Things to do in Kent with children this weekend

by Angela Cole

Looking for something to do with the children this weekend?

Here seven fab ideas that will keep even the grumpiest dad or moodiest teenager happy...

1. Feast of Fools, Guildhall, Cattle Market, Sandwich

Saturday, February 3

To mark National Storytelling Week, – now in its 18th year – BASH presents a programme of tall tales, foolish entertainments and topsy-turvy food inspired by the winter celebrations of Roman Saturnalia, Carnival and the Medieval Feast of Fools. There will be live music and a three-course supper. Families are invited to dress for the occasion in motley or foolish clothing. Tickets at £20 are available in advance at feast-of-fools.brownpapertickets.com or from Balloons R Us, King Street, Sandwich.

BASH presents a programme of tall tales. Picture: PA Photo

2. Wye Farmers' Market, The Green, Wye

Saturday, February 3

Browse the regular stalls and pick up some tasty goodies at teh same time. Stall holders come from within 30 miles of the market, so your family can do their bit for the local environment and economy! In the summer the market, which is held on the first and third Saturday of the monthe between 9am and noon, has a bouncy castle for the kids.

Browse some 22 regular stalls and pick up some tasty goodies. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty

3. Falconry Displays, Leeds Castle, Maidstone

All weekend

See the dramatic displays of hawks, vultures, falcons and owls at weekends until March. They last around 40 minutes and take place at 2pm. When your little ones have been wowed by the birds, head into the nearby maze and find the grotto at its heart. For entry costs and more details go to leeds-castle.com

You can see free flying displays of hawks. Picture: Bob Kitchin

4. Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, New Romney Station, Littlestone

All weekend

Known as 'Kent’s Mainline in Miniature', one-third full size steam and diesel locomotives have powered their way along the 13.5 miles of track for 90 years. There are four stations along the route so make sure you check the website for times and costs. Head to rhdr.org.uk

5. Clangers & Co, Sissinghurst Castle

Until Sunday, February 4

Step into Sissinghurst Castle and get transported back to the golden age of children's TV. There's favourites from a generation (or so) on display in a special exhibition that has its roots firmly planted in Kent. The Clangers, Bagpuss & Co. Exhibition, organised by the V&A Museum of Childhood will be at the amazing National Trust propertry, near Cranbrook, until Sunday, February 4. It will be open from 11am to 4pm.

Bagpuss is at Sissinghurst Picture: ©Smallfilms, ©Victoria and Albert Museum, London

6. Highway Rat Trail, Bedgebury Pinetum and Jeskyns Woodland, Gravesend

"Give me your buns and your biscuits!" isn’t the usual demand from a highwayman but then the Highway Rat isn’t your usual robber. A creation of award-winning author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, the swashbuckling rodent got his first TV airing with the BBC on Christmas Day. With his sweet tooth and voracious appetite, this naughty hero was a delight for little ones. You can find Bedgebury Pinetum at Bedgebury Road, Goudhurst, TN17 2SJ.

7. Early Man, Cinemas everywhere

Out now

Bristol-based Aardman Animations turns back the clock thousands of years for a charming comedy of errors that traces the history of football to our club-wielding prehistoric ancestors. The beautiful game turns ugly in a knockabout script co-written by Mark Burton and James Higginson, which scores a couple of own goals with groansome puns as caveman Dug (Eddie Redmayne) challenges a team of preening Bronze Age superstars to a match.