Things to do with the kids in Kent on the first weekend of 2018

by My Kent Family reporter

mykentfamily@thekmgroup.co.uk

The party poppers have gone off and we are now ready to get on with 2018.

But now the New Year is here, what can you do with the children in early January? Here's seven great ideas for this weekend.

1. Mid Kent Auto Jumble, Lockmeadow, Barker Road, Maidstone

Sunday, January 7

A new event for petrol heads young and old. There's lots to see or maybe you have some unwanted items in the garage you could exchange for some much-needed funds for family fun this cash-strapped January. The event is open from 10am to 3pm at the market venue in Lockmeadow, Maidstone. For details beforehand, call 01622 298159 or visit classicshowsuk.co.uk

Entrance to the auto jumble sale is £2.50 a person

2. Easy Sunday Family Workshop, Turner Contemporary, Margate

Sunday, January 7

Using shapes, material and coloured, the workshop opens from 1pm to 4pm at the Clore Learning Studio. Workshops are held at the gallery on Sundays throughout the year except when exhibitions are changing over. They cost £4.50 but are free for those living in the CT9 postcode area. For details go to turnercontemporary.org

Young visitors can take part in free workshops at Turner Contemporary

3. Gravity Trampolining Centre, Bluewater

Every day

Gravity’s flagship Kent centre opened just before Christmas. Located where the Glow exhibition space was, the attraction includes a two-story obstacle course plus an open bounce arena, urban climbing wall and a slam dunk zone. Tickets start from £10.95. Details at gravity-uk.com/bluewater-dartford

4. Clangers, Bagpuss & Co exhibition, Sissinghurst Castle

Every day

If you didn’t get a chance to catch this nostalgic exhibition before Christmas, there’s still a few weeks left to see the characters which delighted generations of children in years gone by. They include the Clangers, Bagpuss and Noggin the Nog. The exhibition has been arranged by the V&A Museum of Childhood in London and is open from 11am to 4pm. Entry is free but normal admission at the castle applies. Details at nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden

The new Clangers. Picture: BBC/Jonathan Birch

5. Peter Pan, Maidstone Studios

Until Saturday, January 6

The Christmas decorations may have come down but it's not to late for a bit of panto magic. This top class production features reality TV star and singer Amelia Lily as Tinkerbell while Peter is played by X Factor 2010 finalist Lloyd Daniels, now a panto pro with seven under his belt. Click here for more details.

6. Ferdinand, Kent cinemas

Various days

There's still time to catch a screening of this brilliant children's movie. Ferdinand is a huge, peaceful bull who grew up with a caring family. He wouldn’t hurt a fly – but when he’s snatched from his home and taken to the bullring things have to change. Visit your local cinema's website for details.

There may still be time to catch Ferdinand in the cinema

7. Oh Yes It Is panto exhibition, The Beaney, Canterbury

Until Sunday, January 14

Panto season may be nearly behind us but there's still time to see this interactive exhibition celebrating the history of this most British of institutions. Drawing on one of the largest collections of pantomime-related material in the UK, it features posters, props, programmes and costume designs. There's also spotlights on the glitzy, glamourous larger-than-life characters that have graced stages across the country through the ages.