Things To Do In Canterbury With Kids
Top Things To Do in Canterbury With Kids
Canterbury offers exciting activities and entertainment for families, from interactive museums and crazy golf courses to parks brimming with outdoor adventures, this historic city offers something for everyone. Museums full of fun, indoor play centres, outdoor city parks, and seasonal festivals and events. Kids See Kent with our Canterbury guide for things to do and see in the city.
Activities, Events & Must-See Attractions!
For lots more ideas for things to do in Canterbury and details for visiting see also our Top Things To Do In Canterbury feature packed full of more great attractions and activities in Canterbury. Find the best event venues with our What’s On in Canterbury guide.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO IN CANTERBURY
Outdoor Adventures
Start your family-friendly trip to Canterbury at Westgate Gardens. Walk along the riverbank, through the trees and let little ones run around in this central city park, perfect for picnics and play. Head to the Toddlers Cove play area with its swings, slides and wooden delights. There’s also Dane John Gardens, with plenty of places for hide and seek, picnic and fun.
Play Nearby
Nearby is the Sturry Road Community Park with a play area, skate park, games sections, and a BMX track. Parks are a great idea for the budget-conscious, you can take a picnic to make this a fun and free day in Canterbury.
Fun At The Museums
Canterbury boasts two museums brimming with family-friendly activities – The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge has wonderful displays including children’s favourites Rupert Bear and Bagpuss. Most of the collection is free entry, though there is a small charge for seasonal trails and events. There are many activities for children and adults with special events throughout the year, especially during the school holidays. See our What’s On section for details. They can dress up in Roman garb, follow themed trails, and have plenty of hands-on fun at the Canterbury Roman Museum. Both are Ideal for those rainy day activities too.
Holiday Happenings
During the school holidays, the Whitefriars Shopping Centre also puts on many outdoor events too – from Easter to half terms and Festive family fun in Canterbury – with free and ticketed events, featuring workshops, demonstrations, and more.
Canterbury’s Christmas Cheer
Christmastime is magical in the city, with seasonal displays, and magical evenings. In addition, the Canterbury Christmas market is home to festive fun with a Santa’s Grotto and other family-friendly events. Check out under What’s On for events.
Stage Struck In Canterbury
Don’t miss lots of stage shows for children, from the Gulbenkian, The Marlowe and Malthouse theatres – there are shows for all tastes and interests. Whether it’s musical theatre, ballet, children’s interactive theatre or live music, Canterbury is full of great shows for children. With three cinemas too – Curzon Cinema Canterbury, Curzon Canterbury Riverside and Gulbenkian cinemas, little ones have plenty of choices – and their parents and guardians too!
Cathedral For Kids
Canterbury Cathedral offers free entry for children (with a paying adult). Download colouring sheets, take a holiday trail, and enjoy Gregory Gargoyle-inspired events throughout the year. During the school holidays, they host variety of great activities and workshops. The adult ticket is valid for a year, so if you live nearby or stay for more than a day, you can maximize the free entry for kids!
Canterbury’s Festivals & Fun
Canterbury offers plenty of family-friendly events throughout the year, including festivals and celebrations like the bOing! Family Festival. In addition, there are lots of food and drink celebrations with children’s entertainment. Don’t miss carnivals and fairs that celebrate all the city offers. For more ideas for kids in Canterbury see our things to do listings for children’s activities. In addition, see our what’s on listings for events. Simply select the filters for the See Kent Kids category and the Kids See Kent tag.
Rainy Day Ideas
There are a trio of indoor play centres close to the city. The indoor play area, Under 1 Roof Canterbury, and Inflate ‘N’ Play, Canterbury’s largest inflatable arena. There are four fun activities at Canterbury Leisure, choose 10-pin bowling, and laser tag for an adrenaline-fueled adventure in a maze of obstacles. They also offer indoor crazy golf with surreal landscapes, and a mini cinema gaming experience with PlayStation 5, Xbox series x, and Nintendo Switch.
Animal Attractions Near Canterbury
Near to Canterbury is Wingham Wildlife Park Near Canterbury is Wingham Wildlife Park, boasting the largest number of animal species. See monkeys to jaguars, red pandas to penguins, and tigers, flamingos, bats, and many more exotic and extraordinary species. There are also talks, experiences and feeding demonstrations. At Howletts Wild Animal Park in Bekesbourne, there are over 390 animals, including Kent’s only giant anteaters. Enjoy talks on animals, see wild beasts being fed, and a variety of animal experiences. In Herne Bay, the Wildwood Trust is a Conservation Centre for over 200 native animals. There are lynx, wild boar, wolves, deer, bears and lots more. Walk around and see the animals in their habitats, listen to regular talks, and various animals being fed. There’s also an adventurous play park.
For more ideas for animal-themed things to do in the Garden of England, see our Animal Experiences In Kent feature. Full of sanctuaries, farms, conservation centres, and wildlife parks – all brimming with furry and feathered friends!
Canterbury’s Trails Of Fun
Pick up a self-led trail, book a tour or download an interactive trail for families where you will learn about the city as you crack the quizzes and answer the clues while you navigate the top sights in Canterbury. Check out our tours and trips listings for Canterbury – with a range of adventures including a family foraging adventure or a punt trip. In addition, select themed trails for quizzes and hunts – perfect for family fun.
Food & Drink
Keeping little ones fed and watered is not a problem in Canterbury – from independent cafes and restaurants to chains there’s something for all tastes.
Things To Do & See In Kent
This round-up is part of our See Kent, Know Kent blog series, with guides for visitors and residents for what’s on and things to do and see in the Garden of England. Check also our Areas in Kent menu for even more great ideas and inspiration for your Kent visits.
Picture Credit: © main image Xach Lucero/unsplash.com, Toddlers Cove/See Kent Ltd and Meerkat/Dan Dennis at unsplash.com.
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