Things to do in the summer holidays including Jurassic Walk dino experience, live Cluedo and going climbing
05:18, 14 August 2019
updated: 08:12, 14 August 2019
The weather may be telling us summer's nearly over, but there's still two weeks of school holidays to come. From dino experiences to kids' characters and live board games to beaches, here's our up to date guide for what to do this summer holidays across Kent:
JURASSIC WALK, FREMLIN WALK, MAIDSTONE
There's a roar-some week in store at Fremlin Walk in Maidstone from Monday, August 19, when dinosaur fun of varying kinds stomps in to the shopping centre. There will be a dino trail with clues hidden around the centre and beyond, for a chance to win £200 worth of vouchers.
There's also a selfie spot, dino colouring at Five Guys and a fossil dig and the chance to find dino eggs in the bandstand area on Tuesday, August 20, Thursday, August 22 and Saturday, August 24. There's also dino storytelling on Tuesday, August 20, and the chance to meet a life size raptor - with a friendly paleontologist - on Friday, August 23. There will be free face painting on Fridays too. To find out more click here.
THE CLIMBING EXPERIENCE, MAIDSTONE
A climbing centre which will cater for as many as 400 people of all ages and experience is set to open in Maidstone this week. The Climbing Experience in the Powerhub Business Centre in St Peter’s Street, is on schedule to open on Saturday, August 17. It will have a 30-metre competition and 12-meter traverse wall and a dedicated bouldering space, as well as a yoga studio, cross-fit and body building facilities, and a soft play area and cafe. Co-founders Robert Woods and Ed Neil have been working to bring the building up to scratch. Keep an eye on updates here.
CLUEDUPP, MAIDSTONE
Think you have what it takes to catch a killer? CluedUpp promises to be an exciting detective game that’s a giant, outdoor version of the board game Cluedo, on the streets of Maidstone. Sneaky Finders on Saturday, August 17, is set in the town of ‘Millingham’, with teams of six trying to crack the case, tracking down virtual witnesses and eliminating suspects. There are prizes including best team name and fancy dress. For the last few tickets go to cluedupp.com/maidstone
For more summer holidays ideas click here
SUMMER HOLIDAYS, CHATHAM HISTORIC DOCKYARD
Young buccaneers can learn about the life of a pirate with the Historic Dockyard Chatham's summer exhibition, A Pirate's life for Me. Staged with the V&A in London, there will be a pirate boutique, crafts and games and swashbuckling facepainting, plus a pirate school on selected days. The dockyard is also bringing the beach to Medway, as it has a retro beach throughout the school summer holidays, bringing nostalgia - meaning the socks and sandles combo is permitted - with traditional beach huts, deck chairs and, of course, plenty of sand, through to Sunday, September 1. All the other traditional dockyard attractions are open throughout the summer too. To book your tickets online - which include Kids for a Quid until the end of August - go to thedockyard.co.uk
SPA VALLEY RAILWAY, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Children's favourite Peppa Pig will be popping in to meet youngsters at Groombridge Station next week, as part of summer holiday fun on the Spa Valley Railway. Peppa will be waiting to greet everyone at intervals in the day on Thursday, August 22.
PAW Patrol’s popular pups will also be at the station on Thursday, August 15 and again on Thursday, August 29. To book go to spavalleyrailway.com
The summer jousting tournament will be back at Hever Castle this weekend, with the English taking on the French and proceedings being watched from the Royal Box. Contests take place on Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18. While at the castle, little ones from eight to 14 can learn about life in a medieval castle and try jousting at the Knights and Princesses school.
Visit hevercastle.co.uk
WORKSHOPS AT THE WOODVILLE, GRAVESEND
Youngsters can make a bendy dinosaur sculpture as part of summer holiday workshops at the Woodville in Gravesend. The dinosaur workshop will be on Tuesday, August 20, when there will also be a slime sessions to try. Visitors can make bird puppets to take home at the session on Wednesday, August 21. Find out about more coming up and book at woodville.co.uk or call 01474 337500.
ROYAL VICTORIA PLACE TUNBRIDGE WELLS
An English Country Garden where there's guaranteed to be no rain, is blooming at Royal Victoria Place shopping centre until Bank Holiday Monday, August 26. Featuring larger than life creatures, storytelling adventures, and the chance to learn all about nature, events are free and running daily. There are also special events every Tuesday and Thursday at 11am, noon, 2pm and 3pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more details click here.
Join Hopper the Rabbit for summer holiday fun, which runs at the park at Beltring, Paddock Wood, from Saturday, July 20 to Sunday, September 1 daily from 10am. Besides the usual attractions there will be visits by children's TV characters including PJ Masks and PAW Patrol on selected days. Find out more by visiting thehopfarm.co.uk
Meet bears, wolves, lynx, otters and a range of our native British creatures from the past and present at the trust which is near Herne Bay. To find out more go to wildwoodtrust.org or call 01227 712111.
The site between Canterbury and Sandwich has the county's only moving dinosaur herd living at its attraction. There's also a quirky coffee shop and animal experiences. Find out more at winghamwildlifepark.co.uk
AUGUST DISCOVERY DAYS, CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL
Every Wednesday in August the cathedral's schools department will be staging hands-on activities with a different theme to explore. The events are free, though normal precinct charges apply.
For details click here.
To find out what’s going on in the county and for all the latest entertainment news click here.
