The 10 best things to do in Kent with kids

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I’ve been hunting for the 10 best things to do in Kent with kids. I’ve lived in Kent my entire life and I know all the best spots – so you’ll notice that I mention far more than 10 days out here – instead I’ve grouped them into 10 themes with several options. Whether you’re a local looking for family days out, or your visiting on your travels, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s absolutely loads to do! Kent is packed with brilliant family days out from wildlife encounters, to castles, beaches, aqua parks and scenic walks. Here are ten of the best things to do in Kent with kids, organised by the themes families search for most. I’ve added in some money saving tips to keep costs down, as well as links to my guides and reviews – so click pink if you’d like more info on a specific place.

1. Enjoy a wildlife park adventure

Kent is home to some of the best family-friendly wildlife parks, each offering plenty for the kids to see and do. Howletts Wild Animal Park is perfect for close up animal encounters – children can see gorillas, elephants, big cats and endangered species across spacious enclosures. (Keep an eye out for deals – they often run ‘kids go free’ days in the school holidays.) The highly popular Port Lympne Reserve offers an exciting safari style experience where families travel across the park on a safari truck to spot giraffes, rhinos, zebras and more. Whereas Wingham Wildlife Park is a brilliant mix of animals, reptile houses, penguins, dinosaurs and indoor play, which makes it great for changeable weather. Each park offers a full day out, plenty of photo moments and a real sense of adventure for children of all ages.

2. Explore Kent’s free country parks

Some of the best days out in Kent are completely free and the country parks are perfect for family fun. Brockhill Country Park has beautiful lakeside walks, a great play area and peaceful picnic spots. Kearsney Abbey is ideal for a summer’s day with streams to paddle in, bridges, playgrounds and open spaces for games. Betteshanger Country Park offers cycling routes, woodland trails, play spaces and plenty of seasonal activities. Finally, Mote Park in Maidstone is huge and packed with things to do – from playgrounds and lakeside walks, to pedalos, a skate park and wide open grass areas for family games. If you’re looking for free things to do with the kids in Kent, these parks offer some of the best budget-friendly day trips! For even more ideas, check out my article: The 15 best FREE family days out in Kent.

3. Step back in time at a Kent castle

Kent is known as the Garden of England, but it could easily be called the County of Castles as it’s home to some of the best ones in the UK, offering some fabulous options for days out with the kids. Leeds Castle is stunning and surrounded by acres of grounds, play areas, a maze and plenty of seasonal activities to keep things fresh – tickets are valid for a year so you can visit as many times as you like. Dover Castle is steeped in history with tunnels, battlements and child-friendly learning and play areas. (With a Blue Peter Badge the kids can enter for free!) In contrast, Walmer Castle has beautiful gardens, a charming woodland walk, natural play areas and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it perfect for a summer’s day with a picnic. Each castle offers its own mix of history and adventure, giving you a fun and educational day out.

4. Get grubby at a farm park

If your kids love animals, tractors and outdoor play, Kent’s farm parks are ideal. Kent Life in Maidstone has friendly farm animals, tractor rides, a playground, indoor play and seasonal events to keep the kids entertained. The heritage village buildings give the site a traditional feel. The Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford is another family favourite with its walk through enclosures, pig racing, adventure playgrounds, soft play and hands on demonstrations – if you’ll visit often the annual pass can be good value for money. The farm parks offer loads of fun for the kids – be sure to check for seasonal events and extra activities offered at peak times like the school holidays.

5. Head to the beautiful beaches

For more free things to do with the kids, Kent is home to some of the best beaches in the South East and they make brilliant low cost family days out. Botany Bay is one of the prettiest spots with its chalk stacks and rock pools, while Joss Bay and Viking Bay offer classic seaside fun with soft sand, good swimming conditions and plenty of space for sandcastle building. Minnis Bay is ideal for younger families thanks to its calm water and long promenade, and Whitstable is great for crabbing and beachcombing. If your little ones enjoy hunting for treasures, the beaches at Folkestone and Herne Bay are well known for fossils and shells. With a picnic, some towels and a bucket or two, Kent’s coastline gives you an easy and affordable day out in the fresh sea air.

6. Hop on one of Kent’s steam trains

For something nostalgic and a bit magical, Kent’s steam railways are perfect. The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway is a miniature steam train that takes families across Romney Marsh to the beach at Dymchurch or down to Dungeness Nature Reserve. Tenterden’s Kent and East Sussex Railway offers scenic countryside journeys (you can stop by Bodiam Castle) and often runs special themed days. (Look out for their ‘kids go free’ offers to keep costs down as these trips can be a bit pricey.) Whilst the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells lets families ride through pretty countryside and combine the trip with local walks or a visit to the town.

7. Have an action-packed day of watersports

Kent has some brilliant spots for water based fun. St Andrews Lakes in Halling is a standout option thanks to its bright turquoise water, floating assault courses, toddler friendly inflatables and paddleboarding sessions. It feels like a mini holiday without leaving Kent. Action Watersports near Lydd offers a high energy aqua park, banana boats and waterskiing, which makes it perfect for older children and teenagers who want something a bit more thrilling. And finally, Bewl Water is another fantastic choice for families who enjoy watersports. Here you can try paddleboarding, open water swimming and kayaking, hop on the inflatable aqua park or simply enjoy the huge reservoir and beautiful surrounding countryside. These spots offer some of the best entertainment in Kent for the summer months, and they’re the perfect for families with older kids.

8. Don’t let the rain stop your fun

Kent has plenty of indoor attractions to keep the kids busy when the weather lets you down – here are a few of our favourites. Families can try indoor golf in several towns, or head to laser tag in Folkestone for high energy fun. The Kent Roller Disco is great for older children who love skating and music. Dover Leisure Centre runs inflatable pool sessions that are brilliant for burning energy indoors, and there’s a climbing wall there too. You could also think about bowling, soft play or a cinema visit – Ashford’s independent cinema typically offers the best family deals. You can rest assured that there are plenty of things to do whatever the weather, for all the best spots check out my article: Kent with Kids: The 10 best rainy day indoor attractions.

9. Take a scenic walk

Kent has some stunning walking routes that work well for families who enjoy the outdoors. The White Cliffs of Dover offers spectacular sea views and a trail to the lighthouse where you can picnic or grab some lunch. The Wye Downs near Ashford boasts beautiful walks along the hills with gorgeous views and plenty of space for the kids to play. Whilst woodland trails around places like Knole Park or Bedgebury (which has some fabulous play areas!) will suit families who prefer easier routes with plenty of nature spotting along the way. Fresh air and plenty of space to explore make these walks ideal family time – these gorgeous spots are great options for budget-friendly days out in Kent with the kids.

10. Get stuck into Kent’s history

If your children love stories, hidden passageways and old buildings, Kent is packed with places that make history feel exciting. Canterbury is an obvious favourite with its medieval streets, cathedral and Roman walls, but there’s so much more to explore across the county. The Historic Dockyard in Chatham is brilliant for families, with real warships, submarines and hands on exhibitions that bring maritime history to life. As I mentioned above, in Dover you can walk the old battlements, explore the wartime tunnels and learn about secret operations beneath the castle grounds. And, the kids might also enjoy the smugglers’ stories in Broadstairs, the historic fishing quarters in Whitstable and the Victorian charm of Tunbridge Wells. Kent is steeped in history with so much to explore!

Where are the best places to stay in Kent with kids?

There are some lovely family-friendly places to stay in Kent – I’ve been looking for great kids’ activities, scenic locations, swimming pools and fantastic days out nearby. Head to my article: The 5 best holiday parks in Kent for families for more information on what’s on offer at these sites, and for more great holiday park options, but here’s a quick glimpse at a few of my top picks:

Parkdean Resorts: Romney Sands Holiday Park: Just a short walk from Greatstone Beach, the site has heated indoor swimming pools, an arcade, mini-golf, a multi-sports court, kids’ clubs, a playground and even fishing – so there’s plenty to keep everyone busy.

Haven: Kent Coast Holiday Park: The site boasts an indoor swimming pool, to entertain the kids whatever the weather, and the new adventure village offers loads to do including: a climbing wall, aerial adventure, crazy golf, crafts, sports sessions, NERF camp and junior segways. No time to get bored!

Hoseasons: St Andrews Lakes: Perfect for an outdoorsy break, the site offers paddle-boarding, kayaking, an inflatable aqua park, zip lines, archery, climbing walls, beaches and all sorts! Plus, for a little bit of luxury, you can even have a private hot tub!

Kent or Sussex – which is best for a family holiday?

Kent and Sussex both make brilliant family holiday destinations, so the best choice really depends on what your family enjoys. Kent offers a mix of wildlife parks, castles, sandy bays and big country parks, which is ideal if you want a holiday with lots of variety and easy day trips. Sussex has a slightly more laid back feel with long pebble beaches, lively seaside towns, the South Downs for scenic walks and some lovely family holiday parks. Kent is great for families who like activities, themed attractions and historic days out, while Sussex suits those who want coast, countryside and slower paced exploring. Both are beautiful parts of the South East so you can’t really go wrong and, since they’re right next door to each other, it’s easy to enjoy the best of both worlds wherever you stay! Or, to help you to decide, check out my article: The 10 best things to do in Sussex with kids.

Is Kent worth a visit?

Kent is absolutely worth a visit – the county has a great mix of coastline, countryside and history, along with welcoming towns and plenty of open space for kids to run around. Its beaches, walking trails and large parks make it simple to enjoy a relaxed family holiday, and the variety of places to stay means there’s something for every budget. With good transport links and lots of child friendly destinations to explore, Kent offers some some of the best family days out in the South East – there are so many things to do with the kids that you’ll be spoilt for choice. Have fun! 😊