Photo: Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Things to do in Kent for teenagers
Teenagers can spot a day out designed for younger siblings from the car park. The trick is something with a bit of challenge or a bit of edge: a bouldering wall, a 250-metre zip wire, a submarine to climb aboard or a castle after dark.
Many of these suit groups of friends as well as families. Rules on supervision and minimum ages vary, so we have noted them where the venue sets them.
Over half term, book the activity centres ahead, as weekend and holiday sessions fill first.
Climbing and obstacle courses
All indoors, so the weather does not matter.
Image: Chimera Climbing Tunbridge WellsChimera Climbing Tunbridge Wells
Chimera's Tunbridge Wells centre is a dedicated bouldering wall where you climb short, colour-graded routes over deep crash mats with no ropes. There are clubs for children from five, birthday parties and coaching for adult beginners. With showers and a café, it suits teens and adults looking for an active indoor session.
Why it's here: Hundreds of graded bouldering problems with no ropes, open until 10pm on weekdays for adults. Under-16s must be supervised unless signed off by a coach.
Image: Chimera Climbing CanterburyChimera Climbing Canterbury
Chimera's Canterbury centre offers rope-free bouldering on colour-graded routes from beginner to advanced, all over thick safety matting. Junior clubs, parties and coaching sessions make it accessible to newcomers, and there are showers and a café. It is a good indoor alternative to the city's sightseeing for active teens.
Why it's here: Graded bouldering for all levels, coaching for beginners, showers and a café. A good active alternative to the city's sightseeing.
Image: Clip 'n Climb TonbridgeClip 'n Climb Tonbridge
Clip 'n Climb Tonbridge is a big indoor climbing arena with auto-belay walls that suit first-timers as well as confident climbers. Each 90-minute session starts with a safety briefing, followed by about an hour on themed challenge walls, plus extras such as a vertical drop slide and the Stairway to Heaven. It is a reliable rainy-day option for children from four and for adults.
Why it's here: Themed auto-belay walls, the Vertical Drop Slide and Stairway to Heaven, in 90-minute sessions from £19.
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: The obstacle course inspired by the TV show, Warped Wall included, with sessions from £14.95.
Outdoor adventure
Zip wires, trails and open water.
Image: Go Ape BedgeburyGo Ape Bedgebury
Go Ape's Treetop Challenge at Bedgebury sends you through the forest canopy on rope crossings, five zip wires and dual Tarzan swings. It suits confident older children, teens, adults and groups after an active few hours, and pairs well with a walk or ride around the rest of Bedgebury.
Why it's here: Five zip wires and dual Tarzan swings in the forest canopy, for ages 10 and up and at least 1.4m tall.
Image: Go Ape | Fun Outdoor Activities Near MeGo Ape Leeds Castle
Go Ape's course at Leeds Castle threads high ropes, zip wires of up to 250 metres and a Tarzan swing through the woods beside the castle grounds. Options range from the Treetop Adventure for younger children to the full Treetop Challenge for ages 10 and up, plus axe throwing and evening Sundown Adventures. You do not need a castle ticket, which makes it an easy add-on or a stand-alone trip.
Why it's here: Zip wires up to 250 metres, axe throwing from £18.95 and Sundown Adventures for ages 12 and up. No castle ticket needed.
Image: CycloparkCyclopark
Cyclopark is a charity-run health and wellbeing venue in Gravesend, with cycling trails including mountain bike and BMX routes, a gym and fitness classes. Families can hire bikes and helmets and use the play park and CycloLand. It is a good place for children to build cycling confidence away from traffic.
Why it's here: Mountain bike and BMX trails with bike and helmet hire, away from traffic.
Image: Mote ParkMote Park
Mote Park is one of the largest parks in the South East, a sweep of parkland, woodland and lake on the edge of Maidstone. There are three children's play areas plus a natural woodland play area, a skate park and BMX track, an adventure zone and a watersports centre, with a cafe for breaks. It is free and easily fills an afternoon.
Why it's here: A free park with a skate park, BMX track, adventure zone and a watersports centre on the lake.
Photo: Bewl WaterBewl Water
Bewl Water is the South East's largest reservoir, set in the High Weald on the Kent and Sussex border with 13 miles of shoreline. Come for a lakeside walk or bike ride, a watersports session or a summer day on the inflatable Aqua Park, then refuel at the Waterfront Café. It suits families, active groups and dog walkers, and can easily fill a day.
Why it's here: Sailing, paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing and wingfoiling on the South East's largest reservoir, with activities charged separately.
History with an edge
For teenagers who like their history dark, loud or underwater.
Image: Dover CastleDover Castle
Dover Castle sits high above the White Cliffs, with a medieval Great Tower above ground and a network of secret wartime tunnels below. Climb the tower to discover the court of King Henry II, explore the Under Siege exhibition and let children loose in the siege play area. Give it a full day.
Why it's here: Secret wartime tunnels and the Underground Hospital on a guided tour, plus a WWI Fire Command Post.
Image: The Historic Dockyard ChathamThe Historic Dockyard Chatham
The Historic Dockyard Chatham is an Age of Sail dockyard of international importance, now a huge museum site. Climb aboard HMS Gannet, the destroyer HMS Cavalier and the submarine Ocelot, walk the Ropery and explore galleries including Command of the Oceans. One ticket covers a year of visits, so you do not have to see it all in one day.
Why it's here: Climb aboard the destroyer HMS Cavalier and the submarine Ocelot. Tickets last a year, and the site closes for winter after 15 November.
Image: Hever CastleAfter Hours: Haunted Hever Castle Tours
See Hever Castle after dark on a 50-minute theatrical tour through its historic rooms, where actors play figures drawn from the castle's history and folklore. Expect a sorrowful Thomas Boleyn, the elusive Grey Lady and other characters in the shadows. The evening starts with a drink in the Moat Café, and groups are capped at 20.
Why it's here: A 50-minute theatrical tour of the castle after dark on 29, 30 and 31 October, recommended for ages 14 and over.
Image: Brands HatchTrucks and Fireworks at Brands Hatch
A weekend of truck racing at Brands Hatch that ends with a fireworks display on the Sunday evening. Under 13s go free, and there is plenty around the track for children between races.
Why it's here: Truck racing on 31 October and 1 November with fireworks on the Sunday evening. Under-13s go free, and under-16s must be with an adult.
Questions people ask
What can teenagers do in Kent?
Indoor bouldering at Chimera in Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury, Go Ape at Bedgebury and Leeds Castle, BMX at Cyclopark and Mote Park, and watersports at Bewl Water all suit teenagers.
What is the minimum age for Go Ape at Bedgebury?
The Treetop Challenge at Bedgebury has a minimum age of 10 and a minimum height of 1.4m. One adult must take part and can supervise up to four children aged 12 and under.
Can under-16s climb at Chimera without an adult?
Only if they have been signed off by a coach. Otherwise under-16s must be supervised.