Cheap things to do in Kent with the kids
Big fun for small price tags.
It's the ultimate parenting win for a summer holiday day out. Especially as the end of the six-week break nears.
And to help you in your quest here's 10 awesome things you could do with the kids, each for less than a tenner:
1 Bluewater's Nature Trail
Explore the beautiful parkland and lakes surrounding Bluewater in this 45 minute trail. You'll discover the Bluewater Beach, the Mosaic Tunnel, a children's play area, an array of wildlife, beautiful swan lake and information points telling you all about the environment around centre. There’s even a bug hotel to spot, stepping logs and games along the way. What's more this spring saw the arrival of Pixie Valley on the Nature Trail where walkers can search for 10 tiny magical doors and windows to discover pixies Flora Honey-Blossom, Rosa Clover-Leaf, Oren Elm-Dew and friends! Little ones can also take a seat on the fairy-tale thrones and making a wish at the wishing wall. Leaflets are available from all concierge desks in the mall.
2 Children's cinema screenings
If you fancy a quiet couple of hours and maybe a bit of a rest settle down in front of a children's film. Both Odeon and Cineworld run Kids Club and Movies for Juniors screenings with ticket prices often between £2 and £3 per person. The films being shown will be suitable for all the family and whilst not big current box office hits, usually have been released within the last 12-18 months. Tickets can be booked and seats chosen in advance. More details about summer holiday screenings can be found at www.odeon.co.uk or www.cineworld.co.uk
3 Crabbing, Whitstable Beach
For the cost of a line, a bucket and a small amount of bait there is hours of fun to be had on the Kent coast fishing for crabs. Whitstable is a good option, where a good haul is almost guaranteed, but spots in Herne Bay and Thanet are equally popular. Many shops in the town will sell what you need and of course, once you've bought the equipment it can be used over and over again throughout the holiday. A few scraps of bacon or ham serve well as bait, and a net maybe a sensible purchase for bringing the crabs to the bucket, but once you have all that you're good to go!
4 Hucking Woods, near Hollingbourne
Take your children traipsing through the woods with a visit to this Woodland Trust site not too far from the County Showground at Detling. The woodland is full of walks, wooden sculptures and gives fantastic views over the North Downs. Just remember this isn't a country park so there is no cafe or refreshments available - and no toilets either. Parking, however, is free and as days go this can be super kind on the purse strings!
5 Junk modelling
Recycle your summer holiday rubbish and turn it into something to play with. Everyone knows how much children enjoy playing with a cardboard box so why not spend a week collecting a bag full of plastic and cardboard containers and cartons before attempting to turn it into something one afternoon. For the cost of a few paints, some glue and perhaps some stickers or decorations for the finishing touches you have an activity with endless possibilities which is guaranteed to provide endless hours of fun!
6 Knole Park
Knole is one of England's most important historic houses, set at the heart of Kent's last remaining medieval deer park. Non-National Trust members can enjoy acres and acres of the parkland for the £4 cost of the parking space. Take a picnic, explore the grounds, climb trees and spot the resident deer herd all in your day out. You can also use the tea rooms, and cafe for anyone in need of ice creams or refreshments! Entry to the Gatehouse Tower and house is an additional charge.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole
7 Fruit picking
If you can stick to a budget and stop little fingers dipping in the punnet, fruit picking is an excellent way to spend a few pounds, collect some healthy produce and enjoy yourself at the same time. The county is surrounded by fruit picking fields with everything from raspberries and gooseberries to strawberries and apples available.
Top spots in Kent include Chilton Manor Farm in Sittingbourne, Lower Ladysden PYO and Maize Maze in Goudhurst and Downingbury Farm in Pembury.
8 Fly a Kite
In the words of Bert and Mary Poppins - let's go fly a kite! Kites are sold in most supermarkets and toy shops amongst the outdoor games and available for under £10. All you then need is a windy day and one of Kent's vast open spaces (anything from your nearest park or coastal spot will do!) and you have a few hours of entertainment that can be repeated numerous times over the summer break.
9 Mote Park in Maidstone
Feed the ducks, cycle or scooter the paths, take a walk around the lake, watch the model boats take to the water and play in the large play areas. There's enough at Mote Park in Maidstone to keep a family busy all day for the cost of a parking ticket. Duck/bird food is available from the cafe which also sells a good selection of lunches, drinks, snacks and ice-creams or there are plenty of places to picnic in order to keep the cost down further.
www.moteparkfellowship.org.uk/mote-park
10 Painting pebbles
Kids love to get arty, and another fantastic beach-based activity is painting pebbles and shells from the shore. A pack of washable felt pens are well worth packing for a day at the beach - using them to draw pretty patterns and pictures on pebbles and shells found by the sea. Alternatively head off to the coast to collect shells one morning before bringing them home for a wash and to decorate with poster paints and glitter.
