Riverside Country Park

Discovered this fab country park by the River Medway in Gillingham last year with the help of some friends!

The main focus for the kids is the large adventure playground located just behind the visitor centre. With plenty of slides, swings and climbing frames to keep them busy. We particularly like the sunken pirate ship. As usual I can always trust my kids to go a bit off piste, they had lots of fun rolling down a little artificial hill on the playground rather than using the purpose built slide and why not?!?

I particularly like the layout of this play park with various sections for little and bigger ones. The whole area is mostly visible from the picnic benches so you can keep an eye on the bigger ones at a distance! Or spot a run away toddler pretty quickly, and only a couple of exit gates which always helps.

Like all the best play parks there is a cafe serving the usual drinks, snacks and Ice cream. There are also good toilet facilities  including baby change and disabled, located at the front of the visitor centre.

If you can drag yourself away from the play park take a walk along the accessible paths opposite the visitor centre. We had great fun with the erm,  sound tube thingy on the way...

With views over the Medway there is plenty of wildlife to spot on the mudflats and marshes. With the little ones just go for a little wonder or take a pushchair but its easier with alterrain wheels on the substrate paths. For a short circular walk approx 45 minutes take the path out on to the peninsula out to Horrid Hill, the path loops around and takes you back the way you came. Click here for the route Horrid Hill Walk For the bigger ones and teens take a stomp up river along the path or get on those bikes. It's also a good place to walk the dog.

There is a large pond which is good for a spot of pond dipping. They run bug hunt sessions in the school holidays for a small charge but make sure you book in advance. They also run beginners bird watching, and Art & craft activities, check out the website for details Riverside Country Park Events

The car park is free and a reasonable size although it can get rather full in the school holidays. 

Best For: Everyone
Recommend: Bikes
Time: 2-4 hrs

Boing Festival!

The Boing Festival isn't until the end of the summer but as the tickets for the not free bits are already on sale I thought might as well blog about it now!
This Free Family Festival is on August Bank holiday weekend, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August this year. It takes place in and around the Gulbenkian Theatre on the University of Kent campus in Canterbury. Not only is it FREE to enter, it's FREE to park and there are plenty of FREE shows and activities alongside the ticketed events and workshops. Spend a few hours, all day or both days whatever suits you.

Being all about introducing children and families to drama, music, and dance the line up changes every year but the style is still the same. If going to the theatre is a very rare occurance or you've never considered watching dance theatre or your not sure if your littliest ones will sit still long enough to enjoy it, this is a great opportunity to give it a go. Like most Summer events you'll get more out of it when the weather's reasonable but there's plenty to do regardless.

The free shows are aimed at everyone although some will appeal more to one age group than another. They normally run twice a day both days so you don't have to miss anything and are mostly held outside so you can wonder in and out as you please.

Last year's favourite performance for us was 'Fragile' which consisted of dancers using enormous cubed scaffold frames and 3 large diggers, what child could resist dance, music and construction equipment! The boys loved it!

We also followed the story of the fabulous Lyma Bird and helped to find the missing baby birds, interactive theatre at its best!

There were also some Pirates in Treasure Island and a toddlers disco. In between the shows we ate some bbq (you can take a picnic), had a drink and hung out near the ART31 music stage. There were also free face painters, balloons and art activities.

This year I am particularly looking forward to checking out...'Kapow' "Three of planet Earth’s greatest superheroes are getting ready to battle it out for the title of ‘Most Supreme Superhero… Ever’". Click here for a taster Kapow Trailer.

Also want to give The Silent Disco a go with the stars of Cbeebies 'Spot Bots' Three Half Pints... and 'Ride' especially good for teens! But there's lots more free shows and we might even book up for some of the ticketed shows and workshops this year although we might struggle to fit it all in! For full listing of free and ticketed shows Click Here or follow on Facebook. The family films and workshops are yet to be confirmed.

Best For: Everyone - Toddlers to Teens
Recommend: Picnic Rug; 
Time: 4-6hrs

Swanley Park

We absolutely love Swanley Park! It's definitely a favourite 5 star summer destination for us as we can't wait to get in the splash pool when the suns out! But the biggest plus for my boys is the mini trains, wooo, wooo!

We start our visit by parking in New Barn Road for £2 all day, pay on the door. We usually choose to travel in style to the opposite end of the park and wait at the little platform for the mini train. They do have a carriage you can put Pushchairs in too so you won't miss out. Trains run from April through to end of September at weekends and weekdays in the school holidays. We get a return fare which is £1 kids £1.50 adults or £4 family of 4. Or if just one way is 70p and £1. The kids love it and all the volunteers running it are fab. Mine particularly like watching the trains going on the turntable and waving to the drivers. Follow their facebook page for info. Swanley New Barn Railway

The train deposits you right next to all the action. If it's a hot day the splash pool is where it's at, the pool, grass area and little toddler play ground is surrounded by fencing and gates which helps if u have speedy toddlers. The grass area can get busy if it promises to be a hot day so either get your spot early (10-10:30am) or later in the afternoon when people tend to move on. If you don't fancy sitting on the ground you can hire a nice stripey deck chair! The pool has a flat section of rubbery matting with various points that randomly squirt water, which is great for everyone. Then there is the adjoining paddling pool which is deeper in places than others but shallow, so won't get near your knees. Access is completely free!

The splash pool is directly outside the café which sells everything from tea, cake, burger & chips to ice cream and buckets & spades! Usually along side there is a small bouncy castle and a few ride on mini bikes for a small charge. The toilet block is just to the right of these. They are not great loos and when it's busy  the queues for the ladies can be huge so not good with a desperate child in tow. Recommend you take any opportunity to make the kids go when it's quiet and take a porta potty if anyone's a bit hit and miss!

So you've had plenty of splashing, ate your picnic, played on the littlies play bit and got sand everywhere, now what?!... Pack up your kit and head over to the play park which has equipment for the little and big ones all within a fenced area. It has all the usual slides, climbing frames, swings and climbing wall, plenty to keep them busy. There isn't much shade on a hot day so don't forget your hats! Obviously the surrounding area consists of the 'park' so lots of grass for running around, playing ball games and trees if you need some shade. And there's usually an ice cream van parked up should you not be able to cope without a 99!

Home time? Not quite if you've got a few quid to spare. The pond/mini lake normally has row boats, pedalos and kayaks for hire. There are usually plenty to go around and everyone gets a life jacket or buoyancy aid just in case. We've also done a bit of pond dipping here, there are a few points that make it easy to access the water and you can usually spot a dragonfly or two.  We usually take the train back to the car but it is a pleasent walk if you still have the energy.

Please note this season the park amenities are under new management, they have already added a new mini golf course which we are looking forward to checking out. There are also various events held at the park throughout the year including outdoor cinema, fireworks, inflatables week so check them out on Facebook. Swanley Park 

Best For:Toddlers; Under 12s;
Recommed:Kids Swimwear, Picnic Rug, Porta Potty, Football.
Time:3-6hrs

Lower Leas Cliff Coastal Park

Lower Leas Cliff Coastal Park in Folkestone is definitely in my top 10 'Destination Play Parks'! If you look up from the beach you wouldn't even know it was there hidden between the trees...

There are car parks at either end of the park but we park at the harbour end as there's plenty of spaces and it's relatively cheap. The car park on the left opposite the Leas Lift is £3 for 4-12hrs (In the Winter it's free to park on the road) There are also good public transport links to Folkestone taking you in to the town centre which is a short walk to the seafront and the park.

When you enter the park from the harbour end you walk through well laid out gardens. There are various pathways to wonder around including bridges and great views of the sea. The boys love to run around the different routes or use their scooters or bikes! The main route and some of the other paths are wheelchair accessible. This section of the park is also relatively flat. There are plenty of benches and picnic spots and the kids particularly like sitting on the grass ampi-theatre.

When you reach the 'Fun Zone' the first play area you come to is the sunken pirate ship! Complete with crows nest, ships wheel, communication pipe and rigging! There are benches in the playground but also opposite for the oldies. All the play apparatus in the park is surrounded by sand which is always a hit with the littlies. The good thing about the pirate ship is the toddler and primary age kids can play together and they only disappear from view when venturing inside the broken ship.

Walk up hill to the next little stop where you'll find the Spiders Web and then on from there is the 'big adventure play'. This huge construction incorporates, traditional and tube slides, ladders, stairs, tunnels, bridges and zip wires! And if that all sounds far too tiring there are lots of benches for taking it easy. Obviously aimed at the Over 5s it spans both sides of the path and is a hive of activity so make sure the big ones know where to find you! Just behind the benches to observe all this adventuring is the start of the under 5s section...

...there is a suspended boat and a net hammock again surrounded by sand. If you walk up to the next level there is a little wooden house and various tipping and sieving devices for playing with the sand. There are further sections with the wobbly ride on things and a another construction type bit for shifting sand (with a handy stop your toddler from escaping gate).

By which point I'm usually in serious need of a wee and a cuppa! But luckily this is the top of the park where the public loos are, with baby change/disabled loo too. If you walk down the steep slope between the loos and the park ranger hut you will probably be forced to stop at the sand pit and the sit on diggers. But don't worry just a little further down some steep steps there is the café!  (not very buggy friendly but do - able,  less steps is if you go around and come up from the beach) They do the usual variety of teas and coffees with various cakes and lunches on offer. And of course the obligatory summer ice creams! I usually abandon the buggies, kids and other adults and opt for take outs; But there is a large veranda over looking the beach for eating in protected from the wind by plastic surround or some tables inside.

If that wasn't enough you can then walk down to the stoney beach. There is a nice area directly below the café with some benches up against the sea wall so a good place for a play. Or take a stroll/scoot along the sea front if the kids have any energy left.You can then make your way back through the park or along the front. If you've got time you might want to take the kids on a little trip on the The Leas Lift up the cliff to the town for a small charge. The restored Victorian water balanced Vanicular is open daily from April through the Summer.

Time: 3-6hrs
Best For: Toddlers, Under 5s, Under 12s
Recommend: Picnic, Scooters, Bucket & Spades.

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.

Shorne Wood Country Park

Shorne Wood Country Park is just off the A2 Junction for Cobham/Shorne yet with nearly 300 Acres it feels like your a million miles away. Even the most hardcore child needs a nap in the car on the way home!

We normally start off with a walk, there are a variety of different routes to choose, from the eco visitor centre. We usually combine a few options to suit whoever we have in tow. If you want a short, very accessible walk take the circular Orange Route which takes in the sensory garden, the centre of the park and the dog pond... as the name suggests a pond your dog can swim in! Good for Pushchairs and little legs. There are also 'Tramper' mobility scooters for hire. Country Park Route Map

If you've got school age children (or your a hardcore baby wearer) and enjoy a good stomp the red route is great with a few hidden gems like the fairy ring and a mountain of steps up to the knole but it's worth it for the view! This is also a good place to stop for a drink, snack and a rest! You can still get to see the view if you've got a good alterrain pushchair (and can get heavier toddlers to walk up the steep bits!) by picking your own route with a bit of purple, blue, red and orange.You can also do the Blue Route on bikes, particularly good for teens!

If your kids need more encouragement to walk around the woods, you can buy a themed kids trail activity sheet to complete along the way. There is a permenant Orienteering course, information is available online or buy a map. There are also some geocaching points, if you don't know what it is, check out the website Geocaching.

Walk done or if it's really not your thing, take your picnic and head for the adventure playground. There is plenty of space for picnic blankets and a run around. Then the little ones can head over to the enclosed adventure playground, swings, slides, tunnels etc there are a few benches inside so you can sit and supervise so no one escapes out of either access gate. The big ones aren't left out here either with a large adventure playground up on the slope including slides, scrabble nets and swings. The section at the top is surrounded by trees so you might want to keep an eye on where the not so big kids are!

If you need hot drinks or its too chilly for a picnic the visitor centre has a large café and during spring/summer the outside kiosk makes fresh pizzas and sells ice creams!

The main toilets are at the visitor centre including disabled and baby change facilities. There is also a toilet block nearer to the playground/car park which is open in school holidays and summer weekends.

The Car Park only £2 for all day in the week or £3 at weekends.

Visit the website Shorne Woods for further information on other activities available.

Best For: Everyone
Recommend: Picnic; Wellies when Wet.
Time: 3-6hrs

Whitstable Castle

We all love a trip to the bubble and our favourite stop is Whitstable Castle. There is a great little adventure playground complete with a pirate ship with rigging to climb and a slide for a quick escape! The kids love the roundabout and finding the piles of gold coins. It originally had running water too but I haven't seen this work for a few years now but the kids still play in the channels and enjoy winding the water pump handles. There are benches in the play area and only one gate to get in and out so less escapees.

When the weather is warm we take a picnic and put blankets down on the lawns in front of the castle. We take the scooters too so the kids can have a scoot around the paths although we have to be a bit more wary now since the 7yr olds are more likely to mow down little old ladies. If it's a bit chilly or you can't be bothered with a picnic, the castle has The Orangery Tea Rooms which also does take-out hot drinks which can come in handy. Although if the picnic fairy has failed us we normally take a very short walk to The Beach Cafe in Beach Walk, we love a bucket of chips with our sarnies!

After lunch we head for the beach which is practically opposite the castle. Walk through Tower Hill Tea Gardens and you pop out at the top of the slope/steps down on to the beach. Whitstable is a stoney beach but there are patches of shingle/sand which we use for some art attack stylee drawings. Followed by stone stacking and the more common stone skimming or chucking in the sea. You can take a stroll along the path by the beach towards Tankerton which is a good surface for scooters. In the summer we may just be persuaded to fork out for ice creams before home time, there is normally an ice cream van parked up in Beach Walk or pop back to the tea gardens.

There are various events held at Whitstable Castle throughout the year. During February half-term this year they had the Fairy Scavenger Hunt throughout the grounds and the next event is an Easter Egg Hunt. There is usually a fun day during the summer holidays which includes free activities, entertainment, facepainting etc. As well as the obligatory Christmas Fayre for a bit of gift shopping and Santa's grotto which you can visit for a small charge. Visit the website www.whitstablecastle.co.uk or follow on Facebook for current event information.

You can park at the castle for 3 hours maximum which is free and normally just long enough provided it's only a quick trip to the beach. There is parking just as you drive in the side gate on Tower Hill but there are also more spaces further in if these are full. You can also park on Tower Hill road for free and down towards Tankerton but finding a space can be tricky at popular times. Alternatively there are a few 4 hour pay & display spaces in Beach Walk or the Castle is only a 5 minute walk from the central car park 'The Tank'.

There are public toilets in the castle grounds near the play park as well as facilities in the café and the castle itself. There are also public toilets right by the beach.

Best for: Toddlers; Under 12s;
Recommend: Scooters, Picnic & Rug,
Time: 3hrs or 4-5hrs (with scoot along the beach)

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 

Hello

Hello, as you will probably guess I'm new to blogging. Last year I started a list on the local facebook chat group of free places to go with the kids during the summer holidays in Kent. I probably had about 20 places to start with, it was quite popular and people started to come up with suggestions of their own. By free I was mainly thinking of places without an entrance fee so 'free-ish' as you might have to pay to park or there might be extra activities you can pay to do but ultimately you can have a great time and spend very little. Anyway, I thought why not turn it into a blog and see if it has a wider appeal. I've only found out about some of these places through other parents so you may not know these places exist. I'm also hoping to add information on some free annual events and some rainy day at home activity ideas. Everything I blog is just what I know and my opinion, I don't profess to be tourist information but I hope to give you some places and ideas to try from a parents point of view. I work a part-time job, help to run a family business and look after my boys so it may take me a while to get in the swing of things. Feel free to make some suggestions of places I should visit along the way.