HollyWe’ve compiled a list of events, activities and things to do across the county of Kent, so that whether you’re on a family-friendly holiday or visiting from home, you can get your dose of summer holiday happiness. There are lots of family-friendly things to see, do and enjoy in Kent this summer. From observing endangered animals to taking on inflatable obstacle courses, we’ve rounded up some of the best summer holiday activities and attractions for kids in Kent below.
Location: Various locations throughout Margate, Broadstairs & Ramsgate
Dates: May to September
Stretching entirely throughout summer, families can enjoy blockbusters such as Top Gun at an outdoor cinema at The Oval Bandstand in Cliftonville, or daytime theatre performances in Broadstairs’ Pierremont Park created specifically for little ones. Find out more about the different screenings and performances below.
In wet weather or on cooler evenings, there are also lots of local independant cinemas to visit too, such as The Carlton Cinema in Westgate-on-Sea, the Palace Cinema in Broadstairs, the Empire Cinema in Sandwich, the Royal Cinema in Faversham and Folkestone’s Silver Screen.
Location: Folkestone Harbour Arm, CT20 1QH
Dates: Various
Once the railway terminal for the Folkestone-Boulogne Ferry and departure point for soldiers on their way to the Western Front, today Folkestone Harbour Arm is a unique cultural attraction; a place to meet friends, see live music and sample the goods from nearly 30 independent food, drink and retail vendors. In ‘The Goods Yard,’ you’ll find a huge LED screen which has a movie and sports events screening programme, along with a range of food and drinks vendors. It’s also home to the largest Sea Scrub Sauna venue, which is running family sessions throughout summer! Take a look at the full events schedule below.
Kent is teeming with castles and country estates to explore, allowing little ones to let their medieval fantasies of knights and dragons run wild. Many of the properties are managed by English Heritage or the National Trust, and so have seasonal events and outdoor discovery trails to enjoy. Some of our favourites to visit include:
Walmer Castle & Gardens — Kingsdown Road, Deal, Kent, CT14 7LJ.
Hever Castle — Hever, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NG.
Leeds Castle — Broomfield, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1PL.
Penshurst Place & Gardens — Penshurst, Kent, TN11 8DG.
Chartwell — Mapleton Road, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1PS.
Scotney Castle — Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 8JN.
Dover Castle — Castle Hill Road, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HU.
Knole — Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1HX.
Location: Dreamland, Margate, CT9 1XJ
Dates: Various
Considered to be one of the UK’s oldest theme parks, Dreamland has evolved into the ultimate entertainment venue by the sea. Home to countless vintage-style rides, an arcade and a roller disco, it also hosts music events throughout the year. With food vendors throughout the park and popular pub and restaurant Cinque Ports just next door, it’s a one-stop shop for the ultimate family day out. Take a look at the complete events calendar and opening times below.
Location: Grove Ferry, CT3 4BP & Fordwich, CT2 0DE
Dates: Throughout summer
Set in a scenic spot on the River Stour, Canoe Wild offer a range of water-based activities including SUP, kayak and canoe hire, as well as guided tours and fun group activities such as raft building and summer camp sessions for children aged 8 – 16. There are even workshops to include your four-legged friend, known as doggy paddle days. Operating from two different locations just a short distance apart, Canoe Wild is the ultimate choice for those with water babies in tow.
Location: Betteshanger Country Park, CT14 0BF
Dates: Throughout summer
Let your little ones experience the ultimate adventure day out, with activities such as archery, fossil hunting, forest school, the Boonies obstacle course and orienteering at Betteshanger Country Park. If you’re visiting as a group, you can even book private activities such as battle blasters or nightlining. The park also plays host to regular events, including the Betteshanger Rocks Festival and more. See what’s on for yourself below.
Location: Howletts Wild Animal Park, CT4 5EL
Dates: Throughout summer
Home to over 390 animals, Howletts Wild Animal Park is a 100-acre wildlife sanctuary with a specific focus on breeding rare and endangered species, with a Back To The Wild initiative that means, where possible, animals born at the park will be returned to protected areas of their natural habitat. Across the 52 species that call the park home, there are gorillas, rhinos, tigers, lemurs and wolves – among many others! There are lots of things for little ones to enjoy onsite, including a play area, animal meet & greets and the Creepy Crawly Experience.
Location: Wake and Aqua Park, Whitemills, CT13 9JB
Dates: Throughout summer
Another must-visit for any water babies, Whitemills Wake & Aqua Park is home to a cable wakeboarding area, floating obstacle course, open water swimming and even a sauna with cold plunge. Promising a fun day out, the 50-minute obstacle course sessions invite those aged 6 and over to tackle inflatable slides, walls, towers and humps Total Wipeout style. Even better, there’s a restaurant on-site, a welcome retreat after working up an appetite!
Location: Shell Grotto, CT9 2BU
Dates: Open every day from 16th July to 31st August
A fascinating mystery unearthed in 1835, Margate’s Shell Grotto is a 70ft underground chamber adorned entirely with shells. The walls and ceilings have been painstakingly mosaiced with 4.6 million shells – and nobody knows why. Divinely decorative and unchanged since its discovery almost 200 years ago, the Shell Grotto is a must-visit for history buffs and little mermaids alike. Interested in other underground adventures? There are also the Margate Caves, once a busy chalk mine and the Ramsgate Tunnels – the UK’s largest network of civilian wartime tunnels.
Location: Felderland PYO Farm, Deal, CT14 0BJ
Dates: Open Tuesday – Sunday 10 am – 4 pm
One of Kent’s largest pick-your-own farms, Felderland Farm is home to acres of strawberries, cherries, plums, raspberries, apples and blackberries. There is also an on-site cafe and play area – you don’t need to book, so just turn up at the farm and get picking.
Location: Wingham Wildlife Park, CT3 1JL
Dates: Throughout summer
Another great day out for animal lovers, Wingham Wildlife Park is home to the largest number of animal species in Kent, including penguins, tigers, red pandas and reptiles. They offer an amazing array of different experiences with specific animals, along with a ‘Keeper for the Day’ with lunch included. There are also some animatronic dinosaurs to discover, along with play areas, soft play, and hands-on animal encounters.
Location: Rare Breeds Centre, TN26 3RJ
Dates: Throughout summer
A brilliant mix of fun and education, the Canterbury Oast Trust’s Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford is a working farm and animal sanctuary set in 100 acres of countryside. Children can meet a variety of rare-breed farm animals, enjoy the petting barn and take tractor rides through the grounds. Summer holiday events and activities include pig races, owl flying displays, and storytelling sessions. There’s also a woodland adventure trail, a hill fort, and an indoor soft play area.
Nothing says summertime in a British seaside resort quite like a game of minigolf. Kent is blessed with ample minigolf courses, so we’re listing some of our favourites below:
Hastings Adventure Golf — Pelham Place, Hastings, TN34 3AJ.
Inca Island Adventure Golf — Chartway Street, Maidstone, ME17 3JB.
Leeds Castle Adventure Golf — Leeds Castle, Maidstone, ME17 1PL.
Crazy Golf Cafe — Burmarsh Road, West Hythe, Hythe, CT21 4NJ.
Herne Bay Mini Golf — 136–145 Central Parade, Herne Bay, CT6 8SS.
Lillyputt Mini Golf — Broadstairs, CT10 1QL
Quex Adventure Golf — Quex Park, Birchington, CT7 0BH
Prison Putt — Maidstone, ME14 1SR
If you’re looking for the perfect place to stay as a family, you can choose between pretty medieval streets and rural countryside in Faversham and Canterbury, or opt for coastal bliss on the north coast in Whitstable. Further south, the seaside villages of Kingsdown, Walmer and St Margaret’s Bay offer relaxed charm, while Deal is a Georgian town with more hustle and bustle. If it’s nostalgic seaside fun you want, the resort towns of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate give the Isle of Thanet its characterful appeal. Bringing along the grandparents, aunts, uncles or friends? We’ve got lots of larger properties perfect for bringing along your ‘village.’
