT THE HOP FARM FAMILY PARK, PADDOCK WOOD
Paddington will be dropping in to the family park as part of activities throughout the holidays, which run from Saturday, April 6 to Easter Monday, April 22, on Tuesday, April 9. Details at thehopfarm.co.uk
The castle, which is home to the World Garden created by Tom Hart-Dyke, reopens for the season on Friday, April 5. The castle and gardens will be open from noon. Coming up will be an Easter egg quiz from Saturday, April 20 to Easter Monday, April 22, between 11am and 5pm. Details at lullingstonecastle.co.uk
PENSHURST PLACE EASTER ACTIVITIES
Sea related exploits will be going on at the historic house from Saturday, April 6 until Easter Monday, April 22. Discover mythical underwater creatures with the What Lurks Beneath the Inky Sea trail, between 10.30am and 6pm, plus crafts daily, from 11am to 4pm, where little ones can create their own under the sea monsters. On Saturday, April 6, there will be cannon fire and sea monster spotting. Hands on History will be holding the day of adventure, plus mini crossbows to try and see if you can hit the many sea monster targets. The sound of the cannon fire will be similar to that which ships used in battle. To find out more about what's coming up at Penshurst Place, and to buy admission tickets, go to the website at penshurstplace.com/whats-on
Join the hunt for dragon eggs by cracking the clues and following the family trail which leads to a dragon, certificate and sticker.... plus a chocolate treat. It costs £1 per child for intrepid adventurers to take part, plus standard admission. Details at english-heritage.org.uk
ALICE IN WONDERLAND, GROOMBRIDGE PLACE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
The New Outdoor Forest Theatre company will star an Alice in Wonderland musical spectacular at the moated manor house from Saturday, April 6 to Easter Monday, April 22. The 40-minute performances will take place in the Enchanted Forest. While at the site, visitors can try a game on the outdoor chess set and see birds of prey displays twice a day. To find out more go to groombridgeplace.com
Hop to it this Easter at Hever Castle when young visitors can hunt for colourful carrots around the grounds in a free trail or spot the bunnies in the castle. You can also make and decorate an Easter bonnet at a craft workshop and children can have their faces painted. While at the historic castle visitors can explore the yew maze and for children from seven to 14 there's the Tudor Towers adventure playground to try. Find out more at hevercastle.co.uk or call 01732 865224.
EASTER ADVENTURE QUEST, WALMER CASTLE
Children can go on a legendary quest at the English Heritage castle, from Saturday, April 6 to Easter Monday, April 22, between 10am and 5pm each day. It costs £1 per child to search for dragon eggs and get a chocolate treat, plus normal admission.
It’s a historic year for the castle this year as it celebrates its 900th birthday. There will be a range of activities on offer at the castle for Easter, culminating in performances by the Junk Orchestra, who will be performing jamming sessions on the Pavilion Lawn from Friday, April 19 to Easter Monday, April 22, with instruments constructed from bits of old rubbish. The anniversary has a number of special events, including a Carnival of History and new attractions opening, including the Adventure Golf and Knight’s Stronghold Playground. Details at leeds-castle.com
LEGO, KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY, TENTERDEN
Following the success of Bricks Britannia’s visit to the heritage station, a second LEGO exhibition is to steam in on Saturday, April 6. Civilisation will feature models, including full-sized figures from civilisations around the world, including an Aztec, a Samurai warrior, Egyptian pharaoh and an ancient Greek philosopher. Visitors will be able to learn about these ancient civilisations and pose for ‘selfies’ with the life-sized figures. LEGO dioramas will show activities and cultures from around the world, including the Easter Island heads, Machu Pichu, an Arab souk, Rio Carnival, the Milan fashion show and a model of St Basil’s cathedral in Russia. Children will also be able to build their own models. It runs until Easter Monday, April 22, is free to fare-paying passengers. For detaills go to kesr.org.uk
WINGHAM WILDLIFE PARK, CANTERBURY
This Easter holidays, pop to the park to see the county's only chimps and moon bears at the park near Canterbury. The family-owned park, which last year invested in its visitor experience, also has big cats, reptiles and meerkats to see. Details at winghamwildlifepark.co.uk
HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL PARK, CANTERBURY
Family fun for Easter at the park will include free fact packed animal talks every day at various locations, plus free activities and crafts. There will be fun trails to follow. Details and 20% cheaper tickets at aspinallfoundation.org/howletts/
EASTER HERITAGE TRAIL, ROCHESTER CASTLE
The family heritage trail runs from Saturday, April 6 to Easter Monday, April 22, and is suitable for ages five to 12, though everyone can have a go. There's a chance to win a small prize at the end. The trail costs 80p, plus standard admission costs of £6.40 and £4 for children. Last admission to the Keep is at 5.15pm. To find out more go to visitmedway.org/attractions/rochester-castle-2436/
EASTER HERITAGE TRAIL, UPNOR CASTLE
Families can take part in the heritage trail at the castle from Saturday, April 6 through to Easter Monday, April 22.
There’s a chance to win a small prize at the end for children. It is aimed at ages five to 12, but everyone can take part. The trail costs 80p per child, plus the usual admission fee. Last admission is at 5.15pm. Details at visitmedway.org/attractions
WILD EASTER ADVENTURES, PORT LYMNE RESERVE, HYTHE
Go on safari with Kent’s only giraffes this Easter, or spot the impressive lions in their new habitat. The park rangers will also be giving free animal talks around the reserve so you can earn more about the animals and hear about the new arrivals. Steel your nerves and travel back in time to explore the Dinosaur Forest. Easter activities run from Saturday, April 6 until Easter Monday, April 22. To find out more and book online for a discount, visit the website at aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/ or call 01303 264647.
EASTER TRAIL, MAIDSTONE MUSEUM
Follow the Easter bunny trail at the museum in St Faiths Street, Maidstone, from Saturday, April 6 to Easter Sunday, April 21, to find the secret phrase and claim a prize. It costs £1 for children. To find out more call 01622 602838 or go to maidstonemuseum.org
PETER PAN, CENTRAL THEATRE, CHATHAM
You can fly high for the Easter holidays along with Tracy Beaker star Dani Harmer this weekend as Peter Pan drops in. The Easter show, which will run at the Central Theatre in Chatham on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, stars Dani as Wendy and comedy star Bobby Davro as Smee, along with Disney Art Attack's Lloyd Warbey as Peter Pan. The show presented by Enchanted Entertainment is at the Central Theatre, Chatham on Saturday, April 6 at 3pm and 7pm, and on Sunday, April 7 at 1pm and 5pm. To book tickets go to tickets.medway.gov.uk
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