Christmas is Coming...

Don't know about you but the bank balance has only just recovered from buying new school uniform and October half term... 6 weeks until Christmas!! Argghhhhhh! OK, so I love Christmas, probably more than the kids, it's not the presents but all the extra fuff. Yes, I am one of those annoying people who puts the decorations up on the 1st December! Sorry! So here's a few Christmassy suggestions for things to do with the kids between now and the big day.

Christmas Lights/Parades... If you want to go for the big day out then it's got to be a day trip to London for the 'Free' Hamley's Toy Parade on Sunday 20th November! This year Mr Tumble is starring but there is everyone from My Little Pony to Lego Ninjago characters to Paddington Bear and our current favourite Power Rangers Dino Charge! The parade covers 1.5 miles, starts at 10:30am and entertainment including meet the characters goes on until 16:30.

Closer to home look out for local Christmas Lights Switch On. Faversham Christmas Lights on Saturday 26th November is always popular especially now it is followed by the Night Market with hot food stalls and live music. If your feeling creative make your own festive lantern and enter the Whitstable Christmas Light Parade also on the 26th. Maidstone's is on the 17th November with Father Christmas, Panto stars and for the teeny boppers/X-Factor fans boy band 'Yes Lad!' If you head to Folkestone on Friday 18th November, the lantern parade makes its way from Leas Cliff Hall to Folkestone Town Hall for the light switch on then down to the harbour for a fireworks display! In Medway, Rainham has the Gruffalo, Strood has Marshall from Paw Patrol and Gillingham has Scrat from Ice Age so lots of choice. It's definately becoming a bigger event in the diary and it's free!

Christmas Markets... Having stomped around the German Christmas Market in Hyde Park some 9 years ago that later morphed into what is now Winter Wonderland London, I have grown to love a festive market and for many years being in charge of a pushchair with mulled wine in hand was an annual occur occurance! So me and the boys still love Winter Wonderland, we've done the Circus and the Ice Kingdom, but it is busy so timing is key and you will haemorrhage money letting the kids get their ride fix.

Christmas Markets are however popping up everywhere now so this year why not check out Rochester Christmas Market in the grounds of the Castle, Free Entry. There is shopping for us gift buyers (usually gifts for myself to be honest), fair rides for the kiddies, 'Snow' and Bavarian food village. If you go on the 3rd/4th December it is also the Dickensian Festival which includes Lantern Parades, Reindeer, Dickensian Characters and Victorian Horse&Carriage rides for £2.50 pp. On Friday 2nd and 9th, the fair rides are only a £1 so good for those with Pre-Schoolers.

Christmas Festival Market at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, might be worth a look too on 26th November. It is undercover in Slip 5 outside the Dockyard so it's FREE entry. Includes Santa, Reindeer, Craft stalls, Ice Skating and entertainment. And it's near the Dockside shopping outlet too if you need a few more bits.

 

We really enjoyed the Leeds Castle Christmas Market last year, with Craft stalls, Reindeer, Fair Rides, and Mulled Wine, and all the normal Leeds Castle attractions! OK so entrance tickets are expensive but your entry tickets are valid for the whole year and buy on line in advance to save so worth considering. They do have Santa too but it's probably already sold out!

Xmas Cake and Craft... So we're not all the next recruit for bake off but when it's cold outside where better to be in the kitchen with biscuits and cake! So I like a traditional Christmas Cake as I get to bake it early and keep topping it up with brandy! Then just before Christmas the kids help roll out the marzipan and icing. For the cheat option just buy a good sized fruit cake, the kids still get the fun of designing there own decoration and whose going to know! Gingerbread is also very popular in my house, we do make our own but no matter how closely I follow Mary Berry's recipe it sticks to the counter and I have to throw a ton more flour in! Or just buy them in the supermarket and get the kids to decorate, lots of tubes of icing and sweet decorations to choose from.

Last year everyone on Facebook was making sock snowmen following the you tube video. This year why not get the kids to try out these...

Salt Dough Decorations, all you need is flour, salt and some paints!!

Invest in some Porcelain Pens, then you can make your own Santa plates, Personalised mugs, Vases, you name it! My pens have been going a good few years now and still have plenty of life in them!

Or if its all too much effort, pop along to Little Potters in Sittingbourne, and drink tea while the kids decorate various ornaments for the grandparents Christmas presents!

 

Visit Santa... I confess that we are on it when it comes to the annual Mums'&Kids' outing to visit Father Christmas! Yes in September the kids go back to school and someone texts 'I know but... Santa?!' Gone are the days of easily booking a free visit to see Santa at Harrods without getting up at 5am to beat the net mums and stumping up some cash! But as my 8 year old is now very aware, Santa is everywhere in all shapes and sizes. So here are some suggestions of where you can see the big man in Kent with your wish list this year...

Check out Dover Port, I know sounds bonkers right?! but in Cruise Terminal One, Western Docks there will be an indoor ice rink and Santa's Grotto! Book Ice skating for those aged 5+, for 45 minute session, 2 adults/2 children £28. Santa is there weekends from 19th November and everyday in the week before Christmas. It's £10, receive a gift and don't forget to post your letter to Santa in the special post box for him to read later. There is also a Christmas Market on Saturday and Sundays.

Dreamland, Margate have Santa's Grotto taking pride of place under the Scenic Railway. From 3rd -24th December book in to become an honorary Elf, help collect up the Christmas baubles, mix the magic Reindeer food and get a gift and photo with the man himself for £9.95 (Members £8.95). For the under 2s meet Santa and have a photo for £3.50. Make day of it by visiting the Frosted Fairground or head inside to the soft play or roller rink!

Want something more traditional, Alexander Centre, Faversham have a fantastic Father Christmas. You can book to visit him in the Mayors Parlour on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December, £6 per child. They can also participate in some Christmas crafts, the tea room is open and a Christmas Market for those last minute buys.

Or why not visit Santa in his Woodland Grotto and get some fresh winter air at Shorne Woods Country Park, Gravesend. Take the Christmas trail around the woods and solve the clues to find Santa at his grotto. See Santa for £6, (book online) then why not stop for a hot choc in the visitor centre and a play on the adventure playground.

If you visit any of these festive venues and want to share your pics and reviews or tips, go to the Facebook Page! Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Halloween Half-Term

Autumn is here, it might be chilly but it's still a great time to get out with the kids! Here's a few ideas of things to do this half term inside and out...

PYO Pumpkin... Support your local farmers and make a family trip out of it too! Pull on your wellies and choose your perfect pumpkin. We went to Saffery Farm, Selling nr Faversham today for ours, also hot drinks and cakes available too! Once you get the pumpkins home, you decorate with paints, glow in the dark ones are good or go for the traditional scoop and cut out, if you can get the flesh out make into soup, pie or cakes! There are lots of farms doing pick your own including:

Beluncle Farm, Hoo
milebush farm, Maidstone
Sevington, Ashford
The Old Lorry Farm Shop,Deal

Whitstable Castle... Follow the Scarecrow Trail Monday 24th - Sun 30th, collect your free trail from the tea rooms and you can also enter the colouring competition. Wrap up warm for a play on the pirate adventure playground and warm up with a nice hot choc! Don't forget free parking for 3 hours!

Woods... My boys love collecting conkers, we end with loads! And if the kids need some encouragement to get the bobble hats on and go to the woods, a collecting mission helps. Other than the traditional game, conkers are also great for decorating, how about painting on some spooky eyes and use as halloween decorations!
The Forestry Commission also a free Autumn Activity Pack available with things to look for in the woods and activities to do at home! We even found some walnuts today on a stomp along a local bridle path. Our favourite woods are Perry Woods, Selling; Kingswood, Ashford and Shorne Woods; 

Shopping Centres... Lots of local shopping areas put on activities and events for half term. Including:

Whitefriars, Canterbury who have a free trick or treat hunt on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th, go to Build-a-Bear in fancy dress to get a free collecting cauldron and make your way around the stores. Also check out the  Creepy Crawly Cavern with lots of interesting animals to see!
Ashford Town, collect a trick or treat bag on 29th October and follow the trail for free goodies! Fancy dress competition too so check out www.loveashford.com!
Bluewater has tickets available to book for 'The Mystery of the Pumpkin Ghost' a family halloween adventure,prices from £6.95 each.
Wyevale Garden Centres, 'Little Diggers' is back with Autumn and Halloween craft activities for a small fee, pre-book via the website.

Local Museum... Many local museums and Galleries are free or have cheap entry fees. With extra things to see and do this half term. Some to try:
The Guildhall Museum , Rochester, Free Entry, Halloween trail around the museum and craft activities.
Maidstone Museum, is running halloween craft activities Tues-Fri next week for about £3 per child, discounts for siblings. See website for more info.
The Turner Contemporary , Margate - Free Entry, with some drop in workshops for £3.50 per child including making a silhouette puppet, check website for dates.

Cinema... Movies for Juniors at Cineworld has Finding Dory and Life of Pets showing every morning for £1.80 each if you pre-book! Or check out your local independent cinema for the new releases at a more reasonable price, we like The Royal Cinema, Faversham and The Kavanagh, Herne Bay.

Herne Bay Festival

We love a summer trip to Herne Bay with both sandy and stony beach, the traditional Pier, promenade playground, bandstand, a bit of arcade action and crazy golf but Festival time is extra fun! Herne Bay Festival runs for a week in August every summer. We have dipped in with various activities and events over the last few years but still have more to try!
Like most festivals it changes slightly every year but the most popular events stay year after year. The festival officially kicks off for 2016 on Saturday 20th August with a family fun day. There are various events including live music, arts and craft, face painting, punch and judy, all culminating in the evening Lantern Parade.

For the kids to take part in the Lantern Parade, there a couple of options. For those age 6+ there are various lantern workshops leading up to the start of the festival, they will need an adult with them and trust me you will be very much involved. You need to pre-book your workshop space, it usually lasts most of the day so you'll need a pack lunch. It is great fun and some amazing lanterns are created, this year the theme is Rio Carnival! The last one we did was 'Take to the Skies' theme a couple of years ago and we created fantastic rockets with Animate Arts. For the little ones or anyone who really can't commit to a full on workshop, there is a drop in session on the day of the parade where you can make a mini lantern so you can still take part.

The parade starts at 8pm at Lane End and you make your way along the promenade, around the pier and finish at the clock tower. If you don't want to walk in the parade then secure a spot along the route early and enjoy the show.

After the parade in previous years there has been the big burn! They create a themed effigy on the beach which gets set alight. When the flames die down the fantastic Fireworks start all along the harbour wall. Its late for littlies but is a great evening.

Throughout the week there are various other family events to get involved in. My recommendations would be the 'Monster Crab Catching Competition' which takes place on Sunday 21st at 2pm. Take your crabbing lines and buckets down to the Pier, bait is supplied. The kids love this one, as there is a prize for the heaviest crab caught in each age group!

If you've got some budding builders then get down to the beach (left of the pier) on the 26th August and sign up for the Sand Castle Building Competition from 12:30! Age categories are under 5s, 6-9, and 10+. This year's theme is Rio Carnival so get creative, let your imagination run wild and impress the judges! All equipment is supplied, but you can bring your own.

For other activites like Sand Art Workshops, Clay Workshop, Make a Fairy/Elf House, Art&Craft Day, Kids Mini Golf Competition and Pip the Magic Clown... go to the website or facebook for details! And don't forget the Fire Station Open Day!

If the teens are all too cool, make sure you check out the 'Herne Bay Rocks' contest with them. Bands battle it out in 7 heats across 7 venues. They play throughout the festival culminating in the grande finale on Friday 26th at The King's  Hall.The final weekend also includes 'Herne Bays Got Talent' for all those wannabes, from under 5s to Adults; The finale Fireworks spectacular at The Neptune Arms and the annual Giant Picnic at the Memorial Park on the Sunday but I am assuming that the 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Fundraiser' is the equivalent this year.

It's particularly busy in Herne Bay at festival time so if you can get the bus or the train down its a good idea. We have got the train in previous years, it's about 20 minute walk to the seafront we usually cut through the memorial park. There are various car parks including pay and display car park or meters on the seafront or the central car park has recently changed to pay on exit with first 2 hours free.

There are plenty of public toilets. On the seafront they are located at the bandstand, or past the pier on the opposite side of the road or at the other end of the bay at the King's Hall. There are also toilets at the Memorial Park and next to the central car park adjacent to the council office. I need to go more than the kids so always handy to know where they are, lol!

So pack a picnic, your crab line, buckets and spades, your best singing voice, some creative flair and enjoy your trip to 'the bay'!

Best For: Everyone
Recommend: Picnic, Crab lines, Pennies for the arcade.
Time: 2-8hrs

Grove Ferry Picnic Area

If your looking for somewhere different to go with the kids for a picnic and a play you can't go wrong with a little trip to Grove Ferry (Upstreet near Canterbury). We've been going here on and off for the last 6 years and if like us you own Kayaks or Canoes there is a good entry point to the River Stour.

There is a large grass area with a few picnic benches but recommend you take a picnic rug. Great for the kids to run around and play games, there are a few large trees so you can find some shade if you need it. The River Stour runs alongside and the grass slopes up towards the riverside path so relatively easy to spot if the kids are venturing that way.

There is also a play park with swings, slides etc it is the wooden variety. It has a wooden fence all the way around with one gate so good for those with littlies who like to escape.

If  you want to make the most of your visit you have a few options. The riverside path is part of the Saxon Shore Way and the Stour Valley Way so you can take a little stroll away from the park down river, it's a rough path so better for a toddle then a pushchair. If your hardcore or have older children you can follow the paths out of the park and go stomping for miles and miles. Look out for the boats passing by, the ducks and general wildlife including dragonflies and butterflies. 

To see the river in all its glory why not take a trip on the water with Grove Ferry River Trips. 

The boat pick up point is from the pub near the bridge, although it is completely independent of the pub itself. It runs weekends from mid March through April, Wed-Sun from April and everyday through the Summer holidays, trips start from 12 and run hourly through the afternoon. The boat will take you up or down stream depending on the tide and the weather. It is advisable to book especially at peak times although you can just turn up as we have in the past, next trip time is usually on the board and it's first come first served. Its £9 for adults and £5 for kids for approx 50 minute trip. The kids love it and the Skipper always makes you feel welcome no matter your age. Check out the website for further details or Facebook page.

If your feeling adventurous or have bored teens, why not try a spot of canoeing. Wild Canoes is based here and you can hire a canoe complete with buoyancy aids and life jackets for the littliest. Paddle up or down stream, in either a Canadian canoe (fits 2 adults and 2 Children under 10) or a duo kayak (for 2) for an hour for £20. This is great fun, again it's worth booking in advance at peak times but they are usually set up so you can just ask on the day on the off chance. Check out the website for lots of other options, including half day guided tours from Fordwich to Grove Ferry (and a lift back).

The Grove Ferry Inn is next to the park, it has lots of seating outside along the river and a large garden with a some pigs and chickens. So if you fancy a drink or a coffee, and somewhere else for the kids to play, give it a try. They do food, although it was always on the pricey side and I haven't eaten there since the management changed

There are 2 car parks, one through the gates thats along side the park or if it's busy one opposite the entrance gate. £1.20 weekdays and £2 weekends. The pub also has a car park but only if you are a customer. There are public toilets including disabled which are reasonable and clean. 

Best for: Under 12s
Recommend: Picnic, Picnic Rug
Time: 3-4hrs

Minnis Bay

So when the suns out we all love a bit of beach action, (even in the cold with fleeces& wellies) Kent has plenty to choose from! Our nearest sandy beach is the lovely Minnis Bay at Birchington-on-Sea! Now like many beaches on the Kent coast most of it disappears at high tide so you have to be a little bit organised and check the tide table. Don't panic!! There are lots of different websites you can google but the BBC is pretty reliable just remember it's approximate as tide times are for Herne Bay or Margate and Minnis Bay is in between. Click this link Tide Table. The best advice is assume half an hour before high tide their might not be a beach and half an hour later the beach will start returning.

So why Minnis? Firstly it's sand, much appreciated by my kids for sand castle building. Secondly you can park for free all along the road in bays facing the beach or alternatively along the opposite side of the road. If it's really busy then there is a large pay and display car park literally 2 minutes from the beach (April- Oct £3.60 4hrs, £4.50 all day). So not far to carry the massive amount of paraphernalia I always seem to think we need! This is also the location of the public toilets (next to the car park) which are standard council but clean and have a baby change in the Ladies.

There is good access to the beach from the promenade with either steps or slope. The beach itself is very flat so you can see the kids easily at a distance.  During the summer there are life guards on duty at the beach on the weekends from end of May then daily from Mid-July through to September. Reassuring for those of us whose kids are in the sea for a swim the second we blink. At one end of the beach (opposite end to the car park) there is a large tidal paddling pool, great for when the tides right out and for those that like exploring the sea.

When the beach is gone or you've just had enough you could pop along to The Minnis Bar&Restaurant over looking the beach. They have a hut outside for take out hot drinks and Ice creams, we like to sit on the benches on the grass and look out at the sea. You could also take a walk or scoot or bike along the promenade. There is a large play park opposite the beach. It is the slightly outdated council variety, but it does the job.You could also hire a 4 wheeled Surrey bike 4-8 seaters which are good fun, from VCT bike hire vctbikehire. Or hire regular bikes or take your own and cycle the coastal trail towards Reculver.

Unlike larger seaside towns there aren't lots of arcades along the front or trampolines/bouncy castles and other things the kids want you to fork out for. From May to September Dogs aren't allowed on the main beach but can walk the promenade on a lead. There are also sea shore safari' s run by Thanet Coastal project in the school holidays visit their website for further information Events. 

Best for: Everyone
Recommend: Buckets&Spades, Picnic, Bikes or Scooters.
Time: 3-5hrs

Bedgebury Pinetum

I remember when my friend first told me about Bedgebury having 10 adventure play areas on a walk through the woods, I knew we had to check it out! But there was much more to Bedgebury and then the Gruffalo and his friends came to the party!

So it is free to enter the Pinetum and the woods but it's £10 to park Mon-Friday and £12 at weekends. So the more seats in your car/mini van the more value for money but it's worth it anyway! So the question is just where to start?...

If you need some advice or a map head down to the visitor centre by the lake, you can get a free map of the Pinetum or pay for a map of the woods or just take a quick photo of the map on the wall outside which pin points all the play areas. This is also the location of the only toilets so good to stop before you venture further. Toilets are nice and clean with baby change, disabled and showers for those hard core bikers.

So for those with babies, preschoolers and under 12s the adventure play areas in the woods are your highlight but to be fair theres plenty of teens and adults on the stand up log swings, the adventure trail and the Spiders webs too! First stop is the ship wreck adventure play surrounded by sand, with slides, baby swings and don't forget to get a pic of the kids in the pirates throne! 

There are some picnic benches around the playground and also a small undercover pinic area should you need to get out of the sun or the rain. The play village area is great for the littlies, it has wooden platforms,  mini swings, musical chimes and a slide.

Take the woodchip path through the woods up to the log swing. These are great, definitely a team work activity and have seen plenty of adults on this!

I've done the next few play areas in random orders, we particularly love the ants nest! Proper climbing wall stylee on the outside for the bigger kids or little ones if you climb behind. But you can also go up inside from underneath, the hole in the middle has footholds for the shorter kids to climb up. 

There's the tree house, this is quite challenging so good for the older ones and the tree Stump is good fun with tunnels for the little ones to crawl through.

Then theirs the Butterfly, the Adventure Trail, the Dragonfly which will keep them busy...

...then jungle drums and last but not least the Spiders Web!!

Oh but waiting there's loads more to do... if you love a family bike ride or your kids have outgrown the whole play park thing then explore the rest of the woods! You can take your own bikes or hire bikes, kids seats and trailers from Quench Cycles located next to the car park. There are various trails through the woods so ask advice for what's best for your group but the 4.5 or 9km blue trail is suitable for families . If your hardcore or a little accident prone don't worry there are showers down at the visitor centre to wash the mud off! To get a different view point of the woods there is also the Bedgebury Go Ape course which you can incorporate into your day for the usual fees, and can be viewed from below around the adventure play trail.

Not finished yet, there's still the Pinetum to go!! So heading back to the visitor centre... refurbishment was completed last year making the café larger and providing more inside seating. They've also landscaped out the front adding lots more picnic benches by the lake. The cafe provides various sandwiches, hot food, cakes, ice creams, prices are reasonable but not cheap so I would recommend take a picnic but stop for tea & cake or ice cream. If your sitting up by the café you will be asked not to feed the ducks as they've recently become rather more agressive in their demands for food!

So first the Forestry Commision had the Gruffalo trail, then the Gruffalo's Child trail but this year we have the Stick man trail! You can purchase the pack from the visitor centre for £3, it includes the trail sheet with questions, a pencil, extra paper and crayon for a brass/picture rubbing and some pipe cleaners for making your own stick man near the end. Suggest you look out for stickman shaped sticks on way but don't tell the kids.

You only really need one pack unless your kids really can't share, my 4 year old held the 'map' (trail sheet) and answered the questions whilst the 8 year old read the clues and did the writing. You follow the stickman signs to each of the numbered boards which have a question/task to complete on the sheet but also information and challenges to do.

Also look out for extra character picture cards that you tick off as you find them. It is a great way to see the Pinetum and get those less inclined to walk moving. The normal route around the Pinetum is accessible but there is a section of the stickman trail that is more off road.

At the end you find the enormous Stickman! Gruffalo and Gruffalo's Child are also still in the Pinetum (but you miss them on the stickman trail). If those with little legs have over done it on the adventure play the nice people in the visitor centre will let you in on the secret location and you can go straight to them,  not far to walk from the entrance.

At Bedgebury they also have the Gruffalo Orienteering trail which is £1.50, this consists of a basic map and the aim is to find each of the Gruffalo markers using the map. Recommended for under 8s. Obviously there is also all the usual activities in the woods, tree climbing at your risk of course, scavenger hunts and stick wands! Dogs are also welcome but need to be on a lead in the Pinetum,  play areas and visitor centre. For further information and events visit the website Bedgebury or follow on Facebook

Best For: Everyone
Recommend: Picnic, Bikes
Time: 3-5hrs

Rain, Rain Go Away...

May Half Term weather here in Kent this week is ultimately disappointing so thought I'd give you a quick brainstorm for the rest of the week for places you could check out. Unfortunately there are not many free activities inside so also included payable and good value ideas.

Museums/Galleries - Many towns and cities in Kent have a small museum or gallery, read my earlier blog on 'Inside in Canterbury' for the low down on the museums there. Many museums are also free or discounted for locals. Some might only kill an hour or so but it stops the kids killing each other! Theres usually some extra activities laid on in the school holidays. Check Out these free ones The Beany,Canterburyhttp://canterburymuseums.co.uk/beaney/; The Turner Contemporary, Margatehttps://www.turnercontemporary.org/; The Maidstone Museum, Maidstonehttp://museum.maidstone.gov.uk/; The Guildhall Museum, Rochesterguildhallmuseum; The Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum, Manston.http://www.spitfiremuseum.org.uk

Cinema - So the latest films seriously hurt the wallet but Cineworld have 'Movies for Juniors' which are usually films that are 6-12 months old. On every morning in the holidays for only £1.50 per person prebook online at https://www.cineworld.co.uk/ . Also check out your local independent cinemas they are cheaper than the multi plex but still often have recent kids film on and the popcorns usually cheaper too!

Swimming Pool - So obviously not free but if you want the kids suitably worn out for a dvd afternoon swimming is good bet. We went to Swallows in Sittingbourne this morning, which was great as they had all the floats and pool toys out, the wave machine going a few times then an inflatable obstacle course for the those that can swim 25m and the flume, for £13 for the 3 of us plus parking it wasn't too tragic! Check out your local pool timetable for half term activities or try somewhere new.

Art Cafés - Now there are lots of these places across the county. Normally buy an ornament or some crockery and paint away. With father's day coming up you have the perfect excuse, who can resist a one of kind mug created by the kids. We particularly like Little Potters in Sittingbourne, you can chose to decorate in acrylic or proper paint that needs firing. For the littliest ones there is a soft play if they are very much a splash and dash artist. And most importantly plenty of tea/ coffee and snacks available to keep you going. Check out... Little Potters, Sittingbournehttp://www.littlepotters.com/index.html; Espression, Canterburyhttp://www.espression.co.uk/; This Art of Mine, Maidstonehttp://www.thisartofmine.co.uk/; Ceramics Cafe, Doverhttp://www.ceramicscafe.com/.

Indoor Skate Park - Revolution in Broadstairs is all undercover with enough ramps,  bowls and jumps to keep all skateboard and scooter kids busy. If you already have the wheels, bash hat and various pads then it's only £6 for 2 hours. If your kids are new to the skate park or your a bit worried about the little ones Revolution run 2 hour learn to scoot group lessons everyday through the holidays but you need to pre-book. Check them out at http://www.revolutionskatepark.co.uk

Woods - So it's not indoors but it's also not totally freezing out there! Wait for a gap in the showers and grab the wellies and waterproofs and go for a stomp. You might only manage 30 minutes but at least your out. Our faves for a stomp are Perry Woods, Selling nr Faversham and Kings Wood, Ashford....

Shopping Centre - They want you to shop and spend money but first they have to get you there. Many shopping centres and garden centres now put on free or cheap kids activities in the holidays to entice you through the door. Dobbies garden centres have the 'little seedlings club' with prebookable free activities. Check out your local websites to see what's on near you.

You can't spend all week at home or stuck in the ball pit, give something else a try!

Reculver

We have been visiting Reculver's infamous towers and the beach for years for days out but now it has the added bonus of a new adventure playground!

Now two main starting options depending on the age of the kids and the time you've got. With the little ones I head straight along Reculver Lane until you reach the dead end and the car park which is £1 to park all day. They usual open up a field for additional parking at peak times but it can still get rather busy. Alternatively with the bigger ones you can instead head for Bishopstone Road at the other end of the country park, where you can park and then take a half hour stroll along the Saxon Shore Way cliff top walk to Reculver.

There is lots to do in Reculver so take your pick or do everything. When the tide is out head west of the car park down on to the beach under the cliffs. This is a fantastic area for rock pooling, there is no access for pushchairs to the beach so walk down or use carriers for little legs. You don't have to go far to find some interesting specimens but the rock pools stretch a long way out so plenty to keep everyone busy. If your not sure where to start Kent Wildlife Trust runs guided rock pool sessions in the summer with the Education Officer and volunteers for a small charge. Check out the website for details. This is also the section of the beach you are most likely to find 'fossils' but don't get too close to the cliffs for safety reasons.

Next to the car park is the new adventure play park. A combination of a castle and pirate theme with lots of access points, rigging, ramps and climbing walls. Steering Wheels, telescopes and perescopes for the little ones. There are swings, slides and some more challenging bits for the big ones.

Unfortunately the council has yet to update the seating with still only a handful of old picnic benches set out on the grass but they are useable but take a picnic blanket if you think it might be busy. They are also a bit short of rubbish bins after busy weekend so you might need to take your rubbish home. There are public toilets which are clean and functional, with a disabled and baby change (if it's locked the visitor centre has a key). The toilets are open all day but specific hours change depending on the season.

The Visitor Centre is run by Kent Wildlife Trust. The centre offers displays and information on Reculver, it's history and the local wildlife. There is a gift shop and books about the area, if it's not busy ask if you can see the Mammoth tooth fossil. The centre is usually open everyday except Wednesdays between April and September.

 

 

 

 

You can also take a walk up by the towers this is fully accessible paths with information boards about the Towers and the Roman Fort. Follow the path past the towers and take a walk, scoot or cycle East along the sea wall by the pebbly beach. If your feeling energetic you can walk or cycle all the way to Minnis Bay a good 40 minute bike ride or couple of hour walk. We usually go so far then go on to the beach for some stone skimming then make our way back.

 

If you are truly worn out by all that, stop at the King Ethelbert pub for some refreshments or a hearty lunch or dinner. I can also recommend the traditional cafe for a cuppa and a bacon sarnie. They also do take outs and stock ice creams if you need to cool down.

Its also worth noting that once a year there is access into the towers looked after by English Heritage, which allows you to climb up inside and get some fantastic views. This is part of Heritage Open Day and is normally in September, check the website for details.

Best For: Everyone
Recommend: Scooters, Bikes, Buckets and Nets.
Time: 2-6 hours