It’s almost time to start making plans for the February half-term, but there’s no need to stress as Kent is packed with family-friendly activities to keep your kids busy.
From interactive museum trails and wildlife encounters to castle adventures and hands-on workshops, there’s something for everyone. Here’s our top picks…
There’s a new trail coming to The Beaney for the February half-term
THE BEANEY, Canterbury
Canterbury’s free museum, The Beaney, is throwing a plant-themed trail as part of its latest interactive adventure this February half-term. The new staff member, Herb McLeaf, has been secretly sowing seeds and turning the museum into a jungle, and visitors will need to solve puzzles and collect stamps to help de-tangle the collections. There are also plenty of fascinating displays and exhibitions to see while you’re inside.
Details: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, April 19 at the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury. Trail costs £6, no need to book.
Soar through the skies on the UK’s longest zipline. Picture: Hangloose Adventure Bluewater
HANGLOOSE ADVENTURE BLUEWATER, near Dartford
If you’ve got a thrill-seeker in the family, you can visit Bluewater’s aerial adventure, Hangloose, for an adrenaline-pumping day out. The attraction boasts the UK’s longest and fastest zipline and Europe’s largest swing, along with free-fall jumps and high ropes. There’s also 15% off all activities for the February half-term, so there’s no better time to take the leap.
Details: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22 at Hangloose Adventure Bluewater in Greenhithe, near Dartford. Book online here.
HISTORIC DOCKYARD, Chatham
It’s all hands on deck at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, where visitors are invited to experience a day in the life of a dockyard worker. The interactive experience will see children have a go at traditional maritime skills, earning a stamp for every new skill that they’ve managed to master. Those who collect enough stamps will receive a special pin to take home.
Details: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22 at the Historic Dockyard Chatham. Book online here.
The new infant gorilla has been spotted with its mother at Howletts Wild Animal Park. Picture: Howletts/@photography_by_dmc
HOWLETTS WILD ANIMAL PARK, near Canterbury
Pay a visit to Howletts’ latest addition, an adorable baby western lowland gorilla, this half-term. During the school holidays, kids can enter the park for free and say hello to the new arrival, born just before Christmas, as well as more than 390 rare and endangered animals across the 100-acre park. Child tickets usually cost £20, so it’s worth nabbing this limited-time offer while you can.
Details: Friday, February 13 to Sunday, February 22 at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Bekesbourne, near Canterbury. Book online here.
IGHTHAM MOTE, near Sevenoaks
To celebrate the release of the new Disney and Pixar film, Hoppers, this National Trust property is launching its own storytelling trail. The family-friendly Hop Into the Wild trail includes a discovery passport, cutout characters from the film, and an adventure into the animal kingdom. Hoppers, starring Piper Curda and Bobby Moynihan, is in cinemas from Friday, March 6.
Details: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, March 8 at Ightham Mote in Ivy Hatch, near Sevenoaks. Book online here.
Kids can travel through the countryside for free from the Tenterden station. Picture: K&ESR
KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY, Tenterden
Passengers can step aboard an authentic steam or diesel train and travel from Tenterden to Bodiam, spotting signs of spring along the way – and the best part is, kids can travel completely free. There will be bird-themed activities on the train, and Sussex Wildlife Trust volunteers will help point out the wildlife from your window.
Details: Select dates from Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22 at the Kent and East Sussex Railway in Tenterden. Book online here.
KENT LIFE, Maidstone
Explore the farm, meet the animals and enjoy live entertainment with a trip to Kent Life. There will be puppet and magic shows and a fun disco with pop anthems for all ages, as well as the usual farmyard friends, including pigs, sheep, donkeys, goats and alpacas. There’s also the birds of prey show, a vintage village and wood-fired pizza.
Details: Saturday, February 14 to Saturday, February 21 at Kent Life in Maidstone. Book online here.
Learn about royal life in the Middle Ages at Leeds Castle. Picture: Leeds Castle
LEEDS CASTLE, near Maidstone
Step back in time at Leeds Castle and experience a Medieval court with costumed characters and interactive activities. Meet Lord Hugo and Lady Mary, who will help you learn the ways of royal life, with lessons on manners, dining, and traditional dances, and say hello to the passing knights and villagers. There’s also a photo opportunity at the end.
Details: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22 at Leeds Castle, near Maidstone. Book online here.
The ticket includes a biscuit, decorations and a gift box. Picture: Macknade
MACKNADE, Faversham
The award-winning Eat and Mess Bakery, based in Deal, will be hosting a Valentine-themed biscuit-making workshop at Macknade. Children aged three to 12 can help create their own heart-shaped biscuits and choose their own decorations, all with the help of expert bakers.
Details: Monday, February 16 at Macknade in Faversham. Tickets cost £3.50, no need to book.
PENSHURST PLACE, near Tonbridge
There’s a range of family activities coming to Penshurst Place as it reopens for the spring season. There’s a new children’s trail in the garden, which invites young visitors to help find Percy Porcupine’s lost party food hidden around the gardens. You can also explore the historic estate as spring flowers start to bloom and pop inside the fascinating Toy Museum.
Details: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22 at Penshurst Place, near Tonbridge. Book online here.
Explore the 600-acre reserve from a safari truck with £10 kids’ tickets. Picture: Port Lympne
PORT LYMPNE HOTEL AND RESERVE, Hythe
Kent’s biggest wildlife park is giving families the chance to visit for less this February half-term with kids’ tickets for just £10. The ticket includes access to the 600-acre reserve, home to more than 900 animals, and a safari truck journey to see zebra, giraffe, deer, and more roaming the Kentish savannah. There’s only 150 discounted tickets available for each day, so you’ll have to be quick.
Details: Friday, February 13 to Sunday, February 22 at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve in Hythe. Book online here.
RAF MANSTON HISTORY MUSEUM, near Ramsgate
There’s a week-long Lego exhibition coming to this wartime museum. There will be incredible Lego builds and collections for enthusiasts to explore, as well as a treasure hunt to find the Lego figures dotted around the museum. While you’re there, you can admire the display of aircraft and airfield artefacts dating back to WWI.
Details: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22 at the RAF Manston History Museum, near Ramsgate. Book online here.
Kent’s Rare Breeds Centre is home to more than 400 animals. Picture: Rare Breeds Centre
RARE BREEDS CENTRE, near Ashford
Celebrate the arrival of spring with Scarecrow Week, a programme of farm-themed activities to kick off the season. There will be a Scarecrow-themed trail, animal encounters, daily live performances and craft sessions and, if you’re lucky, you might even get to meet one of the newborn lambs. Visitors can also enjoy the farm’s usual attractions, such as the soft play area and tractor rides.
Details: Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20 at the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch, near Ashford. Book online here.
SCOTNEY CASTLE, Tunbridge Wells
Join Professor Paradox on a time-travelling adventure and help her find her power crystals, which have been scattered throughout history. You’ll be immersed in bygone eras, including the Romans, the Victorians and the Roaring ‘20s, as you try to solve the puzzles and piece the crystals back together.
Details: Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, February 22 at Scotney Castle in Tunbridge Wells. Included in admission ticket, no need to book.
