Things to do in Kent this weekend

On your marks, get set, go!

The summer holidays have started and events are in full swing.

We have rounded up seven of the best to take you through the coming days:

1 A sporting summer, The Forum, Sittingbourne

Kids are set for a sporting summer at Kent shopping centre The Forum.

Running every Saturday, from July 29 until Septemebr 2, will be a variety of sports day style activities. Challenges include hula hooping, giant egg and spoon, skipping and long jump.

The child with the highest score logged on The Forum's leader board at the end of each day will be announced the winner and a special prize awarded courtesy of the centre's retailers. Events take place between 11am and 4pm.

2 Arts and Crafts in the Park, Westgate Gardens, Canterbury

The talents of local artists will be showcased this Sunday, July 30 in the Westgate Gardens between 10am and 4pm.

Alongside handcrafted goods will be stallholders Wild Play Natures Way, Felicity Fudge, Blean Wednesday Art Group, Sandglass Fusion and Canterbury Society of Art.

Chainsaw demonstrations by Steve Andrews from Tribalanimal will be taking place and visitors can search for chalk art pictures by Marvellous Murals dotted throughout the Gardens.

Arts and crafts activities for children run 10am until 3pm where they can make elder pencils or dragonflies and butterflies to take home for £1. Entry to the event is free. For more click here.

3 Down House, Downe, BR6 7JT

Saturday sees the final day of Brilliant Bones at Down House in Orpington. The event during National Archaeology Week uncovers the secrets and importance of archaeology. Children and their families can step back to the 1800s and join Victorian palaeontology expert Mary Anning, hear her stories and enjoy craft activities.

Each workshop lasts around 40 minutes and sessions take place at 11am, noon, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. Admission is £11.80 for adults and £10.60 for children but English Heritage members are free.

Click here for more details.

4 Family Fun Day, The Barrow House, Egerton

A family fun day takes place on Saturday at this village pub. An action packed afternoon of family friendly activities is promised including entertainment from Beautiful Creatures theatre, a bouncy castle, face painting and lashings of ice cream.

There will also be live music from 4pm to 6pm.

Visit the website for further details.

5 Doc.Yard, The Historic Dockyard, Chatham

Whizzing back into the dockyard from this Monday, July 31 is Doc.Yard and his assistant Bunsen for a one hour hands on interactive experience and this time it is all about mathematical fun and games.

The doc's events take place until September 3 and will run with three shows on every week day and two at weekends. The shows are included within your annual ticket price.

Visitors are advised to arrive early as Doc.Yard is a popular event.

6 Chiddingstone Village Fete

A traditional village fete with an array of stalls, side shows, teas and cakes, music, a motor cycle display and other entertainment including a bouncy castle can be found at this fete on Saturday.

The popular dog show is also running while there will also be donkey rides and the chance to sit in a fire engine.

The event is from 2pm until 5pm on the recreation ground on Chiddingstone Road.

7 Face Painting and Nail Art, Riverhill Himalayan Gardens

Choose your favourite designs for either your face or nails at this event running until Sunday (July 30) for young visitors to Riverhill Gardens near Sevenoaks.

No additional charge after admission is required and booking is not necessary. Adult tickets are £8.25 and £5.95 for children aged four to 16.

For further details click here.