Tue. Nov 19th, 2024

mapcolourDaily Larkfield Leisure Centre Aylesford  01622 713225 Soft play zone with 3 storeys of interactive play equipment for under 10’s with wavy waterfall slide, crawl tubes, ball pool & ball cannons.  NEW Kickstart a brand new all inclusive membership with unlimited access which offers a wide range of activities for under 10’s with swimming, soft play, junior dance mat & target wall sessions, selected holiday programme activities, Saturday Fun Club plus pre-school bounce & adventure time sessions for 0-5yrs. NEW larger Fitness Studio to offer a wider rang of classes including Zumba, Pilates, Body pump & circuits.

Daily Maidstone Leisure Centre   0845 1552277 Various times Junior Fitness, 12-15yrs learn how the body works, the benefits of a healthy lifestyle & participate in structured fitness sessions with a qualified fitness instructor. Selected Sats Wave Rave Pool Party sessions with inflatables, floats, games & the latest music. Available Birthday Parties for children leave all the planning & tidying up to the Centre.

Daily Wingham Wildlife Park Canterbury  01227 720836 Meet the animals including their hands on animal encounters plus children’s play area.

Daily Druidstone Park and Woodland Honey Hill Blean  01227 765168 Meet the friendly animals, follow the trail around the enchanted woodland & discover the sleeping dragon & other magical creatures or have fun in the adventure play area, a fun day out for all the family.

Daily Tides Leisure Centre Deal  01304 373399  Indoor tropical lagoon with waves & gusher, fun water features & giant slide Jacuzzi & toddler pool. Every weekend Family Splash.

New Leeds Castle   01622 765400 The Day the Sky Turned Dark attraction will transport visitors back to Oct 25, 1415, visitors will feel like they are in the centre of the action, sharing the excitement, exhilaration & fear of a medieval soldier on the field of battle. www.leeds-castle.com

Ongoing Run off your Feet    FREE running sessions across Kent, women & men of all ages & abilities are putting on their trainers & jogging the streets & parks of Kent all part of a county wide campaign to get people running to feel fitter, healthier & happier. In Kent leaders have been trained to set up local running groups & they are keen to welcome new runners. Get your first running session FREE at your local group when you mention Parents News. All groups are led by qualified, enthusiastic friendly leaders. To find your local group visit www.kentsport.org/rungroups, Tel: 07730 870696.

Ongoing Run off your Feet   07730 870696 Running Group, first session FREE at your local group when mentioning  Parents News.

2nd Sun of the month  Tonbridge Farmers Market Sovereign Way  07876 685853 Held in Sovereign Way with normally 70 stalls, www.tonbridgefarmersmarket.co.uk

Every 2nd Sun of every month  Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre Gillingham  01634  387076 Farmers Market is held in the car park offering a range of local produce including meat & much more.

every Sun  Dover Leisure Centre   01304 201145 Roller Disco, www.atlantis-entertainment.co.uk

every Sun EdenbridgeLeisure Centre Stangrove Park  01732 865665 Under 16’s & families roller disco.

every Mon St Matthew’s Church Hall Rochester  01634 843666  Baby Sensory classes for babies up to 16mths, activities to include bells, balls, bubbles, light shows & more,Tel: 07813 632552.

every Mon Walderslade Hook Meadow Library Chatham  01634 861531 Baby bounce & rhyme time, 18mths & under, FREE. Every Wed Storytime fun sessions for pre-school children that include stories & rhymes.

every Mon Gillingham Library   01634 337340 Storytime fun sessions for pre-school children with stories & rhymes, FREE. Every Fri Baby bounce & rhyme time, FREE.

every Mon St Andrews Church Hall Broadstairs  01843 863480 Little Ted’s Parent & Toddler group, term time only.

Ongoing on Mons Cuxton Library Rochester  01634 336209 Baby massage courses for babies 8wks & not yet crawling, FREE, to book Tel: 01634 711391. 1st & 3rd Thurs of the month Children’s activities, Health visitor drop in clinic, meet your local health visitor plus a toy library will also be available after the session, 9.30-11am, Tel: 01634 336209.

Every Mon-Wed The Angel Centre Tonbridge  01732 359966 Kickstart members Pre-school bounce, Every Sat morn fun club 5-10yrs, Every Wed & Fri dance mat & target wall fitness.

Every Mon & Fri Rochester Library Eastgate  01634 337411 Baby bounce & rhyme time with finger & nursery rhymes, 18mths & under, FREE. Every Sat Pop in and Play sessions for parents & children, 10.30-11am, FREE. 4th Fri of month Advice & support – Health & lifestyle advice, drop-in, no need to book.

Every Tues Queens Road Baptist Church Victoria Gardens  01843 602792 Raindrops, parent & toddler group, termtime. Every Thurs 1st Parenting meet with other 1st time parents. Every Fri during term time Friday Club.

Every Tues  Grosvenor Park   07990 973313 Buggy Workout, exercise for mother & baby, power walking around the park utilising the benches & steps available, 10.30-11.30am.

Every Tues Chatham Library Gun Wharf Dock Road  01634 337799 Storytime for pre-schoolers, FREE. Every Thurs until 31 Mar Toddler shake & boogie fun packed activity session.

Every Tues Hoo Library Rochester  01634 250640 Storytime fun sessions for pre-school children with stories & rhymes, FREE.

Every Tues Rainham Library Rainham  01634 337799 Storytime fun sessions for pre-school children that include stories & rhymes. Every Thurs Baby bounce & rhyme time, 18mths or under, FREE

Every Tues Fairview Community Primary School   01634 376270 Parents & toddlers club term time only 10-11.30am. Every Thurs Baby bounce & rhyme time, parents & carers can enjoy knee bouncing, finger rhymes & nursery rhymes, 18mths & under, term time only, 01634 337340.

Every Tues Walderslade Village Library Chatham  01634 686467 Toddler shake & boogie activity session that offers rhymes, songs & movement for pre-schoolers. Musical instruments, scarves & parachutes are often included. Every Fri Storytime fun sessions for pre-school children that include stories & rhymes.

Every Tues Hundred of Hoo Swimming Pool Rochester  01634 401989 Beaver Swimming Club.

Every Tues Southborough Lbrary   01892 529808 Storytime, 2.15-2.45pm, FREE.

Every Tues Hempstead Library   01634 361544 Baby bounce & rhyme time for parents & carers, 18mths & under. Every Fri Storytime fun interactive sessions for pre-schoolers, FREE. 1st & 3rd Sat of month Medway Health Walks chance to improve fitness levels, all ages.

Every Wed Dunorlan Park   07990 973313  Buggy Workout, exercise for mother & baby, power walking around the park utilising the benches & steps available, 10.30-11.30am.

Every Wed St Saviours Centre Canterbury Road, Folkestone   01303 244610 Fabulous Fare Market with locally sourced fresh fruit & veg, meat, fish & dairy, preserves & jams & lots more. Also on offer recipe tasting, take away meals, tapas & ready salads, natural home & body products, book/magazine exchange, plants, flowers & lots more.

Midweed & weekends  Kingsmead Leisure Centre Canterbury  01227 769818 Funtime sessions available in the pool.

Every Thurs  Strood Library   01634 718161 Baby bounce & rhyme time, 18 mths,  Homework club with friendly & knowledgeable staff on hand, FREE.Every Tues Teatime Storytime, afterschool, 3-8yrs,  2nd Tues of month Advice & support – Health & lifestyle advice, drop in, no need to book.

Every Thurs White Oak Leisure Centre Swanley  01322 662188  Under 16’s Roller Disco.

every Thurs Thomas Aveling School & Community Library Rochester  01634 338728 Teatime Storytime after school storytime for 3-8yrs.

every Thurs Luton Library Chatham  01634 406923 Storytime fun sessions that include stories & rhyme. Every Sat Pop in & Play for parents & children, 10-12pm.

every Thurs Pembury Library   01892 822278 Storytimes, 2.30-3pm, term time only, FREE.

Every Thurs during term time Margate Baptist Church 4 Cecil Sq  01843 290869 Little Fishes Toddler group for parents & carers to meet & socialise with food, games & fun, 10-11.30am.

every Fri Grain Library Rochester  01634 338727 Homework club with friendly & knowledgeable staff on hand to help, FREE. Every Sat Craft Club for under 8’s, FREE.

every Fri Hempstead Library Gillingham  01634 361544 Homework club with friendly staff on hand to help with all your homework questions.

every Sat Medway Little Theatre Rochester  07939 921041 Youth Company for 12-18yrs & children’s workshop, 7-12yrs.

every Sat Dickens House   01843 871133 Broadstairs History Walk, 2pm.

every Sat Morn  Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre Faversham  01795 534542 Guided Town walks, 90 minute guided stroll through Faversham.

Every weekend Broadstairs Harbour   07847 473615 Market, weather permitting.

1 May Theatre Royal  Margate  0845 130 1786 Gerry Cross the Mersey musical journey through the life & times of the 60’s icon Gerry Marsden. 8 May Ballet Central with highlights from Tchaikovsky ballets over the last 35 years to include, Dance of the Cygnets, Clara’s journey in the Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty & much more. 19 May Beauty of The Beast. 26 May Robin Hood with lots of  sing-a-long songs for the whole family www.theatreroyalmargate.com

2 May Weald of Kent School  Tonbridge  07973 846731 Tonbridge Young Artists Group workshop, explore colour & what it means in art, under 10 session & 10+yrs, www.youngartistsgroup.co.uk

2 May Rochester Sweeps Festival    Celebration of the coming of Spring with merry making & music, Morris dancing, funfair plus lots more.

2-4 May Museum of Kent Life Sandling  01622 763936 May Day celebrations with Morris dancing, May Queen parade & watching children maypole dancing on the green & lots more. 23-31 May Half Term Visitors can join in with the daily animal feeds, visit the farmhouses in Vintage Village, take a tractor trailer ride around the site plus ferret racing, water zorbing, family games & races, junior quad bikes plus meet the new arrivals in the farmyard., www.kentlife.org.uk

2-4 May Faversham Showground   01227 731473 Merton Vintage Show 3 day annual event with various different trade, craft, auto jumble & boot stalls plus a licensed beer tent, children’s fair, food bars, & an auction on the Sat morn, plus lots more fun for all the family, www.mertonvintageshow.co.uk

2-4 May Broadstairs May Fair Victoria Gardens & Promenade  01227 700894 With live music at the band stand, family fun fair with rides for all ages, games, crafts & bric & brac stalls, FREE entry, www.leisureevents.net.

3 May Hall Place Bexley  01322 621238 Monthly Farmers Market, try food samples, & buy everything from home grown fruit & vegetables through to delicious cakes, bread, cheese & chutneys, FREE entry, www.hallplace.org.uk

3 May Pilgrims Hospice 56 London Road Canterbury  01227812621 Cycle Challenge with four routes to choose from, choose to start from Canterbury, Thanet or Ashford hospice, www.pilgrimshospices.org.

3-4 May Weald & Downland Open Air Museum Chichester  01243 811348 Food & Folk Festival. 15-16 May Museum at Night guided walk round the museum & experience life in a world without electric lighting. 25-29 May Half Term activities with a range of arts, crafts, games & activities based in & around the countryside, all ages., www.wealddown.co.uk

4 May Walmer Green   01304 362363 Walmer Spring Brocante, with over 100 stalls selling vintage clothing, furniture, toys, local arts & crafts & lots more, www.walmercouncil.co.uk.

4,25,28 May Drusillas Park East Sussex  01323 874100 Hello Kitty Meet & Greet opportunities will operate at inervals throughout the day. 26 May The Fat Controller makes appearances for photo opportunities throughout the day. 27 May Peppa Pig & Daddy Pig maling appearances throughout the day  www.drusillas.co.uk

9 May Highbury Hall  Highbury Lane  Tenterden  07956 295076 Craft Market with a wide variety of crafts & produce from local artists, craftsmen, producers & retailers, FREE entry.

15 May Dartford Farmers Market   07775 736116 With local produce to include meat, seasonal fruit & vegetables & much more, FREE entry, www.myfarmersmarket.co.uk

15-17 May St Peter’s Upper Church Hastings Road Pembury  01892 822448 Pembury Art & Craft exhibition with a wide range of work from both established & amateur artists plus arty crafty café with homemade cakes, plus Morris dancers & the Village Scarecrow competition, entrance children FREE.

 16 May Victory Hall    01233 732684 Green Fingers Coffee Morning with coffee, cakes, plants, books, Green Fingers competition, plus FREE sunflower seedlings for children, FREE entrance.

16-17 May Faversham Town Centre   01795 539339 Faversham Transport Weekend event with displays of classic cars & motorcycles plus music, live entertainment, food, market stalls, family entertainment including funfair, face painting, Punch & Judy & lots more entrance FREE. www.Faverham.org./carshow

17 May Chislehurst Farmers Market   07775 736116 Held at Hornbrook House car park, 10-2p.m, FREE entry.

17 May Spa Valley Railway West Station Tunbridge Wells  01892 537715 Peppa Pig board the train at Tunbridge Wells & stop off en-route to see Peppa Pig, www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk

29 May & every last Fri of each month Folkestone ArtMart   01303 247458 A specialist event held in the precinct between W.H Smith & Debenhams with a wide range of art, craft & artisan foods.

23,27 May Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve   01732 365583 All day bird watching filed trip beginners & experts welcome, need to book, www.rspb.org.uk

24 May Umbrella Centre Tankerton Slopes, Marine Parade, Whitstable  01227 263595 Oyster & Pearl Vintage Fair with vintage clothing & accessories, retro homeware, jewellery & much more, entrance FREE, www.oysterandpearlvintage.co.uk

25 May Spit & Polish Festival   01227 700894 Camp over Festival for all motoring Groups with classic cars, custom cars, motorcycles, scooters, trikes & lots more. There will also be trade stands, fun fair rides, beer tent, refreshments and live music a festival for all the family, www.leisureevents.net

28 May Folkestone Warren (Green Gang)   01304 241806 Rockpooling, discover what creatures live in the rockpools, crabs, anemones, limpets & barnacles & maybe a fish or two, wear footwear that can get wet & some spare clothes.

28-30 May Spotlites Kings Theatre  338 High Street Chatham 01634 829468 James & the Giant Peach.

30 May Pepenbury Farm   www.pepenbury.info   Pepenbury Fun Day with a large number of  stalls from local companies, activity stalls, face painting, glitter tattoos & a raffle, live music plus a hog roast, savoury waffle stand, homemade cakes, ice cream & lots more. There will also be tours of the site, www.pepenbury.info

30 May Leas Cliff Hall The Leas Folkestone  01303 244706 Folkestone Festivals Fun Dog Show with Demelza, plus lots of stalls selling dog related items also a variety of catering & craft & gift stalls, www.folkestonefestivals.org, Tel:07860 278774. 31 May

31 May Folkestone Festivals Leas Village Fete    A traditional style family event to be held on the Leas between the bandstand & the Leas Water Lift overlooking the English Channel. There will be arena events, demonstrations, children’s fairground rides, craft & gift stalls, displays, games & entertainment, a mostly FREE family event, Tel: 01303 247458, www.folkestonefestivals.org.

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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