Spring has arrived and that means that the days are starting to get longer, sunnier and that the preparation for the Easter holiday is on every parent’s mind!
Luckily for you, hidden around Kent are lots of egg-stravagant fun-filled activities awaiting the family so, if you’re looking for some egg-cellent ideas for the school holidays read on…
This Easter, make family adventures even sweeter with Southeastern's Kids for a Quid offer! For just £1, you can bring up to four kids (ages 5-15) along for an Off-Peak journey when you’ve got an adult ticket. It's the perfect way to explore Kent and beyond without breaking the bank! Grab your tickets and start planning your family day out today!
©National Trust Images - James Dobson
Collect eggs in the Spring gardens...
Kent is rich with fabulous National Trust locations to visit with the family! And what a great time to visit whilst their fun Easter Adventures are taking place at numerous sites.
29th March - 21st April, 10am to 5pm
Run around the beautiful spring gardens completing the ten activities and challenges and be rewarded with a delicious chocolate egg.
Let your imaginations run wild at Ightham Mote on the 10th April where they will be hosting their Welly Peg Craft event. Create chickens and sheep from wooden pegs, discover the family walks, trails and natural play areas that the site has to offer and make sure to bring your wellies as you can splash about in muddy puddles. The event is just £2 per person.
©National Trust Images - James Dobson
5th April - 21st April, 10am to 4pm
Come and learn about the world of honeybees and explore how honey is made as you follow the Easter trail to your sweet treat. Don't forget to wander around the beautiful grounds and see how many different types of flowers you can spot!
5th April - 21st April, 10am to 5pm - pre-booking is essential
Come and follow the trail where you can stop off and enjoy fun activities perfect for the whole family! Find your way through the Gatehouse Tower maze, see how many butterflies you can spot, find out how many tins you can knock down with the tin can alley challenge, and discover nature's musical instruments.
©National Trust Images - James Dobson
5th April to 21st April, 10am - 4pm
Known for its beautiful ever-changing gardens discover the beautiful wide-open views at Emmetts Garden and explore the Wild play area perfect for the children to climb on the climbing frames and play net, walk along the balance beams and crawl through the tunnels.
This Easter the circus is coming to the Gardens as they are bringing the magic of an Edwardian circus with fun-filled activities.
5th April - 21st April, Wednesdays to Sundays plus bank holiday Monday. 11am - 5pm
Here's an Easter adventure for those young aspiring actors and actresses. Smallhythe Place will be hosting a world of theatrical adventures from dressing up, to directing, and swordplay all along the Easter trail.
©National Trust Images - James Dobson
Hop along the Easter trails at the castles...
Kent is very lucky as we have many beautiful castles to be discovered and even better, the National Trust castles are hosting fun activities for the whole family to get involved in!
29th March - 21st April, 10am to 5pm.
Perfect for all ages is Scotney Castle. So come along with your Rabbit ears on and complete the challenges set for your little bunnies along the Easter trail.
Scotney Castle is buggy-friendly and packed with lots of family-friendly activities so make sure to visit the Badger and Pepper play area where you can find a mud kitchen, ball run, playhouse, toddler swing and a natural drum kit. For those who are a little older head to the Wilderness Camp in Colliers Wood where you can get back to nature, create dens and play amongst the trees.
5th April - 21st April, 10:30am to 4:45pm
This beautiful estate will be hosting exciting challenges for your family to get involved in. Race around and beat each other in an egg and spoon race, see if you can match the unique call to the bird, fill up a 'beehive' with honey plus so much more.
Spring into Fun - Easter Adventures at Dreamland
Go Ape
Are you looking to unleash your inner adventurer this Easter? Go Ape is the ultimate outdoor playground! Imagine climbing high in the treetops, crossing wobbly bridges, and souring through the sky on epic zip lines - all while surrounded by beautiful nature. Whether you're conquering fears or chasing thrills, Go Ape Leeds Castle and Go Ape Bedgebury Pinetum is the place to be!
Not too sure about flying high in the sky? Why not keep those feet on the ground and take part in Axe Throwing at Go Ape Leeds Castle. This fun-filled adventure will definitely show off those axe skills whilst also adding a little competition into your day!
Betteshanger Park
Saturday 5th - Monday 21st April. 10am to 4pm.
Hop along to Betteshanger Park and help Billy the Easter Bunny find his missing eggs. Receive a clue sheet to work out who has been hiding the eggs around the woods and then head to Billy for a little treat!
There are loads to explore at Betteshanger Country Park with the family! From axe throwing, target archery, cycle routes, boonies obstacle course and beautiful walks. This is the best way for the whole family to get outdoors and be with nature whilst enjoying a fantastic day filled with activities for everyone!
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
Looking for that roar-some adventure this Easter Holidays? Well during the half term kids tickets are just £10 at Port Lympne. Home to over 900 rare and endangered species there is tonnes for those animal lovers to do!
Looking to make it that extra special? Then book a closer encounter with some of your favourite animals and just for the Easter holiday you can choose from; Ranger Safari, Meet the Tapir, Meet the Monkey, Brown Bear Encounter, Bison Encounter and Feed the Gorilla. To top off this fantastic array of experiences, these are also just £10 for the kids! So get booking now...
Penshurst Place
The Easter Rabbit's busiest weekend of the year is just around the corner, but before the chocolate frenzy begins, they've hopped off on a little holiday to recharge. In their rush to pack and dash to the airport, they didn't realise their suitcase was left open, scattering their holiday essentials across Penshurst Place's gardens and grounds. Can you track them all down and help discover where the Easter Rabbit has escaped to?
Leeds Castle
This Easter, get ready for a hilarious adventure with quirky medieval knights and outrageous outlaws as you team up with the Knights of Leeds Castle on a mission of the utmost importance.
Forget the egg hunt – Queen Isabella of France has ordered you to lay siege to Leeds Castle after being refused entry for a much-needed rest. Based on the bestselling Horrible Histories series by Terry Deary and illustrated by Martin Brown, published by Scholastic, this experience is one you won’t want to miss!
Are you brave enough to unleash your inner knight? Join the ranks and prepare for a legendary quest across the castle grounds.
Create your very own knightly gear and skills, including a crest, shield, swordplay, and heaps of courage. Just be warned – you’ll end up with a serious case of helmet hair!
Hever Castle
This Easter and throughout the school holidays, head to Hever Castle for a fun-filled family adventure! With a basketful of egg-citing activities, it's the perfect place to create unforgettable springtime memories.
Join head gardener Mr. Miller track down some mischievous rabbits who’ve been causing chaos in the Castle gardens — digging up vegetable patches, toppling pots, and sneaking seeds from his prized carrots. Follow the clues and solve the puzzle and don’t forget to claim your chocolate reward at the end!
Children can also get creative with a range of Easter-themed crafts, from making origami fortune tellers to planting cress to take home and grow. Plus, on select dates, enjoy themed face painting to add an extra touch of festive fun. There’s so much to discover at Hever Castle this Easter — hop along and join the adventure!
Canterbury Cathedral's Easter services and events
Everyone is welcome to join Canterbury Cathedral to celebrate the festival of hope!
Monday 7th – Wednesday 9th and Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th April. 11:00am to 15:00pm.
Take part in the Easter holiday drop-in crafts creating beautiful woven paper-plate flowers or a paper cross with a tie dye effect. If you do not want to take your creations home then these can be displayed in the Cathedral Visitor Centre.
Monday 7th – Friday 11th and Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th April. 11.05am and 13:30pm.
Travel back in time at the Cathedral this half term with stories of Becket and the Black Prince Monks and Miracles and Tombs and Towers. The tours are aimed at children aged 6-13 and a fun day out for the whole family to enjoy! To book please email Canterbury Cathedral.
Thursday 10th and Friday 11th. 10:00am to 11:00am and 14:00pm to 15:00pm – at the Chapter House.
Warm up those singing voices ready for Canterbury Cathedrals Easter holiday music workshops where you can discover the magic of music surrounded by a beautiful setting. With singing, percussion and games this is a fantastic day out!
Easter Monday 21st April – during visitor hours.
Grab yourself a trail maps and discover different parts of the Cathedral all whilst learning more about Easter and why it is the mos0t important celebration in the Christian calendar. Once completed make sure to return your completed trail sheet to the Cathedral shop to claim your tasty prize.
The Easter holiday activities are free with a valid Cathedral admission ticket, Cathedral pass or friends' card.
Canoe Wild
Canoe Wild will be hosting their annual Easter egg hunt during the easter weekend, but don’t you worry you won’t be winning soggy Easter eggs. Come and find all 10 eggs and then head over to the Easter bunny who might have a little surprise for you!
For the families who might be slightly older or are looking for an activity to do during the holiday then make sure to head over to Canoe Wild as they will be hosting many activities for everyone to get involved in. From rise and shine paddle (6th and 26th April), Beaver tour and talk (11th and 25th April) and family sunset paddle (12th April) to evening paddle group (17th April) and even a beautiful sunset canoe tour (27th April).
Godinton House
Saturday 5th April to Monday 21st April 2025.
Follow the Easter trail around Godinton House where you can explore the beautiful gardens along the way! Don’t forget to take part in their Easter craft sessions and join in with one of their workshops where you can get hands on with nature-themed activities.
More details will be released on their website very soon!
Broadstairs Easter Food Festival
Friday 18th to Sunday 20th April 2025
During the Easter weekend Broadstairs will be celebrating food and drink from hand-picked exhibitors from around Kent and neighbouring counties. The food festival is free to enter bringing the county together with the love of food and entertainment. With over 100 stalls filled with everything you could ever think and space for your little ones to run around, this is a great place to head to with friends and family to fill those tummies.
Coastal Explorer Packs
As the days are getting warmer, why not get the children out and explore Thanet beaches with their Coastal Explorers packs. They are jam packed with all the equipment and information that you need to learn and discover the coastal destination. Create your own sundial and learn how to use a compass, or read the marine identification packages and find the different types of animals that are on the rocky shores.
So, head over to Margate Visitor Information Centre or Lilyputt Mini Golf in Broadstairs to hire a bag for just £5!
Dover Castle
Embark on an epic Easter adventure at Dover Castle with their two huge events taking place over the half term!
Sat 5 Apr - Sun 27 Apr 2025
Get ready to crack clues hidden around the castle grounds and claim a tasty chocolate treasure at the end. The quest runs every day throughout the school holiday and costs just £2 per child - whether you're a member or not - on top of the entry ticket. No need to book ahead; just show up, sign up, and let the adventure begin!
Sat 12 - Mon 21 Apr 2025
Join their master builders and dive into the world of LEGO as we bring the past to life. Travel back to Roman Britain and help recreate Dover Castle's 'Pharos' - England's oldest lighthouse - in epic brick art form. Add your own touch, then watch as the experts piece everything together to revel the lighthouse in all its ancient glory. Ready to make history? Let's get building!
RAF Manston History Museum
Come and take a seat in the cockpits of some of the RAF Manston History Museum’s most popular planes. The event is open on the weekend of the 12th April from 10am till 4pm. Discover the history of the airfield from 1916 up until the present day, including aircraft and artifacts that were from WW1 to modern search-and-rescue operations.
Powell – Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens
Offering fun and exciting days out for the whole family is Powell-Cotton Museum where you can learn about the incredible history from an array of displays featuring animals from Africa and Asia plus displays of world-culture objects. With your ticket you can take a tour around the Grade II listed Quex House which was once home to the Powell-Cotton family. Make sure to pack yourself a picnic to enjoy in the Gardens and explore the beautiful exotic trees, a lovely woodland walk and a historic walled kitchen garden.
Whitemills Wake & Aqua Park
Reopening during the Easter is The Aqua Park at Whitemills so jump, flip and dive off of the inflatables, slip down the slide and run past all of the obstacles during a 50 minute session. Or for those that would like to ride the waves, try out Wakeboarding, perfect for those that are beginners, and offers an unforgettable experience even if you’re advanced!
Image Credit: Robert Radford
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
8th March to 31st August 2025
Now this might not be filled with chocolate and Easter bunnies but here is a fantastic activity for the whole family to enjoy! Head over to The Historic Dockyard Chatham where their new exhibit, Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO Bricks makes its debut! This exhibition is part of your annual admission ticket and perfect for visitors of all ages to explore the tales of iconic shipwrecks brought to life through large scale LEGO models.
Image Credit: Thanet District Council
Thanet
As we’re heading into spring that means lots of our attractions are starting to reopen for visitors so head underground at Margate Caves where you can discover the Iron Age settlement or find out about the discovery of The Grotto at Shell Grotto in Margate. Pretend to be a pilot for the day at Spitfire and Hurricane Museum or become one with nature at Monkton Nature Reserve where you can discover the chalk-based habitats. Looking for something more immersive? The WonderWorks is best known for hobby brands and for those adrenaline junkies, Jump Inc Westwood Cross has got you covered with tumble tracks, laser tag, trampoline parks, tower jump and so much more all under one roof and make sure to get a strike at Hollywood Bowl! Finally, for those quieter families who want to find out more about the beaches make sure to visit The Crab Museum or find out more about vintage computers, games consoles and other technology at The Micro Museum in Ramsgate.
Dover
You’re probably sat there wondering ‘what more could be happening in Kent’… well, make the loudest roar at Wingham Wildlife Park, putt a hole in one at the Roman Landings Walmer Adventure Golf and make sure to ride the East Kent Railway whilst taking in the beautiful views! Discover local history and archaeology with Dover Museum & Bronze Age Boat Gallery, travel back in time to the medieval period at Sandwich Medieval Centre, or fly the planes at The Battle of Britain Memorial with their interactive Scramble Experience. Make sure when you’re visiting Dover to have a picnic with you as there’s always beautiful walks and picnic spots at The White Cliffs of Dover or at Kearsney Parks.
