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!

Inside in Canterbury

Most free places to visit are outside which is great but what if the weather is a bit grim but you still need to get out?! Here's a few suggestions for Canterbury, they don't take long by themselves but you can put them together or combine with a shopping trip or some outside play...

The Beany House of Knowledge and Art - Entry to the Beany is Free, it is located on Canterbury High Street and incorporates the Library, Museum, Art Gallery and Cafe. There are permanent displays of art and historical artefacts with activity points in each room for children. Look out for the sets of draws with an activity in each one, including making teddy into a egpytian mummy and building a stain glass window.

We also enjoy the little dress up points and playing with the toy farm in the green room. You need to stop at the activities or the kids will whizz around in 30 minutes.
Temporary exhibitions change on a regular basis so keep an eye out for those that might appeal to your children. Last months 'Star Wars Toys' was popular and my littliest liked seeing all drawings of the Clangers, Ivor the Engine etc which are up for the Firmin&Postgate exhibition at the moment. You can colour in and make a little character from Nogin the Nog out of card.

The Beany runs various events throughout the year including drop in craft activity workshops and pre-bookable workshops some for a small charge. There are monthly 'Jumping Beany' payable sessions for under 5s as well as the usual free story time and baby rythme offered by most libraries. Check the website for current exhibitions and events The Beany
Best for: Toddlers, Primary, Teens. (depending on event)
Time: 1hr+

Wyevale Garden Centre - Just outside of Canterbury at Chartham, if you purchase a cuppa in the café the kids get free entry to the soft play/ball pit room. There are time restrictions but they get long enough to run off some steam. The Garden Centre also runs little workshops in the School Holidays, including making a 'mini garden', 'decorating a gnome'! There is a small charge and they need to be booked in advance. Click Here for Website
Best For: Under 10s.
Time: 1hrs+

Pets at Home - The pet store located on Sturry Road with free parking offers childrens Pet Care Workshops at Weekends and during School Holidays. These are Free but you have to book your place in advance as spaces are limited. They are aimed at 5-11 year olds but all ages are welcome, an adult needs to accompany the children and it lasts an hour. Choose from Reptile, Small Furry, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Aquatic. Click Here for Website
Best For: 5-11yrs
Time: 1hr

For the following Museums, if you sign-up for a 'MytownMycity' card or the Mobile App as a 'local' they are usually on offer as 'Free Entry' (Offers are subject to change). I don't live in Canterbury but I do work and shop there, just go to the website. MytownMycity-Canterbury

(Alternatively the museum entry fees are £8 per adult with up to 2 Children Free or £12 for both museums. Or buy an annual canterbury museum family membership for £30 and get entry all year plus other extras)

The Roman Museum - This is a great little Museum just off the high street. The original building on the site was demolished and the archaeological dig discovered some amazing finds including the Roman Mosaic Flooring which led to the creation of this Museum underneath the new building. There are lots of different things to see but more importantly for the children, things to touch and try. The boys particularly enjoy dressing up as a Roman Soilder and making mosaics!
   
It doesn't take long to walk around but if you stop at all the activities you can make it last. There is a lift down to the museum, a buggy park and toilets with baby change. The Roman Museum
Best For: Toddlers, Primary, Teens. (depending on event)
Time: 1hr+

The Canterbury Heritage Museum - The permanent exhibitions range from Romans to Steam Trains to Bag Puss so something for everyone. This is bigger than the Roman Museum but again stop for all the children's activities to make the most of it. We particularly like writing our names in Runes and watching an episode of Bag Puss!

There are Activity Trail sheets available for 7-11yr olds. The Museum puts on additional events/activities through the year so it is worth checking the website Heritage Museum
Best for: Toddlers, Primary, Teens. (depending on event)
Time: 2hrs

Easter Egg Hunts, Treasure Trails & Scavenger Hunts!

With Easter fast approaching Easter Egg Hunts are on the agenda but treasure hunts or scavenger hunts can be a great distraction all year round. So you may be a treasure hunt mastermind and there are a million blogs online about treasure hunts but plenty of us have inspiration failure so read on for ideas for...DIY versions, Cheap Kits or Free Downloads and list of some Easter Trail events on in Kent this Easter!

DIY 
The most value for money option is the homemade variety; For the littlies there are:

The 'Find and Collect' - you need a good couple of handfuls of small items which you can hide randomly in the garden or house. Use toy money, jewellery or duplo blocks as the treasure,  I could use Lego in my house and skip the having to scatter it step! To make the activity last longer have a central pot (Large bowl or Jar etc) which they have to return to each time they find a piece of treasure. When they have found every bit or filled the tub, they win a prize!

The 'Picture Scavenger' -  You can either draw or cut out pictures of objects which you put on a card. The aim of the game is to collect one of everything. You could do this for at home or for somewhere you go regularly like the park, woods or beach. The first to collect every item or the one with most when up is the 'winner' .

For the older children:

The 'Letter Hunt' -  Hide pictures of eggs with letters on a trail around the garden, give each child a sheet with the same number of spaces as letters to be found. Then at the end unjumble the letters to make the secret word!

The 'Clue Treasure Hunt'- This will involve a bit of planning. I use scrap paper torn up or post - it notes do the job. Examples of clues:
'It's very cold in here next to the milk'
'Fr_d_e'
'It's chilly here but not freezing'
If you want to make it extra hard try things like mirror writing or writing backwards. The bonus with older children as they'll then be desperate to write their own treasure hunt for t he younger ones, so more time for you!

The 'Scavenger Hunt' - The same as the picture one but write a longer list of what they need to find/collect or spot. Again the most finds or spots is the 'winner'!

Kits and Free Downloads 

If you like the idea of DIY but it all sounds like hardwork; There are plenty of 'Find and Collect' Easter egg hunt kits in the shops. Try the bargain stores, you can get one in Pound land for a pound of course! Click Here or from supermarkets, Asda's is £1.50 Click Here!

There are also lots of pre-made Scavenger Hunt or Spotting sheets available free to download on-line. I particularly like the ones from the Woodland Trust which cater for the different seasons and age groups. Click Here!

Events

Of course we all like to get out and about, so here are a few treasure hunts (at 'free entry' locations) coming up soon but please feel free to comment on the blog or facebook of any you know about too...

Whitstable Castle - Mon 28th March 12-3pm Easter Egg Hunt £2.50; 4th-8th April Seashore Trail - Free

Westgate Parks Easter Trail - Canterbury -Sun 27th March 10am-3pm - Free from Toddlers Cove. (First 300 Children)

Whitefriars Shopping Centre, Canterbury - Easter Egg Trail Fri 25th Mar- 3rd Apr (Except 27th) - Free.

Shorne Wood Country Park, Gravesend - Easter Bunny Hunt on 27th March and Easter Activity Trail throughout school holidays, with a treat at the end, charge applies. 

Betteshanger Country Park, Deal - Easter Hunt Friday 25th March, £3 per child. Spring trail through the Easter holidays £1.50 each, find all the letters and win a prize.

Bartons Point Coastal Park, Sheerness - Easter Hunt 27th March,  complete the trail and exchange for an egg at the café when you buy a cuppa.

Joydens Wood, Bexley - 27th March, Free Easter Trail with a prize at the end but book in advance online with the Woodland Trust.

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve - 27th March. Wildlife Easter Trail and other activities. £4, book online.

Margate Main Sands - 29th March - Scavenger and Great Egg Case Hunt, 45min hunt + 45min  crafts, £1 Adults £1 kids £1 Pre-book Click Here!

Viking Bay - 30th March - Scavenger and Great Egg Case Hunt - same as above.

Ramsgate Main Sands - 31st March - Scavenger and Great Egg Case Hunt - same as above.

Bedgebury Pinetum - 4th-8th April - Stick Man trail and craft drop-in - Follow the stick man trail collect sticks and cones then with extra craft bits make your own stick man and Collect an egg! £2 each.

Oare Gunpowder Works

I have been taking my boys to Oare Gunpowder Works in Faversham since they were tiny, definitely a good place to go when you just need to get out the house for some fresh air for an hour or so. 

Its a great little country park with a buggy/wheel chair friendly path, fab for little legs as it's not too far to walk around and there are a few picnic benches for a pit stop. The park has plenty of trees, ponds, various walk ways on different levels, and what is more fun for a toddler than stomping across the wooden bridges in wellies 'trip, trap' and all that. The kids always manage to find plenty of sticks for some imagining and enjoy running around. The various plaques around the site give information on the gunpowder works ruins, which my eldest has started to show more interest in. It's situated alongside the fishing lake where you may spot the Swans, a few ducks and watch out for dragonflies. You can also take the dog along too as long as they're on the lead.

The car park is free and the visitor centre is normally open on the weekends from April. It is worth noting that the toilet facilities aren't open in the week but you are only a few minutes drive from Sainsburys or pop to the community centre if you need a coffee to warm up too.

Medway Countryside Partnership runs bookable workshops such as pond dipping in the school holidays for a donation as well as other events so it is worth keeping an eye on their website too  http://www.medwayvalley.org/ The next event is an Easter Egg hunt being organised on Friday 24th March, booking information and cost is on the website.

Further Information : www.gunpowderworks.co.uk

Best for : Pushchairs; Little Legs; All Ages; Wheelchair Users;

Recommend : Wellies (if it's rained recently)

Time : 1-2hrs