Easter events and school holiday events for April in Kent 2019
Not sure where to take the kids during the holidays?
After some inspiration for the four-day bank holiday?
We round up Kent's best Easter events and activities for 2019 here...
Kent and East Sussex Railway, LEGO Civilisations
April 6 to April 22
Forty stunning LEGO models, including life-size human figures from a range of civilisations throughout history are going on display at a Kent railway station.
The lifelike appearance of figures in colourful costumes and intriguing poses will be both educational and informative and is expected to create a 'wow' factor for visitors.
Featuring models created by Bright Bricks (as featured in Channel 4’s Inside Lego at Christmas) and using hundreds of thousands of LEGO bricks, Civilisations is going in display at Tenterden Town Station. To learn more about visiting the exhibit as part of your day on the railway click here.
Cadbury Easter egg hunts, Kent National Trust properties
Running from April 6
Easter sees the return of the exceptionally popular Cadbury Easter egg hunts to Kent National Trust properties. The hunts and trails will take you across gorgeous grounds and gardens with a chocolate reward for everyone who takes part at the end.
Some trails run for the duration of the school break and others for the long Easter bank holiday weekend.
For the dates and details of every property taking part please click here.
Easter Quests and Trails at Kent's English Heritage attractions
Running from April 6
English Heritage is running a series of Easter quests and egg trails at some of its properties and attractions during the school holidays. There are events at Dover Castle, Walmer Castle, Rocheter Castle and Upnor Castle. To learn more about each one and for a round up of English Heritage attractions in the county open over Easter click here.
The Shape of Sound, Doc Yard's Secret Lab - Chatham Historic Dockyard
April 6 to April 20
Get the vocal chords warmed up and ready - this year's Secret Lab is all about sound!
This year, Doc. Yard has set off on a nuclear submarine and left assistant Bunsen with several experiments that explore the use of sound to complete. Bunsen will need the help of young visitors to the dockyard to complete the experiments.You’ll get to see some of Doc’s favourite sound experiments with a demonstration by Bunsen in an interactive 20-minute experience!
And the fun doesn’t stop there, once you've enjoyed the experiments, families will be able to take part in the Easter trail that will see young explorers hunt for the sounds of the Dockyard.
The Easter Fun is included with the cost of entry to The Historic Dockyard Chatham and tickets are all valid for 12 months.
And don't forget...
The Festival of Steam and Transport which is coming to the Historic Dockyard for two big days over the Easter weekend. To learn more about that event please click here.
Royal Engineers Museum, Gillingham
April 6 to April 22
Be inspired by the museum's Spring Exhibition, The Sapper as Artist, which looks at the skills and passion of military sketching and paint your own design on either a mug, coaster and egg cup. The activity cost £2 to join alongside standard admission prices.
Between April 9 and April 22 there is also a free headwear hunt taking place around the museum to enable visitors to discover all of the unusual hats, caps and helmets worn by Royal Engineers over the last 300 years.
The activities are running from 11am until 3pm daily. Learn more here.
Easter Trail, Hever Castle
April 6 to April 22
Follow a trail of colourful carrots to claim a delicious chocolate treat at Hever Castle, make and decorate Easter bonnets at craft workshops, join an Easter bonnet parade or head into the castle to help search for hidden bunnies.
As well as all of Hever Castle's Easter themed activities you can explore the stunning gardens and enjoy the dazzling displays of spring blooms, venture into the fantastic children's play areas and Yew Maze or enjoy fresh cakes and refreshments in the cafes and restaurants. To learn more about admission prices to Hever and the Easter events on offer - some of which require an additional charge - click here.
Easter craft and slime workshops at Hobbycraft
From April 6 - various dates
Hobbycraft staff are running a series of workshops and craft sessions over the school holidays that are either free or cost as little as £1 to join.
Including everything from slime workshops to Easter bonnet decorations, the activities are suitable for children aged between four and five and above.
For all the dates and details for each workshop please click here.
Dino Live, Tunbridge Wells
Saturday, April 6 until Tuesday, April 23
Royal Victoria Place shopping centre is welcoming back the prehistoric giants for another visit from Dino Live. The event first visited two years ago and was exceptionally popular with families.
The animatronic dinosaurs, which move, roar and breathe, are making a triumphant return in this free event running throughout the school break.
A perfect outing for dino fans big and small. All the details here.
Betteshanger Country Park, Deal
From April 6 until Wednesday April 17
Betteshanger Country Park has now launched its Spring Trail - just in time for the upcoming school break. Join Curtis the greedy caterpillar as he visits his woodland friends on a quest to cure his hunger. The self-led trail will take you into the woods where you will be tasked with some fun activities and be challenged to unravel the riddles.
Welly boots are advised and the trail costs £1.50 per pack available between 9.30am and 3pm from Cycle Hire. The trail is suitable for all ages but most suited to three to eight-year-olds.
And don't miss... Betteshanger's Easter Egg Hunt which arrives on Friday, April 19. Bandit, the naughty bunny, has stolen all of Betteshanger’s Easter Eggs and locked them away. But follow the self-led Easter egg hunt around the park, complete the activities (ages 5 and over) or collect the stamps (under 5’s) and unravel the secret password to earn a chocolate reward. The cost to take part is £4 per person and runs from 10am until 3pm. All the details here.
Camp Bestival takeover at Dreamland, Margate
From Saturday, April 6
Dreamland reopens for the spring season with a fantastic visit by top family festival Camp Bestival. The Thanet theme park, which is once again allowing visitors to enter for free and pay-per-ride, is celebrating its spring and summer return with a festival that has all the family vibes for the school holidays.
Alongside Dreamland's regular rides and attractions will be events and activities run by Camp Bestival - including the arrival of the World's Largest Bouncy Castle, which will culminate in a Camp Bestival party on Saturday, April 21. This will include a line-up of DJ sets including one from festival founder and DJ Rob da Bank as well as a range of family activities.
Learn more about everything planned by clicking here.
New play area and adventure golf, Leeds Castle
From Saturday, April 13
Children’s TV presenter Ben Cajee from CBeebies will open two fantastic new family attractions at Leeds Castle on Saturday, April 13.
The new Knights’ Stronghold Playground is a thrilling new adventure playground designed for full on fun. Children will love letting off steam by navigating through a wooden replica of Leeds Castle with spiralling slides, fireman’s poles, giant cargo nets and zip wires. The playground, designed for ages up to 14, will include a new shop and seating areas for parents to watch their children play.
The castle is also opening its very own adventure golf course! The course is designed on Leeds Castle, with more challenging holes themed to daily attractions, such as falconry and the Maze. Using artificial grass, rocks, sand and planting by the gardening team, Adventure Golf is located near the Maze and for a small addition charge, offers a great value family activity, with games lasting around 40 minutes.
Followed by the Junk Orchestra, April 19 to April 22...
Join the Junk Orchestra at Leeds Castle for daily musical ‘jamming sessions’. Create and play with instruments that have been constructed using bits of old rubbish. Families can even bring along some of their own litter and add it to an incredible sculpture created by award winning eco-artist Sarah Turner, which will also be displayed on the Pavilion Lawn.
Children can also give their creative skills free reign at the Castle’s ‘mad hat’ making workshop! From colourful bunny ears to floral spring headbands, have a go at creating a fun and funky Easter hat using card, paint and glitter and round off your Easter themed fun with a trail through the grounds which might win you a chocolate reward!
Learn more about it all here.
Knight's Tournament, The Canterbury Tales
Saturday, April 6 until Sunday, April 21
The Canterbury Tales is reopening the gates to its extremely popular Medieval Story Garden for the end of term break where Knight's Tournament will take place.
Sword skills, mock jousting and a lesson in medieval remedies will be among the activities offered to young visitors as part of their admission ticket. The events take place in the garden between 11am and 3pm.
To learn more see here.
Kids for a Quid, Spa Valley Railway
April 9 to 11 and April 16 to 18
Affordable family fun is being promised on the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells, which is bringing back its £1 tickets for children on select days over Easter.
With children travelling for £1 on the days above, it means a family of two adults and two children can enjoy a day out for £26.
To learn more or to book a journey on the Spa Valley Railway head to www.spavalleyrailway.com
Easter at Brogdale, Faversham
Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 21
Spring lambs, piglets, hatching chicks, tractor rides and easter crafts make up this fantastic Easter event at Brogdale. There will also be flying displays by a falconry team, talks on keeping rabbits as pets at home as well as egg hunts and trails through the blossom to get a chocolate prize.
Ted Hobday, head guide, said: "Spring is a fantastic time to visit Brogdale as the farm is a hive of activity. The trees start to bloom at the end of March and show a succession of colour though April and into May. It is a real pleasure to have the animals here over the Easter event and a great opportunity to showcase both horticulture and agriculture. We encourage the whole family to visit as this event is great for all ages."
To learn more about the event and getting tickets click here.
Santus Circus, Gravesend and Maidstone
Running until April 22
Performers will be in Gravesend at the Cyclopark from Wednesday, April 3 until Monday, April 8 when the circus will then move to Maidstone.
From Thursday, April 11 until Monday, April 22 Santas Circus will be performing regular shows at Notcutts Garden Centre in Newnham Court Shopping Centre just off the M20 at junction seven.
To learn more about show times or ticket prices for either venue please click here.
Easter Trail, Maidstone Museum
Saturday, April 6 until Sunday, April 21
Follow the Easter bunny around the museum to find the secret phrase, break the code and claim your prize. To join in costs £1 and the event is running throughout each day. More details about the event and the museum here.
Peter Pan at the Central Theatre, Chatham
Saturday, April 6 and Sunday April 7
Tracy Beaker star Dani Harmer is joining the cast of Peter Pan for an Easter show in Medway. With Dani as Wendy and Bobby Davro as Smee, along with Disney Art Attack's Lloyd Warbey as Peter Pan the show could be a magical way to kick start the holidays. There are two performances on each day. To get your tickets and learn more visit tickets.medway.gov.uk
