15 family days out in Kent for the February half term in 2025

by Sam Lawrie

slawrie@thekmgroup.co.uk

It’s that time of year when all you want to do is stay indoors and hibernate, but the kids are about to break up from school and you’ll need more than Netflix and Playstation games to keep them entertained.

But don’t let the cold weather bring you down – we’ve got 15 brilliant ideas that will get the whole family out and about during the February half-term.

Make the February half-term one to remember with great family days out. Picture: English Heritage

THE BEANEY HOUSE OF ART AND KNOWLEDGE, Canterbury

Visitors to Canterbury’s free museum can join the hunt for minibeasts this half-term. Bugs have overrun the building and it’s up to you to find them all and help clean up the museum by solving puzzles and collecting stamps. You’ll receive a tasty treat if you complete the trail.

Details: Saturday, February 15 to Monday, April 21 at the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury. Free entry, no need to book. Trail costs £6.

BETTESHANGER COUNTRY PARK, Deal

Come face-to-face with a terrifying T-rex and discover pre-historic fossils during the dinosaur hunt at Betteshanger Park. There will be Jurassic clues dotted around the park and, if you complete the trail and find all of the roar-some creatures, you’ll get a dino-themed prize to take home.

Details: Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, March 23 at Betteshanger Country Park in Deal. Book online here.

DOVER CASTLE

The grounds of Dover Castle will be teeming with characters from the past as the English Heritage site takes visitors back to the Victorian era. There will be a glowing lantern show, a display of early moving images from the late 1800s and cheeky street performers keeping everyone entertained in the hopes of earning a shilling or two.

Details: Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 23 at Dover Castle. Book online here.

Eco Week is a chance for kids to learn more about how to look after the environment with fun, interactive workshops and activities. Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens

HEVER CASTLE, near Edenbridge

Learn all about sustainability and environmental care during Hever Castle’s Eco Week. The packed week of activities returns this February with hands-on crafts, such as seed planting and creative recycling. There will also be a photo exhibition showing stunning pictures of our planet’s diverse climates, from rainforests to desserts.

Details: Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 23 at Hever Castle, near Edenbridge. Book online here.

HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM

Legend has it that a pack of rats have been living inside the Dockyard for years, guarding a treasured map that reveals one of the greatest shipwrecks in history. This half-term, kids can find pieces of the map scattered around the maritime attraction and discover the secret shipwreck for themselves.

Details: Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 23 at the Historic Dockyard Chatham. Book online here.

The new lion cubs - Zimbi, Simbi, Zala and Cazzo - were introduced in January. Picture: Andrew Norman

HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL PARK, near Canterbury

Explore one of Kent’s biggest wildlife parks for less this half-term. During the school holidays, adults can bring up to three children for free and enjoy everything the park has to offer. There’s more than 390 animals - including four adorable new lion cubs -, indoor arts and crafts, an immersive activity trail and a chance to learn about the conservation efforts of Howletts and its sister park, Port Lympne.

Details: Friday, February 14 to Sunday, March 2 at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Bekesbourne, near Canterbury. Book online here.

KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY, Tenterden

Hop aboard a nature-themed train journey from Tenterden to Bodiam and see how many birds you can spot from the window as you wind through the countryside. There will be onboard puzzles and games and a sticker to collect at the end – and the best part is, kids go free.

Details: Select dates from Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 23 at the Kent and East Sussex Railway in Tenterden. Book online here.

Join in the fun at Leeds Castle with a mysterious trail map and curious clues. Picture: Leeds Castle

LEEDS CASTLE, near Maidstone

There have been some ghostly goings on at Leeds Castle and Lady Baillie’s staff need your help to solve the mystery. Meet Mr Borrett and Mrs Hills inside the castle and start snooping for clues, solving riddles and completing challenges to finally find out what’s behind these curious happenings.

Details: Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 23 at Leeds Castle, near Maidstone. Book online here.

MAIDSTONE MUSEUM

Get crafty during the school holidays with three art workshops at one of Kent’s largest museums. The sessions include making your own Japanese Samurai helmet, creating a colourful hand fan and designing a cherry blossom print. It coincides with the museum’s new exhibition, Japan: A Floating World in Print, which opens on Wednesday, February 12.

Details: Tuesday, February 18 to Thursday, February 20 at Maidstone Museum. Book online here.

The beautiful grounds of Penshurst Place will be taken over by space travellers this February. Picture: Ollie Dixon

PENSHURST PLACE, near Tonbridge

Set off on an out-of-this-world adventure at Penshurst Place this February. The estate’s new trail follows Robert, a young astronaut who has just returned from outer space and lost all of the souvenirs he collected from across the galaxy. Join Robert on his mission to collect all of the lost items and learn all about the fascinating history of space travel.

Details: Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 23 at Penshurst Place, near Tonbridge. Book online here.

RARE BREEDS CENTRE, near Ashford

There are plenty of fun things to do at the Rare Breeds Centre, a working farm and animal sanctuary set in 100 acres of countryside. It all starts with Princess Day where kids can listen to stories and dress up with real-life royalty. Then, visitors can join pig-feeding sessions with the farmers, meet the friendly ferrets and follow the interactive trail through the farmyard.

Details: Monday, February 17 to Friday, February 21 at the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch, near Ashford. Book online here.

REUTHE’S THE LOST GARDEN, Sevenoaks

If you go down to the woods today… you’ll find a charming teddy bear trail. The woodland area at Reuthe’s is being transformed into a teddy bear’s picnic and, if you can find all of the cuddly teddies nestled among the trees, you’ll receive your very own toy to take home.

Details: Monday, February 17 at Reuthe’s the Lost Garden in Sevenoaks. Book online here.

SHORNE WOODS COUNTRY PARK, near Gravesend

Pop into the Visitor Centre and pick up a Pond Life trail sheet. Then, you can make your way through the country park and try to spot as many creatures that inhabit the area’s ponds and lakes as possible. If you can answer all of the questions on your sheet, you’ll win a prize.

Details: Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 23 at Shorne Woods Country Park in Shorne, near Gravesend. Trail costs £3, no need to book.

Bluey will be visiting Tunbridge Wells West station during the school holidays. Picture: Spa Valley Railway

SPA VALLEY RAILWAY, Tunbridge Wells

Watch your kids’ faces light up as they see one of their favourite cartoon characters come to life. Bluey, the adventurous puppy from the popular BBC show, will be meeting and greeting children at the station, so make sure you bring your camera to make unforgettable memories.

Details: Saturday, February 22 at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells. Book online here.

WILDWOOD, near Herne Bay

Explore more than 40 acres of ancient woodland as you follow this winding trail that takes you past enclosures with brown bears, wolves, wildcats and deer. There will be a range of activities throughout the week, including marshmallow toasting, animal-themed crafts and the bushcraft experience.

Details: Saturday, February 15 to Sunday, February 23 at Wildwood in Herne, near Herne Bay. Book online here.

On a budget? Check out our guide to 10 days out for under £10 for affordable fun with the family.