23 things to do in Kent in the rain with kids

With its string of castles, some great museums and plenty more indoor fun, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Kent in the rain with kids, if the weather has driven you away from Kent’s beaches.

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Whether you’re looking for inspiration for a rainy day in Kent in summer, or you need ideas for rainy days out in Kent during the rest of the year, you won’t be short of choice.

So from rainy day fun for toddlers to teens, here’s my pick of the best indoor things to do in Kent – you’ll be almost hoping for drizzle!

Hever Castle

One of my all-time favourite Kent days out with kids, there’s masses to fit into a visit to Hever Castle – if we lived just a bit nearer, I’d be tempted to get the annual membership.

There are often events on during the year, but if the weather is too bad to enjoy them, you can still explore the castle itself, where Anne Boleyn grew up.

For my full review of a day out at Hever Castle, Kent, click here

There are plenty of pieces from Tudor times inside, including her bed and an antique warming pan, and a trail for kids to follow.

If the rain lets up, you can spend much longer in the grounds, with a water maze (especially if you’re wet anyway), a maze, lake and gardens, as well as characters wandering around – there’s nothing that gives you a warm glow like Henry VIII calling you a peasant!

For more of the best castles in Kent with kids, check out my top picks

Dover Castle

Another fabulous Kent fortress packed with history. There’s more than ancient history to be discovered at Dover Castle too, with wartime tunnels used for naval operations during the Second World War, although the site has seen centuries of use with an Iron Age Fort and Roman lighthouse built near the Norman castle.

The castle itself has plenty for kids to get hands on, including staff dressed up in medieval costume to show them how to card wool in the kitchens, plus bedchambers decorated as they might have been for royal inhabitants, right down to games to play.

Even when we visited on a freezing and windy winter’s day, it was worth the walk down to the underground hospital – and the views down to the English Channel are impressive if the rain isn’t too bad.

Read my full review of a visit to Dover Castle with kids

Leeds Castle, near Maidstone

Not far from Maidstone and the village of Leeds (not the more famous city in Yorkshire), Leeds Castle is easily one of the most beautiful historic sites in Kent – and there’s plenty of competition for that particular title.

Sitting reflected in the lake, with peacocks roaming the grounds, this has always struck me (and my daughter) as the kind of castle to house princesses rather than a fearsome fortress.

Once home to Catherine of Aragon, many of the rooms are now decorated in lavish 1920s style, although you’ll also find ones straight from medieval times. Outside, there’s an adventure playground and falconry displays plus adventure golf in the grounds if the weather improves.

Check out my review of visiting Leeds Castle with a toddler

Knole, near Sevenoaks 

One of the usual highlights of a visit to Knole near Sevenoaks is being able to see a herd of wild deer, but if you’re visiting this historic house in Kent in the rain, there’s more to discover indoors too.

Knole started life as a medieval archbishop’s home before finding its way into Henry VIII’s hands. Mary I lived here before it passed to the Sackville family, who made it their home for centuries – there’s now a fabulous collection of portraits for anyone interested in art, as well as an impressive collection of 17th-century furniture.

Kids get the opportunity to dress up in Tudor era clothes as well, while there’s also a treasure trail aimed at ages 6 to 12 to follow through the rooms. Bring a pencil and paper and you can try your hand at the nature-themed brass rubbing as well.

Ightham Mote, near Sevenoaks

The crooked beamed house surrounded by its own moat is always a hit, whatever the weather, plus some fun trails to follow for kids as you explore Ightham Mote.

With everyday items like a vintage rocking horse and more gruesome historic sights, including an oubliette, there are plenty of things to catch younger visitors’ attention too.

Not far from Sevenoaks, Ightham Mote is also a great option if you’ve only got a an hour or two to spare in Kent with kids, although you could also happily spend a lot longer here on sunny days, hunting for the secret garden as well as walking past the lake to the natural play area.

Here’s what we got up to on a short visit to Ightham Mote with kids

Chartwell, Westerham

Home to the Churchill family from the 20s, Chartwell is a great option for a rainy day in Kent with older kids as it’s still furnished as it would have been when Winston Churchill lived there.

In the studio, you can see the single largest collection of Churchill’s paintings, as well as other personal belongings in the house itself. There are also family-friendly audio guides and spotter sheets for the house, handy if you are visiting with younger kids.

Keep an eye out for Jock as you explore too – Winston Churchill’s will stated that there should always be a marmalade cat named Jock, with a white bib and four white socks. The current furry inhabitant is number 7.

Kent has an impressive number of historic houses and castles to explore, but some have more outdoor attractions – while Scotney Castle & Groombridge Place should be on any list of things to do in Kent with kids, they’re not my top picks if it’s pouring with rain

Canterbury Cathedral

Founded in 597CE, there’s an incredible 1,400 years of history to discover at Canterbury Cathedral, as well as the beautiful building itself.

And while you might think it’s not the most child-friendly option, the cathedral has plenty to keep families entertained, including kids’ trails, family-friendly activities, even downloadable activities like colouring sheets to complete the cathedral’s ancient bestiary.

Older kids can also hear some of the stories from its long past, including the grisly murder of Thomas Becket, see a copy of Magna Carta and the tomb of the Black Prince, while everyone can enjoy looking out for the quirky carvings – find a lion’s head, a mermaid and an imp along the way.

Canterbury Roman Museum

With its long history, there’s plenty to discover in Canterbury apart from its famous cathedral (though that’s worth a look as well!) – not least several interesting museums.

And one of the best museums for kids in Canterbury is the Roman Museum; set underground and built around the remains of a Roman town house, it’s a great way to visualise yourself back in Roman times as you venture down to the original street level.

As well as seeing the fantastic mosaic floor, still in place, there’s an introduction to Roman Canterbury plus activities for kids such as trying on a toga, making your own mosaic, handling real Roman objects and even trying to uncover treasure.

For more ideas of Roman sites in the UK to visit with kids, check out this post

Turner Contemporary, Margate

One of the country’s most impressive art galleries for those interested in modern art, the Turner Contemporary in Margate has plenty for kids as well.

You can join family highlight tours to help introduce younger kids to art – the tours are aimed at age 5-11 but everyone is welcome – as well as checking out some of the resources on the websites. The creative resource packs include an introduction to contemporary art, as well as other activities to inspire kids – both in the museum and elsewhere.

There’s even a room with games for kids, plus some extra fun during school holidays and weekends – not to mention that the exhibitions are constantly changing too, so there’s always something new to discover.

As a bonus, entry to the Turner Contemporary doesn’t cost a penny if you’re looking for free things to do in Kent in the rain with kids.

You can also pop into Margate’s Shell Grotto and Margate Caves during your rainy day in Kent – neither will keep families occupied all day, but they’re a fun way to escape a brief downpour

Maidstone Museum and Bentliff Art Gallery

The Maidston museum houses over 6,000 artefacts, including local history but also pieces from farther afield, such as ancient Egypt and Japan. There are also collections focusing on archaeology and costume, plus you’ll find temporary exhibitions and school holiday activities.

Based in an Elizabethan mansion – Chillington Manor – there’s also a dinosaur section, including information on the ones which would once have stalked this part of Kent. Maidstone even has a dinosaur on its shield!

Even better, there’s no entry charge (except for some of the special activities and temporary exhibitions) if you’re looking for free rainy days out in Kent with kids.

Powell-Cotton Museum, near Margate

Housing the eclectic collections of explorer Percy Powell-Cotton, the Powell Cotton Museum has an impressive natural history collection, as well as displays of archaeology and world culture.

Tickets to the museum also include entry to Quex House, once the Powell-Cotton family’s home, with a chance to explore the library as well as marvelling at some of the furniture and art inside.

You can also find regular family activities throughout the year as well, so it’s another good option if you’re looking for ideas of things to do in the rain near Margate.

Historic Dockyard, Chatham

The Historic Dockyard really is a fantastic slice of British history, the very dockyard where some of the ships that helped conquer the world’s oceans were built – and there’s the chance to discover everything from a Victorian Sloop to a Second World War Destroyer and a Cold War submarine.

More than 400 warships were built here, including the three which you can board and explore – inevitably a visit here does involve some time outside (or on deck) so it’s better for a drizzly day out, rather than during a downpour.

But as well as exploring the different ships, there are other tours and experiences to discover including the centuries-old techniques of master ropemakers, while kids can try completing Mission Explore with a code to crack if you tick off the missions and facts to discover along the way.

Tickets to the Historic Dockyard Chatham are valid for a year – make sure you book on to any tours you want to take, including the HM Submarine Ocelot, as soon as you arrive. You can also buy tickets with free cancellation.

Dover Transport Museum

Another great option for young kids fascinated with different forms of transport – the Dover Transport Museum is home to different types of vintage transport, set among some retro shop fronts.

There’s also a model railway to play with and a taxi and bus hunt for children – plus this is a great one to take the grandparents to.

Your ticket also gets you free return access for the next year.

Battle of Britain Memorial, near Folkestone

One of the more unusual things to do in Kent in the rain with kids, a visit to the Battle of Britain Memorial near Folkestone has chances to get hands on as well as commemorating those who fought.

Dedicated to the ‘Few’, those who fought in the skies in the early part of the Second World War to keep Britain free from invasion, it’s home to a replica Spitfire and Hurricane, two of the aircraft flown during the aerial battles.

But there’s also a chance to experience life as one of the Few at the multimedia Scramble Experience, mixing a video wall, audio and other high-tech elements to bring their heroic wartime deeds to life.

If it’s the aircraft that interests you, it’s also worth checking out the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum in Ramsgate, which is home to various Second World War planes, as well as the flight simulator Lancaster Experience in the cockpit of an Avro Lancaster

Lashenden Air Warfare Museum, near Ashford

There’s an impressive collection of parts of planes from Second World War wrecks at the Lashenden Air Warfare museum near Headcorn – not too far from Leeds Castle, if you’re looking for a couple of different Kent days out in the rain with kids that are near each other.

As well as vintage aircraft and other unusual displays such as a gyro kite, you can see the world’s only fully restored and operational pillbox of its type.

There are live flybys and festivals during the year, which are also great for families, but obviously these can’t necessarily go ahead if the weather is bad.

The Royal Engineers Museum, Gillingham

The Royal Engineers Museum is Kent’s largest military museum, dedicated to the Royal Engineers and the contributions they made to the British Army for hundreds of years. You never know, a visit might even inspire a future career in engineering. 

The museum’s collection includes tanks, fighter jets, rockets, weapons, historic artefacts, and even a huge piece of the Berlin Wall. 

There are also plenty of activities at the museum to keep younger visitors entertained, including the Snob the Dog trail, dressing up activities, interactive digital displays, and a First World War Play Tank. If you’re visiting during the school holidays, you may also find themed trails and craft activities throughout the museum.

Ramsgate Tunnels

Escape the rain by heading underground and discovering the history beneath the streets of Ramsgate.

The Ramsgate Tunnels are the UK’s largest network of wartime tunnels, spanning over two and a half miles beneath Kent. The amazing tunnel system used to shelter 60,000 people during Second World War air raids.

You can take a tour of the tunnels to experience what life was like for those who lived inside them, including stories from the tunnels across their long history.  

Babies and toddlers can enter the tunnels, however, prams and buggies aren’t permitted inside, so you will have to carry them throughout the entire tour. 

Kent Life, near Maidstone

Another fabulous family day out in Kent with toddlers and younger kids, Kent Life near Maidstone has some fun indoor activities including soft play for rainy days in Kent with kids, as well as its outdoor play area for better weather.

Plus there are animals galore to meet, including bottle feeding the lambs at Easter, and seeing other farm animals such as pigs, horses, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and alpacas. Kent Life is also home to the Kent Owl Academy, with 12 different owls.

Some of the other activities are great if you’re exploring Kent in the rain, including painting pots, while there’s also the chance to ride on the land train or rampage around in pedal tractors if the weather isn’t too dreadful.

Dinotropolis at Bluewater

There’s no better place to spend a rainy day than at the mall – although not necessarily in the shops! Fortunately, Kent’s huge Bluewater Shopping Center has plenty of fun activities for little ones too, including Dinotropolis.

Dinotropolis is an amazing indoor adventure park suitable for kids 12 years and under, complete with animatronic dinosaurs and plenty of interactive activities. 

The park features three storeys of soft play in the Dino Jungle, with huge ball pits, slides, drawbridges, ball cannons, and mirror mazes. Kids can also dig for fossils and get crafty in Discovery Cove and whizz through the jungle on the Raptor Racers. 

And a couple of hours at Dinotropolis is usually enough to wear out the little ones sufficiently to plop them in a Kiddie Cart and head back into Bluewater for a spot of shopping if you do fancy.

Visit a trampoline park 

A visit to a trampoline park is a great way to spend a rainy day with kids in Kent. There are several great parks in Kent where children can bounce, jump, and let out their energy in a safe and controlled environment.

Flip Out has one location in Kent, in Ashford (the Chatham site has now closed) with plenty of trampolines, stunt areas, inflatables, and lots of other fun activities. 

GraVity is another chain of trampoline parks with locations in Bluewater and Maidstone. Kids can enjoy trampolines, battle beams, and obstacle courses. The Bluewater branch also has a soft play area and weekly dedicated parent and toddler sessions on the trampolines.

Kent Escape Rooms

Put your family’s teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test with an escape room experience. You’ll need to work together to find clues, solve puzzles, and attempt to escape the room before the time runs out.

There are plenty of great escape rooms in Kent, including Escape Kent in Canterbury, The Escapement in Margate, and Clue Crackers in Tunbridge Wells.

Most escape rooms don’t have a minimum age but they may be a little too challenging for younger children with limited attention spans. Some are recommended for age 9+ while not all the games’ themes are suitable for kids so check before you book.

Or for something slightly different, Escape from Prison Island in Maidstone has 20+ challenge rooms where you could be taking on puzzles, physical tasks or trying your hand at other skills to win points. For age 8+.

Chimera Climbing, Tunbridge Wells

Let the kids burn off some energy at Chimera Climbing, a large indoor climbing and boulder centre in Tunbridge Wells.

The climbing centre has a variety of top-of-the-range bouldering equipment suitable for all levels of climbers and classes available for complete beginners.

Children need to be over 5 years old to climb and under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Under 12s are welcome in the centre between 10am and 6pm on weekdays and 9am and 2pm on weekends. 

Planet Ice Gillingham

While you might think of ice skating as a winter activity, at Planet Ice Gillingham you can hit the ice all year round, come rain or shine.

The large permanent indoor ice rink is open for all ages and abilities to enjoy, with clip-on skates and skating aids available for younger children. You can attend a free-skate session or brush up your skills with an ice skating lesson.

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Dover castle/Ightham Mote copyright MummyTravels, Historic Dockyard Chatham/Spitfire & Hurricane Museum/Kent Life copyright Visit Kent, all others courtesy of Depositphotos

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