SPLAT!

The Woodville, Woodville Place, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1DD Tuesday 12th August 2025 | 11.30am & 2pm

Playful, vibrant and language free children’s theatre show SPLAT! Is delighted to be coming to Gravesend on Tuesday 12th August. SPLAT! is a high-energy physical comedy about art, creativity and collaboration.

Created for children aged 3 to 7 (and their grown-ups), this playful and engaging production was devised in collaboration with award winning deaf artist, filmmaker and performer Brian Duffy who co-created ‘Small World’ the first sitcom in British Sign Language. It is completely accessible for deaf audiences, non-English speaking audiences and small children who are yet to get to grips with words as no language is spoken throughout.

SPLAT! takes place inside a vibrant artist’s studio where two aspiring painters – one neat, precise, and serious, the other chaotic, messy, and full of mischief – must learn to work together. As they navigate their artistic differences, they take the audience on a journey through the history of art from ancient cave paintings to modern masterpieces.

‘Hit new heights this summer at 270 Climbing Park

For a summer’s day out packed with adventure, head to 270 Climbing Park in Gloucestershire, home to the UK’s most challenging high ropes course. With a variety of challenges for all ages and abilities, including climbing the colourful and accessible fun walls, the more challenging auto belay walls – or head outside and take on the UK’s most extreme high ropes course – with six sky-high levels including the epic ‘Mission Impossible’! New for summer 2025, the park’s huge indoor and outdoor climbing walls make it one of the best places to try one of the UK’s fastest growing sports. Whether you’re a complete beginner or experienced pro, this is one of the UK’s most comprehensive centres for climbing, bouldering and aerial adventures.

Engage little minds on the Tootbus London Kids Tour

Tootbus Kids Tour offers an easy journey rich with discoveries that is fun, educational and suitable for the whole family, including teens or little ones. The Kids’ Tour is specially designed to please all family members and engage little one’s attention with passionate live guides giving the perfect introduction to the history of London, enriched with interesting facts and fun stories aimed at kids.

The 45-minute route has been jam-packed full of sights offering the most beautiful and iconic views of London, including the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Pall Mall, Piccadilly Circus and Downing Street. The tour departs daily during school holidays from the Haymarket end of Charles II Street, at the side of His Majesty’s Theatre.

Prices: Start at £16.80 for adults, £16.80 for children and free for infants 3 and under. Family (2 adults + 2 children) tickets start at £50.40. Children must be accompanied by an adult on this tour. Discounts apply when you book online. Book here

Don’t miss Day Out With Thomas™ The Party Tour at The Watercress Line this August 

Everybody’s favourite little blue engine is returning to the popular heritage railway The Watercress Line in Hampshire to celebrate 80 years of Thomas & Friends™ this summer.

Enjoy railway fun, exciting shows and a Thomas-themed Party Zone at Day Out With Thomas?™,? from 5 to 10 August.

Young visitors and their families can ride behind Thomas, a real steam engine (pre-bookable), watch two new outdoor entertainment shows with Sir Topham Hatt and Rusty & Dusty, meet Percy, Diesel & Toad, and have fun in the special Party Zone.

There will be meet and greet opportunities with Sir Topham Hatt and Rusty & Dusty and children can have their photos taken with Thomas, Percy, Diesel and Terence.

In addition, there will be Thomas & Friends story-time sessions, giveaways for every child, fairground rides and unlimited rides on the delightful miniature railway.

Refreshments will be available from Ropley’s T-Junction Cafe, which can be enjoyed in the picnic area overlooking the beautiful South Downs.

The Watercress Line’s CEO Rebecca Dalley said:

“We’re delighted Day Out With Thomas is returning to The Watercress Line this August, with brilliant new shows and the exciting Party Zone, there’s fun for all the family to enjoy. It’s the perfect opportunity to keep children entertained during the summer holidays and create precious memories of their big day out as we celebrate 80 years of Thomas & Friends.”

Visit The Watercress Line website

 

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.