Things to do in Kent in the summer holidays

One week down but plenty more to go!

If you are on the looking for places to go and things to see in the county during the school holidays then look no further.

We have rounded up some of the best events and activities you can find in Kent throughout August:

Maidstone Museum’s Magical Creations

Maidstone Museum is running workshops for families inspired by their magical 'Discworld & Beyond' exhibition.

Mix up a potion, create your own spells, fashion your own witches hat or create a whole host of mystical characters from dragons to witches. Perfect for when the kids feel like getting their hands dirty and unleashing their creativity!

Workshops are suitable for children aged four to 11 and take place throughout August. For the complete timetable click here.

Castle crafting in Medieval Medway

Not only is Rochester Castle steeped in history and worth a visit alone, but throughout the summer your little ones can step back into the 11th century and craft their own medieval masterpieces from flags to royal portraits and even castles.

If you’re in the area, Upnor Castle and Temple Manor are also hosting family craft days, where you can create everything from jellyfish sun-catchers through to pirate treasure and crusader helmets!

For visitor information and further details of family craft activities and trails at English Heritage attractions click here.

Birds of prey and panto at Penshurst Place

Penshust Place is packed full of fun this month.

Every Sunday the grounds will be soaring with falconry demonstrations while the gardens will be getting theatrical with a host of summer pantos and craft sessions.

You can put your orienteering skills to the test with the puzzle of the Maize Maze which has returned for the holidays or spend the day enjoying Penshurst's outdoor facilities including an adventure playground, woodland trails, bike hire, and a variety of picnic locations.

All the details you need, including visitor information, can be found on the website.

Explore Medway on the Open Top Bus

When you think of summer driving, it doesn't get much better than putting the top down and heading out for a relaxing drive.

With stops at top attractions such as the Royal Engineers Museum, The Historic Dockyard and Fort Amherst, the Medway Open Top Bus is the perfect way to discover Rochester and Chatham this summer, so all you need to do is hope the skies stay clear and this glorious sunshine holds out!

Learn more here.

Step back in time at Hever Castle

The Knights of Royal England will be entertaining visitors to Hever Castle this summer with exhilarating displays of action, stunts, falls and fights in an authentic jousting arena.

Join Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and the Knights of Royal England in the procession and watch the valiant knights battling it out in the saddle and on foot in one-to-one combat.

Throughout the summer holidays children can also experience what it was like to grow up and serve in a royal household in medieval times at Hever Castle’s Knights and Princesses School.

Suitable for children ages six to 12 the free classes last for around 40 minutes and take place daily at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

Children can learn how to prepare and protect armour, discover the best way to arm and disarm their master before battle, find out the correct way to give a proper and perfect greeting and take part in a have a go Hobby Horse Jousting activity. They can also come in costume or some sort of fancy dress if they wish.

At the end of each session there will be a 'have a go' jousting activity before the presentation of Knight School Certificates.

For more information about all of Hever's summer events and ticket details visit the website.

Go wild at Port Lympne

Jump on a safari truck and journey through Port Lympne's South American, Asian and African Experiences where you'll see spectacled bears, camels, antelope, baby giraffe, baby rhino and many more.

You can step back to the Jurassic period for sightings of life-size dinosaurs in the UK’s largest outdoor dinosaur exhibition featuring the spine-tingling Spinosaurus, tremendous T-Rex and soaring Pterodactyl and this summer there are also animal-themed weekends during which you can become an expert in individual special from rhinos to lions and tigers.

For the latest summer activities visit Port Lympne's website.

Dreamland Street Football

Football might not be coming home this year, but it has most definitely arrived at Dreamland for the summer.

Dreamland staple Yo Street Zone is back for its third year at the Margate theme park. Yo Street Zone is a professional football skills organisations based in Margate specialising in teaching and demonstrating skills, ball control, freestyle and panna football through workshops and events.

Step into the arena on Tuesdays up until August 28 between noon and 5pm to join the challenge and experience the fun and creative side of football. Joining is free with park admission.

For this and details of other visitors to the park this summer including Cbeebies favourite Justin Fletcher and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles visit dreamland.co.uk

Garden Crafts

National Trust property Smallhythe Place is playing host to nature-themed arts and crafts sessions throughout the holidays.

Young visitors can relax under the cow byre while creating their back-to-nature crafts running every Wednesday afternoon. Alternatively enjoy open air theatre with performances to appeal to all the family.

Wander through the gardens in all their summer glory, picnic or treat yourself to refreshments in the tea room. There is plenty to do. Visit the website for ticket details and admission prices.

Big things at Bluewater

From wild animals to spot in a trail through the malls to fantastic fairground rides and a real beach to dig in - Bluewater has it all going on this summer.

There has even been the addition of pixie doors to its outdoor nature trail.

There are also play areas, the Pirate Cove golf course and fun on the lake to be found. Learn more about all the activities plus cinema details and opening times of the Gravity trampoline park which is also on site at www.bluewater.co.uk

The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Doc.Yard's science lab, pirates and Brick History with LEGO can all be found by the water's edge at the Dockyard this summer.

What's more, until September 2, a child can receive a £1 annual ticket if visiting with a full paying adult.

All these details and more at www.thedockyard.co.uk