Families East Kent Magazine September/October issue 2019

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IN THIS ISSUE RECRUITING NOW Successful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside and without compromising family commitments or current career.

If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or you wish to develop an extraordinary lifestyle

call Vicki King 07501 433 922

Issue 11 September/October 2019 familiesonline.co.uk

Is good grammar important?

What’s on this September & October Half Term activities and events

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Could this be your dream job?

Work flexible hours from home and around your family!

Business Franchise Opportunity

Families East Kent is a premium free magazine for parents with childen 0 - 12 in East Kent and it’s now looking for a new owner.

The East Kent franchise area covers Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Faversham, Folkestone, Margate, Ramsgate and all areas inbetween.

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Families East Kent Magazine is part of the brand-leading Families Magazine franchise group, which was established in 1990 and has 40 local titles around the UK. If you are interested in: •

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Then call us today for more information on 07789 882467 or email your interest to editor@familieseastkent.co.uk

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The secret to success is…

VOICE TRIALS for boys aged 7 & 8 9th November 2019 Enquiries are welcome at any time

sharing your child’s reading journey Regular deliveries of books at your child’s reading level.

Substantial scholarships are awarded and choristers benefit from an all-round excellent education at St Edmund’s School Canterbury.

The Master of Choristers, David Flood, is always pleased to meet and advise parents and their sons.

For further details please telephone

01227 865242 davidf@canterbury-cathedral.org @No1Cathedral

2 Families East Kent

www.readingchest.co.uk Book Rental for Children Learning to Read familiesonline.co.uk

East Kent Managing Editor Rebecca Carr editor@familieseastkent.co.uk 07789 882 467 Advertising Amanda Biggs amanda@familiespublishing.co.uk 07835 848066 What’s On Guide Laura Vass assistant@familieseastkent.co.uk Next issue November/December Booking deadline 5 October 2019 Printed By Holbrooks Printers Ltd Cover image: Depositphotos Distributing 20,000 copies to: Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Broadstairs, Margate, Ramsgate, Deal, Dover, Folkestone and all the areas in between.

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Contents 4. News & views 6. Is good grammar important?

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Stay in touch Families east kent magazine © Families East Kent 2019 Families East Kent is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families East Kent are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families East Kent. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families East Kent ; our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

8. Education matters: School news 8. School Autumn open days 10. Helping your child enjoy happy friendships 11. What’s on in September & October 15. Halloween and Half Term what’s on Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news and events happening in East Kent and look out for some great competitions, giveaways and special reader offers.

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News & views

WIN 6 months of books delivered to your home with Reading Chest!

When children start the new academic year, the gap in reading abilities within a class can be at its widest. This is because whilst some children read all summer long, others may not read anything at all. If your child falls into the latter category, then it is more important than ever to get off to a good reading start in September.

Improving your child’s concentration Concentration is a vital life skill which develops from birth. Linked closely to brain development, it improves alongside a child’s memory and ability to organise their thoughts.

Perform and parenting expert and child psychologist, Dr Claire Halsey offers their tips.

Set up for success

Schools strongly encourage reading at home every day to compliment the learning in school, however sometimes it is difficult to have a good supply of books at the right reading level. Reading Chest – the children’s book rental service provides access to good quality, interesting books perfectly matched to your child’s ability, making reading at home fun for children and easy for parents.

Reading Chest members receive regular deliveries of books from schemes used in schools, such as Collins Big Cat and Oxford Reading Tree. There are also other incentives such as reward charts, stickers, book bags and certificates. Children won’t be able to resist opening their own regular postal deliveries of exciting books. For more information and reading advice visit www.readingchest.co.uk.

Reading Chest is offering a six month bronze membership to a lucky Families reader. For a chance to win go to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/familieseastkentmagazine, Like our page and comment. Enter by 30 September.

One entry per household. No cash alternative is offered. Editor’s decision is final.

Reduce big distractions: television, music and screen time make it difficult to listen and concentrate, so limit these to set times.

A unique opportunity with Canterbury Cathedral Choir

Make it fun

Canterbury Cathedral Choir is looking to award substantial scholarships to talented boys who would like to join them in September 2020.

Auditions, for a long time referred to as a Voice Trial, will be held on 9 November 2019.

Make activities fun as your child is more likely to pay attention eg tidying up toys is less of a chore when you offer a tickle to the child who finishes first!

Keep practising

Games and activities can build concentration. Choose turn-taking games like Snap or Picture Dominoes or those with simple instructions.

Praise the good stuff

Praise your child when they focus rather than highlighting when they don’t, eg “Well done for sticking with that puzzle.”

Seek advice

A small number of children have difficulty paying attention no matter how hard they try. Ask your child’s teacher for suggestions.

If you’re still concerned, see your GP. Visit www.clairehalsey.com for more from Dr Claire Halsey.

Perform offers concentration-boosting drama classes in Ashford, Faversham and Folkestone. Try a free no-obligation class at www.perform.org.uk/try

Local Classes St Mary’s Community Centre Ashford, TN24 9LH Drama 4-7’s, Tues 4pm, 7-12’s, Tues 5pm

Any boy who is 7 or 8 years old (in year 3 from September) and who enjoys singing can be considered and the Cathedral organist, David Flood, will be delighted to meet and advise them at any convenient time. It is not necessary to have had any musical training, it just potential that Dr Flood is keen to see. The choristers, enjoy the excellent facilities of St Edmund’s School, Canterbury and receive very substantial scholarships from the Cathedral.

Canterbury Cathedral choir enjoys the very highest reputation across the world and performs to many thousands of people every year, at home and through radio and television.

They take an essential part of all the events in Canterbury Cathedral, not just the daily services but also the major national and international occasions. The life of a chorister is full of excitement and a huge reward to be part of such a special team. It is the chance of a lifetime.

For further information, contact David Flood on 01227 865242 or email: davidf@canterburycathedral.org.

Distributors Wanted Thanet, Dover, Folkestone & Ashford Areas Are you looking for some extra income? Do you have a few hours spare over 1 - 2 days every two months within school hours?

Families East Kent Magazine is looking for distributors to deliver our magazine to local schools, nurseries and family attractions. If you live in the area, are reliable and trustworthy, have a car and would like to earn extra money, email editor@familieseastkent.co.uk for more information and routes available.

West Faversham Community Centre Faversham, ME13 7RH Drama 4-7’s, Fri 4pm, 7-12’s, Fri 5pm St George’s Church Folkestone, CT20 3QA Drama 4-7’s, Fri 4pm, 7-12’s, Fri 5pm 4 Families East Kent

Starting November 2019

Good rates of pay familiesonline.co.uk

Does your child love to get muddy?

Muddy Knees Nursery and Forest School based at Dover College Prep School is delighted to announce that back by popular demand, the Discover & Explore playgroup will take place each Wednesday between 1.15pm and 2.45pm during term time.

The playgroup provides children from walking age the opportunity to learn through adventure and exploration in our fully equipped outdoor classroom. Children can immerse themselves in nature, helping them to become creative, resilient little learners whilst allowing their imaginations to run wild. Children will build confidence, self-esteem and peer interaction.

Free family fun with Heritage Open Days this September

A safe and secure outdoor environment where free play, fresh air, exposure to the natural world and physical activity is encouraged is an integral part of learning. Each week fully qualified teachers and assistants will lead planned activities.

This year, Heritage Open Days is celebrating its 25th anniversary and will be the biggest and most diverse to date.

The playgroup is free of charge however spaces are limited so booking early is highly recommended. For further details, please email muddyknees@dovercollege.org.uk

Running from 13 - 22 September, this annual celebration of England’s history and culture, allows visitors free access to historical landmarks that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee. Nationwide there will be hundreds of free interactive activities for children, including dressing up, crafting, woodland walks and railway rides. With a theme of ‘People Power,’ this year’s festival will offer visitors more opportunities than ever to discover the secret history of their towns, villages and countryside.

Picky eaters still grow up healthy Picky eating in toddlers is a well-documented phase when children don’t want to try new foods and/or show very strong preferences. It can create much worry for parents, and has created a whole market for advice, guidance and tools to encourage young children to try lots of new tastes and textures. But researchers from the University of Bristol using data from a study of children between the ages of 7 to 17 have found that instead of being harmed by their diets, children who had been picky eaters at age 3 were growing normally as adolescents with a healthy height and weight.

The researchers claim the study shows that even children who are picky as pre-schoolers usually eat well enough over time to ensure they grow properly. More info: www.bristol. ac.uk/news

For local events visit, www. heritageopendays.org.uk and have a look at our What’s on Guide on page 11 for some local Heritage Open Days.

DISCOVER & EXPLORE

OUTDOOR PLAYGROUP FOR CHILDREN FROM WALKING Planned activities delivered each week by fully qualified staff in The Discovery Garden at Dover College (CT17 9RH) Children must be accompanied by an adult WEDNESDAYS - 1.15PM to 2.45PM FREE OF CHARGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO BOOK E: muddyknees@dovercollege.org.uk T: 01304 244523

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Families East Kent 5

Education Matters fragments of sentences are the norm and it is unnecessary to use grammar.

This short-cutting of language exposes children to a real risk of developing bad communication habits which could hold them back in the future.

Some tips for helping your child with grammar Bring grammar to life by asking questions to find out what your child knows about grammar. Do they know what a noun is? If not, show your child some objects.

Explain that nouns are the names used for people, places and things. You can do the same with verbs by acting out some actions such as ‘jump’, ‘hop’ and ‘clap’.

Is good grammar important?

By Andrew Campbell

When you went to school, it’s possible you didn’t get much grammar instruction and as a result didn’t absorb its importance.

Alternatively, you may have had grammar drummed into you again and again, using a prescriptive rule-based approach which didn’t create an understanding of its significance or purpose.

Either way, you may feel that you don’t know much about grammar and may wonder if it is really an essential component of your child’s education or future.

The truth is that the use of correct grammar is important because it is the main feature within both our spoken and written communication that allows us to communicate our thoughts and ideas clearly and be understood.

Using incorrect grammar can lead to meaningless sentences and unclear messages, which in turn can lead to misinterpretation or misunderstanding.

Even something as simple as a misplaced comma can completely change the meaning of a sentence. For example: “Let’s eat Grandpa.” versus “Let’s eat, Grandpa.”

Children who don’t develop a good grasp of grammar fall back on what they intuitively know about language; as a consequence they simply write like they speak. Whereas, with a good understanding of the different grammatical components of language, a child is able to express themselves clearly and establish good foundation skills for written documentation like school essays, 6 Families East Kent

job applications and creative writing in later years.

Grammar rules also help children develop the habit of thinking logically and clearly.

They provides the building blocks for them to expand their vocabulary and understand and express themselves in longer, more interesting and more complex ways. When children increase their language complexity (with word endings, or longer/more complex sentences), they can express and understand more complicated ideas.

The rise of social media as a dominant form of communication amongst young people has given rise to much shortcutting of the English language. When sending texts or messages via Facebook or WhatsApp, simple sentences or

Do simple crosswords with your child using a dictionary to help you. The dictionary tells you what type of word you have looked up (verb, adverb, pronoun, noun etc.), and you can share this with your child.

Play with punctuation. When you read, occasionally look at the punctuation and talk about what it is telling the reader to do. Show your child how a question mark tells you to raise your voice at the end of the sentence to indicate a question being asked.

Play ‘i-spy’ with the focus on looking for nouns (e.g. dad, bridge, tree, shop, apple). Tell your child that you are going to ask questions about the noun they have chosen. For example, ‘Is your noun green?’, ‘Can your noun fit in my hand?’

In this way you introduce grammatical terminology in a fun way.

Model. When your child says something that is grammatically incorrect, model to them the correct way of saying it.

For older primary school children: Opposites. Help your child understand antonyms (opposites) by calling out words like hot, big, slow, and getting them to shout out the opposite. Alternatively, get your child to shout words that mean the same as the ones you’re calling out (synonyms).

Tense tents. Help your child understand verb tenses, by drawing some ‘tense tents’ on pieces of paper. Write down some verbs in their various tenses – present (play), past (played), future (will play) and get your child to move the verbs into the correct tent.

Sentence Challenge. Challenge your child to write sentences of more than 25 words that only contain one verb. This helps them to understand how to control a sentence, rather than overcomplicate it.

More resources at: learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/ grammar-vocabulary www.bbc.com/bitesize/topics/zhrrd2p www.theschoolrun.com/best-grammarapps-for-kids familiesonline.co.uk

Co-educational day &&boarding forfor 3-18 years in South-East England Co-educational, boardingschool school 3-18 years in South East England

With small class sizes and exceptional facilities, St Lawrence College provides outstanding opportunities for all pupils academically, in sport and in the arts.

Autumn 2019 Open Days Junior School (3-11 yrs) - Friday 4 October Senior School (11-18 yrs) - Saturday 5 October Junior School T: 01843 572912 E: jsadmissions@slcuk.com Senior School T: 01843 572931 E: admissions@slcuk.com Find out more about us - www.slcuk.com

NURSERY | PRE-PREP | PREP

Saturday 12th October 2019 Saturday 16th May 2020

OPEN MORNINGS

www.junior-kings.co.uk

13+ Entry - Saturday 5th October 2019 13+ Entry - Saturday 7th March 2020 Sixth Form - Saturday 21st September 2019 Sixth Form - Saturday 20th June 2020 www.kings-school.co.uk

The King's School_Families East Kent_September 2019.indd 1

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8/2/2019 1:51:38 PM Families East Kent 7

Education Matters

Spring Grove School recently declared Runner Up in the Better Energy School Awards Spring Grove School in Wye, was recently declared Runner Up in the ‘Totally Active’ category of the Better Energy School Awards for its recycling project ’Spring Back’, in recognition of the wide range of environmental initiatives carried out over the last 12 months.

Some of the initiatives included a bottle-top collection, ‘Eco-bricks’ made from plastic bottles stuffed full of plastic waste, a school wellie recycling scheme, the creation of a school-based recycling centre, and the creative upcycling of ‘thrown away’ materials both at school and in Spring Grove’s renowned Forest School. Children from Spring Grove also took part in the Guardians of the Deep - a project that involves local people in the protection of Kent’s coast. Every week throughout the Summer term groups from school visited nearby beaches to learn about marine ecosystems and the challenges faced to keep our beaches clean. And they had great fun too!

Visit www.springgroveschool.co.uk for more information.

Wise choice for the new Headmaster at Kent College, Canterbury Mr Phil Wise had been appointed Senior School Headmaster at Kent College. It is a fantastic time to be joining Kent College, as the school is celebrating the largest school roll in its history for the next academic year and will also be opening the Great Hall in September which will become an iconic building on the hill above Canterbury. Mr Wise believes that the new Great Hall will become an outstanding meeting and performance space for the students and a real focal point for the Canterbury community.

Visit www.kentcollege.com for more information.

Sandwich Technology School prepares pupils for life in the modern world Sandwich Technology School is committed to promoting the successful transition from childhood to adulthood of those in its care. There is a culture of high expectation and focussed learning, which is under-pinned by traditional values. The school’s motto, “Hold fast that which is good”, captures those values, which are displayed throughout the school.

Sandwich Technology School aims for all members of its community to be; happy in a safe and caring environment; open-minded and ready to learn; literate, numerate and independent thinkers; determined to achieve the best they can; forward thinking and full of aspiration; active members of the community; be self-confident and inspired to succeed; tolerant and respectful of diversity.

A broad, well-balanced curriculum caters for the needs and interests of all learners and students are supported by an extensive pastoral team. In May 2019, Ofsted concluded that “Pupils are well prepared for life in the modern world”.

Why not visit to see STS at its daily best at one of their forthcoming open days. Visit www.sandwich-tech.kent.sch.uk.

8 Families East Kent

Autumn School Open Days Ashford School

East Hill, Ashford, TN24 8PB 01233 625171 Fri 13 September , Senior School Fri 27 September, Prep School Sat 5 October, Senior School

Dover College

Effingham Crescent, Dover, CT17 9RH 01304 244 522 admissions@dovercollege.org.uk Sat 28 September, 10am - 1pm.

Junior King’s

Milner Court, Canterbury, CT2 0AY 01227 714000 office@junior-kings.co.uk Sat 12 October

Kent College Canterbury Canterbury, CT2 9AQ 01227 762436 Open Evenings Sat 28 September, Senior School Monday 18 November, 6th Form

Lorenden Preparatory School

Painter’s Forstal, Faversham ME13 0EN 01795 590030 office@lorenden.org Tues 8 October, 9am - 12:30pm and 2-3:30pm

Northbourne Park School Betteshanger, Deal, CT14 0NW 01304 611 215 admissions@northbournepark.com Sat 5 October, 9.30am - 12.30pm

Sandwich Technology College

Deal Road, Sandwich CT13 0FA 01304 610000 admin@sandwich-tech.kent.sch.uk Wed 18 September, 6-8pm Thurs 19 September, 10am-12noon Mon 14 October, 6-8pm Tues 15 October, 10am-12noon

Spring Grove School

Harville Road, Wye, TN25 5EZ 01233 812337 office@springgroveschool.co.uk Sat 28 September, 9.30am-12pm

St Edmund’s School Canterbury

St Thomas’ Hill, Canterbury, CT2 8HU 01227 475600 info@stedmunds.org.uk Sat 28 September, 9am

St Lawrence College

College Road, Ramsgate, CT11 7AE 01843 808080 info@slcuk.com Fri 4 October, Junior School Sat 5 October, Senior School

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School Dover, CT15 5EQ 01304 245023 admin.office@doyrms.com Sat 5 October, 9am, Whole School

The King’s School

Canterbury, CT1 2ES 01227 595501 Sat 21 September, Sixth Form Entry Sat 5 October, 13+ Entry

Nursery at St Lawrence College voted in Top 20 nurseries in South East The Nursery at St Lawrence College Junior School provides a happy, secure and caring start for its youngest pupils. Families are welcomed into the St Lawrence College community and Nursery pupils are able to enjoy the many benefits of being part of the larger school and having use of its exceptional facilities, including an indoor heated swimming pool.

With a small class size the Nursery embraces a wonderful family atmosphere of learning and playing together, all under the watchful eye of experienced Early Years’ Qualified Teacher, Mrs Rebecca Brown. The enriched curriculum offers quality learning experiences designed to give each child the very best possible start to their education, with a strong focus on core language, literacy and mathematical skills, combined with the most exciting elements of forest school and outdoor adventures where children learn through discovery and exploration.

To find out more about St Lawrence College visit www.slcuk.com. familiesonline.co.uk

Education Matters

Flummoxed by phonetics In a new survey of parents across Britain, an astonishing 89% admitted that the way the education system has changed in recent years has confused them; half don’t understand their child’s school report, or even know what SATs are.

Calls for compulsory climate change education in schools A petition launched by four Oxford school girls calling for lessons on Climate Change to be made compulsory in schools has gathered over 75,000 signatures.

The students are hoping to make climate change a “core part of the compulsory curriculum” to increase the next generation’s understanding of the global issue. They claim they have “barely learned about the climate crisis at school, even though it’s supposed to be part of Geography and Science.”

According to the petition: “Climate change is the biggest issue of our time, and it must be a part of our education if our generation is to understand it and help us to combat its effects. That’s why we want climate change to be made a core part of the national curriculum.”

More info: www.change.org.

Explore Learning’s research reveals a massive knowledge gap in what is one of the most important aspects in their children’s lives. The good news is that almost two thirds (62%) believe that the standard of education today is better than when they were young. The main reason for this is credited to better teachers with better training, more resources, and a bigger focus on children’s mental health. The 38% of parents who feel that today’s education system is worse, blame under-staffing and teachers’ high workloads, followed by a less rounded curriculum and the rise in class sizes.

Charlotte Gater, Head of Curriculum at Explore Learning commented: “The government needs to provide clearer guidance when it comes to helping parents understand just what is going on with their children at school. It’s hard enough helping them with their homework, let alone getting to grips with new academic terms and changes happening in the curriculum every few years.”

Explore Learning teaches out of school English and maths for 4-14 year-olds through centres across the UK. For more information and free trial bookings, read more online. www. explorelearning.co.uk

Advertise with us and reach 40,000+ local parents and carers Call Amanda on 07835 848066

Spring Grove School

Free Magazines for your school, nursery, cafe, shop or club - just ask! editor@familieseastkent.co.uk or 07789 882467 East Kent

“Teachers challenge pupils well to achieve more, to learn new skills, and to develop their knowledge.” Ofsted, May 2019 ‘A great place to grow’ for boys and girls aged 2 to 11

Learning through enjoyment

Visit our open events to meet the STS team: Wednesday 18 September — 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm Thursday 19 September — 10.00 am to 12 noon Monday 14 October — 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm Tuesday 15 October — 10.00 am to 12 noon

Hold fast that which is good Deal Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 0FA ▪ Tel: 01304 610000 Web: www.sandwich-tech.kent.sch.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Families East Kent 9

Parenting Emphasise quality over quantity By the end of primary school, kids may want lots of friends in order to feel ‘popular’.

But it can take no more than two or three genuinely close friends to be happy at school. Make it clear it’s not a numbers game.

Teaching your child the difference between a good and bad friend Starting from a young age, it’s important for kids to learn what a good friend is. This is not only so they can be one themselves, but also so they can identify healthy relationships, both now and when they start looking for romantic ones.

A bad friend:

Helping your child enjoy happy friendships

By Tanith Carey

As a new school term starts, it’s no longer how children will perform in their school work in the year ahead which worries parents the most. The latest research has revealed that mums and dads are now most concerned about whether or not they will have happy friendships.

This is because so many of us know how inconsolable our children are when they get left out, have no one to play with at school or have a falling out with their friends.

Traditionally, parents have been led to believe children should just magically ‘know’ how to make friends and there’s nothing we can do from the other side of the school gates. But now a new book The Friendship Maze: How to help your child navigate their way to positive and happier friendships, brings together the latest social science research to show how your kids can have easier friendships and looks at how to help when things go wrong.

How to help:

Talk about friendship

Children will be able to be better friends, and are likely to be liked more by their peers, when you talk through with them the qualities that make others want to spend time with them. Things like listening, sharing and playing fairly. Make a point of noticing and complimenting your child when they show these qualities.

Be a good role model

Talk about your own friendships – times when you have been a good friend by being thoughtful, dependable and ready to listen, and mention when others are being a good friend to you, so children recognise how to 10 Families East Kent

Doesn’t want you to play with other friends Tells you that what you like is stupid Laughs at you Makes you feel sad Pushes you to do things you don’t want to do

be a good friend to others.

Play turn-taking games

Play games to practice cooperation, a key skill in friendship. As you play board or ball games with younger kids, describe out loud what you are doing. Start with noncompetitive games, so they can get used to the to-and-fro of turn-taking.

Teach them to be good sports

Children don’t want to be play with others who cheat and kick up a fuss if they lose.

Explain winning and losing is temporary.

The key is for your child to enjoy themselves during a game, not to get hung up on the result.

Discuss how to find things in common with their peers

Children may show off and brag in the belief that if they impress others, they will like them more. Whether it’s through role-play, or talking about your own experiences, help your child hear how this can sound like ‘showing off.’ Explain that children like others who they feel they have a lot in common with, not those who act superior.

Acts as if they are better than you Hurts you Says they will do something unkind if you don’t do what they want Tells people your secrets Tells you that other friends don’t like you.

A good friend: Plays with all your friends Tells you you’re good at doing stuff Doesn’t mind if you don’t want to do the same things You have fun with You don’t have to play with all the time Doesn’t require you to like all the same things they do Doesn’t try and make you do anything as a condition of staying their friend.

Find more ways to help children learn friendship skills in Tanith’s new book The Friendship Maze: How to Help Your Child Navigate Their Way to Positive and Happier Friendships, published by Summersdale and available from Amazon. familiesonline.co.uk

What’s on 5 September – 10 October Nature Tots Denstead Wood, Chartham Hatch CT4 7NT Nature Tots is based on Forest School, for pre-school age children. It’s a wonderful opportunity for little ones to explore, discover and learn from nature and gain a sense of achievement from a variety of nature, art and craft-based activities. 10am - 12noon.

5 – 8 September The Wizard of Oz Theatre Royal, Margate CT9 1HX Box Office: 01843 292795 Adapted by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the show features all the most beloved songs and moments from the 1939 classic film, brought to life onstage. Tickets £14.

6 September Folkestone Sling Meet with Library Hawkinge and Rural Childrens Centre, Folkestone CT18 7BS Sling meet with the sling library. Come along to meet other baby wearing parents for a chat and advice. Fees are £10 Yearly Membership or £15 Lifetime Membership.

7 September Outdoor Theatre: The Secret Garden Walmer Castle & Gardens, Deal CT14 7LJ Chapterhouse Theatre presents an enchanting re-telling of Francis Hodgson-Burnett’s 1911 tale The Secret Garden. £11 child £16 adult.

7 September & 5 October Forest Families Step-Out Outdoor Learning CIC, Evegate Business Centre, Smeeth, Ashford TN25 6SX Enjoy a morning in the woods, every first Saturday of the month. Have a go at fire lighting, cook your breakfast over the camp fire and have plenty of free time to play. £6 per child per session 7 September Saturday Club Play Day Foxwood House, Honey Hill, Whitstable CT5 3BW With space to play, new skills to practise and fun to be had, these Play days are filled with all things outdoors, and no tech allowed. Booking is essential and places are limited. Email info@tinytribeoutdoors.com.

7 September Create your own Birds of Samphire Hoe Painting Samphire Hoe, A20, CT17 9FL Working from a template, and using real water colour paint, you will create your own wildlife illustration. 2pm.

7 – 8 September Western Heights Open Weekend Drop Redoubt Road, Western Heights, Dover CT17 9AP Napoleonic and Second World War re-enactors will be carrying

out skirmishes, parades, drills and demonstrations throughout the weekend. Please note there will be firing and loud bangs, ear plugs for children and adults are provided. £5 adults, accompanied children free.

7 – 8 September Eat, Drink Margate Dreamland, Margate CT9 1XJ Dreamland is holding its first ever food festival, with an array of foodie entertainment lined up including a farmers’ market, a parade of street vendors, plus talks and debates. The festival will be open from 10am to 6pm each day and is free to enter.

8 September Geology of Folkestone Warren Walk (Green Gang) The Pavillion, Folkestone CT19 6BL Meeting at 1pm outside the Pavillion restaurant, this short walk will provide an introduction to the geology and fossils that can be found in the area, and explain why the landscape in this region looks the way it does.

Sturdy footwear is required. Ages 5+.

Booking is required. Call 01304 241806.

Suggested £2 donation.

8 September Solley’s Sundae Solley’s Ice Cream Parlour, Ripple CT14 8JL This will be the first farm festival held at Solley’s Ice Cream Parlour. There will be music from local bands and musicians, face painting, a local food and drink market, activities for the kids, tractor rides, farm trail and of course as much Solley’s Ice Cream as you can eat! Gates open at 11am.

12 September Canterbury Drop-in Sling Meet Espressions Arts Café, Canterbury CT1 2DZ A mini meet up with sling library at the lovely Expression Pottery cafe. Hot and cold drinks available from the cafe. Nice enclosed garden. Bring what slings you have, and questions too. Suggested donation of £2.

12 September Whitstable Mums UnLtd Riverside Vineyard Church, Whitstable CT5 3JQ This business networking event is great for people in the Whitstable area with a business or looking to start one. This event has open networking between 9:30-10am followed by introductions and the chance to share what help you need and what your business is all about. You must book in advance.

12 September Eureka Seekers Whitstable Umbrella Community Centre, Whitstable CT5 1DD A fun-filled educational experience for 3-7 year olds fusing stories, science and craft. This is the first of a series of sessions, running from 3:30-4:30pm.

Booking required: call 07412205105.

13 – 15 September Heritage Open Days – Free Entry Sandwich Guildhall Museum, Sandwich CT13 9AH The museum is dedicated to the history of Sandwich from Roman times up to the 20th century. You can view the Magna Carta and Charter of the Forest and also see the special exhibition on the Battle of Sandwich. Activities for children available.

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6 September Deal Food and Drink Festival Deal Castle, Deal CT14 7BA The grounds of Deal Castle, with history dating back to Tudor times, provides an ideal setting to eat, drink and relax at this annual food festival.

In addition to the food market and street food section, there will be a feast of entertainment, including rides for younger visitors, live music, a craft beer bar and speciality drinks.

Your essential guide to family events this Autumn. We take great care in compiling our events guide, but check with the venues before you leave home just in case times or prices have changed since we went to print.

Compiled by Laura Vass

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2ND & 3RD NOVEMBER Music, moving images and incredible fireworks combine for a spectacular display set to the theme of ‘Around the World’ at the historic Castle.

BOOK TICKETS now at leeds-castle.com

CELEBRATING 900 YEARS

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What’s on 13 – 15 & 19 – 22 September Heritage Open Days – Free Entry Whitstable Community Museum and Gallery, Whitstable CT5 1DB The Invicta steam locomotive - sister to Robert Stephenson’s Rocket – was craned into Whitsta-ble Museum in June in response to the power of people supporting this exciting project. Visitors can also visit the new exhibition “People on the Move”.

13 – 17 September Visit St Edward’s Presbytery St Edward’s Presbytery, Ramsgate CT11 9NY Visitors have a rare chance to see inside St Edward’s Presbytery, built

by A. W. Pugin, designer of the Palace of Westminster, in 1850 as part of this great architect’s original conception for this exceptional Gothic Revival site on Ramsgate’s West Cliff.

14 September Fireman Sam Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, Hythe Station CT21 6LD Pre-booked special train tickets guarantee a seat on a VIP departure from Hythe to New Romney Station to see Fireman Sam. Pre-booking is essential for the VIP departures at 9:40, 10:40, 11:40 and 12:40.

14 September Tree Climbing at Kearsney Kearsney Abbey, Alkam Valley Road, Kearsney, near Dover CT16 3EE The event is open to adults, and children aged six and over. To book go to www. bigtreeclimbing.co.uk. Tickets are £20 each, and each session lasts for an hour.

14 September Behind the Scenes at the Playhouse Theatre Playhouse Theatre, Whitstable CT5 1AZ Go behind the scenes of this Victorian theatre. Join a guided tour of this 180 seater theatre, which was converted from a Victorian church in early 1980.

There is an opportunity to go backstage, get access into the control room and visit the costume wardrobe.

Demonstrations cover-ing lighting, sound and make-up will be given from 10.30am - 1pm.

14 September Hey Diddle Diddle The Gulbenkian, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NB Box Office: 01227 769075 A hilarious adventure filled with music and puppetry, for ages 3+. With original songs played live on stage, brilliant puppetry and lots of laughter, this new show is a wild and musical celebration about the importance of imagination.

Tickets from £8.

14 – 15 September Heritage Open Days Crampton Tower Museum, Broadstairs CT10 2AB The Crampton Tower Museum is a fascinating small museum is partly housed in a flint tower adjacent to the Broadstairs Railway Station.

Thomas Russell Crampton is chiefly remembered as a designer of locomotives and of railways, but he was also concerned with gas, water works.

Visitors can enter free on this weekend.

14 – 15 September 1st Whitstable Scout Group Band Centenary 1st Whitstable Scout Group HQ, Whitstable, CT5 1JH Celebrating one hundred years of entertaining people locally, nationally and also in France and Germany, this is a unique opportunity to learn about the story of this historic Band and its music.

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14 – 15 September Westgate-On-Sea Literary Festival – Kids Lit Various Locations Westgate-On-Sea Kids Lit is a special strand of the Literary Festival, a new two-day event to celebrate literature for all, embracing new and established authors, and works across all genres and all ages.

Autumn at Dreamland

14 – 15 September Littlebourne Barn Open Art Exhibition Church Road, Littlebourne, Littlebourne, Kent, CT3 1TU The annual Littlebourne Art Group exhibition is held in an impressive ancient thatched barn, with children’s activities and refreshments. This fourteenth century thatched aisled barn is an imposing listed Grade 1* building.

This October half term, take your little ghouls and goblins for a day out down by the sea without the fright but all of the fun. From 19 – 27 October, the Margate amusement park will open each day for the school holidays for its annual Get Spooked festival. Little and big kids can celebrate Halloween with spine-tingling party games, devilish disco dancing and a variety of creepy crafts and activities to take part in too.

Dressing up is encouraged!

14 – 15 and 21 – 22 September Heritage Open Days – MOMI Museum of Moving Image Deal CT14 6AD The exhibits allow you to explore the deep history of the moving image: from the days of candle-lit magic lantern performances and handpainted slides, through Victorian visual experimentation, to the advent and heyday of cinema.

15 September NCT Autumn Nearly New Sale Towers School, Ashford TN24 9AL These sales focus on high-quality products at a bargain price. Doors open: 10am (members) 10.30am (nonmembers). Admission: £2 per adult.

15 September Duck Race Westgate Gardens Canterbury CT1 2BQ This event is great fun for all the family, there are more ducks than ever before will be taking part this year. 11am.

Weather allowing, the race will start at 1pm.

15 September Pear Day Brogdale Collections Faversham ME13 8XZ Discover the fruit display of pears in all shapes, sizes and colours plus fact filled information on the history of pears and the varieties in the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale.

15 September Apple Sunday Mount Ephraim Gardens, Faversham ME13 9TX This is the last event of the summer season, so head along for some apple tours and tastings. There will be live music from Cloud Nine Jazz on the terrace from 2-4pm, as well as Birds of Prey displays at 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

16 September Preparing to Breastfeed Little Hands Childrens Centre, Wincheap Primary School, Canterbury CT1 6SD Come along and find out about breastfeeding: how to get things off to a good start, how breastfeeding ‘works’ and where to get support. Run by Hannah Croft IBCLC. 17 – 18 September Dear Zoo Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone CT20 2DZ Box Office: 0844 871 3015 Dear Zoo – the timeless classic children’s book returns to the stage. £13.50 - £15.50.

18 September – 16 October After School Cookery Club Chequers Kitchen Cookery School, Deal CT14 6RG This is a super club for children aged 8 to 15 who love to cook or are keen to learn. 4:30-5:30pm. Various dates.

The nights are drawing in, the summer is fading, but there’s still plenty of autumnal fun to be had at Dreamland as the spookiest holiday of the year draws near!

New for 2019 will be a family-friendly maze for the brave and not so brave to venture into. As well as a host of entertainment around the park, Dreamland’s rides will be running and the Dreamland Ark will be open for animal lovers to meet spiders, reptiles and much more.

Get Spooked is just part of the fiendish fun at Dreamland, as after dark the park morphs into Screamland – a huge horror festival filled with terrifyingly fun scare mazes that are definitely not for tiny tots, but might be of interest to any brave teenagers at home!

Dreamland is free to enter and will be open for Get Spooked from 11am5pm every day throughout half term. Buy unlimited ride wristbands online in advance and save 25%. More information can be found at www. dreamland.co.uk/events.

Enjoy Autumn at Hever Castle Visit Hever Castle & Gardens this Autumn to enjoy an entertaining programme of events and activities set amidst awardwinning gardens.

As the gardens turn vibrant shades of red, pink and gold and the leaves tumble from the trees, it’s the perfect time to enjoy Autumn Colour at Hever Castle (from 1 October). Children can take part in a leaf and seed collection challenge with 10 different seeds and leaves to be collected. Young visitors are also given a tulip bulb to take home and plant.

Treat the children to a spine-tingling programme of entertainment over the Halloween half term break (19-31 October) with prizes for the best Halloween costumes. Creepy craft workshops, spooky storytelling and a scarecrow scavenger hunt to follow in the grounds.

From 23 Nov - 24 Dec be enchanted by the magic of Christmas. With welcoming log fires, and beautiful decorations in the Castle, an Alice in Wonderland themed Christmas trail to follow and the chance to see Father Christmas. Visit www.hevercastle.co.uk for full details.

Leeds Castle 900 Goes Out with a Bang at the Fireworks Spectacular This Bonfire night, travel ‘around the world’ with the Leeds Castle Fireworks Spectacular on the 4th and 5th November, supported by KMFM. 25,000 starbursts will fill the sky over the majestic Leeds Castle in Kent, which comes towards the end of its 900th anniversary year with the biggest firework display in the South East of England.

This year’s ‘around the world’ theme will have everyone from children to Grandparents, dancing the night away during this incredible evening of party pyrotechnics. Plenty of entertainment will be on offer during the afternoon including live music from singer Adam Chandler and fairground rides for children. KMFM will be doing a live DJ set to get the party started.

Tickets £23 for adults, £15 for children (aged 4-15yrs) and under 4’s go free if reserved at the time of booking. Book online at www.leeds-castle. com/events familiesonline.co.uk

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What’s on

gorgeous costumes and crystal clear story-telling draw you into the magical world of ballet and make it accessible to all. Tickets £10.50.

20 September Dinosaur Stomp The Grand, Folkestone CT20 2XL Head along to the Grand for dinosaur themed art, craft, play and stories. Cost is £6 per child with accompanying adult or £10 for 2 children with adult.

21 – 25 October Autumn Week Godinton House and Gardens, Ashford TN23 3BP Between 1-4pm every day, there will be a range of family-friendly crafts and activities. Adults £5, children £4.

20 September Bubble Party Turner Free School, Cheriton CT19 6DT A fun event full of songs, puppets and thousands of bubbles! This is a spectacular show that families will absolutely love. Booking is essential.

20 – 22 September Heritage Open Days Palace Cinema, Broadstairs CT10 1ET A rare chance to see inside Broadstairs’ lovely old listed cinema without buying a ticket for a film! The Palace’s three Heritage Open Days offer free access to the foyer and auditorium, short talks on the history of the Palace and other former cinemas in Broadstairs and free ‘mini history trail’ fact-finding and colouring sheets.

21 September Catapluf’s Musical Journey The Gulbenkian, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NB Box Office: 01227 769075 Globe-trotting grooves for children aged 5+. Explore rhythms and sounds with Catapluf. Tickets £8-£9.

21 September Victory Wood Bunker Open Day Woodland Trust Car Park, Dargate Road, Yorkletts CT5 3AH The bunker at the top of Victory Wood was built to monitor nuclear attacks during the Cold War. It was opened in 1966 and decommissioned and emptied in 1976, when the imminent threat of nuclear war had passed. Advance booking essential. 12-4pm.

21 – 22 September Isle of Thanet Railway Society Exhibition The Hornby Visitor Centre Margate CT9 4JX Hornby are delighted to be welcoming back the Isle of Thanet Railway Society to the visitor centre.

21 – 22 September Heritage Open Days Powell Cotton Museum, Quex Park, Birchington CT7 0BH Enjoy Thanet’s own ‘stately home’, which hosted King William the Third on his journeys to and from Holland in the 1690s, free over this weekend.

21 – 22 Septmeber Heritage Open Days Deal Maritime & Local History Museum, Deal, CT14 6BA Enjoy a free visit to this museum which portrays the changing history of Deal, Walmer and the surrounding area.

21 – 22 September Day Out With Thomas Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden TN30 6HE Join Thomas & Friends for a day of family fun at the Kent & East Sussex Railway. Lots of additional station entertainment.

22 September Family Fun Run Victoria Park, Ashford TN23 4QD This event will be a short run suitable for all the family, plus a range of other entertainment.

27 September MacMillan Coffee Morning Godinton House and Gardens, Ashford TN23 3BP Open from 10am-12pm to buy a cup of tea and homemade cake to support this great cause. All proceeds to MacMillan.

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28 September Groove onto the Moon The Gulbenkian, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NB Box Office: 01227 769075 Celebrate one of the most incredible achievements of humankind with a fun mixture of story-telling. 3-7years.

28 September The Edge of the Night Adventure and Mothing Samphire Hoe, A20, CT17 9FL Meet at the Education Centre, 7pm to join in a dusk walk around the Hoe and see what is attracted to the moth traps.

Bring a torch. Walk is 1½ hours.

29 September Breakfast with the Moths Samphire Hoe, A20, CT17 9FL Meet at 10am for an hour at the education centre to see what the overnight moth trapping reveals.

29 September Duathlon, Doggy Dash and Trail Runs Chilham Castle, Chilham CT4 8DB Cross country run followed by a very fast but challenging cycle route then finishing off with a second run in the park. Plus, Doggy Dash and two trial runs of 5k and 10k.

10 – 12 October Morgan and West: Unbelievable Science The Studio, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury CT1 2AS Box Office: 01227 787787 Unbelievable Science is a live, interactive science show for the whole family, where real experiments take place right before your eyes.

Recommended 7yrs+ Tickets £15.

14 – 19 October Annie Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, CT1 2AS Box Office: 01227 787787 The smash-hit production of Annie comes to Canterbury direct from London’s West End. Tickets £15-£60.

16 October Pregnancy Open Evening St John’s Primary School, Canterbury CT1 2AE An evening dedicated to giving you information about services related to fertility, conception, pregnancy, labour and birth, babies and early parenting.

19 October Opening Day of Canterbury Festival Various locations, Canterbury To launch Canterbury festival, the opening day boasts an exciting programme of events, starting with the festival parade at 12pm. This year’s parade celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing – enjoy watching the colourful costumes and props, as well as the music, as it meanders its way down Canterbury High Street.

19 October Anifest Workshop: Design a Minion Hospitality Tent, Spiegeltent, Canterbury, CT1 1BW Part of the Canterbury Festival, this free workshop enables you to discuss character design, then put your ideas into practice by designing and drawing your own minion character. Ages 5 – 11.

19 October Agar Art Stacey Building, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 1NJ Join scientists at the University of Kent for an art project with a difference.

Colouful microbes and laboratory equipment replace paint and brushes, as you create your own masterpiece on a petri dish. Ages 11+. Tickets £8.50.

19 October Captain Breadbeard’s Bready Brilliant Comedy Cookbook Canterbury Library, The Beaney, Canterbury CT1 2BZ Free free pop-up performance at Canterbury Library/ The Beaney as part of the opening of the Canterbury Festival.

19 – 20 October Apple Festival Brogdale Collections, Faversham ME13 8XZ There will be apples galore during this weekend celebrating over 2200 different varieties. Enjoy local food, browse the craft and produce on offer, plus lots of family fun.

20 October Peter and the Wolf Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone CT20 2DZ Box Office: 0844 871 3015 Peter and the Wolf is a perennial favourite by Sergei Prokofiev, and is suitable for all ages. Tickets £13.40.

20 October The Genetics of Superheroes St Mary’s Hall Studio Theatre, The Borough, Canterbury CT1 2EZ Box Office: 01227 457568 Ages 13+ this unique event combines science and superheroes. Led by TV presenter and scientist, Simon Watt, discover what real mutants are like, exploring topics like genetics, mutation, DNA and mRNA. 20 October Family Bushcraft- Survival in the Woods Natural Pathways Bushcraft, Walder Chain Woods CT4 6NS This is a great outdoor adventure to get the children outside and learning fun things about nature. Join in with building dens and toasting marshmallows over the fire. Booking required at natural-pathways.co.uk 21 – 22 October The Princess and the Frog The Studio, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury CT1 2AS Box Office: 01227 787787 A heart-warming ballet about the power of friendship. An original score,

23 October Chicken Licken Spielgeltent, Kingsmead Road, Canterbury CT1 1BW Box Office: 01227 457568 This one-person show, combines a trilogy of classic tales using puppets and music, and a little bit of baking!

Tickets £8.50.

23 October Half Term Fun Film: The Aristocats Revelation Ashford, Churchyard, Ashford TN23 1QG Film showing at 3.30pm for just 50p per child.

24 October Half Term Beastie Day Brogdale Collections, Faversham ME13 8XZ A full day of exploring Brogdale and discovering fantastic bugs and mini beasts.

24 October Family Day – Mystical Creatures Dover Museum, Dover CT16 1PH Family days at Dover Museum are fun for children of all ages. All children do need to be accom-panied by an adult during the activity. Family day activities are free, so go along and join in anytime from 10.30am - 3pm.

24 October Disgusting Songs for Revolting Children Spielgeltent, Kingsmead Road, Canterbury CT1 1BW Box Office: 01227 457568 A devilishly hour-long show with songs, poems and comedy for children of all ages by award-winning musical comedian Jay Foreman. Tickets £8.50.

24 – 25 October The Pirate Cruncher The Studio, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury CT1 2AS Box Office: 01227 787787 A swashbuckling tale of greed for children aged 5-11 and their families.

Recommended 4yrs+ Tickets £11.50.

26 October There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly Theatre Royal, Margate CT9 1HX Box Office: 01843 292795 A charming tale complete with a feast of sing-along songs, colourful animal characters and heart-warming family fun. Tickets £8 - £10.

26 October Platforma Family Day The Gulbenkian, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NB Box Office: 01227 769075 Go along to enjoy a free Family Day to celebrate the Platforma Festival exploring themes of home, identity and migration. A series of pop-up performances, workshops, activities, film screenings and arts and crafts throughout the day.

2 November Bonfire & Firework Event Quex Park, Birchington CT7 OBH This is always a spectacular event with stunning fireworks and a blazing bonfire. This year there is a ‘rock the 80s’ theme, with live music.

The evening boasts two displays: a 6pm display, then a louder one with accompanying music at 7.30pm. Tickets can be purchased online.

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along for the ultimate Scare Park experience! Ages 12+.

26 October Halloween Family Scare Rave Groombridge Place, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9QG Now considered some of the best fun of the year for little ones Groombridge Place is hosting another Big time Family Rave for 3-11year olds.

26 October Children’s Halloween Party Woodnesborough Village Hall, Woodnesborough, CT13 0FB There will be buffet snacks and drinks included for the children, as well as fun party games.

26 – 27 October Halloween at Westwood Cross Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, Broadstairs CT10 2BF Westwood Cross welcomes a replica Ford Anglia and other replica items from the Harry Potter films with people trying their magic spells to turn on the car lights. Pumpkin, the seasonal Little Bear will also be available for people to scan on their phones and bring to life through snapchat augmented reality.

19 – 27 October Spooky Dover Castle Dover Castle, Dover CT16 1HU Descend into the darkness of the tunnel of terror, and say boo to a ghost or two on spooky tours of the castle keep. Have a go at creepy crafts, and make your very own menacing mask or witches’ cat to take home. Fancy dress.

19 – 27 October Spooky Castle Walmer Castle & Gardens, Kingsdown Road, Deal CT14 7LJ Let your little horrors scare themselves silly with spooky activities and ghost hunting galore. Make your own terrifying creation to take home at our creepy-crafts tables or join ghoulish guides on a terrifying tour. Take part in a Halloween costume competition for a chance to win a fantastic prize.

19 – 27 October Fright at the Museum: Witches and Wizards The Beaney, Canterbury CT1 2RA Running all day every day over the half term week, this event will be bursting with Halloween fun for your little witches and wizards. This spooktacular event will include a range of themed activities especially for families. Free admission to the museum, but some activities may incur a small fee.

19 – 27 October Monster Academy Leeds Castle, Maidstone ME17 1PL Your little monsters can enrol in Monster Academy this Halloween. They can explore the castle grounds and complete spooky classes as they go, winning stamps from each teacher to help the graduate from the academy.

Activities will include learning to move like a monster, perfecting your scare technique and completing an obstacle course. There will also be a spooky trail through the grounds, as well as daily ghoulish games and a frightful fancy dress competition.

19 – 27 October Halloween Spooktacular Kent Life, Sandling ME14 3AU There’s pumpkin carving, creepy cuddle corner, spooky farm rides and a daily fancy dress competition. Are you brave enough to come along to trick or treat in the historic houses?

19 – 27 October Halloween Half Term Fun The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood TN12 6PY Treat the kids to a spook-tastic feast of fun for the half term holidays! Dress up in Halloween fancy dress. Highlights include: pumpkin carving, ghoulish face paint-ing, creepy storytelling, magic shows and the animal farm.

19 – 31 October Haunted Hever: Halloween Half Term Fun Hever Castle & Gardens, Edenbridge TN8 7NG Prepare to be spooked this Halloween at Haunted Hever. For autumn half term

there will be a vast array of spooky events on at the castle for you and your little ones. Join in the spooky storytelling, take part in Halloween craft activities, follow the scarecrow scavenger hunt and sink your teeth into a sweet treat at the deadly delicious biscuit decorating workshop. Don’t forget to don your scariest outfit to take part in the fancy dress competition and finish your outfit off with a visit to the face painting station.

25 October Pumpkin Hunt Whitstable Junior School, Whitstable CT5 1DB For the second year the Pumpkin Hunt is coming to Whitstable. Demelza House Childrens’ Hospice has partnered with local businesses to bring this spooktacular event to your local haunt. Children will be given their own Pumpkin Passport to get stamped and will receive treats at stops along the route. £5 per child (including up to 2 accompanying adults).

27 October Children’s Halloween Party The Pavillion, Harbour Street, Broadstairs CT10 1ET The Pavillion is hosting a Children’s Halloween Party for children aged up to 11 years. Take your little monsters along for an afternoon filled with lots of fun party games and music.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children and adults must have tickets to be admitted; tickets can be purchased by contacting The Pavillion.

31 October Kids Halloween Party Leaf Hotel, Singledge Lane, Dover CT6 3EL From 5-8pm, the kids Halloween party

What’s on will include a disco and they are sure to be shrieking with delight! Price includes kid’s style finger buffet. £8.50 per child, £11.50 per adult. To book call 01304 821230.

1 November Kids Halloween Party Betteshanger Sports and Social Club, Cavell Square, Deal CT14 9HN Head along for a spooktastic time at this Halloween event. Tickets are £2.50 per child, which includes buffet and disco. There will also be a fancy dress competition with prizes up for grabs.

Pick Your Own Pumpkins Selected Dates in October Saffery Farm Selling, Nr Faversham ME13 9QN You’ll need your wellies to pick your own pumpkin on this farm. Follow them on Facebook for date availability. This farm makes a big donation to a charity following their pumpkin harvest, so take along spare change too!

Sevington Farm Cheesemans Green Lane, Sevington, Ashford TN25 7HY Pumpkins range in price from £1 - £8, so you can choose a pumpkin to suit any size hands or budget. Bring your wellies and your gloves as it is likely to be muddy! Every pumpkin picked will donate pennies to a local charity.

Felderland Farm Deal Road, Sandwich CT114 0BE Offering PYO Pumpkins throughout October, this lovely farm shop also boasts a coffee shop and a children’s play area for visitors to enjoy before or after making their selections. Wellies are advised.

25 October Fright Night Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden TN30 6HE Visit the railway from 5pm for a Fright Night workshop including pumpkin carving and face painting. Families are encouraged to come in fancy dress. Spooky music will add to the atmosphere before everyone boards the Fright Night Express in time for a 7pm departure. Upon arrival at Northiam Station, enjoy a firework display before the return journey to Tenterden. Fright Night fares: Adults and children (3-15 inclusive) £18.

25 – 27 October Spooky Games The Micro Museum, Church Hill, Ramsgate CT11 8RA One for the gamers in your family. The micro museum will have a range of spooky and monster-ous games for you to play between 1-4pm on these days.

Entrance is £5 or £15 for a family of four.

RIP RIP

RIP RIP

25 – 27 October QuExtreme Terror Quex Park Estate, Birchington CT7 0BH Within the eerie surroundings of Quex Park’s Forest Areas, Maize Field and Woodland Trails, you can join in a spine-chilling adventure like no other.

If you are looking for an action-packed evening, filled with fun & fear this Halloween... then look no further- head Families East Kent 15

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