Family days out and events with the kids in Kent this week

by Ellis Stephenson

Here's seven great ways to keep the whole family happy this weekend. From puppets to football, monster hunts to Mister Maker, we have you covered so your little ones won't be left bored.

Scroll down to see what's going on.

A powercut struck Dreamland in Margate
A powercut struck Dreamland in Margate

Puppetry & Crafts, Dreamland, Margate

Sunday, October 15

Join Teddy and Betty for an afternoon of arts and crafts with puppet making at a drop-in session at the Margate theme park. The pair’s puppetry show is already a firm favourite at Dreamland, so they are the perfect people to guide young ones through making their own puppets. The session is the last in Dreamland’s four-week puppetry festival. For more details visit dreamland.co.uk

Mister Maker will be in Margate. Picture: Matthew Walker
Mister Maker will be in Margate. Picture: Matthew Walker

Mister Maker, Margate Winter Gardens

Saturday, October 14

Just down the road from Dreamland you can join CBeebies’ Mister Maker on his live theatre tour. With art at its heart, the show encourages Mini Makers and their grown-ups to sing, dance and make some noise. There’s a big 'make' to take part in, plenty of audience participation and, of course, The Shapes. For tickets costing £14 and £11.50 for children, visit margatewintergardens.co.uk or call 01843 292795.

See Maidstone in FA Cup action
See Maidstone in FA Cup action

Maidstone United v Enfield Town

Saturday, October 14 at 3pm

If your kids love football then they'll love the FA Cup and this weekend it's the next round of the world's oldest football competition. Maidstone will be taking on Enfield at their Gallagher Stadium in a match that's sure to pull in a big crowd especially as under 11s pay just £2 and under 16s £7. There's also two FA Cup matches in the east of county, Dover v Bromley and Margate v Leatherhead, where the football will be just as fast and furious. Remember, no guts, no glory...

Why not go pumpkin picking?
Why not go pumpkin picking?

PYO Pumpkins, Belunce Farm, Hoo

All weekend

The 40-acre family farm has been opening its gates in the run-up to Halloween for seven years. The Batchelor family specialise in pumpkins, squashes and globe artichockes and grew 200,000 for last year’s picking season. Picking starts at 10am on both days. There will also be picking from Tuesday, October 17 to Friday, October 20 between 10am and 1pm and from Saturday, October 21 to Sunday, October 29 between 10am and 4pm. For more details go to pyopumpkins.com

Join the Little Monster Hunt at Bluwater
Join the Little Monster Hunt at Bluwater

Bluewater

October half term fun runs from Friday, October 13 to Tuesday, October 31 at the county's biggest shopping centre. To join in the fun, head to the the concierge desk outside M&S on the Lower Mall to pick up a Little Monster Hunt leaflet. Then, follow the trail to find the 12 spooky little monsters - including Frankenstein, Dracula and The Mummy - that are lurking around the centre.

Circle of Two: Bambolina and Dodo will be at the Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival
Circle of Two: Bambolina and Dodo will be at the Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival

Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival

Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14

The fun, family festival was first held in Tunbridge Wells two years ago, with the star of the show Joey the War Horse puppet meeting visitors. This year's festival will turn the town into a colourful showground with a bigger, more varied and colourful line-up of puppetry fun and entertainment for all ages. SEvents on The Pantiles on Saturday, October 14 are free. For details visit twpuppetryfestival.org.

The Three Musketeers, Brook Theatre, Chatham

Sunday, October 15

This rip-roaring, swashbuckling show by the Baroque Theatre Company uses skillful storytelling, clever stagecraft and the colourful characters from Alexandre Dumas original story to tell the classic tale. The show will be on twice on Sunday, October 15 at 11am and 2pm. Tickets cost £7 and it's £5.50 for under 16s. The perfect show for youngsters aged five and over. To book visit medwayticketslive.co.uk

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