What's Ons Jan/Feb

from Families West Kent Jan/Feb 2019

Under 5s activity guide

WHAT’S ON

JANUARY

&FEBRUARY

We aim for accuracy but do check with the venue before setting out in case details have changed after print... And don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Families West Kent.

January

JAN & FEB 2019 WEEKENDS & HALF TERM 2pm Falconry Display Leeds Castle, Maidstone, ME17 1PL. Free flying demonstrations take place in the Falconry Arena in front of the Maze. The demonstration lasts about 30 to 40 minutes and features a range of birds including hawks, vulture, falcon and owls. (In adverse weather conditions the display may be shorter or cancelled.) Included with the price of admission. Info at www.leeds-castle.com

1 JAN ONWARDS Alpaca Experience Kenward Trust, Kenward Road, Yalding, ME18 6AH. The Trust is open year round for visits to the alpacas, goats and chickens, a play area, woodland walk, cafe and shop. The ‘Alpaca Experience’ offers a chance to feed, walk and learn more about these unique animals, a walk around the beautiful grounds, and a visit to the Sage & Time Cafe for a drink and a cake. £15 per person or 2 for £25 and includes all of the above. Info at www.kenwardtrust.org.uk

1 JAN ONWARDS Ightham Mote (pictured below) Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, Sevenoaks, TN15 0NT. Waymarked estate walks, a seasonal activity pack and ‘50 things’ challenges. Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

1 JAN ONWARDS Big Garden Bird Watch Haysden Country Park and Leybourne Lakes Country Park Join in with the RSPB’s national birdwatch during your walk in the park. Bird identification leaflets will be available from the park entrance; walk round on your own ticking off the birds you see. Submit your results to the RSPB. www.RSPB.org.uk/BGBW Free event. Info at www.tmbc.gov.uk

EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT 6pm – family session; 8pm – open session (ages 8+ only) Roller Disco Sevenoaks Leisure Centre, Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks, TN13 1LW. The Roller Disco takes place at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre every Saturday night in association with Atlantis Entertainment (Kent Roller Disco). Customers are allowed to bring their own skates however no inline skates are allowed. Paid event. Info at www.sencio.org.uk

9 JAN 10:30-11:30 Stories & Rhymes Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s St, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. A new session for under 5s on the first Wednesday of the month. Listen to a story, join in with the actions, rhymes and songs, and make a themed paper craft to take home. Refreshments included. Paid event. Info at www.museum. maidstone.gov.uk/ whats-on

19 JAN 10am-2pm Soap Making Workshop Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Learn how to make natural soap

using the traditional cold process method and have your soap ready to use in your own home or give out as gifts, handmade by you. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

19 JAN 10am-3pm Family Arts Award Day – Faces & Emotions Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s St, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. Offering children aged 5+ the opportunity to gain a ‘Discover’ Arts Award. Discover lots of different faces and emotions around the museum. Explore the museum for ideas and make your own clay face and a mask to show two different emotions. Booking essential. Info at www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk/whats-on

26 JAN 10:30am-12pm or 1pm-2:30pm Recycled Art Workshop Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Reduce the amount of plastic going to landfill in a fun and creative way. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

February

8 FEB Dark Skies Month: Stargazing Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, BR6 7JT. In this ‘introduction to astronomy’ hear

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WHAT’S ON JANUARY & FEBRUARY

expert talks and top tips, before looking through telescopes to explore the night sky and gaze among the stars. Please note there is no disabled access down to the meadow where the stargazing event will be held. Paid event. Refreshments available for sale. Info at www.english-heritage.org.uk

FROM 9 FEB Snowdrop Walk Hever Castle, Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG. A carpet of snowdrops will provide a magical trail for visitors to follow at Hever Castle & Gardens from 9 February. Admission charge. Info at www.hevercastle.co.uk

9 FEB 11am, 12noon, 1pm & 2pm Darwin Day - Charles’ Creepy Critters Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, BR6 7JT. Get hands-on, close-up with some of the exotic animals that Darwin himself might have met on his travels and studied at Down House. Meet snakes, lizards, tarantulas and tortoises and learn about their fascinating abilities that shaped Darwin’s Theories of Evolution and Natural Selection. Paid event. Info at www.english-heritage.org.uk

27 FEB 6pm-8pm Indigenous Owl Evening Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Meet real life indigenous owls and birds of prey, from the Kent Owl Academy, in the reserve’s natural history museum. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

13 JAN 3pm Drake and the Royal Maid The Stag Theatre, London Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 1ZZ. Follow the journey of two youngsters as one goes in search of a future, while the other can’t leave the past alone. Info at www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk

25 JAN 10:30am & 1pm Little Star Hazlitt Theatre, 36 Earl St, Maidstone, ME14 1PP. A starlit show for babies. Little Star features the popular song ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’, taking you on a journey with the star herself. Info at www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/Hazlitt-Theatre

27 JAN 11am & 2pm Hoot Owl – Master of Disguise Hazlitt Theatre, 36 Earl St, Maidstone, ME14 1PP. Based on the popular Book Awardnominated picture title, Hoot Owl Master of Disguise tells the ‘tongue-in-beak’ story of Hoot Owl, who plans to use his cunning

Feel the heat at fiery event

See charity fundraisers walk barefoot on hot coals at the Charity Firewalk at the Vine Gardens in Sevenoaks on Saturday February 2. This unusual event has been organised by the town council and participants will be raising money for two charities. The event opens at 3.30pm with stalls from 4pm and the firewalk starts at 5.10pm when those taking part will have had full training from Firewalk UK which will organise the event. The minimum age is 12. See how the event will work at www.ukfirewalk.com To register to take part email osl@sevenoakstown.gov.uk or call 01732 359953. Vine Gardens, Dartford Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3UH

WHAT’S ON THEATRE

disguises to gobble up the tiny animals of the night. Trouble is, they keep escaping! Info at www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/Hazlitt-Theatre

31 JAN – 3 FEB The Legend of King Arthur Pantomime Benenden Village Hall, Benenden, TN17 4DE. Witches and goblins, goodies and baddies, corny jokes, songs, special effects and lots of audience participation in store. Info at www.benendenplayers.co.uk

2 & 3 FEB 10am, 1pm & 4pm Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED. From the makers of Peppa Pig comes this BAFTA award-winning television animation live on stage. Info at www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

3 FEB 11:30am & 2pm Out of the Hat! EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge School, Tonbridge, TN9 1JP. Children’s company Long Nose Puppets return with their delightful show about friendship

and magic. Age 2-8. Info at www.emftheatre.com

27 FEB – 3 MARCH 10:30am, 2:30pm & 4pm Worst Witch The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED. Featuring all of Jill Murphy’s beloved characters, this new stage adaptation features original songs, music, magic and a dose of Mildred’s unique brand of utter pandemonium. Info at www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

EVENTS SHOWS MARKETS WORKSHOPS THEATRE WALKS FESTIVALS FAIRS CAROLS ACTIVITIES

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WHAT’S ON FEBRUARY HALF TERM

10am-4pm Rochester Castle Castle Hill, Rochester, ME1 1SW. Family trails and craft activities throughout half term. Info at www.english-heritage.org.uk

10am-4pm Emmetts Garden Ide Hill, Sevenoaks (National Trust), TN14 6BA. Interesting hillside garden with year-round features. www.nationaltrust.org

16-23 FEB Spike’s Dino Trail Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s St, Maidstone, ME14 1LH. Complete the Dinosaur-themed trail around the museum and claim your Spike Dino badge. Tickets cost £1. Info at www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk/whats-on

16-24 FEB Living with Nature Hever Castle, Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG. Discover more about conservation and local wildlife as part of Hever Castle’s February half-term event, Living with Nature. Info at www.hevercastle.co.uk

16-24 FEB Mythical Beasts Chatham Historic Dockyard Main Gate Road, Chatham, ME4 4UY. There’ll be plenty of activities to enjoy from crafts, storytelling and much more. Info soon at www.thedockyard.co.uk

17 FEB 11am-3pm Bird Box Building Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Visit the wildlife reserve in national nest box week to make your own bird box, make your own bird feeder and go on a bird walk to discover the local birds that may use your creations. Paid event. Info at www.kentwildlifetrust. org.uk/events

18 FEB 10am-1pm Fairtrade Chocolate Baking Bore Place, Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Nr Edenbridge, TN8 7AR. Children will make Fairtrade chocolate and banana muffins and Fairtrade chocolate cow cookies before going out to meet the real herd of dairy cows and learn about Bore Place’s organic system. This activity is best suited to children aged 7-12 years; all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Paid event. Info at www.boreplace.org

18-22 FEB 11am, 12noon, 1:30pm & 2:30pm Discover with Darwin Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, BR6 7JT. Join the man himself – Charles Darwin – and explore evolution at its birthplace as you delve into the mysteries of science. Each workshop is approx. 40 minutes and will involve storytelling and hands-on activities of a Darwinian theme. Info at www.english-heritage.org.uk

18-22 FEB 10am-3pm Secrets & Spies Dover Castle, Castle Hill, Dover, CT16 1HU. Sharpen your detective skills with hands-on training in disguise, code cracking and clues. Paid event. Info at www.english-heritage.org.uk

19 FEB 10am-12:30pm Kids Bread making Bore Place, Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Nr Edenbridge, TN8 7AR. Children will learn where flour comes from and how it’s turned into delicious bread. They will grind their own flour and make hen-shaped bread, before going out to meet the herd of dairy cows on the farm. This activity is best suited to children aged 3-6 years; all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Paid event. Info at www.boreplace.org

20 FEB 10:30am-12pm or 1pm-2:30pm Explore Pond Dipping Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Visit the Sevenoaks Nature Reserve to discover what lives in the ponds there! Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

21 FEB 10:30-11:30am & 12:30-1:30pm Wiggly Wild Show Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve, Bradbourne Vale Rd, Sevenoaks, TN13 3DH. Get close to some amazing creepy crawlies with an experienced bug wrangler at Sevenoaks Nature Reserve. Paid event Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

22 FEB 10:30-11:30am & 12:30-1:30pm Wiggly Wild Show Tyland Barn Visitor Centre Maidstone, Chatham Road, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3BD. Get close to some amazing creepy crawlies with an experienced bug wrangler. Paid event Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

23 FEB 10:30am-12pm or 1pm-2:30pm Explore Pond Dipping Tyland Barn Visitor Centre Maidstone, Chatham Road, Sandling, Maidstone, ME14 3BD. Visit the nature reserve to discover what lives in the ponds there! Info at www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events

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What's Ons Jan/Feb

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Families West Kent Jan/Feb 2019