Family Activities in Kent for 2019
Have you just had a baby? Have you just moved into the area? Has your little one outgrown your activity class and looking for a new one? Are you looking for new things to do in Kent with the family? … Then maybe this New Year Special Feature can help you!
Listed below are some really lovely ideas for activities & services in Kent, suitable for you and your child, that either of you can join, meet up with friends for a day out, or perhaps use it as an excuse to just get down and dirty with the kids.
If you are like me, then the new year always starts with new ambitions, so if you are trying to think of new play dates, or activities with, or for the kids these should be of some help …
Lingotot Maidstone.
If you are looking for Spanish, or French lessons for the kids, then Sara from Lingotot is well worth having a chat with. She offers many classes around Maidstone, Walderslade & Ashford and works with children aged between birth - 11 years old in school & private settings. For more info & contact details, please see here.
Forte School of Music - Weald of Kent.
If your child loves music and they would love to learn how to play an instrument, then Forte School of Music in Marden can help! These wonderful lessons are suitable for children aged between 6 months - 11 years old and they can learn to play the Piano, Guitar, Drum, or even have Singing lessons.
If this could be something your child is interested in, then on the 12th & 13th January 2019, Forte School of Music are holding an open weekend at their school in Marden, Kent and welcome you to get in touch to reserve your child’s space, so please feel free to contact Peter Simpson for more information …
Forte School of Music Weald of Kent, Hopsack House, Pattenden Lane, Marden, TN12 9QJ. Tel: 01622 910010 Email: wok@fortemusic.co.uk
Website: www.fortemusic.co.uk/wok
Hotshotz Tennis.
Is your child sporty? Have you thought about Tennis lessons? Hotshotz Tennis offer fabulous Tennis coaching throughout the year, but also run camps during the school holidays in Maidstone, Staplehurst & Horsmonden.
Hotshotz Tennis offer many ways of teaching the kids from one to one coaching to group lessons & are suitable for children from aged 4 to 18 years old. For more information, please see here.
Soar Trampoline Park, Gillingham.
“So Much More At Soar “ … This could not be any more true!! If you or the kids are feeling energetic, then Soar Trampoline Park is definitely where you need to head for. There are so many bouncy activities you can all get involved in like their wall to wall trampoline arena, foam diving pits, dodge-ball courts, slam dunk, fidget ladder, dual pit & even the Wipe Out zone!
You have ‘Mini SOARers’ for children aged 2 - 4 years old, ‘Soar Families’ for you all to jump together, Tutor led sessions to help improve trampolining skills and learn stunts, they welcome schools & groups and also adults and children with special needs have an allocated weekly session available to be booked. So there really is … “So Much More At Soar!”
Prices range from £5 - £10, depending on what you fancy getting up to, special Trampolining socks MUST be warn at all times & are available for £2 per pair, Parties start from £16.50 (min of 10).
Soar Trampoline Park, Gillingham, Units 5 and 6, Medway Distribution Centre, Courteney Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 0RT. Tel: 01634 790863. Email: info@soartrampolinepark.co.uk Website: www.soartrampolinepark.co.uk Facebook
Rare Breeds Centre, Ashford.
The Rare Breeds Centre in Ashford is a wonderful day out for all the family. You can get up to all kinds of fun like play on the adventure trail with wooden bridges and tyre swings, go on trailor rides, have birds of prey experiences, get hands on with some of the smaller animals, go to the childrens barn, creepy crawly world or even go pig racing!
Price options vary, but start at £8 each for a day entry (at time of print).
Rare Breeds Centre, Highlands Farm, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent, TN26 3RJ. Tel: 01233 861 493. Email: info@rarebreeds.org.uk Website: www.rarebreeds.org.uk
The Talentz - Musical Theatre Company, Tunbridge Wells & Sevenoaks.
The Talentz is an award-winning musical theatre company for 4 to 21 year olds offering exceptional training in the performing arts.
They deliver weekly classes in acting, singing and dance in addition to workshops, holiday courses, masterclasses with current West End performers, full-scale musical productions and also an agency for children and young performers.
2019-2020 is The Talentz 10th anniversary. They are kicking off their celebrations on 18th - 20th April, with Little Shop Of Horrors production at the E M Forster Theatre in Tonbridge. Free trials are available at Tunbridge Wells classes on 8th Jan 2019 and at their Sevenoaks classes on 9th Jan 2019.
Please contact Debbie at The Talentz for more information on how your child can get involved. Email: debbie@thetalentz.com Tel: 07899998249. Facebook page. Website.
Tots Play Dartford & BexleyHeath.
Tots Play is run by the lovely Nicola, who offers a toddler group with a big difference! Every week the activities are changed, so it is perfect if you would like to experience a little something different each session.
The sessions are incredibly varied and offer activities like Baby Massage, Baby Yoga, Calming Techniques, Baby Sign Language, Tummy Time Play, Sensory Play, Songs and rhymes and so much more, so if you are looking to learn new skills and enjoy your social time with your baby this could be perfect for you.
For more information and Tots Play’s contact details, please see here.
Georgia’s Explorers - Early Years Education.
Georgia’s Explorers offers Early years Childcare, but with a big difference! They go out most days to enriching environments and the childminders are Early Years Professionals that work at smaller thank normal ratios of 1 adult per 3 children.
Georgia’s Explorers have been graded as OUTSTANDING from Ofsted and offer the Early Years Education by following the EYFS learning journey. They ensure little ones reach their goals and age appropriate stages.
Georgia’s Explorers work with Government funding, they also offer breakfast club, after school activities, full time, part time, ad hoc and emergency care, and also accept Childcare vouchers.
For more information, please contact Gerogia: Georgia's Explorers, 69 Wallis Ave, Maidstone, ME15 9HS. Tel: 07411758732. Or you can check them out on Facebook.
CYCLEme TOTS.
CYCLEme TOTS give young children the opportunity to ride and gain confidence in a fun and structured way. They use their activity program to provide a safe environment for skill development whilst also teaching the importance of cycling and road safety with a variety of classes suitable for children of all abilities age 2-7 years.
From first steps on a balance bike through to pedalling independently, CYCLEme Tots have a class for all Early Years children! Their ‘Tiny Tots’ classes provide an exciting and engaging environment for children to build confidence on a balance bike through imaginary play from age 2 years. As the syllabus progresses, their ‘Taller Tots’ continue to develop their balance skills in preparation for pedals and once ready they offer a smooth, effective and stress-free transition to pedalling independently.
January class locations include: Maidstone, Kings Hill, Sevenoaks, Detling Village, Tonbridge, Gravesend, Meopham & East Malling, and for more information, please see here.
The Orchard Theatre.
If you are looking for shows and theatre suitable for your family and you are near Dartford, then Things for kids in Kent cannot recommend The Orchard Theatre highly enough.
Family shows that The Orchard Theatre offer range from CBeebies type shows on tour, like Mister Maker, Ben & Holly, In The Night Garden, they offer family days, Christmas Family Raves, Annual Pantomimes, Julia Donaldson tours like Stick Man, Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo and for the older children shows like The Worst Witch, musicals such as Mama Mia, Hairspray and so, so much more, but it doesn’t end there! The Orchard Theatre also offers activities such as Drama Classes, Summer Youth Projects and Young Writers Club. So if your child is into theatre, then this is a place you do not want to miss!
The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1ED. Box Office Tel No: 01322 220000. Email: ticketoffice@orchardtheatre.co.uk
For more information about what The Orchard Theatre offers families you can see here, or you can visit their Website.
Diggerland Kent.
We discovered Diggerland, in Strood a couple of years ago and we are now huge fans!
Based on my child, I would say that it is perfect for children from age 3 1/2 upwards. There are many diggers the kids can operate & also rides for you both, there’s an indoor soft play area, a restaurant & is great fun for a very long afternoon out. Unfortunately, Diggerland is closed for the winter, but will re-open on Sat 16th Feb 2019 - Hooray!
Footy For Tots.
Footy For Tots offers wonderful football lessons for children aged from 18 months old to 5 Years old (Pre-school aged children), who provide a fun and safe environment for children to begin their love for football while developing key movement and social skills along the way.
There are three main aged group sessions and Footy For Tots aim to challenge all Tots appropriately so they get the best possible experience while attending their session.
Footy For Tots Football Classes are available in the following areas: Barming, Bearsted, Coxheath, Detling, East Farleigh & Sittingbourne and you can find out more information, including their contact details here.
Penshurst Place & Gardens.
Penshurst Place & Gardens has to be one of our new favourite places to go for the day. Throughout the school holidays Penshurst Place have many themed activities for the children, along with an amazing adventure play park, woodland walks & the toy museum. The entrance price is for the gardens and grounds, but you can upgrade to include a visit to the house too. Prices range from just £10 per adult & from £6.00 per child, under 5’s go free. Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8DG. Tel: 01892 870307. Email: contactus@penshurstplace.com Website: www.penshurstplace.com
Mucky Munchkins Gravesend.
Are you looking for a new toddler group in Gravesend? Mucky Munchkins is fantastic!!
Mucky Munchkins, Gravesend offer a fabulous arts, crafts and ‘messy play’ group, with a different weekly theme.
Suitable for children around 9 months to 5 years old. But remember … wear old clothes, because you are not going home clean!
For more information, please see Mucky Munchkins, Gravesend Facebook page.
Legend Sports, Thong Lane, Gravesend, Kent. Tel: 07903 234572
Hopefully this has brought you some new ideas about what you can get up to in Kent over the coming months, we would love to hear about any places you would recommend, so feel free to leave any comments you have below.
P.s. Happy New Year!!!