Family-friendly things to do at Bateman's

Explore the home of Jungle Book author, Rudyard Kipling. Plus, take part in a variety of family-friendly events all year round. Don’t forget to visit our tea-room and shop where you'll find treats for all the family. Get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Planning your family visit 

• Baby changing facilities can be found in the accessible toilet next to visitor reception. 
• There are buggy-friendly areas around the garden, just pick up a map from visitor reception. 
• When visiting the house, due to its small rooms, we ask that you leave buggies in the hall or outside the front door. For assistance, please ask one of the house volunteers.  
• There are picnic tables in and around the natural play area and next to visitor reception in the car park. You are welcome to bring a rug and enjoy a picnic in the garden. 
• High chairs are available in the Mulberry Tea-room.  
• Some of the paths on the estate walks can be muddy, so don’t forget your wellies or walking boots.  

Family-friendly events and activities 

Bateman’s offers a range of family friendly activities throughout the year including trails, exhibitions, workshops and storytelling. For upcoming events and activities, take a look at What's on and follow Bateman’s on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date.

What's on in 2026

Local Craft Makers Pop-up Shop
2 May to 17 May | 11am - 4pm | Free with admission | Crafts available to purchase on the day
Explore locally made crafts in our pop-up shop. With a selection of jewellery, quilts and ceramics all inspired by Sussex.

National Mills Weekend at Bateman's Park Mill
9 & 10 May | 11am - 4pm | Free with admission
Join in the National Mills Weekend celebrations at Bateman’s Park Mill, one of the only working water mills in the area.

Monkey Puzzle trail
23 May to 1 November | 10am–4pm | £3 with admission
Brand-new for 2026: swing into a jungle adventure at Bateman’s inspired by the much‑loved Monkey Puzzle story by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

Display of Axel Scheffler's prints from Monkey Puzzle
23 May to 1 November | 10am–4pm | Free with admission
Discover four of Axel Scheffler's prints from the book Monkey puzzle, written by Julia Donaldson. In these reprints of the originals, see the detail and craftsmanship that created the scenes you know and love.

Storytelling in the garden
23 May | 27 June | 25, 28, 29 July | 1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26, 29 August | 11.30am, 12.30pm, 13.30pm, & 2.30pm | Free with admission
Discover new adventures and fall back in love with old favourites through live storytelling sessions in the magical setting of Rudyard Kipling’s very own garden.

Half term Face Painting 
23 & 30 May | 1.30pm–3pm | Free with admission 
Brighten your half term and add a splash of colour to your visit with face painting sessions. Choose from a range of bright and colourful animal-inspired designs to celebrate the Monkey Puzzle Trail at Bateman's.

Children's crafts: May Half Term
24, 29 & 31 May | 11:00 - 15:00 | £2-6, dependant on chosen item
Be inspired by our half term trail and get creative with animal-inspired crafts.

Summer of Play
23 July - 2 September | 10am - 4pm | Free with admission
Summer of Play is back at Bateman's this year, race your friends in space hopping, or test your aim with bean bag throwing.

Family-friendly things to do outdoors at Bateman’s 

Natural play area 

Rudyard Kipling encouraged his children to explore the natural world around Bateman's. Inspired by this you will find a natural play area for your children to explore, with swings and climbing frames. Discover this secluded space by the top of the car park where children can race and clamber around or create a den from fallen branches. The beautiful centrepiece of the play area is a carved oak tree. The sculpture incorporates images of Sussex wildlife and is topped by an enormous owl.

"Now is the Sun, Come up from the South, with Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!"

- Rudyard Kipling

These words from 'The Tree Song' entwine with motifs of the leaves of oak, ash and thorn trees. On your visit, see how many animals you can spot wrapped around the sculpture - perhaps you will see them around the estate too.  

Exploring the garden and countryside on the estate 

The landscape around Bateman's was inspiration for some of Rudyard Kipling's famous stories, some of which were written for his own children. Venture out as a family, discover some of the places featured in the tales Kipling wrote and have a go at some of the '50 things to do before you're 11¾' - ask at visitor reception for a free chart. Children love to spot the golden fish in the lily pond, run on the lawns, and play pooh sticks at the bridge in the Wild Garden.  

Families enjoy visiting Bateman's real-life water mill and there are three estate walks through the surrounding woods and fields.  

Family-friendly things to do in the house  

The house is open for you to see where the Kipling family lived. The house is much how the family left it, with its original trinkets and mementos. See the 120-year-old doll 'Crocus', who was given to the Kipling’s middle child Elsie. She was so well loved; her nose has rubbed off with so many kisses. While upstairs, see the necklace made by Kipling to go alongside his Just So Story, How the Alphabet was Made, that has intrigued children for generations. Plus don’t miss seeing the original illustrations by the Detmold Brothers for Kipling's The Jungle Book.