Free fun through the holidays

My two would rather play frisbee than bounce

We're just back from a free family day at Otford Park - there was lots to do for children of all ages (although my two decided that our own frisbee and the swings that are always there were fun enough . . .)

Bouncy castle for older children

It was organised by Spring House and there are plenty more throughout the summer (check out my terrible photo with all the dates). Check the times before you go - we got there at 11am, half an hour after it was supposed to start and it wasn't in full swing until noon.

Not complaining though - with a free bouncy castle and lots of play things for little ones it was a great way to spend a few hours in lovely Otford.

Lots of shade and fun for little tots

My terrible photo of what's on - I will get a better version!

No Price Tags at the Olympics

Credit: MoHotta18

No tickets for the Olympics? Never fear! I've got some of the best, free (of course!) ways to enjoy the sporting event of the year . . .

Road cycling: 28 July - 1 August
Head to the Mall to watch the start and finish of the men's and women's road cycling - we're tipped for a medal so it's definitely one to watch.

Race Walk: 4, 11 August
Speed walking!! Again, stop off at the Mall to see the winners cross the finish line. I think my little ones (and I!!!) will really enjoy watching to see if anyone breaks the rules of the race and forgets to keep one foot on the floor at all times.

Triathlon: 4, 7 August
Hyde Park is the venue for this triple race - it's likely to be crowded but you will get to see top athletes running, swimming and cycling, as they go for gold.

Marathon: 5, 12 August
The marathon will pass just about every tourist spot in the capital - from Trafalgar Sqaure to St Paul's - a bit more serious than the usual London marathon and certainly won't last as long!

Swimming marathon: 9-10 August
The swimmers are set to race for two hours (!!!) as they swim six laps around Hyde Park's Serpentine. The south side of the lake will be open to spectators without tickets.

Paralympic Games - Marathon: 9 September
The Mall is obviously the place to be this summer, with the Paralympic Games marathon starting and finishing here too!

London 2012 Live Sites
There are five official Live Sites across London showing live coverage of the Games (with a bit of entertainment as well!) There are lots more throughout the capital to try too.

Fancy an Oyster?

Whitstable Oyster Festival

So it's officially festival time in Kent - here's a taster of what's on this weekend and (of course) they're free. Hooray!

Saturday and Sunday

Whitstable Oyster Festival
I love Whitstable, so I really don't need an excuse to go. But if you do, the Oyster Festival starts tomorrow and goes on through next week. Perfect if you're looking for something to do in the first week of the very long summer holidays!

There's absolutely lots to do. Some activities are paid for but there are plenty of free things to try out too.

Some of this weekend's highlights include the Oyster Parade (with music, giants, performers and more), Taiko drumming and the Whitstable Brewery Beer Festival (free entry during the day). There are lots of things for children, as well as markets and of course plenty of oysters.

I really want to go and see the Grotters and Glows (lots of glowing oyster shells on the beach) and the fireworks on Thursday . . .


Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown Carnival and Regatta
The carnival and regatta runs through next week too. There's a mix of sailing, open-air concerts, fireworks and more this year.

Olympic fever

The Olympic torch is heading our way - check to see if you're on the route.

Boats, bikes and beach (well . . . kind of) in Tonbridge

Tonbridge Park (the old racecourse) is our very favourite west Kent park - it's got lots of open space for kite flying (lots of people out today) and playing sport. Its playground is great with a good mix of things for older and younger children, a massive sand pit (a bit soggy this morning!) and zip wires.

The mini steam train runs in the afternoon on summer weekends and is always a hit - although you have to pay to ride it. And there's even a castle to explore.

Add to that a skate park, outdoor gym (ha ha), basketball and tennis courts, fishing and mini-golf, and there really is something for just about anyone.

The park is great for cycling and is part of cycle route 12 - which goes through Haysden Country Park (another fabulous place to go with free things to do over the summer holidays) and on to Penshurst.

Calum zoomed round the big playing field on his bike today while Orla splashed about it the puddles. They both loved watching boats and people canoeing down the river.

Tonbridge Park
The Slade
Tonbridge TN9