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February half term activities across Kent 2016

Looking for what to get up to over February half term? From workshops to winter activities and crafts - we've rounded up some of the highlights for you.

BEANEY MUSEUM, CANTERBURY

The fun at the Beaney museum in Canterbury is out of this world this half term. Two exhibitions are currently running: May the Toys Be With You, featuring Star Wars memorabilia, whch runs until Sunday, March 6, and an exhibition on The Clangers and the work of Canterbury-based Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate continues until Sunday, April 3. There are also craft workshops for youngsters, including on Saturday, February 20 between 1 and 3pm you can make badges or finger puppets for £2.50 per child. For details visit www.canterbury.co.uk/Beaney

Star Wars concept artwork by Tom Beauvais on show at the Beaney in Canterbury
Star Wars concept artwork by Tom Beauvais on show at the Beaney in Canterbury

BETTESHANGER COUNTRY PARK, NEAR DEAL

There are a range of events until Sunday, February 21. Get twitchy on Saturday, February 13 and see birds including Kayla the Bald Eagle soar overhead and Basil and Sybil the Harris Hawks, between 11am and 3pm, with birds of prey displays at noon and 1.30pm. There will be craft workshops daily for three to 12-year-olds for £3 and a scavenger hunt daily, following a trail around the park for a prize. The hunt costs £1.50 each. Get muddy on two wheels with half price cycle hire from £2.50 an hour or join cycling lessons for youngsters on Wednesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 18 at £30 a day. Pre-booking is essential. Fascinating fossils are the subject of a workshop by Geoconservation Kent on Saturday, February 20, costing £2 per person. For all events visit www.betteshangercountrypark.co.uk or call 07824 569181.

Get out and explore at half term. Picture: Jason Ingram (National Trust)
Get out and explore at half term. Picture: Jason Ingram (National Trust)

BROGDALE

Hunt for bugs in the orchards near Faversham at a Beastie Day on Monday, February 15 between 10am and 3pm. There'll be a live bug roadshow and the chance to build you own bug to take home with you. For details go to www.brogdalecollections.org

DIGGERLAND

The centre in Strood which offers a host of fun activities for youngsters including a kids club, rides and a search for buried treasure, is open from 10am to 4pm every day from Saturday, February 13 to Sunday, February 21. For details visit www.diggerland.com or call 0871 2277007.

DOVER MUSEUM

Mosaics and puzzles will be part of a Roman themed family day at the museum from 10.30am to 3pm on Wednesday, February 17. For details of the free event call 01304 201066 or meet at the museum in the Market Square.

DREAMLAND, MARGATE

Rollerskate your way through half term with a touch of nostalgia. The Roller Room is open at the Thanet pleasure park throughout half term until Monday, February 22. While you’re there, check out the dodgems, merry-go-round and helter-skelter. The new Dreamland Diner has also just opened. For admission prices and opening times, visit www.dreamland.co.uk

The Roller Room at Dreamland in Margate
The Roller Room at Dreamland in Margate

FAVERSHAM

The Up the Creek Pantomime Society in Faversham is revving up for its 2016 performance of Aladdin. With a cast aged between eight and 86, the show will be staged at the West Faversham Community Centre in Bysing Wood Road on Thursday, February 18, and Friday, February 19, at 7.45pm and on Saturday, February 20, at 11am and then again at 3pm. Tickets are £6, or £4 for under- 16s and over-65s, and available from the community centre reception or Barley Mow shop in Court Street, or alternatively call 01795 531645.

FOLKESTONE WARREN

Help care for the countryside by improving steps and footpaths with leader Jan MacNicol on Thursday, February 18 at 10am. For details call 07880 706993.

GO APE

Beat boredom with a treetop adventure at Go Ape's sites at Leeds Castle and Bedgebury Pinetum near Goudhurst. Children as young as six can enjoy the junior course while older children can choose from a forest segway experience, a tree top adventure and a zip trekking adventure. For details, costs and opening times go to www.goape.co.uk

High and mighty at Go Ape
High and mighty at Go Ape

GULBENKIAN, CANTERBURY

Three to five-year-olds will be able to immerse themselves in a puppet show complete with a hot air balloon in Land of Lights from Wednesday, February 10 to Saturday, February 13. There's more puppetry and live music in Les Saisons (The Seasons) for children aged five and up from Friday, February 19 to Sunday, February 21. For details, times and prices visit www.thegulbenkian.co.uk or call 01227 769075.

HEMPSTEAD VALLEY, GILLINGHAM

Free events run from Monday, February 15 to Sunday, February 21 between 11am and 4pm daily, including Chinese New Year treasure hunts on the Monday and Tuesday; stilt walking, balloon modelling and juggling on Wednesday to Friday, and a magician on Saturday, February 20, rounding off with balloon modelling on Sunday, February 21. Activities will be in the area next to Pandora and Thomson at regular intervals. No pre-booking needed but children must be supervised. Visit www.hempsteadvalley.com for details.

HEVER CASTLE

Learn about birds by building a bird box throughout half term from Saturday, February 13 to Sunday, February 21 with the castle's week Living With Birds, which supports National Nest Box Week. The workshop is £6. Children can also join a free bird themed craft workshop and find out about the many species in the grounds on a trail. Youngsters can also buy food to give the birds and ducks for 50p. There is also a snowdrop trail throughout the grounds, if the weather is suitable. For details visit hevercastle.co.uk or call 01732 865224.

Up the Creek pantomime of Aladdin in Faversham
Up the Creek pantomime of Aladdin in Faversham

HISTORIC DOCKYARD, CHATHAM

Every day from Saturday, February 13 to Wednesday, February 17 and at weekends Doc. Yard's Secret Lab will be open for budding Einsteins to try super-cool experiments between 10.30am and 3pm. Bunsen will be showing young Techsplorers some of the experiments, with a lab coat and glasses provided. For details of this and other events at the yard visit www.thedockyard.co.uk

HOWLETTS

The award-winning wild animal park will have free activities and animal talks every day throughout half term from Saturday, February 13 to Sunday, February 21. Its first ever kids club will see young adventurers can enjoy tiger themed activities including a tiger trail to win prizes and the chance to create their own animal art. Weather permitting visitors can try their hand at the Treetop Challenge and there is an animal adventure challenge for younger visitors. For details go to www.aspinallfoundation.org

IGHTHAM MOTE

Get hold of a winter activity pack with games and crafts between 11am and 3pm daily from Saturday, February 13 to Sunday, February 21. Normal admission charges apply and there is a small cost for some activities. For details go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk

KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY

Get a glimpse behind the scenes this half term with hour-long tours at Rolvenden station. Get on at Rolvenden; spend an hour learning about the steam service and arrive back at Tenterden Station. The tours include looking around the engineering workshop and the loco yard where you can hear about the history of each locomotive. Tours are held from Tuesday, February 16 to Thursday, February 18. There are five departures each day from 11.00am and fares are £10 for adults and £5 for a child. Visit www.kesr.org.uk or call 01580 765155.

Behind the scenes at Kent and East Sussex Railway
Behind the scenes at Kent and East Sussex Railway

Thomas the Tank Engine will be chugging in to pull the trains between Tenterden and Rolvenden stations on Saturday, February 13; Sunday, February 14 and Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21. Meet Sir Topham Hatt’s comedy couple, Rusty and Dusty, and enjoy balloon modelling and magic shows; meet Charlie the Clown, and a bounce on the bouncy castle and soft play area. Each child will get a goody bag and certificate. Tickets are £51.50 for a family ticket for two adults and two children. Visit www.dayoutwiththomas.co.uk

or call 01580 765155.

KENT LIFE, MAIDSTONE

The recently reopened farming attraction will have newborn lambs for visitors to meet as well as the usual activities, including painting a pot and meeting the smaller residents in Cuddle Corner. For details visit www.kentlife.org.uk or call 07519 102272.

KENT WILDLIFE TRUST, NEAR MAIDSTONE

Turn old egg boxes and plastic bottles into insects, birds or animals at a craft workshop with the wildlife trust. The one-hour sessions for children (and adults) will be held from 11am to 3pm on Thursday, February 18 at the Tyland Barn visitor centre in Sandling, near Maidstone. Suitable for over fives, they cost £5 per person.

You could make a bird from recycled materials at Kent Wildlife Trust
You could make a bird from recycled materials at Kent Wildlife Trust

Be inspired by the birds at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve at a print workshop for youngsters aged seven and over. The one-hour workshops run from 10am to 1pm on Wednesday, February 17 and cost £6.50 per person.
All children need to be accompanied by an adult. For details visit kentwildlifetrust.org.uk or call 01622 6620.

Click here for half term family films

KNOLE, NEAR SEVENOAKS

Join a guided walk to see the deer that make the park their home, while learning about the parkland and hear about its past secrets at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Monday, February 15. Free to enter, car parking £4. For details go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk

LEEDS CASTLE

Have a sweet time at the castle between Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 21 with Charlie’s Chocolate Adventure. Solve riddles which will lead youngsters to giant chocolate bars with a golden ticket hidden inside at locations around the site to win prizes. To book, or for more information visit www.leeds-castle.com

MAIDSTONE MUSEUM

A week of fun-filled activities to keep children entertained during half-term will take place at Maidstone museum in Faith Street. The daily sessions until Friday, February 19 can be booked on the day and cost £3 per child. Sessions include T-shirt designing and making a wind chime. Entry to the museum is free. Call 01622 602838 or visit www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk

MARGATE WINTER GARDENS

Children's favourite Simple Simon will be helping Bella the Elephant escape the evil clutches of a ruthless pirate queen at the theatre on Thursday, February 18 at 2.30pm. The show is suitable for three to 11-year-olds. Tickets £7.50 call 01843 292795 or visit www.margatewintergardens.co.uk

Children's favourite Simple Simon
Children's favourite Simple Simon

MARLOWE STUDIO, CANTERBURY

Morgan and West's Magic Show will entertain kids with time-travelling magicians on Wednesday, February 17 and the Tap Dancing Mermaid on Friday, February 19 is a puppet show with music, a moon and a girl called Marina. For details and to book go to www.marlowetheatre.com

PENSHURST PLACE & GARDEN

Go on a beast hunt with the Best of British Bugs, Beetles and Beasts roadshow on Saturday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14. Learn about the life and habitats of native beetles and insects between 11am and 4pm both days. Join a bug trail daily from Saturday, February 13 to Sunday, February 21 between 10.30am and dusk. For details visit www.penshurstplace.com

PORT LYMPNE RESERVE

Starting on Saturday, February 13, Port Lympne will begin its 40th birthday celebrations with a competition for visitors where they need to answer 40 questions to win 40 super prizes. There will also be free and fact-packed animal talks and feeds, running from Saturday, February 13 to Sunday, February 21, plus craft sessions. Visitors can also go on a tour of the historic Edwardian mansion and learn about its rich history. On Sunday, February 14, fall in love with Valentino, the reserve’s male Rothschild giraffe, and learn about the African Experience and help keepers celebrate his birthday. For details visit www.aspinallfoundation.org

SAMPHIRE HOE, NEAR DOVER

Join the Green Gang and be a wildlife detective at 2pm on Saturday, February 13. Meet at the far end of Holywell Avenue, bring a donation of £2 and sturdy footwear. For details call 01304 241806. On Sunday, February 14 learn about cave art and the Mega flood that cut off Britain. Places must be booked and a suggested donation of £ is appreciated. Call 01304 225649 for details. On Monday, February 15 at 2pm there is a family bird feeding event and on Tuesday, February 16 at 12.30pm learn some den building and survival skills with the Green Gang. Booking is essential, call 01304 241806 for details. On Friday, February 19 between 10am and 1pm enjoy a half day of conservation with path clearing and clearing vegetation and on Saturday, February 20 at 10.30am build a bird box and pine cone feeder. Places must be booked and a £5 donation is requested for materials. Call 01304 241806 for details. On Sunday, February 21 at 10am take part in scrub clearing. For details of all events also visit www.samphirehoe.com

Samphire Hoe
Samphire Hoe
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