Free & Cheap Things to do with Kids in the School Holidays
What is going on in Kent over the school holidays, that isn't going to cost me a fortune??
July 2018
So, these are the question's I find I'm asking myself every year & the school holidays are fast approaching!!
How on earth do you keep the kids entertained for a whole big fat 6 -7 weeks & how do I do it cheaply?! ...
I have always found it so hard to find things we can do that doesn’t cost a fortune! Although I am lucky, thanks to having friends both side of the Dartford Bridge, I do manage to keep us pretty busy! I try to stay home one day a week though, just so our boy can have a bit of chill time & actually get some use out of the trillions of toys he owns, but even then he seems to somehow sneak the mind numbing YouTube channel on, or start complaining ‘I’m bored!’ … Which drives me barmy, so WE NEED TO GET OUT AGAIN!!!
If you are like me, wants to keep busy, use the school holidays to catch up with friends, let the kids argue, er, I mean play, have a bit of fun with the kids, but also want to keep the cost down, then hopefully this list of cheap ‘what the hell is going on in Kent over the school holidays that isn’t going to cost me a fortune’ guide will help you …
* Friday 17th August, FREE: Summer Fun day with Maidstone’s Children’s centre's at Mote park, Maidstone. Please note, tickets need to be booked! … See here - Facebook
* Wednesday 22nd August, Discovery Day at Canterbury Cathedral. Activities are free, but you may have to pay to enter the Cathedral. Please check this as you may qualify for free entrance… See here - Facebook
* Geocaching FREE, just download the app. A kind of treasure hunt, although the treasure isn’t much to get excited about! The idea is that you take a small token & swap it for something that is already there. You could be looking for a small box, something in disguise and I have even heard of one where you pull down a chair from a tree?! You sign the book / paper and move on to find your next one. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE!!! #geocaching Follow - https://www.geocaching.com/play
* Huntfun, LOW COST … We often do these if we are taking a UK break, or want to get out for an afternoon locally. It is a great way to explore streets, you would normally walk past. You follow the clues and find the answers on buildings, or landmarks. We normally stop half way round for lunch, then at the end, stop for an ice cream & see if we got the answers correct. We normally miss one or two answers, but it is a good two – three hours plus lunch time and you get to see things you wouldn’t normally. Even great on a rainy day! At the moment, you can pick up FREE child tickets on Rowntree’s, please see an earlier post on FB or insta for more info! ... Follow - http://www.huntfun.co.uk/
* Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum, Ramsgate, FREE! … The iconic RAF fighter planes of the Second World War, the Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI and the Hawker Hurricane IIC, housed under one museum roof at the historic Battle of Britain airfield in Manston, Kent ... Follow -
https://www.spitfiremuseum.org.uk/
* Turner Contemporary, FREE, Margate … The Turner Gallery have many lovely works on display, but often have lovely children’s activities for them too, you could have a morning in the gallery, followed by a picnic & afternoon on the sandy beach, then finish off with an ice-cream. Perfect! … If you fancy having some thrills, then don’t forget you have Dreamland too! ... Follow -
https://www.turnercontemporary.org/ Dreamland Margate
* Lower leas Coastal Park, Folkestone FREE! … The fun zone is home to the largest free adventure play area in the south east and the ever popular amphitheatre & you can also make use of their FREE BBQ’s there, just remember to take your own burgers! (& get there early to claim your spot of course) https://www.visitkent.co.uk/lower-leas-coastal-park/
Maidstone Museum, FREE! … There is always something going on for the kids in the holidays here, you just have to pre-book your session, but if you can’t get in, then it is still very worthwhile popping down and checking out their collections … Follow - https://museum.maidstone.gov.uk/whats-on/school-holiday-activities/
* Betteshanger Park, Deal in Kent … “There is an admission charge of £3 per vehicle; Charges apply all day, every day. No ticket is required. You can enter Betteshanger on foot or by bicycle for free” I am guessing some activities you pay for, so please check this out before you go! …
There are no charges to use the cycle tracks, trails or the play area. There are a huge range of activities available at Betteshanger to suit all interests and pursuits. Some of our activities are available every day, such as cycling, whilst others need to booked in advance or only take place on special event days. Activities available include: cycling, geocaching, orienteering, play area & more … Follow - https://www.betteshanger-park.co.uk/things-to-do/
* Huguenot Museum, Rochester in Kent, LOW COST ... Huguenot Museum have lots of activities for the family during the school holidays. You can get involved with things like Kaleidoscope & Wax Seal creating, stained glass workshops & also there are many story time sessions you can enjoy with the children. Activities range from a few pounds each or some activities are FREE & included within the admission price of £10 per family of four. http://huguenotmuseum.org/events/
I hope this helps you, of course, there are sooo many other fun things you can get up to in Kent with the kids over the school holidays & you can also find even more ideas on our events page! - See there!
Whatever you find yourself doing; I wish you all a wonderful, fun, safe & lovely holiday time together!
Happy Holidays x
If you know of more ideas of what to get up to, please comment below and help us get the word out & if you found guide this useful then please feel free to share, by using the social media icons below!