Family Friendly Ways to Keep Cool in Kent This Summer

Summer in Kent can bring warm, sunny days that are perfect for family outings. But when the temperature rises, finding ways to stay cool while keeping the whole family entertained can become a challenge.

With plenty of options that combine fun with refreshing relief from the heat, here are seven family-friendly ways to keep cool in Kent this Summer.

💦 Visit a Splash Park or Outdoor Water Play Area

Kent has several aqua parks designed especially for children to cool off and have fun, making for an ideal day out during a heatwave.

For an outing with younger children, Swanley Park in Brands Hatch is a great choice. Their small water park features a shallow pool, water jets and splash pads, with grassy areas around for grown ups to relax on. After cooling off, there's also a café on site, miniature train, a boating lake and outdoor play areas, making it an ideal spot for a full day out.

For something slightly larger scale, St Andrews Lakes in Halling also has an aqua park aimed as 2 - 6 year olds with inflatables, slides and obstacles, in addition to their more thrilling water obstacle course for older children and adults. They also boast an array of other water-based activities, plus lakesides beaches, zip wires and BBQ cabins to make it a truly memorable day out in Kent.

If you're looking for a more active water park experience, Aqua Chimp Kent in Yalding boast an epic Slip 'n' Slide and Jungle Ropes Course over water which is a great way to enjoy some adrenaline-fuelled water fun. Similarly, Bewl Water in Lamberhurst has a giant Wibit inflatable obstacle course which will certainly keep children and adults entertained!

🌳  Explore Nature with a Shaded Woodland Trail

Kent’s woodlands provide natural shade and cooler temperatures and make for an ideal day out this Summer and one of our top family-friendly ways to keep cool in Kent.

One of my personal favourites is Bedgebury National Pinetum - a beautiful spot with shaded walking trails, a large adventure playground and Gruffalo sculptures to discover around the woods. Pack a picnic or enjoy lunch at the on-site café for a relaxed family day out in nature.

On the other side of the county, Shorne Woods Country Park in Gravesend boasts shaded woodland trails, an eco-friendly visitor centre and café to purchase some much-needed refreshments.

Other popular choices for shaded woodland walks include Trosley Country Park in Trottiscliffe, Blean Woods in Canterbury, Ham Street Woods in Ashford and Hucking Estate in Hollingbourne.

🍦 Cool Off with an Indulgent Ice Cream

Kent is home to some of the best ice creams in the country (not that we're biased...!) so use the warm weather as a good excuse to try a few.

Made here in the Garden of England, Simply Ice Cream produces natural, artisan ice cream free of artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. With over 30 flavours of ice cream and sorbet to choose from (including vegan options), you'll find it hard to pick just one. My personal top picks are Apple Crumble and Peanut Brittle. Taywells and Solley's are also Kent-based, family run ice cream producers with a wide range of flavours to choose from.

For more of an ice cream experience, look no further than Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium in Whitstable. A self-proclaimed "creative creamery", their ice creams are as much as treat for the eyes as they are the taste buds. Boasting over 70 unique flavour combinations, this award-winning ice cream parlour is a must-visit for any day out in Whitstable.

Similarly, Morelli's is a great spot for indulgence in Broadstairs, with its 100+ year roots in traditional Italian gelato.

🌊 Head to the Coast to feel the Sea Breeze

Kent’s coastline offers many family-friendly beaches where you can enjoy the sea breeze and cool water. 

Botany Bay and Kingsgate Bay Beach in Broadstairs are framed by dramatic white cliffs and offer large sandy beaches. Nearby Joss Bay also has a Kids Corner during the Summer months with an inflatable cushion, trampolines and a bouncy castle.

Further down the coast, Greatstone Beach and Dymchurch Beach are also popular choices for a day at the seaside, offering stretches of sand and attractions in the nearby towns. Margate Main Sands also makes for a great day out and could even be coupled with a visit to the town’s famous Dreamland.

If you’d prefer a more rustic seaside experience, head to Whitstable, Herne Bay, Deal or Folkestone for a paddle in the sea, fish and chips on the beach and one of Kent’s local ice creams.

⛵️ Take a Boat Trip or go Paddleboarding

You don’t always have to get in the water to cool off - sometimes just being near or floating on it is just as good! 

For a fun and unique way to take to the waterways and see nature, enjoy a relaxed paddle with SUP Paddleboarding with Ana. As an expert guide, Ana runs relaxed sessions for both beginners and seasoned paddleboarders, taking in the tranquil waters of the Medway and Bewl Water. Similarly, Epic Life runs paddleboarding and kayaking activities in Bodiam and Tonbridge, whilst Canoe Wild offers a range of options for getting on the River Stour near Canterbury.

If you’d prefer to stay a little dryer, take a scenic river cruise on the Kentish Lady in Maidstone or take in the wildlife and history of the local area with Tonbridge River Trips. Providing a calm and visually interesting activity, this is a great way to spend a family day out during the warmer weather - just don’t forget the hats and suncream!

For real wildlife lovers, a trip to see Kent’s incredible seal colony is also a must. Whitstable Boat Tours and River Runner departing from both Sandwich and Ramsgate offer memorable boat trips to see the seals lounging in their natural habitat, seeing a host of wild birds and animals along the way. This is definitely an activity the kids will be remembering for years to come!

🎭 Attend Outdoor Cinema or Theatre Experience

Evening events like outdoor cinema screenings or theatre performances can be such a lovely way to spend Summer days and evenings together. 

Adventure Cinema are running a great range of outdoor cinema in the magnificent grounds of St Ronan’s in Hawkhurst this Summer, with family favourites such as The Greatest Showman, Sing and The Gruffalo featuring in the line-up.

The National Trust are also hosting some exciting family-friendly screenings and theatre, with Lilo & Stitch playing at Knole and Back to the Future at Emmetts Gardens, in addition to outdoor theatre performances of The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

The fabulous Hever Festival also returns for another year, boasting a diverse and extensive programme of outdoor music and theatre events throughout the Summer. Family friendly highlights include The Wind in the Willows at Dragonfly Farm, The Jungle Book at Hever Castle and Kaspar: Prince of Cats at Hever Castle.

Find out more about Hever Festival here

🛝 Visit Indoor Play Centres with Air Conditioning

When the heat becomes too much, indoor play centres provide a cool escape, whilst also providing a much-needed opportunity for parents to relax in an air-conditioned environment.

For role play fun perfect for younger children, a visit to Kidsbury in Tunbridge Wells is always a good way to spend an hour or so, whilst Imagine Play Café in Chatham boasts iced lattes and a fully air-conditioned play village.

If you’d prefer them to burn off a bit more steam at a soft play centre, Oakie Dokes Playhouse in Sevenoaks is a brilliant place for little ones to climb, jump and explore whilst you enjoy a cold drink and slice of cake in their café.

Older children and those seeking a bit more of an adrenaline rush can also check out Clip N Climb in Tonbridge for a chance to have a go on their range of climbing walls.