Kids Summer Holiday Activities In Kent
Kids Summer Holidays In Kent
What’s On
Plenty of events to keep everyone entertained these Summer holidays. Trials, theatre shows, clubs, workshops, and music showcases there is plenty for all ages – from toddlers to teens and big kids too. Also for lots more events, check out our Festivals In Kent 2022, Carnivals, Fairs & Country Shows blog, as well as our round up of things to do in East, West, North and South Kent for even more ideas. Or go to our Things To Do and What’s On sections and filter by category, accessibility, area, date and more.
By Alice Mulinya & Julia Roy
Updated 2nd September 2022
NORTH KENT
Events in towns and villages in Dartford, Gravesend, Isle of Sheppey, Maidstone and Medway areas.
Octo-Cadet Training Academy
Historic Chatham Dockyard
Until 4th September 2022
Price: Free with admission – Pay once and free entry for 12 months. Admission: Adult: £25.50/Concession – 65 years +, HM Forces, Kent Services and Forces & Students: £23/Child – 4-15 years: £15.50/Child – 3 years and under: Free/Family – two adults and two children, one adult and three children: £67. Additional children to family ticket: £12/Carer: Free
Advisory Notes: Character Meet and Greet must be booked
Join Captain Barnacles and the Octonauts on an interactive, activity-based adventure through the tides of maritime history, learning the skills required to join the Octo-Crew. Families will collect an Octonauts Training Log on arrival, follow the Octo-Map alongside Captain Barnacles to locate Kwazii, Peso, Tweak, Shellington, Dashi and Professor Inkling hidden around the Historic Dockyard and complete fun activities to learn their specialist skills. On completion of the Training Log, they will be named an honorary Octo-Agent and receive a special certificate. Alongside the activity trail, families will have the opportunity to meet Captain Barnacles and Kwazii as they make special appearances on select dates.
Summer Trail
Lullingstone Country Park, Dartford
Until 4th September 2022
Price: £3
Time: 10am-4pm
Explore the woods and park, following the self-led activity trail and all completed trails will receive a small prize. Prebook or drop in.
Race Into Space Trail
Eastgate House, Rochester
Until 11th September 2022
Price: Trail with admission. Admission- Adult: £5.90/Concessions: £3.20/Child – 5 to 17 years: £2.70/Under 5 years: Free/Family: £14.40.
Time: Wednesday to Sunday – 10am-5pm. Last admission 4.15pm
Little ones can take part in the Medway’s Heritage Summer Trails. The event offers 5 free trails (admission fees apply) at 5 iconic venues. When they have completed them all they will get a special extra seaplane badge, plus a chance to enter a competition to win a bundle of family tickets for loads of attractions across Medway .Please note that one of the venues – Temple Manor – has very limited opening times.
Defend Upnor Castle Trail
Upnor Castle, Rochester
Until 11th September 2022
Price: Trail free with admission. Admission – English Heritage Member: Free/Adult: £7.40/Child – 5 to 17 years: £3.20/Child – under 5 years: Free/Concession: £5.30/Family – 2 adults + up to 3 children: £21.20/Groups of 10+: discounts available
Time: Tuesday to Sunday – 10am-6pm
Little ones can take part in the Medway’s Heritage Summer Trails. The event offers 5 free trails (admission fees apply) at 5 iconic venues. When they have completed them all they will get a special extra seaplane badge, plus a chance to enter a competition to win a bundle of family tickets for loads of attractions across Medway. Please note that one of the venues – Temple Manor – has very limited opening times.
’50s Trail
Guildhall Museum, Rochester
Until 11th September 2022
Price: Free
Time: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm
Little ones can take part in the Medway’s Heritage Summer Trails. The event offers 5 free trails (admission fees apply) at 5 iconic venues. When they have completed them all they will get a special extra seaplane badge, plus a chance to enter a competition to win a bundle of family tickets for loads of attractions across Medway. Please note that one of the venues – Temple Manor – has very limited opening times.
A Knight’s Trail defend Rochester Castle
Rochester Castle
Until 11th September
Price: Free with Admission. Admission: English Heritage Member: Free/Adult: £7.40/Child – 5 to 17 years: £3.20/Child – under 5 years: Free/Concession: £5.30/Family – 2 adults & up to 3 children: £21.20/Family – 2 adults & 2 children: £18/Group discounts are available
Time: Tuesday to Sunday – 10am-6pm
Little ones can take part in the Medway’s Heritage Summer Trails. The event offers 5 free trails (admission fees apply) at 5 iconic venues. When they have completed them all they will get a special extra seaplane badge, plus a chance to enter a competition to win a bundle of family tickets for loads of attractions across Medway. Please note that one of the venues – Temple Manor – has very limited opening times.
Superworm Trail
Jeskyns Community Woodland, Gravesend
Until end of September 2022
Price: Activity Packs: £3.50. Parking charges apply
Take this 1 mile Superworm Trail and discover the small but mighty creatures in the much-loved story and learn about the everyday heroic feats of minibeasts in the forest. PIck up this new self-led trail from the cafe, it features brightly illustrated panels and a trail pack full of fun activities, including your very own mask. Set off with Superworm and become a forest superhero.
Pants!
Maidstone Museum
Until 17th December 2022
Price: Adult: £4/Child: £2/Family – 4 people: £10/MMF Adult: £3/MMF Child: £1.50/MMF Family – 4 people: £7.50/Under 5 years: Free
Time: Until 31ast August Monday to Saturday:10am-4pm and 1st September Wednesday to Saturday 10am-4pm
Why do we wear underwear? What does your underwear say about you? Take a journey by the seat of your pants to discover everything you didn’t know about underwear at Pants! at Maidstone Museum.
Stick Man Making and Storytime
Trosley Country Park, Gravesend
2nd September 2022
Price: £6
Time: 10am-12Noon
little ones can go for a walk and find their perfect stick. They can turn their stick into Stick Man ‘I’m Stick Man, I’m Stick Man, that’s me’ and enjoy Storytime with their very own stick man.
Trainmaster
Leybourne Chase Sports Pavillion, Maidstone
4th September 2022
Price: 1 adult + 1 child: £7.75. Additional child or adult would need another ticket. Sibling discount available
Time: 10.10am, 11.20am & 12.30am
A regular train event where little ones can enjoy a giant hands-on train track, electric trains, ride on train, crafts and fancy dress for an hour of play. There are also reading books, and a train slide too.
WEST KENT
Events in towns and villages in the Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells areas.
Summer Fun
Groombridge Place, Tunbridge Wells
Until 1st September 2022
Price: Entry – Adult: £12/Child – 3 to 12 years: £10/Senior: £10/Family – group of 4: £40. Canal Boat Ride – Adult: £1.50/Child: £1. Megablaster World: £5
Half price voucher offer available, and discount for Spa valley Railway users
Time: Groombridge Place 10am-5pm, Josh Neville’s Punch and Judy
1st to 7th August 2022, Megablaster World Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August 2022 and Peter Pan & Tink 20th & 21st August 2022
Summer Fun At Groombridge Place in Tunbridge Wells will keep everyone entertained with a variety of attractions and events these holidays. The giant swings are now back in the Enchanted Forest and there are daily Birds of Prey displays, Josh Neville’s Punch and Judy shows, plus magic and balloons events. There is also the return of Megablaster World in the Nerf Laser area, plus Peter Pan & Tink shows. Tink will teach younger visitors how to be a good fairy, and both characters will be singing and dancing with plenty of audience participation with themed games and activities. Hop on the canal boat, and don’t miss the many other delights on offer, including Crusoe’s World pirate-inspired play area, plus lots more.
Superworm Trail
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Cranbrook, Tunbridge Wells
Until end of September 2022
Price: Activity Packs: £3.50 Parking charges apply
Discover the small but mighty creatures in the much-loved story and learn about the everyday heroic feats of minibeasts in the forest. The new self-led trail features brightly illustrated panels and a trail pack full of fun activities, including your very own mask. Set off with Superworm and become a forest superhero. Pick up pack at the visitor centre.
Steam & Heritage Diesel Train Rides 2022
Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells
Until October 2022
Price: All Day Travel – Adult: £15/Senior – 60 years: £14/Child – 2-15 years: £7.50/Family – 2 adults & 2 children: £38
Enjoy a ride on the Steam & Heritage Diesel Train between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, calling at High Rocks and Groombridge. You can sit back and relax letting the train take the strain.
Children’s Alpaca Club At Reuthe’s
Reuthe’s Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks
Until 12th November 2022
Price: From £23.23. Booking fees may apply
Age Guidance: 7 years +
Children are taught how to care for the wonderful Alpaca at this monthly event. This will be followed by an hour trek experience through the ancient woodland that is part of this regular event.
Bat Experience
Tonbridge River Trips, Tonbridge
3rd and 9th September 2022
Age Guidance: 12 years +
With the Bat Experience with Tonbridge River Trips, as the sun sets and dusk descends, quietly cruise upstream to see and hear bats, often up to 6 different species. An ecologist will provide information about bats and help with bat identification as we go, with bat detectors provided.
Pop Princesses
Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells
4th September 2022
Price: CIRCLE Member: £17.10/Standard: £19/ Meet & Greet (2pm): £25. Group discounts available
Time: 2pm -5.35pm
Children’s pop concert with a big difference. A musical spectacular starring 4 fabulous fairy tale princesses who just love to sing. It’s the perfect mix. Featuring a soundtrack of top pop hits from artists such as Little Mix, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor and Miley Cyrus, plus songs from films and musicals.
EAST KENT
Events in towns and villages in Thanet, Canterbury, Herne Bay, Whitstable, Faversham and Sittingbourne areas.
Gregory’s Safari And History Hunt
Canterbury Cathedral
Ongoing
Price: Free with admission. Admission: Adult: £14/Child – 17 years and under when accompanied by a paying adult (maximum 2children per paying adult): Free/Student, full time at local universities: Free.
Time: Monday to Saturday: 10am-5pm and Sunday: 12.30pm-5pm – last admission 4pm.
Little ones can explore the Cathedral with two free maps including Gregory’s Creature Safari. Did you know that dragons lurk in the Cathedral? In fact, there are lots of animals and fantastical creatures to discover in the Cathedral’s stained glass, carved stone, and amazing objects. Gregory Gargoyle has chosen 10 of his favourite animals for you to find – including birds, cats, dogs, and even wyverns. With Gregory’s Hidden History, Gregory Gargoyle loves to discover things about the Cathedral, and he has hidden 10 of his favourite facts around The Precincts for you to find. In the outdoor Precincts trail, use Gregory’s map to uncover each of these facts and use them to answer Gregory’s Cathedral quiz hunt.
Summer At Wildwood
Herne Bay
Until 4th September 2022
Price: Wildwood Member: Free. With Gift Aid/Without – Adult (18 years+): £15/£13.64/Child -3-17 years: £12/£10.91/Senior: £14/£12.73/Student: £14/£12.73/Family- up to 2 adults + 2 children.: £45/£40.91/Under 3 years: Free/Carer: Free/Time: 10am-5pm – book a slot
animal attractions but also interactive crafts and keeper Q&As, a free woodland trail and the chance to watch birds of prey take flight. There are also bushcraft classes including firelighting techniques from past and present, how to throw an atlatl and discovering how to make charcloth.
Summer Sundays
Oval Bandstand, Margate
Sundays Until 25th September
Price: Free – tickets must be booked
Bandstand concerts are back for a Summer of entertainment.
Open Top Bus
Thanet
Selected dates until 25th September 2022
Price: Adult single far: £2.50/Child – add a Kid for a Quid!*accompanied children aged 5-15 years. Return and other tickets available
Advisory Notes: Children – aged up to 15 cannot travel on the top-deck without being accompanied by a responsible adult
Time: 23rd July to 31st August – Daily and 1st to 25 September – Weekends
The Open Top Bus operates on the Route 69 loop service from Broadstairs Stone Bay to Ramsgate Boating Pool, as well as during key events including the Dickens Festival and Broadstairs Food Festival. Passing key landmarks and attractions in Broadstairs (Dickens House Museum, Lillyput Minigolf and the bays and beaches) and Ramsgate (Ramsgate Tunnels, the Royal Harbour Marina, and the Maritime Museum).
Southern Model Air Show
Headcorn Aerodrome, Ashford
3rd & 4th September 2022
Price: One day – online/gate: Adult – 16 years plus: £12/£15/Child – 5-15 years: £6/£8/Child – under 4 years: Free/Free/Family – 2 adults and 2 children: £29/£34/Senior – 60 years +: £10/£12/Carer: £6/£8. Weekend – online/gate: Adult – 16 years plus: £15/£20/Child – 5-15 years: £9/£12/Child – under 4 years: Free/Family – 2 adults and 2 children: £35/£40
Time: 9.30-10.30pm
Be busy watching parachuting, pleasure flights, balloon flights, helicopter flights and lots more at this event at the Lashenden Air Warfare Museum at Headcorn Aerodrome. In association with the Maidstone Model Flying Club it also features a stunning array of model aircraft, ships, tanks and other vehicles.
Faversham Hop Festival
3rd & 4th September 2022
Price: Free entry
Lots of family fun with over 60 bands and performers providing 70 hours of live music across 5 stages, dedicated busker areas and alternate venues like the Festival Village. There is entertainment and dance showcasing, Morris and other styles, a large family area with rides, children’s activities and entertainment, a fairground, magic shows, juggling, balloon twisting, Harry the Hop and more.
Seaweed & Their Secrets
Margate & Broadstairs
4th September 2022
Price: Donations of £4 suggested. Booking essential
Time: 19th August: 10.30am – Nyland Rock, Margate Main Sands and 4th September: 11am – Dumpton Gap, Broadstairs. 2 hours.
Advisory Notes: Walking over the rough terrain of the rocky shore.
Age Guidance: 14 years +
This walk and talk is led by seaweed expert Ian Tittley, formerly Natural History Museum, Kent Field Club & Kent Wildlife Trust. The Thanet Coast’s chalk reef provides the perfect substrate for different algae communities within the designated Marine Protected Area. Join this walk through rockpools and along the shore to discover seaweed, their uses and properties on this outdoor talk.
Tractor & Farming Event
Bredgar And Wormshill Light Railway, Sittingbourne
4th September 2022
Price: Adult – 17 years +: £15/Child – 4-16 years: £7.50/Child – 0-3 years: Free/Family – 2 adults + 3 children: £40
Tractor and Farming themed, featuring a tractor parade on the main green. Tractor and trailer rides to experience traditional farming methods of old. There is a Spot The Scarecrow Hunt for the children.
SOUTH KENT
Events in towns and villages in Ashford, Tenterden, Deal, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe areas.
Wild One’s Forest School Club
Betteshanger Country Park, Deal
2nd September 2022
Price: £35
Time: 9am-3.30pm
Age Guidance: 5 to 11 years
Children get outside and into nature, giving them the freedom to explore for themselves, developing self-confidence, self-esteem, language, understanding, confidence and a whole host of other skills that they can take all the way through their lives. Groups experience nature through a series of engaging and achievable tasks, this could involve lighting fires, using tools, building dens and making crafts from natural materials.
The Beast
Betteshanger Country Park, Deal
2nd to 4th September 2022
Price: The Beast: £10/Mini Beast: £5
Age Guidance: Mini beast for under 7 years. The Beast is for 8 years +. Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult on the inflatable
Beast is back after a break of 4 years. The formidable inflatable obstacle course and Kids bounce zone returns to Betteshanger Country Park in Deal. Run and bounce your way around the many obstacles including inflatable walls, balls and rings. Bounce for fun, sign up as a team and help each other through or, if you can’t tame your competitive side, power on through and see if you can beat the course record. There are mini beasts sessions for younger visitors and a party night for adults.
See Kent, Know Kent
Picture Credit: © Top to bottom: The Beast at Betteshanger Country Park/ Octo-Cadet Training Academy at Historic Chatham Dockyard/Superworm Trail/Wild One’s Forest School Club, and Kids Juicing Workshop at Brogdale Farm.
If you have an event we should feature, we would love to hear about it. Please email details to [email protected]
