Look no further for ideas for things to do with the kids around Tunbridge Wells this May half term. Here’s our round up of activities and events taking place between Saturday 25^th May and Sunday 2^nd June. You can find everything from keeping the kids occupied for an hour or two, to suggestions for free days out for the whole family and details of the many organised events. At the moment, dare I say it, the weather is looking pretty good, so we’re looking forward to getting out there to enjoy our fantastic local area. Have fun!

[Please note – we try to be as accurate as possible with the info, dates, locations and times, but please always double check the details directly with the venue or organiser where possible.]

♥   Catch the live music acts at Tunbridge Wells’ free Fringe Festival, from Thursday 23^rd to Monday 27^th May. Unfest venues centre around The Forum, and include The Sussex Arms, The Ragged Trousers and Javabean Café. Expect everything from DJ sets to local bands, plus storytelling, a 17-foot tree made especially for the event and good food.

♥   Get a snap shot of the skills passed between the generations at the Heathfield Agricultural Show on Saturday 25^th May. Watch the sheep show, terrier racing, demonstrations of traditional crafts, Monster Trucks, visit the poultry tent, trade stands, farmers market and more.

♥   Fire up your taste buds for the Tonbridge Food and Drink Festival on Saturday 25^th and Saturday 26^th May. Try, taste and buy from over 70 stallholders from around the world located in the Castle grounds. Don’t miss the cooking demonstrations, painting wall and disgusting food competition for kids. A Beer and Cider festival runs alongside the event and you can relax in the popular Street Food Café.

♥  Bewl Water Aqua Park, a new ‘Total Wipeout’ style inflatable attraction is opening at Bewl Water on Saturday 25th May. The giant water playground features climbing walls, trampolines, balancing bars, rockers, rollers and blast bags and much more! The course is described as being suitable for individuals, groups, families, adults and children!

♥  Celebrate the history of travel by the great explorers with crafts and a prize trail through the Penshurst Place gardens everyday throughout the half term. Join the Bush craft skills experts at Camp Wilderness on Saturday 25^th and Sunday 26^th May and go on a mini-beast hunt in the gardens with Kent Wildlife Trust on Sunday 26^th and Monday 27^th May.

♥   Discover the delightful new outdoor theatre at Groombridge Place where West End actors are performing ‘Peter Pan the Musical’ from Saturday 25th May until Sunday 2nd June, live in the heart of the Enchanted Forest.  

♥   Lullingstone Castle will be transformed into a magical village for Medieval Weekend on Saturday 26^th and Sunday 27^th May. Experience the sights and sounds of the ‘living history’ displays, including mock battle displays and have-a-go archery.

♥   Witness medieval rivalry between England vs France at Leeds Castle’s Jousting Tournament on Saturday 25^th, Sunday 26^th and Monday 27^th May. Brave knights will compete across 4 different events, plus don’t miss the amazing sight of a Trebuchet and medieval canons being fired across the lawn, Medieval games for the kids to enjoy and more!

♥   WWII Weekend at Dover Castle invites visitors to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the D Day landings from Saturday 25^th – Monday 27^th May. Witness an action-packed battle, meet soldiers in the military encampments and get up close to a life size replica spitfire.

♥   Grab your goggles, slip on a lab coat and get stuck into the Kew Science Festival at Wakehurst on 25^th and 26^th May. Meet Kew’s scientists, carry out your own experiments in the lab and go on a behind the scenes tour of the Millennium Seed bank. Children go free, adult tickets are £13.95.

♥   Celebrate our heroes and heroines at Eastbourne’s Sunshine Carnival on the promenade for all ages on Saturday 25^th May.

♥   Make your very own monster friend at Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, between Saturday 25^th May until Sunday 2^nd June (except 28^th May). Lots of outdoor family fun and exploring to be had, with spectacular views, including adventure playground, hedge maze, spot the Yeti and den building, plus Riverhill café and shop.

♥   The whole family can enjoy Cranbrook Goes Nuts in May, a street festival to celebrate everything that grows and what you can do with it, on Sunday 26^th May. You’ll find stalls, nurseries, food court, music, dancing, arts, crafts and children’s activities, including decorate your welly competition.

♥   Kids travel for just £1 at the Spa Valley Railway from Saturday 25^th to Monday 27^th May. Book in advance to save time at the ticket office or just turn up on the day!

♥   Visit the Salomons Estate with the whole family on Sunday 26^th May from 1-8pm to Welcome the Summer, with 5-A-Side football, lawn games, a bouncy castle, BBQ, pizza van and music.

♥   Step back in time into Edwardian Life for half term family fun at Hever Castle. Enjoy a Punch & Judy show, traditional games on the lawn, join Arthur Conan Doyle on a fairy hunt, attend Butler school and check out the Edwardian inventions in the castle.

♥   Watch Dumbo soar to new heights at the new Disney and Tim Burton live action remake of the classic film when it shows at the Trinity Theatre, on Monday 27^th May at 10am and on Tuesday 28^th at 10.30am and 2pm. Rated PG.

♥   Little pirates are invading Arty Farty in Southborough this half term for a variety of workshops. Learn how to act like a pirate at drama club, make a pottery treasure chest, treasure and jewellery, map and spyglass, pirate flag or sea salt scrub.

♥   Gates open at noon for the Penshurst Village Duck Race on the field behind the Leicester Arms on Monday 27^th May.

♥   Creepy crawlies are appearing all week at Millbrook Garden Centre Crowborough. From Tuesday 28^th – Friday 31^st May (except Wednesday), there are themed make-and-take workshops and on Wednesday 29^th May, you can get up close to real life mini-beasts, such as African land snails, African pygmy hedgehog, corn snakes, tortoises and more. All activities are £6.50 per child and should be booked in advance.

♥   Play party games, make crafts, have a mini makeover and dance with The Red Mermaid at The Little Play Café on Tuesday 28^th May from 11am-12.30pm.

♥  The world’s first cycling theatre company, The HandleBards, will be performing a bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ’The Tempest’ like no other at Beechwood School on Tuesday 28th May. In usual HandleBards style, expect riotous amounts of energy, a fair old whack of chaos, and a great deal of laughter.

♥   Discover the creatures in the wetland at the Grosvenor & Hilbert Park pond dipping day on Tuesday 28^th May. For ages 4+ with an accompanying adult, booking essential.

♥   If it’s revision time in your house, then The Right Tuition Company is running a series of revision days to ensure all topics, covered to date, have been fully retained and flag up any gaps in the knowledge. From Tuesday 28^th to Thursday 30^th May.

♥   MSporti multi-sport mania courses are running at Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre from 9am-3pm every day from Tuesday 28^th to Friday 31^st May. At £20 per day, it’s a great way for kids age 5-12 years old to try a diverse range of sports including, cricket, dodgeballs, athletics, netball, basketball, tag rugby, swimming, a ninja warrior zone and more!

♥   Support Local is back with a Pop Up Summer Fair at One Warwick Park Hotel on Sunday 2^nd June from 10am – 4pm. This free event is a great opportunity to discover handpicked, lovely local businesses and support the best of local brands.

♥   Keep the kids entertained this half term at Sussex Country Gardener by booking a ticket to Create a Summer Fairy Garden on Wednesday 29^th May, Make a Potato Print Tote Bag on 30^th-31^st May and Decorate a Baseball Cap on 1^st and 2^nd June. Prices vary between £8-£15 per child, booking advisable.

♥   The Snow Queen, Princess Beauty and Mary Poppins will be waiting to entertain the little ones at the Masonic Hall, St. John’s Road, on Wednesday 29^th May from 1.30pm, at the Once Upon a Wish Events party. The fun filled afternoon, includes mini makeovers, games, live vocal performances, crafting, dancing, Princess school, magic, snow machine and refreshments.

♥   Pack a picnic for your thieves and vagabonds age 5+ at The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle on Wednesday 29^th May, for a magical performance of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

♥   Aged 4-8 year olds are needed to help the Creatables Crew solve the mystery of The Queen’s missing crown, at the unique May half term workshop. Full of fun drama games, exciting interactive storytelling, creative crafts and a closing entertaining show on Wednesday 29^th or Thursday 30^th May, in Hildenborough Village Hall.

♥   As part of the Connect to the Common initiative, Wild Child is a family forest school coming to the Common on Thursday 30^th May. Just drop in with the children anytime between 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm for adventures making dens, lighting fires, mud play, whittling, woodland trail, nature crafts and more.

♥   Climb aboard your favourite rainforest animal and ride the new Rainforest Carousel during a family day out to Drusillas Park…there’s over 30 to choose from, on this classic ride with a twist!

♥   Get out in the fresh air at one of the stunning nearby National Trust properties this half term. Use your compass to discover the Fox and Roostertrail at Ightham Mote or find Sir Winston’s favourite exotic pets and animals hidden around the garden at Chartwell. Enjoy the beautiful views while you venture out on the bird trail at Emmetts Garden or challenge yourself with Edwy’s Mathematical Code Trail at Scotney Castle or on the tree detectives guided walk.

♥   Take aim and try for a hole-in-one at Mr Mulligan’s Dino Golf, if you succeed hand in your score card for a mystery prize!

♥   Every day at 10am during half term you can catch The Lego Movie 2 (rated U) at Odeon Cinema, Tunbridge Wells, at the special Kids Cinema viewing, for the price of just £3.35 per person. Popcorn at the ready!

♥   Ideal for families with children age 7+ the Phileas Fogg’s Attraction is an experience that starts at a Parisian train station, take you on a 60 minute journey to amazing locations with lots of excitement and challenges along the way, but watch out for the foolish detective Fox chasing you!

♥   Take part in the biggest ever survey of England’s forest wildlife, the Big Forest Find at Bedgebury National Pinetum during May half term. Learn how to record the plants, insects, birds and animals you encounter, on organised walks and activities, helping to paint a better picture of England’s forests today. Check the timetable here, as some events are pre-bookable and others are drop in.

♥   There’s a whole host of ways to get active this half term at The Hub, Bodiam, from kayak/paddle board/canoe hire or lessons, child-friendly bush craft and crafts, and a BBQ and pizza night, in this unique collaboration of everything local.

♥   Go bananas at a Despicable Slime Lab Workshop on Friday 31^st May at St Philip Church, Tunbridge Wells, from 2pm.

♥   If you fancy a day at the seaside this half term, check out our blog post for 7 of the best beaches in Kent and East Sussex for families.

♥   For a budget friendly, way to spend some time with the kids outdoors, here is a blog post of our top 9 family walks in Kent and East Sussex. You could pack a picnic too! If the weather isn’t so great, and the kids need to burn off some energy, like it or loathe it, check out my local soft play options blog.

♥   Pop along to Crowborough Town Centre on Saturday 1^st June for a Summer Fun Day, including French Market, Punch & Judy, face painting, music and more.

♥   Join the Dickens enthusiasts, strolling players, re-enactors and ‘Dickensian characters’ celebrating the life of the famous author at the Rochester Dickens Festival on Saturday 1^st and Sunday 2^nd June. On both dates follow the parade led by the Mayor of Medway, followed by a Q&A session with the author’s Great, Great, Grandson, enjoy choirs, various performances including Punch & Judy, brass band, dancing, a fancy-dress catwalk, a kid’s trail and craft fair.

♥   A classic car show of over 60 vehicles is coming to Penshurst Village Fete at the Church Field on Sunday 2^nd June from 12midday until 4pm. Entry is £2 for adults, free for under 16’s and the family fun includes, dog show, sports games, Punch & Judy, bouncy castle, traditional fete games, live music, hog roast, beer tent, Pimms bar and more!

Here’s a round-up of several blog posts which you may find useful too:

♥  50 things to do in Kent when it’s raining – read the full post HERE.

♥  50+ family days out in Kent & East Sussex – read the full post HERE.

♥  Top places for soft play in Kent – near Tunbridge Wells – read the full post HERE.

♥  A Guide to 40 Pubs with Play Areas in Kent & East Sussex – read the full post HERE.