Isle of Thanet Indoor Activities for Children
What Children Can Do in the Rain in Broadstairs, Margate & Ramsgate
Jul 28, 2009
Thanet was once an island at the most south easterly tip of Kent, but it is now attached by firm, dry ground, major a roads and train lines. Within easy access to most England, the Isle of Thanet is a typical English seaside destination. At any time of year, however, it is impossible to predict the English weather, so a family of holiday makers have to be prepared for more than just days at the beach.
Golf Practice for Children in East Kent
Golf is a popular pass time in Kent. Even in the rain old and young can practice, under cover, at the golf range for as little as £2. The Manston Golf Centre will even loan golf clubs.
Isle of Thanet Museums
The best things to do when on holiday must be to visit or do something out of the ordinary. Many of the local museums and unique places of interest on the Isle of Thanet have the advantage of both being appealing to children and fairly inexpensive. Whilst some places are free many of the places listed here charge less than £2 per adult.
Margate: The Shell Grotto, The Tudor House (open infrequently);
Broadstairs: The Crampton Museum, Dickens House;
Ramsgate: The Maritime Museum, the Pinball Museum in Addington Street, The Grange which was Pugin's house and is now owned by the Landmark Trust and open to the public infrequently;
Manston: The Spitfire & R.A.F. Museums;
Birchington: The Powell-Cotton Museum, House and Gardens;
Dover: Dover Castle, a British Heritage building, and Dover Museum are a day out and well worth the journey. Dover is not in Thanet, it is about 30 minutes away by car.
Ten Pin Bowling for Children in East Kent
10 Pin Bowling is a popular and easy game to play for adults and children from about the age of 3 or 4. Centres have light weight bowling balls and equipment to assist young players.
There are two 10 Pin Bowling Centre in Thanet, both are in Margate. AMF Bowling is part of a national chain and is located near to the Tudor House in King Street. Bugsy's 10 Pin Bowling is a privately owned family run business located opposite the Viking Play area on Ethelbert Crescent. The two centre have different pricing structures, it is worth enquiring about special offers for multiple games, children, and different times of day.
Swimming Pools in Margate, Ramsgate & Broadstairs
There are two pools which are run by Thanet Leisure Force on behalf of the local District Council, these are at Hartsdown, Margate, and Newington in Ramsgate. Both of these pools are quite old, the latter is particularly in need of refurbishment. In 2009 free sessions were introduced for children but they will need to bring proof of age, a photograph, and fill in a form for a special pass.
The nearest swimming pools which are designed for children to have fun, including slides and bubbles are Herons at Herne Bay or Tides at Deal.
Other pools on the Isle are privately owned and include pools at two gyms at Westwood Cross: Bannatynes and JJB. As such they offer limited access to non-members and may be relatively expensive.
Special Events for Children in the School Holidays
There are usually special events for children in the school holidays many of which are free or inexpensive. Typically there are events at libraries across Thanet, leisure centres, and the Powell-Cotton Museum. Artistic activities also centre around the proposed art centre in Margate, the Turner Contemporary.
Isle of Thanet Cinema & Theatre
There are a number of Cinemas in Thanet: The Carlton at Westgate-on-Sea, near Margate, has 3 screnes and is part of the Reel Time group of cinemas; The Vue at Westwood Cross is a multi screen complex, part of a national chain; The Granville is an independent cinema and Theatre venue on Ramsgate's east cliff'; The Palace Cinema at Broadstairs is an independent cinema with air conditioning. Shows for children or all the family may be staged at many venues across the Isle including Margate Winter Gardens, Margate Theatre Royal and the Granville Theatre. Gulbenkien and the Marlow, both in Canterbury, regularly have children's shows in vacation seasons.
Soft Play (Ball Parks) for the Under 8's
The biggest are Jungle Jim's at Quex Park, Birchington and Wally's World on the site of Dreamland in Margate. At Ramsgate there is Play Bay in Harbour Parade, it is immediately next to the amusement arcades opposite the seafront.
There are two pub's with soft play areas: Brewsters & Travel Inn next to Margate train station and there are indoor and outdoor play areas at the Captain Digby, a Thorley Tavern, at Kingsgate (by Joss Bay and the North Foreland Lighthouse).
The Seaside in the Rain
The suggestions above are not exhaustive. There are limitless things to do which depend among other things on budget, ability to travel, and imagination.
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