May half term things to do across Kent
05:29, 29 May 2019
Half term is coming to a close, but there's still plenty of possibilities for what to get up to. Here's our guide:
A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME, CHATHAM DOCKYARD
Weighing in at the dockyard for half term, the swashbuckling adventure A Pirate's Life For Me arrives from the V&A Museum of Childhood in London, until Sunday June 2. The dockyard is the first venue for the exhibition's tour. Displays explore the history and impact of pirates with toys, books, illustrations, games, costumes and photographs. There's a wooden pirate ship and activities including making a treasure map or flag. Details at thedockyard.co.uk
NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTIES ACROSS KENT
From a fox & rooster trail at Ightham Mote near Borough Green to a bird trail at Emmetts Garden near Sevenoaks and an exotic animal trail at Chartwell, Westerham, there are activities going on across the county by the National Trust for the half term holidays through to Sunday, June 2. Find out more at nationaltrust.org.uk
SUPERHERO TRAIL FOR HALF TERM, BLUEWATER
Running throughout half term, the trail gets kids tracking down 10 of their favourite superheroes.
Pick up a trail map from the concierge for £2 - there's a prize fit for a hero for completed trails. While at the centre, you can visit the Dinotropolis adventure park. Find out more at bluewater.co.uk
SHIPS & GIGGLES, DREAMLAND, MARGATE
There will be a host of nautical and nostalgic fun until Sunday, June 2 at the Margate amusement park – and it’s free to enter. Young visitors can expect hoola-hooping Mermaids, pesky pirates and sea beasts, intrepid adventurers, TV characters and on Thursday, May 30, Phileas Fogg and his travelling balloon will be out and about. There will also be a Baby Shark and Pink Fong stage show on Friday, May 31 and an outdoor screening of The Little Mermaid on Sunday, June 2. You can enter the park for free and pay per ride or buy wristbands at a discount in advance online. More details at dreamland.co.uk
You can see the latest lion cubs, born to parents Adras and Oudrika, at the Hythe reserve this half term, or see Kent's only giant anteaters at Howletts wild animal park near Canterbury. To find out more of what's on offer go to aspinallfoundation.org
HALF TERM, HOP FARM, PADDOCK WOOD
Puppets and storytime are on offer at 11.30am daily this week, with costume character party dances at 12.30pm and a fun magic show, followed by funky disco time at 2.30pm, as part of school holiday fun. While at the park, head to the bumper carz, giant jumping pillows & animal park. More at thehopfarm.co.uk
GARDEN TRAIL & CRAFTS, PENSHURST PLACE
The transport-based garden trail and crafts including making a blast-off rocket, hot air balloon or origami boat to take home are at the historic estate on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2, with the trail running from 10.30am to 6pm and crafts from 11am to 4pm. There are also guided garden tours for Glorious Gardens Weekend on Saturday, June 1 at 11am and 2pm, and a gardener's tour and tea on Sunday, June 2. For events tickets go to eventbrite.com or for more details about visiting go to penshurstplace.com
ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM, GILLINGHAM
The museum is commemorating D-Day throughout half term until Sunday, June 2, with children's activities including creating your own fabric parachute to give a mini paratrooper a safe landing, and a model Lancaster bomber or Spitfire plane. Activities run from 11am to 3pm each day. Find out more at re-museum.co.uk The museum tells the story of the Royal Engineers and how they have helped the British Army live, move and fight for over 300 years and is Kent’s largest military museum.
The free half term fun at the shopping centre, with the kmfm Street Team, runs until Sunday, June 2, between 11am and 3pm. Free activities include the chance to make and take home some sea creatures, and face painting. Following the kids' fun will be a gardens event from Monday, June 3 to Sunday, June 9. Details at hempsteadvalley.com/kids-events
Learn about the Edwardian era and enjoy traditional family games from the era including Punch and Judy, hoopla and boules, at the castle through to Sunday, June 2. Join author Arthur Conan Doyle as he investigates reports of fairy sightings around the gardens and children can also go to Butler School. More at hevercastle.co.uk
GROOMBRIDGE PLACE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
Groombridge Place near Tunbridge Wells will have a world of outdoor adventure this half term, including the UK’s highest and longest tree top walkway and outdoor theatre in the Enchanted Forest where Peter Pan the Musical will be performed twice daily until Sunday, June 2. Watch as the mischievous young Peter Pan and his friend Wendy and the naughty Tinkerbell enjoy their never-ending childhood adventures with characters Captain Hook and Smee. Find out more at groombridgeplace.com
Be a Beastie boy or girl with Beastie Day at the site on Thursday, May 30. Visitors will be able to hunt for and collect bugs in the orchards and see where they live in the wild, learn all about these interesting creatures and why they are important to us and enjoy some close encounters with a live bug show. To book tickets in advance, visit brogdalecollections.org
Spike the dinosaur gets his moment to shine during the half term Make It sessions at Maidstone Museum until Friday, May 31, when there will be themed crafts for children aged five to 11. Events take place between 10.30am and 4pm. A dino mask, claws and feet and a flying pterodactyl are among the items to make. Tickets cost £3. Book at maidstone.museum.gov.uk
