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Dinosaur-themed days out in Kent, including live shows, dino trails and museum displays

We can hardly believe it’s been 30 years since Steven Spielberg’s epic blockbuster, Jurassic Park, first stomped on our screens and wreaked havoc across Isla Nublar

The record-breaking film has been a family favourite since its release in 1993 and has spawned several sequels.

Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park turns 30 years old in 2023
Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park turns 30 years old in 2023

The latest film in the franchise, Jurassic World: Dominion, arrived in cinemas last year and saw original cast members Laura Dern and Sam Neill return for the first time since the 1990s.

To celebrate the anniversary of a film that was 65 million years in the making, the Natural History Museum in London has opened a pop-up replica of the Jurassic Park shop with official merchandise, limited edition products and photo opportunities.

The London shop is open until September; however, if you don’t fancy travelling into the city, there are plenty of ways you can indulge your love for all things dino right here in Kent.

Whether you have a budding palaeontologist in your family or simply want to relive your own childhood, there are lots of dinosaur-themed activities to enjoy across the county…

The mighty T-Rex reigns over the dinosaur park at Wingham Wildlife Park. Picture: Gerry Warren
The mighty T-Rex reigns over the dinosaur park at Wingham Wildlife Park. Picture: Gerry Warren

Dinosaur Trail at Wingham Wildlife Park, near Canterbury

Is your family brave enough to venture into the wilderness and face the dinosaur trail? This outdoor trail at Wingham Wildlife Park, just outside of Canterbury, has larger-than-life models of more than 20 dinosaur species, from the terrifying T-Rex to the towering Diplodocus. The outdoor trail takes visitors on a fun-filled and educational journey, with fascinating facts and interactive displays that give kids a chance to get up close and personal to these prehistoric creatures.

Details: Open daily from 9am to 4pm at Wingham Wildlife Park near Canterbury. Adult tickets cost £19, book online here.

Dinosaur World Live brings prehistoric creatures to life with puppets. Photo: Robert Day
Dinosaur World Live brings prehistoric creatures to life with puppets. Photo: Robert Day

Dinosaur World Live, Canterbury

Come face-to-face with ‘real life’ dinosaurs in this spectacular stage show. Audiences who dare to embark on the journey will be taken under the wing of an intrepid explorer who is keen to explore new territories. On their adventure, they stumble across a prehistoric world that is run by dinosaurs and must learn everything they can about these magnificent animals. The gigantic creatures are brought to life by incredible puppets and thunderous sound effects.

Details: Friday, March 31 to Sunday, April 2 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. Tickets start from £12, book online here or call 01227 787787.

Dinotropolis is an indoor soft play area with Jurassic activities in Bluewater shopping centre. Picture: The Imageworks
Dinotropolis is an indoor soft play area with Jurassic activities in Bluewater shopping centre. Picture: The Imageworks

Dinotropolis at Bluewater, Dartford

If you’ve got younger dino enthusiasts who need to burn off some energy during the winter months, this indoor play park in Greenhithe could be the perfect day out. The Explorer Pass gives your kids an hour and a half to trek across three storeys of soft play which include the Dino Jungle, Raptor Run and Discovery Cove, where adventurers can dig for fossils and build volcanoes. There are also lots of animatronic dinosaurs to meet - or avoid! - and the Fossil Café where your rangers can refuel.

Details: Open daily from 9am to 7pm, with extended opening hours on select dates, at Bluewater in Greenhithe, near Dartford. Tickets cost £19, book online here.

Play a round of dino golf in Tonbridge. Picture: Dave Phillips Photography
Play a round of dino golf in Tonbridge. Picture: Dave Phillips Photography

Mr Mulligan's Dino Golf, Tonbridge

Enjoy a family day out packed with prehistoric fun at this dinosaur-themed golf course in Tonbridge. Mr Mulligan’s Dino Golf is an 18-hole adventure golf course that is suitable for all ages, from young explorers to teens and parents. Visitors must face the family-friendly obstacles, which include colossal dinosaurs and Jurassic scenes, and look out for the T-rex that roams the golf centre as they make their way through the outdoor course. There is also an on-site cafe where you can tuck into tasty treats such as pizza and chicken strips before heading home.

Details: Open daily from 9am on weekends and 10am on weekdays at Mr Mulligan's in Tonbridge. Adult prices start from £9.25, book online here.

The Maidstone Iguanodon on display at the Natural History Museum. Picture: Alan Smith
The Maidstone Iguanodon on display at the Natural History Museum. Picture: Alan Smith

Paleontology Collection, Maidstone

Kent has been the site of many prehistoric discoveries over the years, and this Paleontology Collection is a great place to find out all about them. Maidstone’s groundbreaking Iguanodon fossil is currently on display at London’s Natural History Museum, but you can still see the notebook of William Benstead, who discovered the remains of the Iguanodon, and a cast of the fossil at Maidstone Museum. There is also an extensive collection of artefacts, such as fossils from the Kent Coalfield and vertebrate material from the Pleistocene period, on display.

Details: Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, with extended opening hours on select dates, at the Maidstone Museum. Entry is free, no need to book.

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