Photo: Oast House Archive, CC BY-SA 2.0Days out in Kent with toddlers and young children
With little ones, the best day out is often the simplest: animals to meet, a train to ride, somewhere to run and a café with baby changing. Kent has plenty of all four, and several are open all year.
We have chosen places aimed at young families first, then added half-term events that are pitched as silly rather than scary. Look for the age guidance in each pick.
Most farm parks take half a day, so pair one with a park nearby rather than trying to fit in two big attractions.
Animals and farms
Feeding, stroking and tractor rides.
Image: Rare Breeds CentreRare Breeds Centre
The Rare Breeds Centre is a working farm and conservation park run by the Canterbury Oast Trust charity, set in 100 acres of countryside near Ashford. Children can meet more than 200 rare and native animals, ride the tractor trailer, explore woodland walks and burn off energy in the indoor soft play and outdoor play parks. Seasonal events include Halloween and a Christmas grotto.
Why it's here: More than 200 rare and native animals, tractor trailer rides and indoor soft play, with free parking and a free children's pack.
Image: Kent LifeKent Life
Kent Life is a heritage farm attraction at Sandling, just outside Maidstone, home to more than 200 farmyard animals from pigs and goats to donkeys and alpacas. Stroll the nature trail, meet the animals and check the calendar for seasonal events such as hops and harvest, fireworks and Christmas. It is aimed at families with young children and is dog-friendly in most areas.
Why it's here: Over 200 farmyard animals from pigs to alpacas, plus a nature trail and indoor play, aimed at families with young children.
Image: Wildwood KentWildwood Kent
Wildwood is a wildlife park set in 40 acres of ancient woodland between Canterbury and Herne Bay, home to more than 200 British animals past and present. See wolves, bears, bison and lynx alongside badgers, red squirrels and water voles, with walkthrough exhibits along the way. Allow half a day.
Why it's here: British animals from wolves and bears to red squirrels in 40 acres of woodland, with walkthrough exhibits. Child tickets (2 to 17) are £14.
Image: Howletts Wild Animal ParkHowletts Wild Animal Park
Howletts is a 100-acre wild animal park near Canterbury, run by The Aspinall Foundation and home to more than 300 animals. Walk between the enclosures, then explore the Animals of the Ice Age trail of prehistoric creatures, which is included in your ticket. Allow a full day.
Why it's here: More than 300 animals across 100 acres, with the Animals of the Ice Age trail included in the ticket. Allow a full day and book online, which is cheaper.
Image: Eagle Heights Wildlife FoundationEagle Heights Wildlife Foundation
Eagle Heights is a non-profit wildlife foundation in the Darent Valley above Eynsford, caring for rescued animals and birds of prey. The daily flying display is the highlight, and visitors also meet rescued huskies and other animals, with bookable experiences such as flying an owl. Pair it with Lullingstone Roman Villa just down the road.
Why it's here: A birds of prey flying display at noon, weather permitting, and rescued huskies to meet. Under-3s go free, and winter opening is Friday to Sunday.
Trains, parks and play
Low-cost outings for short attention spans.
Image: Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch RailwayRomney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway
The Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway runs miniature trains along the Kent coast between Hythe and Dungeness, calling at Dymchurch, St Mary's Bay, New Romney and Romney Sands. Ride the full line out to the shingle at Dungeness, or hop off for the beach along the way, with cafés and a buffet at the stations. It is a favourite with young families.
Why it's here: Miniature trains along the coast between Hythe and Dungeness, with single tickets from every station, so you can keep the ride short.
Image: Spa Valley RailwaySpa Valley Railway
The Spa Valley Railway is a volunteer-supported heritage line running steam and heritage diesel trains between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge through the High Weald. Ride the line for the countryside views, or time your visit for one of its dining trains, family days or festivals. It suits families and rail enthusiasts and makes an easy half day from the town.
Why it's here: Steam and heritage diesel trains from Tunbridge Wells West. On the purple timetable, children aged 2 to 15 travel free with a fare-paying adult.
Cobtree Manor Park
Cobtree Manor Park occupies the site of the old Maidstone Zoo on the edge of Aylesford. More than 50 acres of parkland carry two waymarked walks and a sculpture trail, and there are two play areas, one themed on the former zoo. With a café, toilets and baby changing on site, it is a practical free outing for young families.
Why it's here: Free entry, two play areas including one themed on the old Maidstone Zoo, and a café with toilets and baby changing.
Image: Dunorlan ParkDunorlan Park
Dunorlan Park is a historic public park on the east side of Tunbridge Wells, centred on a large lake with a path around its edge. Hire a pedal boat, rowing boat or canoe, look out for the ornate fountain and Grecian temple, and let children loose in the natural adventure play area. It is free, dog-friendly and good for a relaxed morning or afternoon.
Why it's here: A lakeside path, pedal boats and a natural adventure play area with the Dunorlan Dragon, free and open every day.
Image: Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park ChathamNinja Warrior UK Adventure Park Chatham
This supervised obstacle park in Chatham Maritime is inspired by ITV's Ninja Warrior UK. Climb, swing and balance across the obstacles, bounce over the inflatable and take on the famous Warped Wall. It is an energetic indoor choice for older children, teens and adults, with separate toddler sessions for ages one to four.
Why it's here: Ninja Toddlers sessions for ages one to four, at £6.95 per toddler plus £2 per adult.
Gentle half-term events
Halloween fun without the frights.
Image: Kent and East Sussex RailwayThe Spellbound Express
A gentle, scare-free Halloween steam train for younger children, running from Tenterden to Northiam and back. Witches, wizards and a baby dragon keep things lively on board, and every child earns a Junior Spellcaster certificate.
Why it's here: A scare-free steam train with witches, wizards and a baby dragon on 28, 29 and 30 October, for ages 4 to 11.
Image: Leeds CastleHorrible Histories Halloween at Leeds Castle
Horrible Histories takes over the castle grounds for half-term with ghostly queens, potion making and a costume party in the maze. It is designed to be more funny than frightening, so it works well for mixed ages.
Why it's here: Ghostly queens, potion making and a costume party in the maze, pitched as silly rather than scary, daily to 1 November and included with admission.
Image: Canterbury Oast Trust (Rare Breeds Centre)Farmyard Frights and Trick or Treat Delights
The Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford runs a family Halloween over October half term, with farmyard frights and trick or treating alongside its 200-plus animals. It suits younger children who want Halloween fun without real scares.
Why it's here: Farmyard frights and trick or treating among the animals from 24 October to 1 November, for younger children who want Halloween without real scares.
Image: Forestry EnglandRoom on the Broom trail with Halloween cauldrons at Bedgebury
Bedgebury's Room on the Broom trail gains a Halloween twist in October, with cauldrons to find and a crossword to solve for a sticker. It is an easy, low-cost outing in the pinetum while the autumn colour is at its best.
Why it's here: Halloween cauldrons along the Room on the Broom trail through October, with a £4 trail pack that includes stickers and a wand craft.
Image: Howletts Wild Animal Park (Aspinall Foundation)Howloween at Howletts
Howletts runs a playful Halloween week where the animals get pumpkin treats and children follow a trick trail around the park. Free child tickets booked online make it one of the better-value half-term days in East Kent.
Why it's here: Pumpkin treats for the animals and a trick trail, with child tickets (3 to 15) free when booked online for visits from 23 October to 1 November.
Questions people ask
Where can I take a toddler in Kent?
Farm parks such as the Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford and Kent Life near Maidstone, the miniature Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, and free parks such as Cobtree Manor Park and Dunorlan Park all suit toddlers.
Are there toddler sessions at Ninja Warrior UK Chatham?
Yes. Ninja Toddlers sessions are for ages one to four and cost £6.95 per toddler plus £2 per adult.
Which Kent Halloween events are not scary?
The Spellbound Express on the Kent and East Sussex Railway is scare-free, Horrible Histories at Leeds Castle is pitched as silly rather than scary, and the Rare Breeds Centre's Halloween is aimed at younger children who do not want real scares.