Seven things to do with the children in Kent this weekend

by Ellis Stephenson

Facing a weekend of dodging the showers while making sure the children are suitably entertained?

If you are - we may have just the thing to help you out. Seven things in fact.

Scroll down for ways we think you could spend your weekend:

Go wild about birds at Betteshanger Country Park in Deal

Betteshanger Park, Deal

All weekend

The Wild Weekend on Saturday July 22 and Sunday July 23, is free and provides a chance to get away from it all and enjoy nature.

Activities include a bird of prey photography workshop with BBC Countryfile’s Richard Taylor-Jones on Saturday and a bird of prey display on Sunday July 23, with the Sky Bird of Prey display team.

Visit betteshanger-park.co.uk for further details.

Whacky Races, Kent Life Heritage Park

There are some summer Whacky Races which fly out the blocks on Saturday, July 22, and kick off two weeks of themed events at Kent Life in Maidstone.

Encourage the Kent Life ferrets and hamsters in their contests, take part in some races yourself and cheer on your fellow competitors.

All the details - and more about the summer programme - can be found here.

Tudor Tales, Hever Castle

Step back in time at Hever Castle and Gardens’ Tudor Tales event.

On Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23, visitors can learn what it was like to live in medieval England. You can learn about swordsmanship for the battlefield and the history of the bow and its use and see re-enactors demonstrate authentic Tudor crafts, cookery, weaving, games and music.

Go to hevercastle.co.uk or call 01732 865224.

Thousands of people took part in the race last year

Medway Mile

The Medway Mile is the biggest en-masse sports event of the year in Medway.

Established in 2007 to mark the countdown to the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics, the Mile is now a landmark in Medway’s calendar and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

For details on how to join the run visit medway.gov.uk

Character trail, Bluewater

Gromit is being unleashed on Bluewater Shopping Centre – 12 of him to be precise.

Twelve giant Gromit sculptures will be popping up around the centre near Dartford from Friday, July 21, to Sunday, September 3, for the Gromit Unleashed® Character Trail.

The trail costs £2 and young explorers can pick up a trail map from the concierge desk outside M&S on the lower mall, and get prizes for completed ones.

Ashofrd Designer Outlet

A Summer Social this Saturday launches an entire summer of events on Saturday, July 22 which will run until Sunday, September 3.

You'll also be able to take a break from shopping with an open air summer festival garden area at the centre in Ashford, an ice cream stand and giant games, including Connect 4 and Jenga for the summer to keep your family amused.

There will also be a kids' reading corner plus giant inflatable Water Walkers to try.

For details click here.

Groombridge Place

Travel back in time and meet the knights and princesses of Groombridge Place.

Discover what life was like during medieval times with interactive shows and storytelling, from Saturday, July 22 to Sunday, August 6.

Events in the programme include Wizards, Magic & Monsters between Monday, August 7 and Sunday, August 20, followed by Wild West Adventures between Monday, August 21 and Sunday, September 3.

The events take place between 10am and 5.30pm. For more, go to groombridgeplace.com