Things to do in Kent in the rain during October half term 2019

by My Kent Family reporter

mykentfamily@thekmgroup.co.uk

Are you running out of ways to keep the kids entertained in the wet weather?

Don't let rain halt play as we head towards the weekend. Here are some suggestions of things to do on a rainy day this week...

The Climbing Experience, St Peter's Street, Maidstone

1) Indoor climbing

If the kids are climbing the walls - visit one of Kent's growing number of indoor activity centres.

The Climbing Experience recently opened in Maidstone and has colourful, themed walls of up to 30 metres. It is Kent's newest and largest climbing facility, catering for complete beginners to well-practised pros. The state-of-the-art centre in St Peter's Street, Maidstone also has a dedicated bouldering space of more than 700 square metres, a soft play area and café. Open from 10am to 10pm during the week and until 7pm on Saturday and Sunday, you can take the kids here whenever they need to burn off some energy.

Swallows Leisure Centre also opened its own Clip 'n Climb centre with soft play earlier this year and there is a similar attraction at Dover Leisure Centre also. Gravity Trampoline Park also has Gravity Rocks climbing walls at its Bluewater base and Clip n Climb has its largest centre in Tonbridge.

Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil starring Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora, Angelina Jolie as Maleficent and Sam Riley as Diaval. Picture credit: PA Photo/Disney Enterprises, Inc./Jaap Buitendijk.

2) Find a half term film

It wouldn't be a school holiday without a couple of blockbuster films to tempt us to the big screen.

Family favourite Shaun the Sheep is back with his hit latest hit film Farmageddon and Disney has also released its latest blockbuster Maleficent: Mistress of Evil - a sequel to the 2014 global box office hit. Both films are showing at cinemas county-wide.

3) Get spooked at Dover Castle

Shelter from the drizzle and take a wander down the tunnel of terror for a spooky tours of the historic Dover Castle.

There will be creepy crafts, the chance to make a menacing mask or witches' cat to take home and prizes for the best costume.

A family ticket costs £54.30 and English Heritage members are free.

Get the kids out the house with one of our rainy day suggestions

4) Comedy Club for Kids

Cracking entertainment for everyone over the age of six, Comedy Club for Kids stars the funniest comedians doing what they do best, but without the rude bits!

It's exactly like a normal comedy club, but in daylight hours, and for a much younger audience.

Visiting Canterbury as part of the city's arts festival, the laughter will begin at 2pm on Saturday, October 26 in the Spiegeltent.

5) Dog fun and fancy dress

As we all prepare to dress up for Halloween, why not let our furry friends get involved too?

This is exactly what will be happening in Nonington Village Hall, Dover on Saturday, October 26, from midday until 5pm. Dogs, dressed for the occasion in all manner of cute and creative costumes, will be able to take part in obstacle courses, with plenty of prizes up for grabs. There will also be a drawing competition, snacks and expert pet advisors.

6) Get creative with Berlin Wall Art

Thirty years after its fall, the Berlin Wall may be gone, but it is not forgotten.

For half term, the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham is staging a Berlin Wall Art activity until Sunday, October 27, where children can create a stencil inspired by the art on the wall and paint it onto a fabric drawstring bag to take home. Activities will run from 11am to 3pm and will cost £2 plus normal admission.

Fright at the Museum at The Beaney in Canterbury

7) Fright at the Museum

Shelter from the bad weather inside Kent's newest haunted house. The Beaney in Canterbury is being transformed on Friday and Saturday for two days of Halloween fun for families. Pumpkin carving, spooky trails, potion making and fancy dress make up the museum's attraction. More information here.

Flip Out in Chatham has a new inflatable zone

8) Visit the new-look Flip Out in Chatham

Flip Out at The Quays in Chatham has a new look for half term. It has opened a new inflatable area including a obstacle course, a mega bounce and giant slide. There is also a viewing platform for parents. To learn more about the makeover click here.

9) Wipeout Arena, Sittingbourne

Wipeout Arena bounces back to Swallows Leisure Centre for three days of fun on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (October 25 to October 27).

The indoor inflatable attraction for all ages also as a version for kids under four called Wipeout Tots. Bounce, jump, run and dive around the course in sessions which each last one hour.

Ticket information and bookings can be made here.