Country Showdown
Big Summer of Games: Country Showdown
Get your cowboy boots on and dust off your hats! We’re bringing a taste of the Wild West to the farm, for our Country Showdown Weekend on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August! It’s all part of our Big Summer of Games.
Join the fabulous Siana, who’ll be leading the fun with some toe-tappin’ line dancing sessions at 11am, that’ll have the whole family movin’ and groovin’. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or giving it a go for the first time, everyone’s welcome to join the barn-style fun!
Little cowboys and cowgirls, make sure to dress the part, because we’ll be holding a fancy dress competition each day, with prizes for the best-dressed!
That’s not all, pop into the Discovery Zone between 12:30pm and 1:30pm to make your own Sheffif Badge! A great way for kids to get creative and make their own little piece of the Wild West to take home.
Our brand new Tin Can Alley will be opening 2pm till 3pm, so make sure to head over and test your aiming skills!
Your favourite cowboy and cowgirl will also be at the farm on Saturday so make sure to hi to them and snap a picture!
It’s going to be a rootin’-tootin’ good time full of dancing, crafts, costumes, and country-style fun for the whole family!

Activity |
Time |
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Line Dancing | 11am |
Make your own Sheriff Badge | 12:30pm – 1:30pm |
Splishy Splashy Tin Can Alley | 2pm – 3pm |
Den Building
Big Summer of Games: Den Building
Bring your imagination and test your den-building skills with us on the 30th & 31st of August!
Wander up to Rainbow Wood, where our Environment and Conservation Officer will show you everything you need to know about building a brilliant den, and provide you with all equiptment you might need!
The sessions will be running at
- 10:30am – 11:15am
- 11:30am – 12:15pm
- 2pm – 2:45pm
- 3pm – 3:45pm
This activity is included in your ticket price, but spaces are limited, so please pre-book to secure your spot. On arrival at the farm, the admissions team in the Gift Shop will provide you with a paper ticket showing your allocated time slot.
Snap a photo of your creations and don’t forget to tag us! @rarebreedscentre
Find out more about the conservation work that goes on around the site, or read about the work thats happening at the Rare Breeds Centre in celebration of World Nature Conservation Day!
See what else we have planned as part of our Big Summer of Games!
Teddy Bears Picnic
Big Summer of Games: Teddy Bears Picnic
Who doesn’t love a teddy bears picnic? We’ve got a whole weekend of teddy bear-themed fun lined up on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th August, and you won’t want to miss it!
On both days, from 11am to 4pm, the amazing Kent Kite Flyers will be putting on exciting displays, and the best part? They’ll be sending teddy bears soaring into the sky on their kites! It’s a super fun sight that little ones will love.
In the mornings, join us for craft sessions where children can get creative making hats and friendship bracelets, perfect for themselves and their teddy bears.
Then in the afternoons, get ready to join Siana for a big teddy bears’ picnic and some fun games. Bring a blanket, bring your bears, and get ready for a chilled-out, laughter-filled afternoon. You’re welcome to bring your own picnic, or grab something tasty from the Granary Restaurant or one of our catering outlets. Our kids lunch boxes are a great choice at just £7 each for a choice of sandwich, drink and 5 snack items.
It’s going to be a lovely, relaxed weekend full of creativity, games, and sky-high teddy adventures. Bring the whole family and don’t forget your bear!
Find out about more fun events planned for our BIG Summer of Games.
Circus Skills
Roll up, roll up! Get ready for a weekend of circus magic on Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd August!
Step right up and join us for an unforgettable weekend of circus skills and fun, with two exciting sessions each day. It’s the perfect chance for children to burn off some energy, try something new, and discover their inner performer!
We’re thrilled to be welcoming the fantastic team from Primary Workshops for Schools, who will be leading the sessions and teaching a brilliant mix of circus skills. Children will get hands-on experience with juggling balls, spinning plates, diabolo, and balance boards – all in a lively, supportive environment that’s all about learning, laughing, and having a great time.
Sessions will run from 10am to 12pm and again from 1pm to 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday, so there’s plenty of opportunity to get involved.
Whether your child is picking up a brand new hobby or just wants to give something totally different a go, this is a fun and exciting way to build confidence and make amazing memories!
Plus all the extra activities happening during our Big Summer of Games!
Mindful Bee Book Launch
Come along to the farm on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th August, where the team from Mindful Bee will be launching their new brand new children’s book, On The Beach.
This is part of our ongoing partnership with the Mindful Bee team and is a wonderful opportunity to meet the brilliant team behind the books and take part in fun, mindful activities.
With school out and summer stretching ahead, the Mindful Bee series offers a gentle way for parents and children to find moments of calm, connection, and creativity. Whether it’s through storytelling, mindful movement, or exploring the outdoors, the events offer a supportive space to recharge and reset during the long summer break.
The sessions will be running at our beach on the farm, which has been carefully designed by our COT Discovery Garden Life Skills students, and will be open all summer. It’s the perfect place for your little ones to play whilst parents have the opportunity to relax in our comfy deck chairs.
There will be three sessions running both days at 11am, 2pm and 3:30pm
This book launch is part of our Big Summer of games event which runs throughout the school holidays with extra activities running every day! Join us for family-friendly fun with oversized versions of your favourite games, including Giant Noughts and Crosses, Giant Jenga, and Guess Moo (Guess Who with cows!). Additionally, throughout the summer holidays, everyday there will be plenty of animal feeding and “meet the animals” sessions for the whole family to enjoy! Including meet the cows and horses, goat and pig feeding, ferret racing, and of course our famous pig racing!
Raver Tots at the Rare Breeds Centre
To celebrate Canterbury Oast Trust’s Ruby Jubilee, we’re planning a weekend packed with fun and festivities!
On Friday 5th September will be hosting an exclusive private party for the people we support along with friends, family, staff and supporters, complete with 80s-themed fancy dress in honour of our beginnings.
For the rest of the weekend we’re thrilled to be partnering up with Raver Tots to bring you two days of family-friendly festival fun. Join us on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September, from 12pm to 4pm for a jam packed weekend filled with dancing, music, and non-stop family fun!
Raver Tots hosts hugely popular family-friendly music events, featuring top DJs playing upbeat dance tunes, all in a safe, inclusive, and exciting environment for children and their families.
The weekend’s line-up includes Special Guest performances from Wideboys playing the best in Kisstory Classics plus live performances from Leanne Lousie and Charlotte Devaney with more to be announced soon!
Tickets are limited, so be sure to book early to secure your spot and join in the fun! Each ticket includes full access to the farm as well as entry to the music festival.
Huge thanks to our Ruby Jubilee Festival sponsors who have made this concert possible as well as a private festival celebration for our supported people, staff, volunteers and family members.
Want to help support this event? Please consider donating, fundraising or sponsoring the event. Details are available on our fundraising page.
Words in Colour: Storytime and Crafts with Tom Delahunt
Back by popular demand! Children’s author Tom Delahunt is coming back to the Rare Breeds Centre this August for a series of enchanting storytelling and craft sessions in our Discovery Zone!
- Thursday 14th August – 10am till 12pm
- Thursday 28th August – 10am till 12pm
Each session will feature |
---|
A chance to meet the author |
Captivating storytelling sessions with readings from his latest books |
A hands-on butterfly craft activity inspired by his stories |
Tom’s stories are a wonderful mix of heart and imagination. He’ll be reading from The Wandering Lamb (now published) and giving a sneak peek of The Butterfly Farmer (currently in print), two delightful tales that help children explore the ups and downs of growing up in a fun, engaging way.
These sessions are perfect for children aged 3–11 years, with each experience tailored to suit the age group attending.
Find out more about Tom Delahunt.
Don’t miss this opportunity to spark your child’s creativity and love for reading!
Peppa Pig Meet and Greet
A Peppa Pig meet and greet is here! And she’s is heading to the farm with Mummy Pig and Evie on Saturday 27th September!
Get ready for a day full of laughter and family fun as Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig and Evie visit the farm for special meet and greets at intervals throughout the day. It’s the perfect chance to say hello, take photos and make magical memories!
The fun doesn’t stop there, we’ve got plenty of piggy-themed activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Don’t miss out – book your tickets in advance to guarantee your visit!
Birds of Prey Display
Join us on Sunday, 22nd June, for a one-day Birds of Prey event at the farm!
We’re excited to welcome a stunning collection of birds of prey to our Flying Arena, where they’ll perform two flying displays during the day.
In addition to the shows, there will be a static display where you can meet these magnificent creatures up close and learn more about them from their expert handlers.
Expect to see a variety of magnificent birds including Hawks, Buzzards, Owls, Vultures, and Falcons!
Superwoman will also be visiting, so make sure to snap a picture with her when you see her around the farm!
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Low Bang Fireworks Display
Brand new for 2025! We’re thrilled to introduce our very first Low Bang Fireworks Night here on the farm. Enjoy a spectacular, low noise show that’s perfect for all ages.
The night kicks off with a fun-filled kid’s disco at 5pm, complete with a DJ to get everyone dancing in the Benson Barn. Then at 6:30pm, head outside to enjoy a spectacular 20-minute low-noise fireworks display, lighting up the sky without the loud bangs.
Delicious food and drinks will be available from our catering outlets to keep everyone fuelled throughout the evening.
This event will be fully accessible, so everyone can join in the fun. Tickets are on sale now, don’t miss out on this unforgettable night!