By Scarlett Crichton
The summer holidays are here, and keeping children entertained for weeks can quickly become expensive.
But families across Thanet don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy the summer, with plenty of free and low-cost activities taking place across Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.
From exploring the area’s coastline and wildlife to discovering some of Thanet’s more unusual attractions, here are 12 things to do with the family this summer.
A day out on the coast
Turner Contemporary Beach Club
Turner Contemporary in Margate offers fun activities for families, especially if you don’t want to travel far. They have free workshops for children 12 and under every Thursday in August on Margate Main Sands. It’s a great way to enjoy the coast with your family.
Location: Margate Main Sands
Dates: Thursday 13, 20 and 27 August 2026 Time: 10:30am-12:30pm
Price: Free
Age: Children aged 12 and under
To book: Beach Club | Turner Contemporary
Family Film Day at Turner Contemporary
This summer, Turner Contemporary in Margate is offering a different kind of family outing with Small World Cinema. You can enjoy a day filled with films, hands-on activities, and sensory play.
On Sunday, August 23rd, there’s a special two-part event. The morning session, called Cinemini, is designed for children aged two to five. It mixes short films with creative activities and sensory play, which is great for younger kids.
In the afternoon, kids aged six and up can join “Make Some Noise!” This session focuses on how movie sound effects are created. Children will get to make their own sounds using everyday items like pots and pans. They’ll also build a simple instrument to take home. To finish, they’ll watch animated short films centred around sound, rhythm, and music.
Tickets cost £3.50 for children, £5 for adults, or £15 for a family ticket for two adults and two children.
Location: Foyle Rooms, Turner Contemporary, Margate | Date: Sunday, August 23
|Time: 10.30am–11.45am and 1.30pm–3.40pm | Price: From £3.50
To book: Family Film Days: Small World Cinema | Turner Contemporary
The Shell Grotto
Deep under the streets of Margate, a fascinating place called the Shell Grotto lies. It’s one of the most interesting things to see in Thanet. The passage underground is totally covered in amazing mosaics, and they’re all made out of shells – about 4.6 million of them! These mosaics stretch out over a huge area, around 2,000 square feet.
Have you ever wondered about the Grotto in Margate? Well, its history is still a bit of a mystery, but we do know it was first found back in the 1830s. If you’re ever in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit – you can walk through the twisting tunnels and check out the weird and wonderful designs covered in shells. The best part is, it won’t take up too much of your day, as a trip to the Grotto only takes about 30 minutes. So, if you’re looking for something to add to your day out in Margate, this is a great choice. You can easily fit it in and still have plenty of time to do other things.
Location: Grotto Hill, Margate
Dates: Open daily from 22 July to 6 September 2026
Time: 10am–5pm
Price: £6 adults | £2 children (aged 4–16) | £13 family ticket
Age: Suitable for all ages To book: Visit | Shell Grotto
Thanet Open Top Bus
Fancy seeing more of Thanet without having to drive around? The Thanet Open Topper offers a hop-on, hop-off route linking Minnis Bay, Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, with stops including Margate Marine Terrace, Cliftonville Esplanade, Broadstairs Victoria Parade, Dumpton Gap and Ramsgate Harbour.
With unlimited travel for the day, it’s an easy way for families to explore different parts of the coast without having to worry about parking.
Location: Minnis Bay – Ramsgate
Dates: Daily during the summer holidays
Price: £8 adults, £5 under-19s, £22 family group ticket
More: Thanet Open Top Bus Service between Ramsgate and Broadstairs – Visit Thanet
Explore Thanet’s history
Ramsgate Tunnels
Take a trip beneath Ramsgate and discover the town’s fascinating wartime history at Ramsgate Tunnels. The tunnels are home to the UK’s largest civilian wartime tunnel network, where thousands of people once sheltered during air raids during the Second World War.
When you go on the Deep Tunnel Shelter Explorer Tour, you get to see the secret tunnels underneath the town. You’ll hear all about what life was like down there and how people built these hidden passageways. During the tour, you get to watch a short movie inside an old railway tunnel that’s over 150 years old. After that, you’ll go even deeper into the tunnels to explore more. It’s like stepping into a different world, right beneath your feet. The tunnels have a lot of history and stories to tell, and this tour is a great way to learn about them.
If you’re looking for something new to do with your family this summer, you might want to check out the Tunnel Town Explorer Tours. They’re running these special tours on different days throughout the school holidays in August, so you’ve got plenty of chances to catch one. It’s a great way to mix things up and have some fun together.
Location: Marina Esplanade, Ramsgate
Dates: Open until 30/09/2026
Times: Tours at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm
Price: £10 Adults, £6 Children, £27 family ticket (4)
Suitable for: Families and children Book: Ramsgate Tunnels
Punch & Judy at Viking Bay
Punch and Judy shows are coming back to Broadstairs this summer at Viking Bay, running through August. Ben Bamboozle will be performing the traditional puppet show, offering some classic seaside fun. There will be three shows every day they perform, at 11 AM, 12 PM, and 1 PM. You can catch the shows on 12 different dates between July 29th and August 30th, right on Viking Bay Beach by the center staircase. The best part is, it’s totally free, so it’s a great, inexpensive option for families looking for something to do.
Dates: Selected dates between 29 July – 30 August 2026 Times: 11am, 12 noon & 1pm
Location: Viking Bay Beach, Broadstairs Price: Free
More info: Punch & Judy, Viking Bay, Broadstairs – Visit Thanet
Crab Museum
If you’re looking for something a bit different, check out the Crab Museum in Margate’s Old Town. It’s said to be Europe’s first and only museum focused on decapod crustaceans. The museum dives into the fascinating world of crabs, covering science, history, climate change, evolution, and even philosophy.
It’s a fun and interactive place that helps visitors learn about the natural world while having a good time. One exhibit even tells the story of the giant Margate crab, which most people have probably forgotten about.
For families wanting an affordable day out, admission is free. However, they do encourage donations to help keep the museum running.
Dates: Open throughout the year
Times: Friday–Sunday, 11am–5pm (last entry 4.30pm)
Location: 9 Broad Street, Margate
Price: Free entry
More info :Crab Museum
Get outdoors
Monkton Nature Reserve
Monkton Nature Reserve is a 16-acre spot near Ramsgate, located in an old chalk quarry. It has different areas like chalk grassland, woods, and ponds, so you can often see wildlife and wildflowers there.
Kids might enjoy the sculpture trail, brass rubbing trail, fossil and dinosaur trail, and fairy house trail. There’s also a Field Study Centre with displays on natural history and archaeology. Plus, there’s a café and a used bookshop.
You don’t have to pay to go into the Field Study Centre, but there’s a small fee for the nature reserve. It’s a pretty affordable way for families to spend a day.
Dates: Open Tuesdays, Thursdays & weekends Times: 10am–4pm (last entry 3pm)
Location: Canterbury Road, Monkton CT12 4LH
Price: Adults £5 | Children (4–16) £2.50 | Family £10 | Under 4s free More info: Monkton Nature Reserve – Visit Thanet
Seashore Safaris
Seashore Safaris in Thanet are guided two-hour rockpooling events run by the Thanet Coast Project to explore the area’s unique chalk reefs.
Sessions cost a suggested donation of £2.50 per person and are aimed at families with children aged 4–11,, Events take place at various bays across Margate, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate during the summer.
17 Aug, 9am: Seashore Safari – Eastcliff, Ramsgate
18 Aug, 9:30am: Seashore Safari – St Mildred’s Bay, Westgate
19 Aug, 10am: Seashore Safari – Dumpton Gap. Broadstairs
20 Aug, 10:30am: Seaweed & Their Secrets – Dumpton Gap, Broadstairs
Details and booking at: https://www.thanetcoast.org.uk/events-and-activities/
The Kent Country Show
Quex Park is hosting the Kent Country Show for two days this August. It’s an outdoor event happening over the August Bank Holiday weekend, filled with entertainment and activities you’d find in the countryside. You can expect to see Shetland pony races, horse shows, bird of prey demonstrations, BMX stunts, motorbike displays, archery, and chainsaw carving. For kids, there’s a dedicated games area, funfair rides, puppet shows, and a petting farm.
If you love dogs, the Festival of Dogs will have agility courses, a fun dog show, and pedigree competitions throughout the weekend. Plus, there will be lots of food stalls, local vendors, and traditional crafts to check out.
Dates: 30–31 August 2026
Times: 10am–5pm
Location: Quex Park, Birchington
Price: Under 5s FREE, Children’s ticket £6.50, Adults £13.95, Family £40.90 (4)
Parking: Free parking available
Book: https://www.theticketsite.co.uk/
Family fun
Dreamland
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly day out this summer, Dreamland offers a variety of activities for kids, including rides, arcades, a roller disco, and more. Dreamland costs nothing for entry, so families can soak up the seaside vibe without any initial expense. You pay separately for the rides and attractions, giving you control over how much you spend.
Dates: Throughout the summer holidays Times: Opening times vary
Location: Dreamland, Margate
Price: Free entry – rides and attractions cost extra More info: Dreamland Margate
Ramsgate Day
Ramsgate Day is happening again on Saturday, August 15th. The town centre will be transformed into a circus for the whole day. Families can look forward to lots of fun, bright decorations, and events that celebrate the local community.
There will also be free activities for kids, like a circus-themed craft workshop where they can make their own juggling balls. It’s a great way for families to find something to do during the summer holidays without spending much money.
Date: Saturday 15 August 2026 Time: Throughout the day Location: Ramsgate town centre Price: Free
