Those long lockdown months saw us thrown together with our nearest and dearest - for better or worse- with families of all shapes and sizes spending more time together than ever. It can be hard to find activities to suit all the members of the clan but as families get back out into the world, Kent is leading the way with breaks and experiences that teenage members of the family will love just as much as Mum or Dad.
From adrenaline-fuelled escape rooms to sensational ‘SUP-scapades’ out on the open water and action-packed tree-top adventures, Kent’s experiences are a whole heap of fun for all the family. Globally recognised as Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel,’ Kent is most definitely having a moment that you’re going to want to be a part of. From its incredible foodie scene and buzzing evens and attractions to its extraordinary landscapes and heritage, there are so many things to discover and do on your next adventure.
To help you get the kids off their consoles, back out into the wild and enjoying activities that they’ll be proud to tell their friends about, we’ve made it super simple for you all with this handy run down of Kent’s teen-tastic attractions and experiences…
Get ready for a Kent adventure!
You’ll surely be the most popular parent around when you book to complete a Sunrise or Sunset SUP Safari with Active Ramsgate. The fastest-growing activity in the UK, paddle boarding is an incredible balance (see what we did there) of relaxation in nature alongside an active challenge that suits everyone from the beginners to the pros. Don’t forget your waterproof phone case so you can capture those epic skies as you paddle off into the sunset!
Load up the bikes on the car (or just hire them when you get there) and get ready for an exciting day out at Betteshanger park. The 250-acre site has miles of safe, traffic-free cycling, muddy mountain bike trails, an epic outdoor playpark, archery, den building, forest schools, fossil hunting, geocaching and even military fitness experiences and boot camps. Get set for a physical day of fun ticking all those teen well-being boxes – action-packed (tick), outside (tick), engaging (tick), energetic (tick), and thrilling (tick). Phew we’re exhausted just thinking about it!
When Jeremy Clarkson himself says that hovercrafts are “the most fun you can have with an engine” you know you’re onto a winner! Hold onto your hats (and sunglasses, and phones, and wallets – you get the idea) because The British Hovercraft Company are now operating high-octane tours on the Medway that’ll see you whizzing down the river at speed on one adrenaline-fuelled ride. With a range of hovercraft models and seat capacities available, you’ll suit your whole party and be sure to deliver a once-in-a-life-time experience that they’ll never forget.
With so much to pack in in the area, why not make a short break of it and stay at Maidstone’s Curious Cow Camping site for a unique glamping experience with a touch of outdoor luxury. Spend a bit of much-needed quality time together as you get back to nature in one of their comfortably kitted-out Bell tents with proper beds and stunning surroundings. Why not whip out the marshmallows around the evening campfire for a touch of childhood nostalgia - parents, children and teens alike will be powerless to resist a tasty s’more with a starlit backdrop.
A rare and awesome opportunity to really connect with your children’s worlds, Cybersaur is a new digital interactive performance company based in buzzing Folkestone that delivers bespoke experiences across multiple platforms and art forms. Immerse yourselves in a range of interactive performances, workshops and experiences that’ll have you all thinking outside the box and learning something new. Real conversation starters and a chance to spend quality time with your teens and pre-teens on their level, don’t miss the opportunity to get involved. Make sure you explore Folkestone’s thriving art scene whilst you’re in the area, and head to the harbour arm for street food, sea views and a huge outdoor screen.
Do you have what it takes to investigate a haunted building in one of the UK’s most terrifyingly haunted locations including castles, mansions, prisons, and caves? Pull on your big (non-gender specific) pants if you’re brave enough and head to Maidstone’s Ghost Hunter Tours after hours for an exclusive night-time event where you’ll search the venue with mediums and investigators and take part in real paranormal experiments such as table tipping, glass devination, vigils, séances and Ouija boards. Can you hold your nerve and make it through the night?
Be the cool parent and give your kids permission to do everything you’ve always said no to at Joe’s Bows in Maidstone. Here they can safely enjoy and experience a range of fun (and highly appealing to teens!) activities including Axe-Throwing and Archery. From target practice and Laser Clay shooting to owl flying, falconry sessions and axe and shovel -throwing (yes that’s a thing), the experiences on offer here are truly unique and will create memories that will last a lifetime. Safe and controlled (check for the parents) with that thrilling element of risk-taking and doing something out of the ordinary (check for the teens)…everyone’s a winner!
Could you drive a Grimhilde Mining Corp Submarine to an air pocket deep in the ocean and find the energy source that you desperately need? Or stop a WW2 Bunker housing undocumented German AI technology from causing world chaos? Or maybe defeat the Ministry of Defence and close the magic portal for good? No idea what we’re on about?! Let us explain.
This year will see the launch of not one, not two but THREE extraordinary new games at Broadstairs ‘The Escapement’ - a hybrid escape room and treasure hunt that’ll really get your thinking caps on and your adrenaline flowing. Race against the clock as you complete a variety of missions and investigations in groups of families or friends and work together as a team to uncover the secrets and set yourselves free!
Family days out at Go Ape are all about living life more adventurously, having fun and getting in touch with your inner Tarzan (he’s in there, we know he is). Go Ape, at Leeds Castle near Maidstone, is an unforgettable experience, a great laugh, and just the best way of bringing people together. Take on something new together as you speed down zip wires, tackle rope bridges, take a leap of faith on the Tarzan Swings and take on multiple crossings - all set high in the tree-tops up to 40ft above the forest floor. Challenging and exhilarating, it’s a real experience that the whole family will love to complete together.
And why not make a weekend of it and stay at the nearby Maidstone Hilton Hotel which is perfectly set up for families with a range of room types and beds available and a hearty breakfast included? That way you can also check out Leeds Castle itself, tackle the tricky hedge maze on site, have a go on the Segway experiences or try your hand at adventure golf. Choices, choices!
We all know there’ll be bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover, but did you also know there’s a huge network of Mountain Bike Trails up there over those famous cliffs? That one’s not in the song now, is it?! The White Cliffs MTB company offer mountain biking trails, tours, and experiences for cyclists from beginners to pros, all set against the stunning scenery of Kent’s white cliff’s coastline. Join a group ride or book a bespoke experience with the expert team who’ll guide you along the trails and deliver a fun, energetic and unique adventure at one of the UK’s most famous landmarks.
