Things To Do With Kids In Kent – North Kent Highlights
See Kent highlights of what to do with your little ones, and not so little ones in the county – area by area. Great ideas for all the family. So whether toddlers or teens in tow – there’s plenty to do and see. Covering towns and villages in Dartford, Gravesend, Isle of Sheppey, Maidstone and Medway areas.
By Sophie Bland.
♣ = Seasonal Opening Hours
ALL AGES
Barton’s Point Coastal Park
Sheerness, Isle of Sheppey
Barton’s Point Coastal Park set in 40 acres offers a variety of activities including nature trails, sculptures, a 9 hole pitch and putt course, an adventure playground, miniature steam railway and regular events. There is a large Salt Water lake that is home to a variety of marine life, and visitors can bring their own small boats, windsurfs, kayaks and paddleboards or hire them as well as pedalos until September – contact the venue for more details.
Diggerland
Rochester
Diggerland has lots of rides and activities for all ages including the Skyshuttle, an indoor play area, mini land rovers, spin dizzy ride, or play skittles with a digger, ride dumper trucks, giant diggers, go karts, dig for buried treasure plus lots, lots more.
Gillingham
Visit the Alpacas at Capstone Farm where you can see them up close and even feed them in the meet and greet experiences they offer there.
Treasure Trails – Rochester
Rochester
Treasure Trails Rochester is a Dickens mystery, this self-guided murder whodunit takes around two hours to complete and is great for those six years and above. While you work out the clues you can learn more about the town’s past and its attractions including Rochester Castle in this treasure trail on the hunt for a murderer.
Unit1 Skatepark
Rochester
Indoor Skatepark with open sessions and lesson for Skateboarders, BMX and Scooter riders, with supervision. A great place for young people to improve their skills and socialise in a safe environment.
Huntfun
Rochester
Huntfun treasure trails mean you can see the highlights of Rochester, such as the Cathedral and Castle, as well as learn about sights you may normally walk past and find out about its history during this two hour hunt. Starts at the tourist information centre.
Soaring High Birds of Prey Centre
Rochester
Soaring High Birds of Prey Centre offers a range of different birds of prey to see and learn about whilst you enjoy their flying displays at the display centre. Or you can try one of their experiences where you have the opportunity to hold and fly a bird.
Lower Bush Alpacas
Rochester
At Lower Bush Alpacas, enjoy a number of experiences with the animals which includes taking a walk with them and having a picnic in the countryside. They also hold a variety of seasonal events there which are definitely worth a visit.
Hoo Sports Centre
Rochester
Hoo Sports Centre features a gym, fitness studio, two squash courts, dance studio, swimming pool with inflatable family splash sessions, and a children’s playground at the back of the building.
Battle Sector X
Rochester
Battle Sector X offers Laser Tag and Airsoft with a range of sessions including family sessions, evening battles and lots more. Their Laser Tag guns are suitable for players aged 6 years and over.
Fenn Bell Conservation Project
Rochester
The Fenn Bell Conservation Project, on the premises of a pub, is the first to hold a zoo licence in Medway. All the animals have come through rescue from other zoos and they aim to offer them sanctuary whilst educating visitors on the work of the project and the animals. The animals include foxes, racoons, meerkats and lemurs. The Project offers experiences such as Keeper for a Day and a trip on a safari truck that runs around the zoo on certain days.
The Strand Leisure Park
Gillingham
Facilities include an outdoor pool, outdoor gym, outdoor tennis courts, parkour training facility, play parks, free tennis courts, riverside walks, crazy golf, mini train ride and play area. They also run a range of activities including a mini youth sports club and the Medway junior parkrun. The Lido is seasonal, but the park and play areas are open all year round.
Planet Ice – Gillingham
Ice rink offering public skating and lessons with events such as Show & Skate, a programme specifically developed for skater’s looking to break into show skating, plus lots more.
Fort Amherst
Chatham
At Fort Amherst, visitors can explore tunnels, nature trails, ditches, ammunition magazines, cannons, soldier’s quarters and fortifications at this Napoleonic fort. Set in 20 acres, which you can access for free all year, plus lots of events including ghost hunts.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Chatham
The Historic Dockyard Chatham offers 400 years of heritage and 80 acres to explore that includes historic warships, RNLI lifeboat collection and a Victorian ropery, plus free talks, tours and lots more. Lots of children’s activities all year round, as well as school holiday events.
Chatham Snowsports Centre
Gillingham
Chatham Snowsports Centre offers toboggan on the longest track in the UK and sno-tubing rides, as well as open sessions for snowboarding and skiing. Lessons and courses are also available.
Buckmore Park
Chatham
Buckmore Park is an outdoor kart circuit that has a 1000m international circuit. It is great for both beginners and more experienced karters, with lessons, family day sessions and karting sessions on offer.
Chatham Bowl
Chatham
Chatham Bowl is a 16 lane centre bowling alley, with family deals and party packages available.
The Central Theatre
Chatham
The Central Theatre presents a range of productions including touring shows and artists bringing comedy, live music and theatre to Chatham, as well as afternoon film showings.
Adventure Experience
Greenhithe, Dartford
The Adventure Experience has a host of activities for all ages. The Pirate Cove Adventure Golf swashbuckling theme for 3 years and upwards, has you climbing aboard Captain Jim’s pirate ship, smuggling caves and exploring pirate coves, as well as taking to the water on the pirate boating experience. The 36 holes are split into two courses, which one will you take? Shark-themed electric GoGo Boat trips are also available.
Hangloose Adventure – Bluewater
Greenhithe, Dartford
Located just by Bluewater shopping centre in Greenhithe, is England’s longest zip line which stretches over 700 metres in length. Hangloose is hoping to become the biggest adventure centre in Europe with plans to build the UK’s only outdoor skydive machine, as well as climbing, a giant swing, and much more.
Young Driver – Bluewater
Greenhithe, Dartford
Young Driver offers lessons and experiences for those aged 5 up to 17 years, with the youngest in Firefly cars and those from 10 years can experience driving in a real car. Driving options also available for many young and older people with a wide range of disabilities, including those who are deaf, blind, have learning difficulties or neurological disorders.
GraVity – Bluewater
Greenhithe, Dartford
Visitors can try the open bounce area where visitors can jump from trampoline to trampoline, and a freestyle zone that has trampolines of all sizes with walls, curbs and podiums for a parkour experience. Or try the Obstacle Adventure Course, two storeys where you climb the moving staircase before battling your way through 60mph winds through hurricane alley, moving floors, a giant mechanical hamster wheel, giant airbags, the Gravity Dunk Zone, Reaction Walls, and lots more. Plus HIIT fitness classes, disability sessions, parent and toddler sessions, and urban climbing.
The Fairfield Leisure Centre
Dartford
The centre includes a range of sporting activities, with a swimming pool, sauna, gym and sports hall. Classes and clubs, gym sessions for tweens and teens, and also Active Play and Bounce with a bouncy castle and trampoline for children under 5 years old. Plus lots more.
Becket Sports Centre
Dartford
Becket Sports Centre offers classes, a fitness gym and sports hall based at the Dartford Grammar School. Children’s activities include Zumba and Martial Arts classes.
Central Park
Dartford
This park has been at the heart of the town since 1906 and its mix of sports facilities, open spaces and gardens ensure it remains a firm favourite to visitors. The 26-acre park includes a visitors centre, a water play area, bandstand, teen chill out zones, skatepark, playgrounds, and free and accessible outdoor fitness equipment.
The Dartford Skate Park
Dartford
The Dartford Skate Park is for all levels, and also offers skateboarders, BMXers and in-liners an ‘introduction area’ to those new to skateboarding or biking and those returning after a break, following a £45,000 extension.
Firefly Activities
Dartford
Firefly Activities offer Axe Throwing, Archery and Crossbow. They also offer Skybow, where a foam disc is launched and you shoot your arrow into it. Sessions are one hour.
Lullingstone Country Park
Dartford
Internationally important for its collection of ancient trees, with over 200 veteran oak, beech, ash, sweet chestnut and lots more, with some believed to be over 800 years old. The park also has chalk grassland with orchids and other wildflowers. There are waymarked trails including the Discovery Trail for children, the Woodland Walk, and the Lullingstone Loop. It is also home to a play area for children under 12 years, a cradle swing and zip wire, or visitors can enjoy taking a guided healthy walk, take part in a park run, orienteering and lots more in this 460 acre park.
Trosley Country Park
Gravesend
A Green Flag Park that has plenty for walkers, children and nature lovers to enjoy and it is renowned for its bluebell displays in the Summer. There is the ancient listed monument of 15 sarsen stones, known as the Coldrum Stones to visit, tree waymarked trails with views over the Downs. There is a woodland play area for children under 11 years and the Forest Fun playground has a selection of climbing equipment and slides. There is also a trim trail of equipment for those that like to keep fit, and you can download a pdf of the park with details of walking trails. Lots of events including Discover Day activities you can book.
Cascades Leisure Centre
Gravesend
Activities for all the family including a swimming pool with a tropical beach screen, waves, typhoon and twister flumes, a gym, classes and a health suite. Bouncing Tots, Saturday Bizz Kids, Smarty Party and holiday clubs are also available.
Cyclopark
Gravesend
Cyclopark features multi-sport open air facilities, kids play park, road cycling, BMX club, racings, extreme sport, and gym and fitness classes. There is also a skatepark on site and a variety of activities included in their holiday clubs.
Cyclopark Skatepark
Gravesend
A range of skateboarding opportunities in this 1,400 square meter park, where those of all abilities can enjoy. It has been designed so it offers challenges and is suitable for those under 8 years old, with quieter periods available.
Jeskyns Community Woodland
Gravesend
There are 5 walking trails, as well as play areas and cycling paths in this 360 acre newly planted woodlands, meadows and orchards. It also has a Fairy and Elf Village to explore, which little ones can find through the gate in the sandpit play area. There are horse riding trails, Gruffalo sculptures and regular events too.
Camer Park
Gravesend
This is a 45-acre designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and includes a children’s play area and woodland with ancient trees to be explored during a series of walks, one of which is accessible. There are uncut and natural areas to introduce colonies of invertebrates to the park, including reptiles such as common lizards. Once part of an estate, the private estate house can be seen from the park, which has been open to the public since the 1970s.
Rock Up Lakeside
Grays, Essex
Reach new heights on the fun climbing walls towering over 8 metres high, with new ways to conquer their peaks at every visit. Novice to expert, it is suitable for all abilities. Along with climbing, they have a soft play area as well.
Puttshack – Lakeside
Grays, Essex
At Puttshack navigate your way through crazy, infused mini golf, which means no paper scorecards and the courses feature custom themed holes, interactive leader boards and a digital prize wheel where you can get hooked up. This tech mini golf venue has a bar and restaurant.
Electric Gamebox – Lakeside
Grays, Essex
An interactive digital room featuring projection mapping, touch screens, motion tracking and surround sound, where you can enjoy a hyper-immersive 30 to 60 minute adventure. Whether you’re being graded by aliens, searching for rare martian minerals or beating ghosts to collect treasure in private booking sessions.
Aqua Park – Lakeside
Grays, Essex
The Aqua Park is set beside Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex and includes over 30 inflatable obstacles such as giant slides, monkey bars, blast bags and balance beams, making it the ultimate day out for families, friends and children aged 6 years + or 1.2m tall.
Lower Grange Farm
Sandling, Maidstone
Activity centre which features a climbing wall with open sessions, as well as other activities including family and group archery, auto belays and bouldering, laser clay, tomahawk, fencing and shooting sessions. It also hosts regular community events.
Leeds Castle
Maidstone
Leeds Castle’s history dates back 900 years and visitors to the Gatehouse Exhibition can learn of its rich heritage, from early Norman life through 300 years of royal ownership to Henry VIII’s Tudor Palace and then into private hands. Visit the many gardens, lakes and the maze. See falconry displays, explore playgrounds, visit the fascinating underground grotto, and enjoy mini golf, putting on the moat, as well as hop on the train for a ride to the Castle. There are also Castle tours, the black swan ferry boat, regular events and lots more.
Falconry Displays at Leeds Castle
Maidstone
Visit Leeds Castle and view breath-taking free flying falconry displays which take place in the Falconry Arena, set in a new location behind the Maze. The shows feature a range of birds including hawks, falcons and owls.
Go Ape – Leeds Castle
Maidstone
Lots of tree top adventures at Go Ape at Leeds Castle, with high activities for all ages and abilities.
Hollywood Bowl – Maidstone
Maidstone
Hollywood Bowl has 18 lanes with bumpers and ramps for younger users if needed, with VIP lanes as well as Virtual Reality Experiences and amusements.
Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats
Maidstone
Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats is set in ancient parkland and provides the animals with open fields in which to roam and warm, dry undercover accommodation at night. Started in 1989 when Bob and Valerie Hitch took in two unwanted goats, then months later another and so it started. It registered as a charity in 2003. Visitors can walk with the goats, be a goat keeper, train in goat husbandry or visit during open days and see them in their new home.
Kent Showground
Maidstone
Kent Showground is the Kent County Agricultural Society events venue. Home to a range of events which can be enjoyed by the whole family, including the Kent Country Summer Fayre, the Heritage Transport show and more – please see our What’s On section for more information. It is also the location for the Kent Event Centre (please see our separate listing for more details).
This Art of Mine
Maidstone
This Art of Mine is a pottery studio for all ages, that offers drop-in pottery painting and T-shirt designing. Classes and workshops are also available to book.
Kenward Place Archery & Disc Golf
Maidstone
Archery and Disc Golf activities are set within 15 acres of beautiful Kent countryside. The archery experience lasts around an hour and a half, giving you time to run through the basics before shooting at the targets. The disco golf is a 9 or 18 hole course laid out within beautiful grounds and is suitable for players of all levels.
Kenward Place Alpaca Experience
Maidstone
You can meet the herd of alpacas, learn about and walk them across the 15 acres of stunning Kent countryside for a one hour experience. The alpacas apparently love to go for walks and wait by the gate when they know it is time for visitors to come and take them for a stroll.
River Medway
Maidstone
The River Medway is about 70 miles long, and is tidal downstream at Allington Lock in Maidstone. It is navigable from Tonbridge to Sheerness and it has been a busy transport route since the 16th Century with spectacular views including many oust houses indicative of Kent and its history of hop growing and brewing. Plenty of activities to enjoy, such as cycling and walking paths, boat rides, kayaking and canoeing.
Whatman Park
Maidstone
Whatman Park is a Green Flag Park only about half a mile from Maidstone town centre and runs along The River Medway. There is a skate park, a Jolly Rodger toddler play area, an adventure play area and the park features two nature reserves. There is a car park near James Whatman Way, but you can walk from the town centre along the river, which takes around 20 minutes.
Mote Park
Maidstone
Mote Park covers 450 acres with woodland, rivers and a 30 acre lake. It is a green flag park with four children’s play areas, including a natural woodland one for 8-15 year olds and a skate park. There are also football and rugby pitches, courts, the Mote Park Water Sports Centre, Mote Park Outdoor Adventure and the Maidstone Leisure Centre, plus a BMX track.
Mote Park Water Sports Centre
Maidstone
At Mote Park Water Sports Centre there are a number of water sporting activities available, taster sessions, courses and lessons, bring your own equipment or hire what you need. There is a huge range of youth activities for under 18 year olds, such as stand up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, raft-building, powerboating, sailing and rowing. Fun sessions are available with no experience necessary, as well as sessions for those looking to build on the skills they already know. They also offer bell boating, orienteering, swimming, surfing and scuba diving.
Mote Park Outdoor Adventure
Maidstone
Mote Park Outdoor Adventure is an outdoor activity centre that has a range of activities including a climbing wall, the high rope, Sky Trail, Segways, and a 9 hole Dino mini-golf course.
Maidstone Leisure Centre
Maidstone
Maidstone Leisure Centre features a pool with a wave machine, indoor play area, gym, workout studio, sports hall and courts. The centre also offers the Aqua Challenge – a pool based inflatable obstacle course.
Kent Life
Maidstone
Kent Life offers visitors a range of activities including a taste of what life was like in Kent in the past with its Vintage Village, a recreation of a home during World War II. In the play and farmyard area, children can explore an outdoor play area, or they can bottle feed lambs at Easter, use the play beach and bouncy castle in the summer, ride on a donkey, and enjoy the indoor soft play area with three floors to explore. They can also explore animals and play, paint-a-pot studio or get close to smaller farmyard animals in the cuddle corner. There is even an Owl Academy.
Kent Owl Academy
Maidstone
Based at Kent Life, experiences at the Kent Owl Academy include handling birds and meeting the meerkat mob. Whatever your level of knowledge, ability or fascination for owls, there is something for everyone. From owl lovers and bird enthusiasts, to those who have never experienced birds of prey before. Their team of staff will guide you through an exciting day of hands on experience with birds of all shapes and sizes.
GraVity – Maidstone
Maidstone
Gravity Trampoline Park with open jumping, dodgeball courts, battle beams, airbags as well as fitness and SEN classes, parent and toddler and after dark sessions. Also offers Street Golf, Toddler Zone and so much more.
Larkfield Leisure Centre
Aylesford, Maidstone
A sports leisure centre that includes a gym, swimming pool, group classes, lessons and spa with a sauna, steam room, spa pool and ice fountain. For children there are also holiday camps, Disney themed swimming sessions, Splasharound sessions with a giant inflatable island, an indoor play centre as well as baby, family & toddler yoga sessions. Plus lots more.
Leybourne Lakes Country Park
Aylesford, Maidstone
Leybourne Lakes Country Park is set in an old quarry site that offers a children’s play area and of course the lakes, with walks, water activities, and play areas to enjoy in this 230 acres park. There is a leaflet that can be downloaded from their website for more details about this Local Wildlife Site and an Area of Local Landscape Importance. It is also a Green Flag Award winning park and Natural England accredited country park.
Leybourne Lake Watersports
Aylesford
Leybourne Lake Watersports offer a variety of hires for many water-based activities, such as paddleboarding, kayaking, and windsurfing. Enjoy open air swimming or bring your own scuba equipment and go diving. Based at Leybourne Lakes Country Park.
UNDER 12 YEARS
The Fun Drum
Chatham
An indoor adventure play centre for children and toddlers, with slides, climbing nets, a rope bridge, a ball pond and soft play equipment spread across multiple levels.
Kidzone Rochester
Rochester
Kidzone Rochester soft play centre has interconnecting rope bridges, ball pools, tunnels and slides. They also have an under 3 years area with sensory lighting and quieter ball pools.
Monkey Bizz
Rochester
Monkey Bizz play centre caters for 0-12 year olds, with a baby corner for under two years, tots town for four years and under, and a monkey maze for five years and older.
Mad Play
Greenhithe, Dartford
Mad Play is a large spacious indoor play area that is near the Bluewater Shopping Centre. For over 20 years this play centre has been entertaining children up to the ages of 12 years.
Dinotropolis
Greenhithe, Dartford
Three storeys of soft play in the Dino Jungle at Dinotropolis includes ball pits and slides, where visitors can dig for fossils, put their ranger skills to the test in the Dino Escape Challenge, as well as build volcanoes and bring creations to life at the Discovery Cove.
Greenhithe, Dartford
In celebration of the publication of The Very Hungry Caterpillar™, Bluewater have relaunched their Nature Trail inspired by the book. Little explorers can pick up a free trail map in the centre, follow the themed signs and explore the lakes, play areas, bug hotels, stepping logs and even play some hopscotch. A giant wooden sculpture of The Very Hungry Caterpillar can be found as well as a new spider climbing frame.
Gravesend Mini Train Rides
Gravesend
Mini Train Rides are offered in the grounds of the Cascades Leisure Centre during the Spring/Summer season, as well as during special events including Halloween, Christmas and other key dates.
Nickelodeon Adventure
Lakeside, Essex
At the Nickelodeon Adventure you can explore multiple different zones including Bikini Bottom from SpongeBob, Adventure Bay from Paw Patrol, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Nickelodeon Central Zone and The 4D Cinema. Toddlers can play in The Rugrats Zone where parents can keep an eye on their little ones from the comfort of Slime Café, as they build up and then destroy a rugrats city of padded blocks. You will also have the opportunity to meet your favourite Nickelodeon characters, with photographers available to take your photo.
Partyman
Lakeside, Essex
Partyman World is the only playcentre in the UK to be opened that is operated entirely by professional children’s entertainers. Experience hours of fun at this indoor soft play centre with multiple levels to climb and explore, various activities, arts and crafts, ball cannons, football pitches and so much more.
Cheeky Dino
Maidstone
Indoor play area with dinosaur theme play structure for children aged 9 years and under, with a separate play area for toddlers. Tubes, slides, trampoline as well as computer games, air hockey, laser tag and lots more.
Polar Adventure
Maidstone
Polar Adventure is a three story soft play climbing zone and the Ice Hill slides, with an area for children under 5 years which includes a ball pit and toys.
Little Fant Farm
Maidstone
Little Fant Farm is set within the Medway Valley Fruit Orchards where you can visit and feed the pigs, see the Shetland ponies, chickens, ducks and geese at this heritage farm. There are public footpaths surrounding the farm which is within easy walking distance of Maidstone and the Medway River Walk. Pick you own fruit and pumpkins when in season.
Kikiland Playcentre
Maidstone
Kikiland had been designed from a child’s perspective at this soft play centre with staff entertaining children dressed up as characters. It features a wooden built pirate ship with slide, cinema and disco rooms, a superhero Lego room and dressing up room. Bouncy castle, a trains room and lots more for the little ones to enjoy.
Little Street – Maidstone
Maidstone
The indoor play town features a café, theatre, medical centre, supermarket, construction site, school, and police station with lots of ride on toys and props.
Larkabout Soft Play
Aylesford, Maidstone
Larkabout Soft Play has three floors of interactive play equipment, with slides, crawl tubes and ball pools. Suitable for children aged 10 years and under, housed at the Larkfield Leisure Centre.
Adventure Kidz
Aylesford, Maidstone
Adventure Kidz indoor play area featuring soft play with lots of slides, a six meter drop slide, football and basketball areas, and a baby and toddler area with sensory activities. They also offer indoor high ropes courses, make a bear and indoor quad bikes activities.
Picture Credit ©: Top picture Rowan S/unsplash.com Bottom picture: Morgan Sessions/unsplash.com
