February half term fun across Kent
00:15, 20 February 2019
updated: 12:30, 13 November 2019
Hunt out some half term fun with these events across Kent taking you into the second half of the holiday week.
A giant colouring room will be one of the activities on offer on Thursday, February 21, for a break from the shopping at the McArthurGlen outlet this half term. The room will have three huge colouring walls with themes linked to the year ahead at the centre which will undergo a £90m expansion.
BETTESHANGER COUNTRY PARK, DEAL
Combining elements of paintball, dodgeball and archery, Battlezone Archery is a fast-paced game using specially designed arrows. Ages 12 and over can try it out during half term on Thursday, February 21 and Friday, February 22. Hour-long sessions cost £8 and children need to be accompanied by an adult. It is one of a range of events being held for the holidays, including cycle hire, obstacle courses and more. For more details and to book go to betteshanger-park.co.uk
The exhibition, Bricks Britannia: A History of Britain in LEGO, has been so popular, with its LEGO models including the 8m long locomotive, The Flying Scotsman with light, sound and smoke effects and 30 models representing chapters of British history, that pre-booked tickets are now sold out. More will be released to walk-in visitors. The exhibition runs through to Sunday, February 24 and costs £6.50, £5 for children, with under threes free. Info here and at canterburymuseums.co.uk
STORYTIME, BLUEWATER SHOPPING CENTRE
Story Time is back until Thursday, February 21, with Three Billy Goats Gruff performed outside M&S. There will be 20-minute free shows, followed by craft activities. Places are limited so you'll need to pop to the box office outside M&S to reserve a slot.
Find out more at bluewater.co.uk
BEASTIE DAY, BROGDALE, FAVERSHAM
Wander through the orchards looking for bugs at a Beastie Day on Thursday, February 21, when there will also be a live bug show. There’ll also be a trip to the Brogdale learning lab to find out about nature in the orchards.Book places in advance at brogdale collections.org
The family trail to discover Who Was Winston Churchill? runs until Sunday, February 24, daily between 10am and 4pm, discovering the man behind the cigar. Sculptures and installations bring the stories to life. Free trail with normal admission. Go to nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell
MYTHICAL BEASTS, CHATHAM DOCKYARD
There could be some mythical beasts about at the Historic Dockyard this half term. Youngsters should head for the No.1 Smithery to pick up a trail leaflet and hunt for beasts around the site. There are also themed craft activities. Events run at the dockyard through to Sunday, February 24. To find out more about Mythical Beasts and ticket fees, which last all year, visit thedockyard.co.uk
Sharpen up your detective skills with some hands-on training in disguise, code cracking and clues at Dover Castle until Friday, February 22, between 10am and 3pm daily. Activities cost £20 for adults and £12 for children between five and 15. Details at english-heritage.org.uk/dover
HEMPSTEAD VALLEY SHOPPING CENTRE, GILLINGHAM
Free activities will be with the kmfm Street Team until Sunday, February 24. Between 11am and 3pm there are art and craft workshops plus free facepainting. Donations go towards Demelza and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Details at hempsteadvalley.com
HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL PARK, NEAR CANTERBURY
Meet some of the 400 plus animals from giant anteaters to gorillas and tigers at the park with the Rangers on Patrol through to Sunday, February 24. There’s 20% off tickets booked online too. Go to aspinallfoundation.org/howletts for more information and to book.
LIVING WITH NATURE, HEVER CASTLE
Find out more about conservation and wildlife at the castle with the half term activity Living With Nature, which runs until the end of half term on Sunday, February 24. Young visitors can follow the Wildlife Detective walk led by the gardening team to investigate animal footprints and tracks. There’s also a wildlife workshop to try or the chance to follow the fun facts in a trail around the castle. Details at hevercastle.co.uk or call 01732 865224.
HOP FARM FAMILY PARK, PADDOCK WOOD
There will be the usual rides, soft play, animal farm and bumper cars until Sunday, February 24, between 10am and 4pm daily, plus Circus Zyair will be on site every day. Find out more go to thehopfarm.co.uk
Every day until Sunday, February 24, the Big Top will have an animal show where visitors can join in with the feeding sessions. You can also meet newborn lambs and visit the Kent Owl Academy, or visit the Vintage Village of Dotty's Tea rooms. The site in Lock Lane, Sandling, is open from 10am to 4pm. Details at kentlife.org.uk or call 01622 763936.
HALF TERM HUNTERS, LEEDS CASTLE, MAIDSTONE
Children need to put on their explorers' caps to become half term hunters at the castle, where you can pick up an activity booklet to help guide you around the grounds, complete puzzles and challenges and be rewarded with a chocolatey prize. While on your visit to the castle near Maidstone, try a woodland walk, conquer the maze and complete a quiz in the birds of prey area. There are also some riddles to solve on giant puzzle boards. Activities are on through to Sunday, February 24 and the activity booklet costs £1 on top of normal admission charges. Go to leeds-castle.com to find out more.
Exploring is the theme of the half term activities which run at the house and gardens through to Sunday, February 24. This year marks 500 years since the Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan began his voyage to the East Indies - the first journey of its kind - and the Travel Around the World trail takes visitors on a search for hidden equipment used in history, with riddles to solve. The trail is open from 10.30am daily and is included in the cost of standard admission. More details at penshurstplace.com/whats-on
ANIMAL HANDLING, PENTAGON CENTRE
Children can handle a lizard, snake, tortoise and rodents, learn facts about them and get a bravery certificate at the Chatham centre on Thursday, February 21 and Saturday, February 23, with three sessions a day between 11am and 3pm, for over threes. It costs £3.50 in advance or £4 on the door. Book by calling 07918931953, emailing riverlismer@gmail.com or go to riverlismer.wixsite.com/rodentsandreptiles/gift-voucher
Lions, bears and a new baby Sambar fawn are among the animals you can see at the reserve with the Rangers On Patrol daily. You can also get 20% off tickets online at aspinallfoundation.org/portlympne
The South Foreland Lighthouse itself may be closed for the winter, but the quirky, quaint Mrs Knotts tearoom is open at weekends at this time in the year. It will be open this weekend on Saturday, February 23, and Sunday, February 24. The tearooms has a 1950s theme, with vintage wallpaper and china cups. Take a stroll across the two-mile stretch of cliffs first before warming up with tea and a homemade cake. A vintage record player has nostalgic songs from George Formby to Vera Lynn playing. There is parking at the White Cliffs of Dover National Trust visitor centre, Langdon Cliffs, Upper Rd, Dover. To find out more go to nationaltrust.org.uk/south-foreland-lighthouse
HERITAGE TRAIL, ROCHESTER CASTLE
The Knight in Shining Armour Heritage Trail runs throughout half term until Sunday, February 24, when children can search for the knight’s shining armour by following the themed trail. Find the knight’s armour around the Keep of the castle for a chance to win a small prize. The cost is 80p per child, plus normal admission fees. The school holiday activities are aimed at children aged five to 12 but you can take all ages along. Find out more at enjoymedway.org
A Fairy Scavenger Hunt, runs at the castle throughout half term until Friday, February 22. Hunt for fairies with a trail sheet from reception, that costs £1 per child, and search the grounds for the miniature creatures. The tearooms will also be open. The trail runs between 11am and 3pm.
