Days out in Kent with the kids this weekend
1. CRAFTY’S CREEPY CASTLE
Sunday, November 5
From the team behind fun shows such as Marty MacDonald’s Farm comes Crafty’s Creepy Castle. With songs such as Row, Row, Row Your Boat and Ghostbusters, the show, which starts at 2.30pm, lets two to seven-year-olds meet Crafty the Cow and go with him on a visit to a haunted castle with Sally the Scarecrow. There is a meet and greet after the show at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. To book visit trinitytheatre.net
2. PARK RUN
Sunday, November 5
If your kids haven't done a Park Run yet they've been missing out. Fab, fun and free, the 2k runs for juniors aged four to 14 take place all across county every weekend. There's lots of great venues from Deal to Dartford but one of the best is Manor Park, West Malling where the run takes place every Sunday at 9am. You don't have to book but children do need to register online first at www.parkrun.org.uk. Give it a go this weekend - the kids will love it.
3. BOOK STORY
Saturday, November 4
Settle down to listen to a story, all about books at Deal's Astor Theatre. But they’re no ordinary books, and they’re not in an ordinary library – they flutter their pages and let their shelves go. But one day the library goes quiet. Suitable for ages five and over, the show is at 2pm and tickets cost £9 and £6 for under 12s. To book visit theastor.org
4. FAMILY CYCLING
All weekend
With Christmas just around the corner we could all do with a cheap weekend - but that doesn't have to mean camping out on the sofa. Cycling is a great activity the whole family can take part in and it's free if you dig the bikes out of the shed. There's plenty of advice, events and routes waiting to be discovered at www.explorekent.org. One of our favourite routes is from Canterbury to Chartham. The three mile, traffic-free path follows the banks of the River Stour. Very family-friendly, it is part of the National Cycle Network, Route 18, and has lots of places to stop for a break.
5. PLAY JAZZ CONCERT
Saturday, November 4
It's the last day of the Canterbury Festival, Kent's biggest arts event, this Saturday and the event will be signing off in style with a jazz concert by children from schools across the county. Pupils from Herne Bay Junior School, Phoenix Community Primary School and Bridge & Patrixbourne Primary School will be showing off their improvisational skills in the Spiegeltent - a giant temporary tent in Kingsmead Car Park - at 10.30am. Tickets cost £3.75 at www.canterburyfestival.co.uk
6. AUTUMN FUN
All weekend
Autumn at Bewl Water, near Lamberhurst, runs until Thursday, November 30. There’s a chance to go nature spotting, tackle the brilliant adventure playground with its pirate boat, cruise on the Bewl Belle ferryboat and hire a bike and take off together. For details of what’s on offer go to bewlwater.co.uk
7. NATURE’S ART
Saturday, November 4
Get along to George's Barn at Peen, near Folkestone, to explore Tangled Bank – a small wooded area and grassy bank, that's packed with wildlife. Once the kids have meet the superbugs and creepie crawlies they will be heading back to the barn for an art session using clay, paint and papier mache. The leader for the family-friendly event is Annie Begley from the Elham Valley Line Trust. To book a place at £2 and for more information call 01303 840665 or email annie@anniebegley.co.uk
