More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Take a break from the shops to visit the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Ashford’s in-centre woodland trail, until Sunday, June 4. Collect an activity book from guest services for ages two to 12, which leads to an interactive woodland trail with a prize at the end. Guest services are open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm and Sunday, 10am to 6pm.
For budding Lewis Hamiltons, there’s an opportunity to get behind the wheel with the London Karting Company until Sunday, June 4, for £5. There’s also the usual play areas, nature trails outside and, over the half term break, kids eat free at Jamie’s Italian. Details at bluewater.co.uk
Half term activities are dedicated to magical patterns with Maypole dancing, hair plaiting, kaleidoscopes and special Astrolabe demonstrations, teaching kids about the stars. All activities are on until Sunday, June 4. For details go to canterburytales.org.uk
Explore the garden and woodland to find out how the Churchill children played outdoors until Sunday, June 4, between 10am and 4pm each day. You can also get on with ticking off your 50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 and 3/4. The trail is £1 with the normal entry fee.
Climb on board our the pirate ship HMS Gannet for half term pirate adventures at the historic Medway maritime site, through to Sunday, June 4. For one week only there will be a beach, treasure hunt and kids’ birthday parties will be available. To book and for more details visit thedockyard.co.uk
The Strood site has some 20 different rides and drives, and more than 100 machines to marvel at. Visitors can experience the thrills of spinning in an awesome digger bucket on the Spindizzy ride, operate a giant JCB 806 digger or race around in a go-kart. There’s also the uplifting experience of the Skyshuttle which takes passengers 50ft in the air. Details at diggerland.com or call 0871 2277007.
A visit to the house near Orpington could include a chance to meet Charles Darwin, whose home it was, and his wife Emma during English Heritage’s Meet the Darwins event, which runs until Saturday, June 3. They will be chatting to visitors about the running of the house and sharing one of his favourite reads when he couldn’t sleep, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Sessions are at intervals in the day between 11am and 3.30pm. Go to english-heritage.org.uk/downhouse.
Take the National Trust’s 50 Things trail by exploring the garden and seeking out where are the best spots to tick off your list. £1 per trail, normal admission charges apply, running until Sunday, June 4, between 10am and 4pm each day.
Until Saturday, June 3, visitors to the Sittingbourne centre can follow in the footsteps of their favourite pirates and search for treasure between 11am and 4pm, celebrating the release of the new Pirates of the Caribbean film, Dead Men Tell No Tales, by hunting for pirate posters hidden in store windows and collecting their loot. On Saturday, June 3 there will also be a fancy dress pirate day and an X Marks the Spot selfie competition for teenagers. Details at theforumsc.co.uk
Keep boredom at bay with a bounce to get you through the last days of the school break, with a visit to the Chatham site with wall to wall trampolines, free-running zones and a giant foam pit, plus a dedicated area for under 5s. Open 10am to 8pm Mondays to Thursdays, 10am to 10pm Fridays and Saturdays and 9am to 6pm on Sundays, you can get your loyalty card stamped for a free visit on your fifth session – with double stamps during half term. Details at flipout.co.uk/chatham
There are some stage shows for little people at the Canterbury theatre over half term. Bambert writes stories with his only companions the characters he has created in them – until he sets them free in Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories on Saturday, June 3. On Sunday, June 4 there will be a squishy, squashy show for babies, called SPONGE. To book visit thegulbenkian.co.uk or call 01227 769075.
The castle looks back to the Edwardian era until Sunday, June 4 with the chance to see what life was like at a grand country estate just before the First World War, with traditional games and interactive exhibitions bringing the period to life. Visit hevercastle.co.uk for more.
Take your little superheroes to the Hop Farm Family Park until Sunday, June 4, between 10am and 5pm, for a Superhero themed day with a magic show, DJ and superhero training camp. There will also be the usual rides, inflatables and animals to meet. For more, go to thehopfarm.co.uk
Follow a garden trail to see mice cousins Angelina and Henry take their camping trip daily until Sunday, June 4 between 10am and 4pm. Join the pair and tick off No.45 of your 50 Things to do Before You’re 11 and 3/4 by using a compass. Normal admission charges apply, 50p per trail.
Sheep will be lining up to shed their winter coats during the heritage farm park’s Sheepstakes, running until Sunday, June 4, with sheep-shearing demonstrations and the chance to meet sheep dogs Jake and Barney. Open from 10am to 6pm, for details call 01622 763936, email enquiries@kentlife.org.uk or visit kentlife.org.uk.
Relive Britain’s finest hour – the Battle of Britain – with a living history group camped near the maze, with a static Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft. Children can join in with two interactive shows, retelling the events of 1940, RETREAT! The Dunkirk Story and Fight for the Skies! The Battle of Britain on Friday, June 2. Visit leeds-castle.com
Children can explore the gardens with a trail sheet and share pictures of the site on social media with #SnappedAtPenshurst to win a family season ticket. Craft activities including making a bee, frog or designing a map are from noon at the Old Coach House, until Sunday, June 4. Detail at penshurstplace.com/whats-on
