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

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