Great Free Things to Do With The Kids Hunt

neil_fowler

Hi there,

Tenpin and Megabowl bowling centres are running a kids bowlclub which gives discounted bowling and other special offers to under 16s throughout the summer holidays. A parent or guardian needs to register them and you can do it online at https://www.kidsbowlclub.co.uk

Happy holidays!

jap200

Anyone who lives in or near Kent, or is planning to spend some time there in the summer, must try and visit the Lower Leas Coastal Park in Folkstone.

It is incredible to see such fantastic facilities available for free and you can park very close by for a small charge! It is one of Kent's best kept secrets and I have introduced many people to it. Much of it is wheelchair friendly and you will have no problem with a buggy.

Click on this link to see some photos of this fantastic place:

http://www.thisisfolkestone.co.uk/coastalpark.htm

There are at least 7 separate play areas aimed at children of all ages and abilities.

1. An absoultely huge climbing structure with tubes to slide down etc.
2. Two boats suspended just above the sand in a giant sandpit - great for pretend sailing
3. A multi-sensory area, accessible to wheelchairs
4. A climbing wall area
5. 2 death slides
6. A half sunken pirate ship with rigging to climb
7. A toddler area/sand pit

The place had a resident warden, so it is clean and secure. There are toilets and a cafe near by.

The whole thing is set in beautifully landscaped gardens halfway down the cliff (sounds odd - but it's true) with loads of picnic tables and space to run around in.

There is also an amphitheatre at which there are free music concerts and plays from 1st July - click on this link for a list!

http://www.shepway.gov.uk/content/view/1067/461/

You can also walk down to the recently rennovated beachs of Folkstone and also walk a little way along to the Victorian water balance cliff lift, which costs less than £1 per person and is fantastic fun for younger children. See this link for details

http://home.freeuk.net/eastkent/folkestone/clifflift.htm

The only slight down-side is that it understandably gets very busy in the school holidays, so my advice is to arrive quite early (9-10am for a good couple of hours play before it fills up. Then have your picnic (or use the cafe) and then move on the the Cliff Lift and beach etc. My kids and I often spend the whole day having a fantastic time - totally free!!! Or allow a little bit of cash for an ice-cream each and a ride on the cliff lift.

What more can I say - I can't praise this place highly enough.

I hope this link to mulimap works - so you can find it (it is not well signposted).

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=622500.000525384&Y=135000.882898591&width=500&height=300&gride=621898.000525384&gridn=135286.882898591&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=GB&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table

jack92

There's a fab place in North Kent, called Swanley Park, website is http://www.swanleypark.co.uk/

It has a paddling pool and huge sandpit for free Parking is free too. You do have to pay if you want a train ride from the car park to the children's area, but it's quite cheap. There is a cafe there, or you can take a picnic.

I would really recommend Swanley Park for a day out with the children.

Nicola

jack92

My children loved making and playing with salt dough http://www.npg.org.uk/live/edff3.pdf

I got them involved in making it, as well as making models. Great thing about salt dough is that you can bake it in the oven, then paint it, so it's a bit more permanent than other types of play dough.

Nicola

Anastasia

Best cheap day out and a rest for parents - definitely the seaside! My children aged 15 down to 9 all enjoyed West Shore in Llandudno. We took fishing nets, buckets and spades. The older ones fished for crabs and jelly fish. The more children the better - we met another family there. Even on a cool day they will love it. Take blankets and a packed lunch and a beachball.

ronnieoel

I came across a new magazine full of great ideas to with kids - for those days when the sun isn't shining! Creative Steps magazine has loads of crafting activities to do with under 12's - usually using recycled household materials. You can subscribe online at https://www.creativesteps.co.uk - use the promotional code CSWTDWK to get a discounted rate! There are loads of links to other days out as well.

Cousin_Hilda

Stuck for something to do this weekend?

Then why not join in the fun at Two Riversmeet Lesiure Centre in Christchurch this Sunday the 23rd July between 10am and 4pm as we will be holding our annual Open Day that is most certainly FREE FUN for all the family.

Have a go at the climbing wall, try scuba diving or kayaking in our swimming pool, maybe you would prefer archery, the bouncy castle, bungee running, face painting or some of our many other activities.

Not convinced?

Well you can also watch the fifth annual Dorset and Hampshire's Strongest Man tournament. First event is at 11am where you can witness eight burly men competing in six gruelling events that is sure to strain every muscle and sinew in their body.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

nikiyoung

jap200 wrote:

Anyone who lives in or near Kent, or is planning to spend some time there in the summer, must try and visit the Lower Leas Coastal Park in Folkstone.

It is incredible to see such fantastic facilities available for free and you can park very close by for a small charge! It is one of Kent's best kept secrets and I have introduced many people to it. Much of it is wheelchair friendly and you will have no problem with a buggy.

Click on this link to see some photos of this fantastic place:

http://www.thisisfolkestone.co.uk/coastalpark.htm

I totaly agree GO THERE!! its great.
My family love it and the cafe is great if a little shabby last time we went there.
Most of the play area's are shady also so it is great in the heat! :T :T :T

also in the ASHFORD KENT area

Victoria Road Play Park good ol' fashioned park but the childrens play area has recently been revamped. FOC

Rarebreeds http://www.rarebreeds.org.uk/ at Hamstreet FAB day out take a picnic entry @ £6.60 per head (under 3 free) but all profits go to the Canterbury Oast Trust (...a commercial enterprise owned and operated by Canterbury Oast Trust; a charity that offers homes, care and work training opportunities to adults with disabilities. All income raised from your visit to the farm, restaurant and plant nursery helps to support our vital work. -taken from the website) LOADS TO DO my 4 and 6 DD's love it there.

if the weather turns bad Imagine Play Center http://www.imaginethefun.co.uk/ is good but is time limited and can be expensive to eat there so go for 9am exaust (sp) them for the rest of the day!

Leeds castle (web site is down at mo but try http://www.leeds-castle.com/)
I think if you go once this year your next visit is free!!

that is all i can think of off the top of my head
Have a good holls!
Niki

jack92

94% of UK library authorities are involved in "The Reading Mission" this year, a summer reading project for 4-11 year olds. Details at http://www.readingagency.org.uk/news/SRC2006annoucedprTheReadingAgency.html

HTH
Nicola

mathome

phone the forestry commission for their brochure of (free) events. we have never been dissapointed yet.

phone the countryside ranger service for their brochure of (free) events. we regularly join them for beastie hunts / ponddipping / bat watching etc. always great fun.

check local village halls/community centres and schools.
at either no cost or low cost you'll find subsidised events laid on by these places. this hols we have been to a magic show(£2) , an african drumming workshop (free), a craftsession (£2) . yet to come sportsessions (£1) , family orienteering (free), ponddipping (free)

there is lots of expensive stuff happening too - but keep your eyes and ears open and you'll be amazed what you can find at no or very low cost.

at the beginning of the hols we make a list with wishes/idea's. these include things like :
playpark
picnic
bbq
swimming
bikeride
the woods
the beach
sleepovers
friends
crafts
baking
camping in the garden
pick your own fruitfarm
etc.

let the kids take a friend and you'll find they help amuse each other.

I have found these things in invernessshire/rossshire.