Below are the answers to some of the questions we are frequently asked about Wheels of Time:
What is Wheels of Time?
Wheels of Time is a badge collecting scheme encouraging the exploration of Kent museums and heritage venues for 5-11 year olds.
How can my child collect Wheels of Time badges?
Visit any of the museums or heritage venues listed on this website and ask a member of the venue’s team for your badge. Don’t forget to scan the QR Code at the venue to log your badges within your online Collectors Portal.
My child is not yet 5 years old; can they take part?
The staff and volunteers at venues can use their discretion for children who are younger than 5 or older than 11, particularly for
- siblings of children who are between 5 and 11 and
- children who turn 12 years after they have started their collection.
We do expect younger children receiving badges to have an appreciation of the exhibits and displays at the museums and heritage venues visited.
For how long will Wheels of Time run?
The Scheme will continue for as long as people enjoy and use it, and for as long as we are able to fund and deliver it. In Kent, we review the situation on an annual basis, launching a new season every March. So check this website and our social media for the latest details about the Scheme.
Why do I have to give information about my child?
We do not insist on you providing information, but the information collected in our online Collectors Portal helps us to monitor how well the Wheels of Time scheme is working and how we might improve it, and it allows you to keep a digital record of what venues you have visited and what badges you can collect next. See our Privacy page for more information.
From where can I get a lanyard to pin the badges to?
You can collect a lanyard at the second Wheels of Time venue your child visits; you will need to show the badge from the first venue visited.
How can my child get an Award Badge?
Roamin’ Rex’s Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Awards
You have earned an Award Badge when your child has collected 10, 20, 30 or 40 Kent badges (other Area badges from outside of Kent DO NOT count).
If you have collected badges prior to the introduction of the Collector Portal and have collected enough to receive an award, please complete the Awards Badge Form to provide details. We can update your digital record once you have received your Award Otherwise, you will receive an automated email from our Collector Portal with further instructions. We will contact the Wheels of Time venue where you have requested it is presented. We will then make your child’s personalised Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum Award Badge.
We will normally respond to your request within five days. It can take up to two weeks from your request being submitted to the award being received by the site at which it is to be presented. Staff and volunteers at the venue will then contact you to arrange a date and time for the presentation.
If you do not hear from the museum or heritage venue within four weeks of your request, please contact us by replying to the acknowledgement email that you receive when requesting the award.
Wheels of Time 2024 Award
Children who visit all 56 of the sites on the Roamin’ Rex 2024/25 map before 31st March 2025 will be earn a Wheels of Time 2022 Award. The request for the 2024 Award must be made by March 2025.
- Badges collected during previous years count toward awards in the current year.
- Badges collected from other Wheels of Time Areas (Essex, Dorset or Surrey) DO NOT count toward Roamin’ Rex Awards.
- Children must collect badges from all 56 of the sites on the 2024/25 Roamin’ Rex Map of Kent to receive a Wheels of Time 2024 Award.
Can you replace lost badges?
We do not keep a central supply of badges for all of our venues. The cost of postage and the time that it would take our volunteers to obtain badges prohibits us from replacing lost badges.
To obtain replacement badges you will need to visit the individual venues again.
How can my child earn Children’s University Learning Credits at Kent Wheels of Time venues?
Children registered with Children’s University (CU) can earn learning credits at over 20 Kent Wheels of Time museums and heritage venues which are official Kent Children’s University (KCU) Learning Destinations (marked with a CU logo on Roamin’ Rex’s planner). Children must do the activity provided by the venue associated with Wheels of Time to earn Credits for receiving a Wheels of Time badge.
Children can earn credits at all Wheels of Time venues during the KCU Spring and Summer Challenges.
Children older than 11 can earn Learning Credits for activities accredited for their age at Wheels of Time Learning Destinations but will not receive a Wheels of Time badge.
If your child is not registered with Children’s University, information about joining can be found on the KCU website.
Can other museums and heritage venues join Kent Wheels of Time?
Wheels of Time runs for approximately 12 months starting in April and ending about March. Supplies are purchased before the beginning of each 12 month period so new venues cannot be introduced during that period.
Managers of museums and heritage venues, located in in the areas served by Kent County Council or Medway Council, that may be interested in joining Wheels of Time, should Contact Us to enquire about the Scheme.