Kent with Kids: The 15 best FREE family days out in Kent!

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I’ve lived in Kent my entire life, so if you want to find out the best places for frugal family fun then I am definitely your girl – I’ve compiled a list of the 15 best FREE days out with the kids in Kent. We often do ‘no spend’ weekends, and with the kids being home educated entertaining them without spending money is essential as we spend lots of time out and about or meeting up with friends. Whether it be for weekend fun, or school holiday entertainment, all of these places can be enjoyed for free – with the exception of parking charges! (And don’t forget to pack up a picnic too!)

From aerodromes, to country parks, paddling pools, beaches, zoo animals (who doesn’t love a giraffe!), hikes, streams, playgrounds and more – here’s how to have loads of fun this summer with a next-to-nothing budget. Honestly, I barely spend a penny over the summer holidays but we have the absolute best of times, so I hope you will too. Here are my top 15 picks for free days out with the kids in Kent, for budget-friendly family fun:

1. Brockhill Country Park, Hythe, Kent

Brockhill Country Park in Hythe is a great base for a free day out with the kids in Kent. It has a large play park and lovely grounds to explore – you can stroll across fields, roll down hills (I leave that to the kids!), trudge around the woods or have a saunter around the lake. It’s one of my children’s favourite places to meet their friends and get muddy! We’ve had so many great days there there; often taking nets with us and paddling in the stream – it’s the perfect way to cool everyone down in the summer months. They also run lots of children’s events throughout the year including forest activities, crafting, campfires and seasonal trails. Parking is just a few pounds and, aside from that, you can bring a picnic and not spend a penny all day. Check out my full review of Brockhill Country Park, Hythe, for more information.

2. Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent

Mote Park, in Maidstone, is a stunning place for a fun family day out – this one comes into both the free and affordable camp – you can spend barely a penny, or book onto some of the paid activities available, but it’s totally possible to have a great day for the cost of parking. The big play park has a range of equipment for little and older children, and there’s plenty of open spaces for games of football, rounders and anything else the kids fancy doing. The skate park area is good for the older ones, and the stunning lake is perfect for a summer’s day walk in the sunshine. There are lots of water activities available on the lake including: sailing, boating, diving, rowing, windsurfing and swimming, and you can also hire a pedalo swan to explore the islands, reeds and trees with the kids if you do have a little money in the kitty.

3. Folkestone Three Peaks Challenge, Kent

One of the kids’ favourite free days out in Kent is the Three Peaks hiking route in Folkestone – conquering Castle Hill, Round Hill and Sugarloaf Hill. It’s a fantastic walk, and a brilliant way to spend a freebie afternoon and get some fresh air with the kids. It’s quite some distance – our route is about 6km and it takes a few hours – but the kids always have a great time exploring along the way. Whilst the first parts of the walk are more easily achieved, despite some uneven terrain, Sugarloaf itself is very steep compared to the other two hills and you’ll need to sort of scramble up it and slide down – Finn and Lola love going back down on their bottoms! You can park your car in a parking area off of the M20 Motorway at Junction 13 for Folkestone and the route will take you back in a loop.

4. West Hythe river walk, with a hint of giraffe!

Fancy getting a glimpse of the zoo animals at Port Lympne without the big bill? The kids do love a day at the zoo, but it’s pretty pricey so it’s not somewhere we visit too often and this tides us over in between times! There’s a spot where you can get close to the giraffes, and even watch feeding time, without spending a penny. Starting at the river along West Hythe, at the bottom of Lympne Hill, park in the car park and follow the pathway along the river. It’s a lovely walk in itself – continue farther along and you’ll start to see some of the zoo animals on your right-hand-side through the fencing. Keep going a little more, and you’ll see a path that leads you in between the enclosures and up the hill. Here you can see gazelles, water buffalo and (Finn and Lola’s favourite!) the giraffes – enjoy!

5. Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens, Dover, Kent

Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens in Dover is a great choice for a sunny day. And, the best bit is, it’s open every single day of the year and it won’t cost you a penny for entry or parking (which is free for up to four hours). So, if the kids don’t fleece you for an ice-cream, you can have a completely free day out. It’s a beautiful place, and the children can paddle in the shallow streams which is a firm favourite with my two and their friends in the summer! There are a couple of play parks to keep the children entertained too – these are on both sides of the road, so it’s worth moving around to make the most of it all. It’s the perfect place for a free day out in Kent with the kids – check out my full review of Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens, Dover, for more information.

6. Toddler’s Cove, Canterbury, Kent

Toddler’s Cove play park in Canterbury is great place to take the little ones if you’re looking for a free afternoon out. The play equipment has been really well done – there’s a pirate ship, a zip line, a trim trail and green space for running around, plus it’s in a beautiful spot along the river. Toddler’s Cove playground isn’t far from Canterbury’s city centre, so a short walk along the water’s edge will take you towards the hustle and bustle of the shops. Parking prices in Canterbury can be horrendous but the car park there is much cheaper so, if you’re also heading to the shops, the affordable parking here could be really handy and may be worth the five-ten minute walk along the river; you’ll enjoy the scenery too!

7. Dymchurch Beach, Romney Marsh, Kent

When the sun’s out, Dymchurch beach is the perfect place for a free family day out. (Though you’ll need to be careful about the tide times, as the beach disappears completely at times, so check online before you visit.) When the tide is out, there’s a huge expanse of sand – perfect for beach rounders, football, digging trenches and sandcastle competitions. We’ve made so many brilliant memories at Dymchurch beach. If you do have some money to spend, there’s also an amusement park with fairground rides and arcades, and lots of yummy ice-cream and fish and chip shops too. But, for a real budget-friendly day out, bring a picnic for an entirely free day of fun!

8. Betteshanger Country Park, Deal, Kent

Betteshanger Park is a huge country park in Deal – and it’s really well known for it’s cycling tracks (on and off road!). They’ve recently added lots of activities to the site like axe throwing, a shoot out arena, an obstacle course and all sorts, but there’s also plenty to do for free so you can have a great day with the kids for the cost of parking. There are plenty of places to have a picnic, and if you pop your wellies on you can explore the wooded areas too – the site is 250 acres! The adventure playground is good fun for the kids, and they often run activities and events, so check their website to see what’s going on. Some are events are free – like the stunt bikes show we watched a while back – whilst others are chargeable, such as Easter egg hunts. Betteshanger Country Park is a great place for the kids to let off some steam.

9. Lower Leas Coastal Park, Folkestone, Kent

Lower Leas Coastal Park in Folkestone is a fantastic outdoor play area, and it’s one of Lola’s favourite places to play. The Lower Leas Coastal Park is the largest free adventure playground in the South East of England – so it’s definitely got to be one of the best days out in Kent for kids! The Coastal Park has a fantastic playground with slides, nets, sand pits and zip lines, and the main play area is a huge wooden structure – plenty to keep the kids entertained. It’s also right on the beach, so on a warm day you can head down the steps and play in the sea or take a stroll along the sand too. It makes a good base for day out – you can do the park, the beach and head into town which is nearby. And, it’s a great spot to watch the Folkestone Airshow from too.

10. Viking Bay Beach, Broadstairs, Kent

Broadstairs has some lovely beaches, and Viking Bay in particular is a brilliant spot for some summer fun when the weather’s being kind! It’s a lovely sandy beach, so if you pack up some jam sarnies and buckets and spades, the kids can have lots of fun at the seaside. For the icing on the cake, visit over the school holidays on one of their event days. They run several summer firework nights which are completely free (though donations are welcome to support it) and there’s live music on the bandstand too! So, you really can make a whole day of it and have some evening entertainment as well. You can find the dates for the firework displays at: https://www.broadstairsfireworks.co.uk/.

11. Headcorn Aerodrome, Kent

If your kids love watching the planes, then you needn’t wait for an airshow – you can watch them for free at Headcorn Aerodrome – it’s one of our favourite days out in Kent. My two love a chilled picnic / plane watching session on a sunny summer afternoon. I spent a lot of my childhood at the airfield so it’s a place that’s pretty special to our family. They have all sorts of pleasure flight planes taking off and landing almost continuously, as well as lots of parachutists and a plane that they strap people to the front of – Finn and Lola think that one’s brilliant! The nearby village of Bethersden has a fantastic recreation ground with tennis courts, a field for football, exercise equipment and a large trim trail. So, once we’ve finished at the airfield, we head there so that the kids can let off steam at the park before we head home.

12. The Wye Downs, Ashford, Kent

Another of our favourite free days out, is a walk with the kids along the Wye Downs in Ashford, Kent. It’s such a beautiful area, and the village of Wye is a lovely place too. Park in the village by the church, and wander down past the school buildings to begin your walk. You’ll find a pathway through a large field that then guides you through an uphill wooded area. Once you reach the top, enjoy roaming the fields and head towards the infamous white crown on the hill. The views are spectacular across the countryside. It can be super windy and blustery up on the downs, so pick your hiking day wisely. Comfy shoes and a picnic are always a winner too – it’s easy to clock up a good 4-5 miles of walking. You can find the route here: https://explorekent.org/activities/wye-downs-walk/.

13. Walmer Paddling Pool, Deal, Kent

Once the summer rolls around (if the sun actually appears!) you might want to check out Walmer Paddling Pool in Deal with the kids. It’s completely free, and the perfect place for little ones to splash around and cool down. The paddling pool opens from May half-term each year (weather dependent). It’s surrounded by a lovely lawn area and it’s right on the seafront – so it’s also a great spot for a whole day of free family fun – you can have a play on the beach too. There’s a crazy golf next door to it, if you do have a little money in the kitty, and nearby Walmer Castle has some brilliant play areas for the kids to enjoy if you have an English Heritage membership.

14. Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Goudhurst, Kent

Bedgebury National Pinetum in Goudhurst is a lovely place to enjoy the outdoors. (Throwback photo from when the kids were small and cute!) There are plenty of things for the kids to do there including: cycling, horse riding, Go Ape, geocaching / orienteering and treasure hunts. But, there are some brilliant play areas dotted around the site to keep the kids occupied for hours without needing paid activities – my two really enjoyed the play parks and den building areas when they were little. Now, I do have to come clean, Bedgebury is a little controversial as a ‘free’ day out – though most places have parking costs, it’s definitely more expensive than most. There’s no entrance fee but parking is £14.50 per car (peak) and £11 (off peak), but if you bring a picnic then you won’t need to spend a penny more I promise!

15. Samphire Hoe, Dover, Kent

(photo coming soon)

Samphire Hoe in Dover is a great place to have a wander along the coast. The nature reserve is home to the infamous White Cliffs, and it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing family walk and a picnic overlooking the English Channel. There are no entrance fees for Samphire Hoe, and parking charges are a maximum of £2, so it’s a cheap and cheerful way to spend a sunny afternoon. The further you venture from the carpark the more wild the site gets, so you can definitely enjoy some peace and quiet despite the fact that it’s a popular place to visit. The coastal trail is around 2 miles, and the lighthouse walk is around 4 miles if your little ones can manage a longer route. The beach area is a great spot for rock-pooling and fossil hunting so the kids can amuse themselves for hours and have a splash around too.

How can I save on the big attractions?

If you want to enjoy some pricier days out too, never pay full price for your adventures with the kids without having a good hunt around for the best offers! Lots of reward schemes and discount providers offer brilliant savings to make your family adventures more budget-friendly, so here are some ways to save money on paid attractions when you’re out and about with the kids:

lovetovisit.co.uk: The ‘Love to Visit’ website offers discounted tickets for family-friendly days out with the kids all over the UK – so it’s worth checking their current prices for your favourite attractions before you book.
Tesco Clubcard points: Lots of popular attractions are part of the Tesco reward scheme so save your points and you could visit for free!
National Rail 2-for-1 offers: If you’re travelling by train you can get 1/3 off or 2 for 1 tickets on loads of attractions when booked through the National Rail 2 for 1 scheme.
English Heritage: English Heritage memberships can be a great investment; once you’ve signed up you can use them time and time again for free days out. Payments can be made monthly so that they don’t seem too overwhelming – family memberships are usually about a tenner each month.

Kids Pass: You can sign up to a Kid’s Pass trial for just £1 to access discounts on days out and eating out all over the UK.
Supermarket promotions: Cereal brands like Kelloggs run promotions for discounted tickets (things like 2 for 1 tickets) for days out with the kids by purchasing specially-marked boxes so look out for these in the supermarket.
Blue Peter Badges: Blue Peter Badges are awesome because the kids can get in for free at over 200 UK attractions – literally halving the cost of your family days out! You can use them at places like ZSL London Zoo, The Tower of London, the HMS Belfast, The Heights of Abraham, The Eden Project, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, The London Bridge Experience and loads of other places – read more about it here: How can my child get a Blue Peter Badge?
Multi-attraction tickets: Look for combination tickets to get the best deals. For instance, Merlin have five main London attractions, with each typically priced at around £30pp, but book a multi-attraction ticket and it’s so much more affordable. You get 90 days to enjoy your chosen attractions so it’s worth buying in bulk – their 5 attraction deal works out at less than £12 per attraction!

Merlin Annual Pass: With a Merlin Annual Pass you can access absolutely loads of attractions including: Alton Towers, Chessington, LEGOLAND Windsor and Thorpe Park; indoor fun like SEA LIFE centres, Shrek’s Adventure!, The London Eye and Madame Tussauds; and historical and immersive experiences like Warwick Castle, The Dungeons and even Cadbury World. Kids under 90cm go free and you can check out all of the pass options and what’s included here: Are Merlin Annual Passes worth it and which pass is best?

If you’re looking to save money on days out over the school holidays, check out my article: UK days out with the kids: School summer holidays 2025 discounts – I’ve been hunting out the best deals for popular UK family attractions!

What can I do with the kids in Kent on a rainy day?

There are loads of fantastic places to visit for free days out with the kids in Kent – these 15 spots hold such wonderful memories for us and I hope you’ll enjoy them too. If you have any other suggestions let me know in the comments – we’re always looking for new places to discover and I’m sure others are too. Have fun and make sure you check out these articles as well – I’ve covered rainy days in Kent, October half-term and family-friendly Christmas days out: