The Easter holidays are almost here and there is loads to see and do in Medway, so make the most of what’s on offer!
Cllr Nina Gurung, Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Leisure, said: “We are excited to bring so many fun activities in Medway over the Easter break! Whether it is visiting our amazing heritage sites, being active and having fun at our sports centres, heading along to a film screening or performance – there is something for everyone! I hope everyone will have a lovely break and can get out and about to explore what Medway has to offer.”
Easter extravaganza at our heritage sites
Medway’s magnificent Easter trails are returning, with three trails across our amazing heritage sites and special prize badges up for grabs for each trail you complete.
Each trail has two activities, one aimed at younger adventurers and the other at experienced explorers!
Starting at the historic The Guildhall Museum with the White Rabbit Trail, keep an eye out for six white rabbits which are hiding at the museum.
Over at Rochester Castle, six different baby dragons have just hatched from their eggs! Can you find all of them as you explore the iconic and historic castle?
Finally, at the picturesque Upnor Castle, the Easter bunny has dropped some colourful Easter eggs! As you look around the castle, keep track of how many eggs of each colour the Easter bunny dropped!
The trails all start running on Saturday, 5 April and run from 10am to 4pm. They are all free to take part in, but admission charges do apply. Head to Visit Medway for full information about the Easter Trails.
If you are after something slightly different, make sure to check out the special performance of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at Eastgate House. Performances will be taking place on Saturday, 12, Sunday, 13 and Saturday 19 April, with shows running at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm and 5pm each day. Find out more, including how to book your tickets.
Child-Friendly Medway free events
Our Child-Friendly Medway team will also be running free events throughout the Easter break, including two film screenings. Take your pick between Snow White (for children aged 8+) on Thursday, 10 April, or Paddington in Peru on Tuesday,15 April.
Child-Friendly Medway will also be hosting two events at the Pentagon Shopping Centre, so make sure you hop along and check them out this Easter! On Tuesday, 8 April you can enjoy a special soft play alongside Easter themed activities, and on Wednesday, 16 April families can take part in the Rabbit Run event!
Child-Friendly Medway events are free to attend, but places must be booked in advance. To book, email the team at: ChildFriendly@Medway.gov.uk , while Rabbit Run can be booked via the Pentagon Shopping Centre social media pages.
To find out more about Child-Friendly Medway, visit: Medway.gov.uk/ChildFriendly
Easter sporting fun
Our Mini Youth Sports Camps will also be running at:
- Medway Park during half-term, from Tuesday, 8 April to Friday, 11 April, and Monday, 14 April and Thursday, 17 April.
- Strood Sports Centre, from Monday, 7 April to Thursday, 10 April, and Monday, 14 April and Thursday, 17 April.
Designed for children aged between seven and 11-years-old, expect loads of fun and exciting activities, including swimming, table tennis, gymnastics, obstacle courses, football, nerf wars, and much more!
The sessions are delivered by our experienced sports coaches, with morning (9.30am – 12.30pm), afternoon (1pm to 4pm) and all day (9.30am – 4pm) sessions available.
Half day sessions cost £12.50, full day sessions cost £25.05 and a booking for all eight sessions running over the four days costs £87.70. Medway Sport Premier Members also get a 20% discount.
Learn more about Mini Youth Sports Camps.
As the warmer weather fast approaches help your child get swim ready, or top up existing levels with our crash course swimming lessons at Medway Park, Hoo and Cozenton Park, for preschool, stage 1 beginners and adult beginners throughout the holidays.
Learn more about crash courses
Welcome to Medway
Medway Council’s next Welcome to Medway event will also be running on Tuesday, 15 April at All Saints Church, Chatham, and Chatham Children and Family Hub from 10am to 1pm.
The free event is aimed at families who are new to Medway, or those who have lived here for a while but want to build their support network and make new friends.
As well as child-friendly activities for all ages, giveaways and refreshments, you will have the chance to meet more than 30 local partners to find out about the help, support and resources on offer for families in Medway.
Find out more about the next Welcome to Medway event.
Medway Children and Family Hubs will also be hosting a variety of free activities throughout the Easter holidays.
From baby and toddler groups to themed play sessions and special spring/Easter themed activities for Under 8s and all ages.
For a full schedule of activities and to book your place visit www.Medway.gov.uk/FamilyHubEvents
Household Support Fund vouchers
Children in Medway who receive benefits-related free school meals will also continue to receive support over the Easter holidays.
Families, with children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals, will automatically be issued with a £15 e-voucher per child for each week of the holidays.
We are using government funding from government’s Household Support Fund to provide the vouchers.
Residents facing financial difficulties can also apply for help with their household bills through the Household Support Fund. The support on offer includes supermarket and fuel vouchers. To find out more about the Household Support Fund, visit: Medway.gov.uk/HouseholdSupportFund
MedwayGo activities this Easter
Our MedwayGo holiday activities programme will also be returning for Easter, offering free activities for any child who receives benefit-related free school meals.
With loads of activities and sessions on offer there is something for everyone to enjoy with MedwayGo. All sessions also include a health meal for every child who attends.
Activities are running between Monday, 14 April and Thursday, 17 April, and booking is open now.
Limited paid spaces are available, and families can also get support with transport.
To find out more, visit: Go.Medway.gov.uk.
The Shutdown under 18’s nightclub
If you are looking for something for your teenager to do this Easter, look no further than the popular under 18’s nightclub ‘The Shutdown’, brought to you by Medway Youth.
Aimed at those in school years between Year 9 and Year 12, the free event will be held at The Factory Bar and Restaurant, MEMS Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham on Thursday, 17 April from 7pm to 10.30pm.
To book your space, email: youth.service.@medway.gov.uk