Summer fun for all the family

The summer holidays will soon be here! While our children are looking forward to it, many of us parents are wondering how we are going to juggle work, play, and activities within our budget in a way that works for the whole family. If you’re short on ideas for fun on a budget, take a look at some ideas that won’t break the bank in London or closer to home.

Visit a Museum

Britain has an amazing array of museums and entry is often free or by donation. Head to London for one of the “big 3” - the Science Museum (www.sciencemuseum. org.uk), the V&A (www.vam.ac.uk) or the Natural History Museum (www.nhm.ac.uk), here you’ll need at least half a day as there are thousands of exhibits ranging from dinosaurs, to volcanicity, to evolution. Don’t miss the skeleton of the Blue Whale in the Hintze Hall, which is truly majestic. If you’ve done these, try a lesser-known one, like The Cartoon Museum (www.cartoonmuseum. org) in Holborn. Entry is £7 for adults and £3 for children.

Locally you could visit Dover Museum, this modern museum tells the fascinating story of this rich and important area. Entry is free and they run a family day during the holidays, which is a themed day with lots of activities to entry from 10.30am - 3pm. www.dovermuseum.co.uk

Dover Transport Museum is home to many forms of vintage transport and also features vintage shop fronts. With a large visitor operated model railway and a taxi and bus hunt for children, a visit to the museum makes a memorable family day out. For opening times and prices visit www. dovertransportmuseum.org.uk

Enjoy the beach

Britain has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. We have nearly 7,800 miles of coast, ideal for surfing, walking, exploring and wildlife watching. Kent is no exception with 10 Blue Flag beaches to enjoy. Blue Flag Award is an internationally recognised stamp of approval for water quality and cleanliness so why not head off to Tankerton, Broadstairs or Margate this summer for a low cost family day out.

Go Wild

Why not visit one of Kent’s great Wildlife Parks or Zoos all offer a great family day out. Head to Howletts Wildlife Park and Port Lympne Reserve. Or experience life on the farm at Rare Breads Centre in Ashford

Enjoy British wildlife at the Woodland Trust where more than 300 native animals live in a 40 acre forest or experience exotic birds and small animals at Wingham Wildlife Park and why not sign up for one of their experience days.

Visit a Landmark

If you visit Tower Bridge in London this summer, you can also visit the exhibition with a new family activity pass (family tickets usually start at £15.30). This pass will give you free access to family activity days for six months. Activity days give families a chance to step inside the Bridge to experience the Glass Walkways, exhibitions and atmospheric Victorian Engine Rooms while exploring its fascinating history and engineering feats through soundscapes, storytelling and art activities.

Closer to home, the White Cliffs of Dover are possibly one of the most famous iconic landmarks with stunning views, a serene walk and wildlife to enjoy

Dover Castle is as iconic of all English fortresses. You can climb the Great Tower, meet costumed characters and roam through centuries of history for a great action packed day out. There are lots of great family days out to enjoy this summer, see www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ places/dover-castle for full details.

Discover 900 years of history and explore 500 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens at Leeds Castle. Visit this summer to see the blossoming gardens, find your way through the yew-tree maze, enjoy free flying falconry displays, spectacular events and many more all-year-round attractions. www.leeds-castle.com

Hever Castle & Gardens

Experience 700 years of history at Hever Castle & Gardens, the romantic doublemoated 13th century castle once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and Mother of Elizabeth I. Discover magnificent award-winning gardens set in 125 acres of glorious grounds. Enjoy lots of family events this summer including Knights and Princesses School, Tudor Tales and Jousting as well as Castle Canines. www.hevercastle.co.uk

Family friendly festivals

Most festivals now have family friendly entertainment and a special kids areas, and plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy. bOing will run 25-26 August in Canterbury. There will be free outdoor performances, incredible staged productions, live music, workshops and adventures across the University of Kent campus all weekend. Broadstirs Folk Festival, a big family music festival runs from 10-17 August with activities including music, workshops, dancing and more.

Get active and outdoors

Kent has more than 4200 miles of countryside and coastal paths. Take a stroll along the woodland trails at Betteshanger Park or take a family bike ride on the longest road cycle track in the UK. The Park is also abundant with native wildlife, look out for frogs, newts, water voles, dragonflies, butterflies, spiders, jays, waxwings, kestrels and owls. www.betteshanger-park.co.uk

The Royal Geographical Society’s Discovering Britain website has a whole series of free, self-guided walks to help you explore the unique geographical and historical stories of the Kent county – see their walks in Faversham, Sandwich, Margate, the Hoo Peninsula, Dungeness, Folkestone, Deal and Dover.