Family-friendly fun this May holiday

Keep the kids entertained in White Cliffs Country during the school holiday this May.

Arts and crafts

Visit the international Stone Masonry Festival at Dover's Maison Dieu on Saturday 23 to Monday 25 May. Meet stone masons from the UK, France and the Netherlands as they carve fantastic creatures from blocks of Maison Dieu stone. This is a FREE drop-in event suitable for all ages with indoor and outdoor activities including stone rubbing, chalk carving, creative workshops (clay figures and mini stained-glass windows), a graffiti wall and dragon storytelling!

Explore the underwater world of the River Dour the make your own river invertebrate to take home on Tuesday 26 May. Join rangers at the River Dour Centre in Dover for this FREE drop-in activity any time between 2pm and 4pm. 

Join the White Cliffs Countryside Project rangers in Dover Market Square on Wednesday 27 May for more FREE crafting at their stall - drop in any time between 11am and 3pm. You can also book onto one of two guided mini-beast safaris (11am-12.30pm or 1.30-3pm) from the Market Square to Cowgate Cemetery. These are FREE but must be booked in advance.

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Outdoor fun

Join a guided walk (about 2km long) at the Western Heights in Dover on Thursday 28 May to explore the history of the site and the wildlife habitats here. Young explorers can take part in a scavenger hunt as part of the walk. No need to book onto this FREE walk, but please arrive in time for a 10am start from St Martin's Battery Car Park.

Fantastic Fort Burgoyne near Dover Castle will be open to visitors on Friday 29 May - another FREE event - where you can discover the site's history and wildlife on a guided tour throughout the day (bookable when you arrive). There will also be two Lively Lizards activities - at 10.30am and 1pm - where you can learn all about these fascinating creatures on a gentle walk.

Head to Samphire Hoe on Saturday 30 May to join the ranger to watch for some of the amazing birds of the White Cliffs and learn lots of fun facts. Turn up any time between 10am and 12pm and find the ranger at the Dover end of the sea wall. This is another FREE event but you'll need to pay to park.

Felderland Farm Pick Your Own near Sandwich is open again for the fruit-picking season and has gorgeous Kentish strawberries ready to pick! Open Wednesdays to Sundays, plus Bank Holiday Monday, 10am to 4pm. No booking is needed, FREE entry and free parking on site (but it can get busy). Visiting adults must buy a pre-weighed punnet to enter the picking areas. There's also a play area, drinks, snacks and ice creams, toilets and farm shop with local produce.

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For any train fans, a visit to East Kent Railway in Shepherdswell is a must. Their popular cafe and woodland trails are open on Tuesdays to Sundays with heritage train rides between Shepherdswell and Eythorne Stations available to book on Sundays.

Betteshanger Park is the place to go for outdoor adventures. There's a bug hunt activity from 23 May to 7 June - follow a self-guided trail to receive a prize for every completed hunt. No pre-booking required, just call in at reception. There are lots of other activities including archery, a Forest School holiday club and Tiny Hooves (meet pygmy goats!).

Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory is running a guided nature walk for families, especially those with children aged 12+, on Thursday 28 May at 9.30am where you can explore a new trail, have a go at bird spotting and enjoy a 6km walk. Please book in advance - tickets are FREE.

Walmer Paddling Pool reopens for the summer season on Saturday 23 May, FREE entry daily from 10am. It has a cafe and toilets on site, and Roman-themed adventure golf and a mini-car track next door.

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Boats and cars

Book a trip along the River Stour to see the seals at Pegwell Bay Nature Reserve aboard the River Runner from Sandwich Quay and spot wildlife along the way. Seal spotting trips run daily throughout the school holiday and must be booked in advance.

Exhilarating high-speed RHIB rides along the coast from Dover Harbour are available to book with Dover Sea Safari - their White Cliffs and Beyond trip is running every day during the holiday. Wetwheels South East also runs fully accessible boat trips, including tours of Dover Harbour, seal watching and trips along the White Cliffs. Please contact them to find out what's available. 

NEW for this year, you can book a fantastic, guided sea kayaking tour with Canoe Wild from Kingsdown Beach along the coast (north or south, depending on the tide and conditions) but please note this is suitable for families with older children only (14+).

If you prefer to stick to dry land, how about an exciting day out at Lydden Hill Race Circuit? Their Spring Rallysprint is on Saturday 30 May and will be a thrilling day of track racing with plenty of off-track entertainment. Spectator tickets are £7 in advance, or £10 on the gate.

Dover Transport Museum at Whitfield is holding a Classic Car Show on Sunday 24 May from 10.30am to 3.30pm. There is always a fine display of classic cars and plenty to see at the museum itself. 

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Teddy Bear Trail in Sandwich

One for younger children, Spellbound bookshop in Sandwich has created a Teddy Bear Trail in support of the National Year of Reading 2026. At the end of the trail, every child will receive a FREE book. Collect the trail sheet from Effie McLean at 4 Delf Street.

The Waiting Room will be selling Teddy Bear Picnic Snack Boxes, so when you've finished the trail, why not have a picnic in one of Sandwich’s beautiful green spaces? Keep an eye on Spellbound's Instagram feed during half term for special messages from exciting children’s authors and plenty more teddy bear trail fun.

Mystery Missions at the castles

Top-secret messages have gone missing at Dover Castle and Walmer Castle & Gardens and you can help to find it before it falls into the wrong hands! Follow the trails, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message. Keep your eyes peeled for mysterious secret agents who might be able to help you... This activity will run daily from 10am to 5pm and is included in the ticket price (free to English Heritage members). Book tickets online in advance to save 15%.

Browse our website to find lots of other places to visit and things to do. Events are listed in What's On and cafes and restaurants are listed in Eat & drink. Whatever you decide to do this week, we hope you have fun!