With the scorching weather we’re currently having, summer is definitely here! Most schools are breaking up at the end of this week, so it’s time to start thinking about how to reduce the number of times you’re driven mad with “I’m booooooooored” over the next 6 weeks. Of course, we’re fortunate to be surrounded by some beautiful parks and countryside. There are also rainy day fail-safes like Monkey Bizz and Flip Out. However, sometimes you just want something a little different or a led activity. That’s where this round-up comes in. I’ve scoured social media and the internet so that you don’t have to, finding everything I can in Medway (and some things in Gravesham) to entertain the kids over the summer holidays. If you do find something else though, please let me know so I can add it!
Make sure you don’t miss out! Scroll down to the bottom to see events that are taking on multiple dates throughout the summer and remember that many of these activities need booking!
Saturday 23rd July
| Cyclopark Family Fun Day | Cyclopark, Gravesend | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-adventure-day-2022-tickets-323283458527 |
| Summer Picnic | Esplanade, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/events/752630975927065/ |
| Create a Collage | Gillingham Library | https://www.facebook.com/medwaylibraries/ |
Sunday 24th July
| Insect Walk | Rainham Marshes | https://www.facebook.com/events/1039183720026015/ |
| Safety In Action Day | The Historic Dockyard, Chatham | https://thedockyard.co.uk/whats-on/medway-safety-in-action-day/ |
Monday 25th July
| Summer Party | Davis Estate Community Centre | https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=460062666125306&set=a.454100116721561 |
Wednesday 27th July
| Clay Creatures Craft | Capstone Farm Country Park | https://www.facebook.com/events/7654969044545536/7654969071212200 |
| Summer Fun Day | Deanwood Wellbeing Centre, Rainham | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Music & Craft Rainbow Fish Special | Cliffe Memorial Hall, Cliffe | https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=465503592247880&set=pcb.465503625581210 |
| Barbie “Let’s Go Camping” Roadshow | Smyths Toys, Gillingham | https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/in-store-events |
Monday 1st August
| ‘Under the Sea’ themed Stay and Play | Gun Lane Wellbeing Centre, Strood | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Park Day | Allhallows Recreational Ground | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
Tuesday 2nd August
| Messy Treasure Hunt | Barming Pavillion | https://bookwhen.com/muckymunchkins63 |
| Stay and Play | Burnt Oak, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Fun, Games, Arts & Crafts | Community Coaching and Training, 25 Gun Lane, Strood | Found on library poster, runs from 12-2pm |
| Beam Bridges Family Workshop | Rochester Cathedral | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/rochester-bridge-trust-50551529903 |
Wednesday 3rd August
| ‘Step Into a Story’ Stay and Play | Allhallows Village Hall | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Hoo Creative | Hoo Library | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Drop-In Football | Hook Meadow, Walderslade | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Make Your Own Bird Feeder | Hillyfields Community Park, Gillingham | https://mugsforum.org/2022/06/28/make-your-own-bird-feeder-in-hillyfields-park-sat-3-aug/ |
Thursday 4th August
| A Day At The Seaside Workshop | Christ the King, Walderslade | https://www.tinytoesballet.co.uk/find-a-class |
| Relaxed Opening Afternoon | The Historic Dockyard, Chatham | https://thedockyard.co.uk/whats-on/relaxed-opening-afternoon/ |
| Mini Big Camp | Buckmore Park Scout Camp, Chatham | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Drop-In Football | Jacksons Park, Rochester | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Bug, Butterflies and Clay Art | Great Lines, Chatham | https://mugsforum.org/2022/06/28/bug-butterfly-clay-art-at-great-lines-heritage-park-thu-4-aug/ |
Friday 5th August
| Open Air Family Music Festival | Upnor Castle | https://www.facebook.com/events/705666903868156/ |
| Summer Fun Day | Gillingham Children & Family Hub | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Stay and Play | Oaklands, Walderslade | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Takeover Day | Strood Youth Centre | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
Saturday 6th August
| Arch Bridges Family Workshop | Rochester Cathedral | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/rochester-bridge-trust-50551529903 |
Monday 8th August
| Park Day | Allhallows Recreation Ground | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Music & Craft Sharing a Shell Special | Mini wAVe Experience, Borstal Village Hall | See poster below |
Tuesday 9th August
| Messtival | Barming Pavillion | https://bookwhen.com/muckymunchkins63 |
| Family Teddy Bear’s Picnic | Esplanade Play Park, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Stay and Play | Saxon Way Wellbeing Centre, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Fun at Gillingham Park | Gillingham Park | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Fun, Games, Arts & Crafts | Community Coaching and Training, 25 Gun Lane, Strood | Found on library poster, runs from 12-2pm |
| Cantilever Bridges Family Workshop | Rochester Cathedral | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/rochester-bridge-trust-50551529903 |
Wednesday 10th August
| ‘Animal Fun’ Stay and Play | Allhallows Village Hall | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Hoo Creative | Hoo Library | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Drop-In Football | Hook Meadow, Walderslade | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| SEN Cookery | Woodlands Youth Centre, Gillingham | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
Thursday 11th August
| Climbing | Strood Youth Centre | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| NERF Event | Lordswood Library | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Drop-In Football | Jacksons Park, Rochester | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Little Ladies Summer Holiday Pamper Party | The Colour Lounge, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/events/1180973556055872 |
Friday 12th August
| Summer Fun Day | Chatham Children & Family Hub | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| ‘Step Into a Story’ Stay and Play | Hoo Wellbeing Centre | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Panic Room | Strood Youth Centre | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Fun at Gillingham Park | Gillingham Park | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| NERF Event | St Mary’s Island Community Centre | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
Saturday 13th August
| Beam Bridges Family Workshop | Rochester Cathedral | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/rochester-bridge-trust-50551529903 |
| Medway Culture Club Carnival | Woodlands Youth Centre, Gillingham | www.medwaycultureclub.co.uk/event-details/medway-culture-club-carnival-2 |
Monday 15th August
| Family Teddy Bear’s Picnic | Lower Halling Play Area | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Park Day | Allhallows Recreation Ground | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Life Skills Inventory | Strood Youth Centre | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
Tuesday 16th August
| Arch Bridges Family Workshop | Rochester Cathedral | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/rochester-bridge-trust-50551529903 |
| Stay and Play | Burnt Oak, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Take Over Day | SOAR Trampoline Park, Gillingham Business Park | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Primary Enrichment Activities | Mini wAVe Experience, Borstal Village Hall | See poster below |
Wednesday 17th August
| ‘Nature’ Stay and Play | Allhallows Village Hall | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Stay and Play | Delce, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Drop-In Football | Hook Meadow, Walderslade | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Hoo Creative | Hoo Library | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Cooking Around the World | Strood Youth Centre | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Sports @ Kestrel | Lordswood Library | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Space Book Reading | Store 104, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=468125605318492 |
Thursday 18th August
| Takeover Day | Medway Watersports Centre, The Strand, Gillingham | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Drop-In Football | Jacksons Park, Rochester | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Little Ladies Summer Holiday Pamper Party | The Colour Lounge, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/events/1180973556055872 |
Friday 19th August
| A Day at the Seaside Workshop | Old Gravesendians RFC, Gravesend | https://www.tinytoesballet.co.uk/find-a-class |
| T-shirt Printing & Shrink Plastic Workshop | Hook Meadow Community Centre, Walderslade | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Skate with Team Extreme | Cozenton Skate Park, Rainham | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Cooking Around the World | Strood Youth Centre | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
Saturday 20th August
| Charity Night – Raffle, Music, Animal Talks, Activities & Safari Trek | Fenn Bell Zoo, Hoo | https://www.fbcukproject.co.uk/zoo-do |
| Trainmaster | Culverstone Community Centre | https://trainmaster.co.uk/kent-ticket-booking/ |
| Cantilever Bridges Family Workshop | Rochester Cathedral | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/rochester-bridge-trust-50551529903 |
Monday 22nd August
| Park Day | Allhallows Recreation Ground | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Music Masters | Parkwood Youth Centre, Rainham | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
Tuesday 23rd August
| Stay and Play | Saxon Way Wellbeing Centre, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Operation NERF | Location to be confirmed | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Fun at Twydall Green | Twydall Green | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Holiday Cooks (Strawberry Cupcakes) | The Cookery Cabin, Gravesend | https://www.thecookerycabin.co.uk/bookclasses |
| Cantilever Bridges Family Workshop | Rochester Cathedral | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/rochester-bridge-trust-50551529903 |
Wednesday 24th August
| ‘Under the Sea’ Stay and Play | Allhallows Village Hall | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Drop-In Football | Hook Meadow, Walderslade | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Creative Music Workshop | WREC Room, Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Panic Room | Strood Youth Centre | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Wildlife Picnic | The Vines, Rochester | https://mugsforum.org/2022/06/28/wildlife-picnic-in-the-vines-wed-24-aug/ |
Thursday 25th August
| Bugs, Butterflies and Clay Craft | Broomhill Park, Strood | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bugs-and-clay-tickets-350262443397 |
| Fun at Twydall Green | Twydall Green | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Graffiti Art Project | Strood Youth Centre | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Drop-In Football | Jacksons Park, Rochester | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Storytime | Moat House Coffee Shop, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/TheMoatHouseCoffeeShop |
Friday 26th August
| Shorne Woods Open Day | Shorne Wood Country Park | https://www.facebook.com/events/816279712915616 |
| The Railway Children (Open Air Theatre Production) | The Historic Dockyard, Chatham | https://www.facebook.com/events/579948860302445 |
| Stay and Play | Oaklands, Walderslade | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Family Teddy Bear’s Picnic | Cliffe Park | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Holiday Cooks (Strawberry Cupcakes) | The Cookery Cabin, Gravesend | https://www.thecookerycabin.co.uk/bookclasses |
Saturday 27th August
| Wildlife Picnic | Gillingham Park | https://mugsforum.org/2022/06/28/wildlife-picnic-in-gillingham-park-thu-27-jul-11am-2pm/ |
| Beam Bridges Family Workshop | Rochester Cathedral | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/rochester-bridge-trust-50551529903 |
Wednesday 31st August
| Relaxed Opening Afternoon | The Historic Dockyard, Chatham | https://thedockyard.co.uk/whats-on/relaxed-opening-afternoon/ |
| Stay and Play | Delce, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/medwayfamily/ |
| Drop-In Football | Hook Meadow, Walderslade | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
Friday 2nd September
| Stick Man Making and Storytime | Trosley Country Park, Trottiscliffe | https://bookings.kentcountryparks.co.uk/events.html |
Saturday 3rd September
| Trainmaster | Parkwood Primary School, Gillingham | https://www.facebook.com/events/519729189851355/ |
Various Dates
| Wild At Heart Forest School | Nurstead Woods, Meopham | https://www.facebook.com/WildatHeartLearningKent |
| World’s Longest Interlocking Brick Bridge & Adventure Golf – see individual dates throughout August for workshops | Rochester Cathedral | https://www.rochestercathedral.org/new-events/2024/1/2/all-about-bridges |
| Toddler Drop-In Sessions (Storytime and play with blocks and dress up) on Thursdays | Rochester Cathedral | https://rbt.org.uk/AllAboutBridges/ |
| All kinds of activities for MedwayGo eligible children (some you can pay to do if not eligible) | Various locations across Medway | https://medwaycouncil.coordinate.cloud/list |
| Splat Messy Play | Wainscott, St. Mary’s Island & Hartlip | https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=362937899252929&id=142726354607419 |
| Big Camp (1st – 4th August) | Buckmore Park Scout Camp, Chatham | https://www.medway.gov.uk/youthsummeractivities |
| Yarn Chameleons Craft (25th-29th July) | Moat House Coffee Shop, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/TheMoatHouseCoffeeShop/ |
| Animal Finger Puppets Craft (1st – 5th August) | Moat House Coffee Shop, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/TheMoatHouseCoffeeShop/ |
| Hairy Faces Craft (8th – 12th August) | Moat House Coffee Shop, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/TheMoatHouseCoffeeShop/ |
| Rainbow Streamers Craft (15th – 19th August) | Moat House Coffee Shop, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/TheMoatHouseCoffeeShop/ |
| Weather Wheels Craft (29th August – 2nd September) | Moat House Coffee Shop, Rochester | https://www.facebook.com/TheMoatHouseCoffeeShop/ |
| Summer School, Every Thursday in August | All Star Performers, Borstal Church Hall | https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=470799555048179&set=gm.1399044557230537 |
| Clay Sea Creature Workshop | Hobbycraft, Strood | https://classbento.co.uk/kids-clay-sea-creatures-workshop-rochester |
| Decorate Your Own Mache Animal Workshop | Hobbycraft, Strood | https://classbento.co.uk/kids-decorate-your-own-mache-animal-workshop-rochester |
| Make Your Own Dinosaur Fossils Workshop | Hobbycraft, Strood | https://classbento.co.uk/kids-make-your-own-dinosaur-fossils-workshop-rochester |
| Personalised Canvas Painting Workshop | Hobbycraft, Strood | https://classbento.co.uk/kids-personalised-canvas-painting-workshop-rochester |
| Mask Decorating Workshop | Hobbycraft, Strood | https://classbento.co.uk/kids-mask-decorating-workshop-rochester |
| Toddler Sense Summer Sizzler Sessions | Old Gravesendians RFC, Gravesend | https://www.toddlersense.com/dartford-gravesend/ |
Huge thanks to mums who have sent me pointers! Have a fun summer and keep safe everyone! x