Summer Fun for the Family
This Summer, Kent's attractions have activities for families. Whether it's Summer holiday activities for the
kids or weekend events for the entire family to enjoy, we're sure there'll be something to take your fancy:
15% off at Diggerland
Open daily during school holidays, 10am - 5pm
During the Summer holidays, Diggerland Kent is offering visitors 15% discount on admission. Visitors
must quote the code 20027. Offer expires 9/9/12. Pay on the day only. Not valid with any other offer,
concession or online entry.
Diggerland is the Ultimate Adventure Park experience where children and adults can drive REAL full size
construction machinery. It is the perfect place to bring your kids for an action packed day out. With 18
different rides and drives there is something for everyone. Diggerland Kent based in Strood is open 10am
till 5pm at weekends then everyday for summer from 7th July to 9th September 2012. Come join Duggy,
Dotty and the Diggerland team at the most fun-packed adventure park in the land. For more information
find us on Facebook and Twitter, visit www.diggerland.com or call us 0871 22 77 007
Kids for a Quid
Kent & East Sussex Railway, 4 July and 2 September 2012
‘Kids for a Quid’ offers families the chance to enjoy rides on the Kent & East Sussex Railway for just £1
per child between 4 July and 2 September 2012. To take advantage of the offers families need to visit the
Railway’s website (www.kesr.org.uk) and print off the railway voucher, which allows up to two children to
travel for only £1 each with one full paying adult or senior citizen (£15 and £14 respectively per ticket).
Offer is valid 4 July to 2 September 2012 inclusive, except for ‘A Day Out with Thomas™’ 21 to 23 July
and ‘1960s Weekend’ 4 and 5 August.
Fabulous Falconry
Chartwell, Saturday 7 July, 10am – 3pm
Amazing experience flying a team of Birds of Prey to your gloved hand, followed by a delicious 2 course
lunch. £35. Booking essential - 01732 861164
A place to remember
Emmetts Garden, Sat 14 July to Sun 2 Sept
Come and find Suzanne Hammerton’s photographs of New Zealand as sculptures nested in the garden at
Emmets Garden. Normal admission prices apply - Sponsored by Natterbox
Children’s photographic competition
Emmetts Garden, Sat 14 July to Sun 19 August
Be inspired and enter our photography competition for children by uploading your pictures at
www.shutterbugkids.co.uk. £2.50 per entry
Eco-explorers Activities
Hall Place and Gardens, 15 & 19 July 2012
Join us on the third Sunday of the month at the Hall Place glasshouses for activities that use recycled
materials or explore the environment at Hall Place. Just £2 per person, no need to book, meet at the
glasshouses.
Sunday 15 July: Transform a plastic bottle into a bird feeder. Drop-in anytime between 2pm & 4pm
Sunday 19 August: A walk on the wild side! Meet the inhabitants of our gardens. Meet at 2pm.
A Day Out with Thomas
Kent & East Sussex Railway, 21 - 23 July 2012
Families are invited to come along to The Kent & East Sussex Railway in Tenterden between 21 and 23
July 2012 to meet everyone’s favourite steam engine Thomas the Tank Engine. Thomas will be making
exclusive appearances at Tenterden station with some of his friends including 'Sir Topham Hatt, The Fat
Controller'.
Tickets cost from £13.50 per adult and £10.50 per child and include a 1 hour train ride behind one of the
Railway’s engines, the chance to enjoy “Thomas & Friends” station scenarios as well as a daily fun
packed programme of children’s events with Uncle Myles and Charlie the Clown. Adult £13.50 1st Class
supp £3, Child £10.50 1st Class Supp £2
Maize Maze
Penshurst Place, 21 July to mid September
For the first time, Penshurst Place will have a maize maze attraction for their visitors to enjoy over the
school summer holidays this year. Get lost in a field of maize - hours of eco-fun for the family! This
amazing maize maze entertainment, designed for us by Mazescape, will be open at Penshurst Place
during the school summer holidays from 21 July to mid September (depending on the weather conditions
– contact us in advance of your visit to check opening times).
The maze will be free to visit for full paying garden ticket holders and Penshurst Place season ticket
holders. For voucher and other ticket and card holders there will be a small additional charge of £2 per
adult, £1 per child per visit. For full up-to-date details about the maize maze
www.penshurstplace.com/maizemaze
Pirate Play Days
The Historic Dockyard Chatham, 21 July – 2 September 2012
It is fun ahoy as the ever popular pirate extravaganza returns. Young visitors will be happy for hours in
the undercover Pirates’ Play Place, with fantastic family fun, including soft play, a desert island sand pit
and arts and craft activities! A pirate themed assault course and ‘cannon firing’ sessions mean there truly
is something for children of all ages. Storytelling on board HMS GANNET (1878) with Pirate Pam and her
puppets provides one of the highlights of the day. The friendly crew is looking forward to welcoming
promising pirates aboard!
All Pirate Play Days activities are included in The Historic Dockyard normal admission price with the
exception of cannon firing (subject to availability with a small additional charge) and with all tickets valid
for 12 months, visitors can come back every day!
Children’s photography workshops
Emmetts Garden, Monday 23 & 30 July, Wednesday 25 July & 1 August, 10.30am – 3pm
Led by Suzanne Hammerton these workshops will teach children of all ages how to take great digital
photography. £12 per child - 01732 750367
Become a Farmer for the Day
The Hop Farm Family Park
Get your wellies at the ready as The Hop Farm Family Park, one of Kent’s largest children’s attractions, is
promising six weeks of summer holiday entertainment with Farmer Tom and the Hop Squad. If your
children are animal crazy or love getting stuck in, The Hop Farm is the summer holiday destination for
them. ‘Become a Farmer for the Day’ activities will take place at The Hop Farm Family Park, Paddock
Wood, from 23rd July until 3rd September 2012. Children can really get involved in farm activities with
everything from The Big Dig – Giant Vegetable Patch to grooming the donkeys and ponies in Animal
Village. Each day will be packed with fun and entertaining activities for children of all ages, including:




Farmer Bob’s Barrel Ride – A brand NEW farmyard barrel ride for summer 2012, pulled by a
quad through the Hop Farm fields - The ultimate fun for children with bumps and screams!
A daily Big Red Barn Dance in our brand new entertainment zone – Learn how to swing your
partner by the hand and ‘dosey doe’ with the Hop Squad!
Watch our unique sporting Sheep Race, place your bets and cheer your favourite sheep down the
home straight. Truly hysterical, complete with jockeys!
Daily live Puppet Show – The 3 little P.I.Gs!

Bubble and water fun with animal games!
If that doesn’t wear the little ones out there is a NEW expanded animal farm and Farmer Tom’s 10 step
challenge to take part in.
The Hop Farm is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm. Tickets cost from just £10.35 for
children*. For more information and to book tickets visit www.thehopfarm.co.uk or call 01622 872 068.
Tudor Skittles in the Garden
Knole, Tuesday 24 Jul, 11am – 3pm
Play Tudor skittles in Lord Sackville’s private Garden. Adult £5, child £2.50
Dressing up in the Great Hall
Knole, Thursday 26 July, 9 & 23 August, 12 - 3pm
Bring your whole family (and a camera), dress as Tudors in our centuries-old Great Hall, and take your
portrait standing in our fabulous picture frame. Normal admission prices apply
Peppa Pig & George
The Historic Dockyard, 26th July
Peppa Pig and George will be appearing at intervals throughout the day to meet and greet and provide
plenty of photo opportunities! There will also be Fair rides, the ‘Dockyard Matey’ land train, Kid’s Zorbing,
Bouncy Fun and more! 01634 823826 or www.thedockyard.co.uk/peppapig
Family Day - Ancient Games
Dover Museum, Thursday 26 July 2012, 10am - 4pm
Make a variety of things associated with the Ancient Games. Choose from a variety of things Choose
from mobiles, bookmarks, door hangers, 3D pictures, colouring sheets, quizzes and much more.
Dover Museum Family days are suitable for children and adults of all ages. Entry to the Museum is FREE
on Family days. There is no extra charge for the workshops.
Time Travelling Summer Sunday Afternoons - Back to 1950s (Storytelling and Craft Activities)
Penshurst Place, Sundays from 26th July to Bank Holiday Monday 27 August
Following on from the Jubilee celebrations this year, join us for our vintage style Sundays. Meet Fanny,
Johnnie and Marjorie again, this time for tea and gossip; then Hoopla, bowling for the pig and rekindle the
early days of rock and roll! Interactive storytelling for all the family from Aardvark Productions from 2pm –
4pm. Craft activities from 12 noon – 4pm.
Family Day - Archaeology Festival: Egyptian themed activities and finds day
Dover Museum, Friday 27 July 2012, 10am - 4pm
Try a variety of activities with an Egyptian theme. Choose from bookmarks, door hangers, mobiles, jointed
figures, write your name in hieroglyphics, colouring sheets, quizzes and much more
Also bring along your favourite archaeological find to be identified and recorded by the Finds Liaison
Officer for Kent, Jennifer Jackson. Also a ‘Hands on History Event’ organised by the White Cliffs Metal
Detecting Club: 


Meet members of the metal detecting club and find out about local metal detecting.
Look at items from their collection, which spans thousands of years.
Have a go at using a metal detector to find hidden treasure.
Dover Museum Family days are suitable for children and adults of all ages. Entry to the Museum is FREE
on Family days. There is no extra charge for the workshops.
Medieval Siege
Dover Castle, Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 July
Experience the atmosphere and drama of a medieval castle under attack. The Siege of 1216 was one of
the bloodiest that Dover Castle had ever seen. Witness the opposing forces prepare for battle, with
armour displays, fletchers and blacksmiths crafting their weaponry and an awe inspiring trebuchet in
action. Experience the fear and anticipation of battle with the rallying cry of generals as they prepare their
soldiers for the impending bloodshed. Non Members: £16.50, Child, 5-15 years: £9.90, Family: £42.90
Family Archaeology Day
Hall Place and Gardens, Sunday 29 July, 11am – 3pm
The Miller’s Tale - The banks of the River Cray were once home to a flour mill. Come to the gardens and
explore how archaeology reveals the secrets of the past, activities include the popular sandpit and live
digs with Bexley Archaeology Group. FREE.
Animal Magic
Hall Place and Gardens, 30, 31 July & 1, 2, 3 August
Meet owls, meercats, porcupine, parrots, skunk, bearded dragons, snakes, rabbits, guinea pigs and much
more! 10am, 11.30am, 2pm & 3.30pm, £6 children, £3 adults. All tickets in advance.
Family Volunteering Day
Emmetts Garden, Tuesday 31 July & Thursday 30 August, 11am – 3pm
Get stuck in and help the garden team re-discover lost areas of the garden. Normal admission prices
apply - 01732 750367
Gruesome Quest
Dover Castle, Wednesday 1 - Tuesday 7 August 2012
Follow the gruesome clues around the castle. Find them all and receive your prize. Non Members:
£16.50, Child, 5-15 years: £9.90, Family: £42.90
50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾
Quebec House, Thursday 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 August and Frdayi 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 August, 1.30-4pm
Join us in the garden for one of the essential activities that every child should enjoy before they are 11 ¾.
Normal admission prices apply
Wet & Wild Week
Hall Place and Gardens, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 August
An action-packed safari in the gardens. Catch and view the many small but deadly beasties that live here
on land and in water. All equipment supplied. 10am & 2pm, £4 per child, adults free. All tickets in
advance.
Children’s theatre workshop
Emmetts Garden, Tue 7 August, 4.30pm – 5.15pm
Let your children take part in a theatre workshop led by Cambridge Touring Theatre. Call 01732 750367
for further details
Kind Arthur and the Sword in the Stone
Emmetts Garden, Tue 7 August, 6pm – 8pm
Bring a picnic and enjoy the Cambridge Touring Theatre’s adaptation of King Arthur and the Sword in the
Stone. Call 01732 750367 for further details. £13 adult/ £9 child/ £40 family
Medieval Quest
Dover Castle, Wednesday 8 - Tuesday 14 August 2012
Our mini knights and squires seem to have lost themselves around the grounds. Can you help us find
them to earn your reward. Non Members: £16.50, Child, 5-15 years: £9.90, Family: £42.90
Fairy School
Hall Place and Gardens, 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 August
Calling all trainee fairies! An enchanting school where pupils enjoy storytelling, fairy cake decorating,
dancing, crafts and other magical skills. Perfect for 3 to 9 year olds. 10am & 2pm (2 hours per session),
£8 per child, adults free. All tickets in advance.
Spy Quest
Dover Castle, Wednesday 15 - Tuesday 21 August 2012
Follow the clues around the castle and try to crack codes and ciphers to win your secret prize. Non
Members: £16.50, Child, 5-15 years: £9.90, Family: £42.90
Archaeology Quest
Dover Castle, Wednesday 22 - Tuesday 28 August 2012
Dig into the past and follow the trail of relics. Complete the quest and claim your prize. Non Members:
£16.50, Child, 5-15 years: £9.90, Family: £42.90
Children’s photographic competition winners’ exhibition
Emmetts Garden, Open Saturday to Wednesday, 25 August - 2 September
Visit our exhibition showing the winners of out children’s photographic competition. Normal admission
prices apply
Roman Festival
Dover Castle, Saturday 25 - Monday 27 August 2012
Step back in time to the Roman invasion of Britain. Witness combat and drill, Roman cavalry, see an
authentic Roman racing chariot in action, and children can experience life as a Roman soldier! Non
Members: £16.50, Child, 5-15 years: £9.90, Family: £42.90
Family Day - Photo Frame
Dover Museum, Tuesday 28 August 2012, 10am - 4pm
Make and decorate a photo frame. Choose from a variety of designs or design your own.
Dover Museum Family days are suitable for children and adults of all ages. Entry to the Museum is FREE
on Family days. There is no extra charge for the workshops.
Family Day - Historical Games
Dover Museum, Wednesday 29 August 2012, 10am - 4pm
Come along and try a wide variety of historical games. Choose from a wide selection of games played by
the Romans, Vikings, Tudors, Victorians and Edwardians.
Dover Museum Family days are suitable for children and adults of all ages. Entry to the Museum is FREE
on Family days. There is no extra charge for the workshops.
Family Day - Bronze Age Activities
Dover Museum, Saturday 29 September 2012, 10am - 4pm
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the discovery of the Dover Bronze Age Boat, Come along and try a
variety of Bronze Age themed activities. Try Bronze Age style spinning and weaving, have a go at
making copper wire jewellery, have at look at different styles of rock carving and inscribe your own
designs into clay. Handle a collection of real and replica copper and Bronze objects and see how a
Bronze sword was made, Colouring sheets, wordsearches etc,
Dover Museum Family days are suitable for children and adults of all ages. Entry to the Museum is FREE
on Family days. There is no extra charge for the workshops.