COUNTY MUSEUM, HARTLEBURY

Youngsters can try their hand at a range of activities, including clay modelling, sand casting, card weaving, hat making and brass rubbing Tuesdays to Fridays all through August.

They can also look around the main galleries, which include collections ranging from children's toys, archaeology and costume.

The building also contains a number of room sets such as Victorian, Georgian and Civil War rooms and original rooms within the castle including the schoolroom, scullery, housekeeper's room and nursery. Call 01299 250416 for more information.

TREASURE HUNT

A family event to find clues then solve them to discover treasure on Chapter Meadows. Suitable for children over 10 years old.

From 1.30pm to 3pm on Wednesday, August 16.

Call 01905 23267 for more details.

RAFT RACES

Join in the fun down on the River Severn in Worcester as rafts race to cross the finish line at the Sabrina Raft Races 2006.

The free event takes place at Worcester Rowing Club at 6.30pm on Sunday, August 18.

MUSIC IN THE PARK

Get in the swing of things at Gheluvelt Park on Saturday, August 19, when a variety of local bands including street, traditional jazz and barbershop quartet will be entertaining the crowds from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

NATIONAL TRUST -

HANBURY HALL

Learn all about kings and queens at a family fun day today.

There will be crafts, and Trevor Hill will bring along some birds of prey that have special significance to kings and queens of the past. There will also be a themed trail and face-painting.

Learn all about food and farming at a family fun day on Tuesday, August 22.

Young visitors can enjoy tales of farm life and have the chance to make a sheep to take home.

There will also be a themed trail and face-painting.

Both open 11am-4.30pm, normal admission prices apply plus small extra charges for some activities. For further event information, call 01527 821214.

FAIRY TRAIL

Secret fairies trail for children at Witley Court, Great Witley. Find out if fairies really do exist at this special event, which runs for the whole of August. For more information call 01299 896636. Opening times are 10am to 5pm.

WORCESTER ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM

Youngsters can let their imaginations run wild at two events on Tuesday, August 22.

Five to nine-year-olds can discover all about Enchanted Castles and Far Away Lands from 10am to noon. Have fun cutting, sticking and printing in this collagraph print workshop with professional artist Adrienne Craddock.

From 1pm to 3pm, nine to 13-year-olds can get to grips with Dragons, Beasts and Fairytale. This is a chance to explore the images of fairytale and myth and create a print on this theme using the traditional linocut process with professional artist Adrienne Craddock. Call 01905 25371 for more information.

BUG HUNTING

See which bugs and creepy crawlies are living in the wildlife garden at the Pump House Environment Centre and Gheluvelt Park on Friday, August 18.

This event will take place from 10.30-noon and a charge of £2 per child will be made. Booking is essential and parents must stay with children. Suitable for ages 5-10. Call 01905 734980 for more information.

HAVING A PARTY?

These can be arranged at any of these centres: Perdisell Leisure Centre (01905 457189); Nunnery Wood Sports Complex (01905 357842); St John's Sports Centre (01905 429900) or Worcester Pool and Fitness Centre (01905 29241).

GAME AND COUNTRY FAIR

The majestic setting of Ragley Hall in Warwickshire is the venue for the spectacular family fun weekend with displays by the Knights of Arkley and internationally-renowned Rallye Trompes de Bonnelles from Normandy on Saturday, August 19, and Sunday 20. For more information call

01588 672708 or visit www.countryfairs.info

AVONCROFT MUSEUM

See craftsmen working in a 19th Century workshop, admire the splendour of the furnished historic houses, or be transported to the heart of historic social and working life at one of the special events and exhibitions.

At Avoncroft, near Bromsgrove, you can visit many buildings from different periods, including Victorian Britain at the Toll House, Church and Ledbury Cell Block; Tudor life in the magnificent Merchants House and String of Horses buildings, and experience life getting back to normal following the Second World War in the reconstructed Arcon V prefab.

View revolutionary machinery that changed the face of architecture through the centuries, as well as seeing the fascinating exhibits of traditional farm buildings, including the 19th Perry Mill windmill.

Call 01527 831363/831886 for more information.

West Midland Safari Park

The safari park is open every day. Admission is adults - £8.99, children - £8.99 and under 4s free.

The Commandery

At Sidbury, Worcester. For details and bookings call 01905 361821.

IF YOU WANT TO GO FURTHER AFEILD

Black Country

Living Museum

Historic buildings from all around the Black Country have been moved and authentically rebuilt at the museum to create a tribute to the traditional skills and enterprise of the people who once lived in the heart of industrial Britain. Electric tramcars and trolleybuses transport visitors back in time from the modern exhibition halls to the canal-side village, where costumed demonstrators and working craftsmen bring the buildings to life with their local knowledge, practical skills and unique Black Country humour.

Admission is £11 for adults and £6 for children. The museum can be contacted on 0121 520 8054.

Sea Life Centre

The National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham turned tropical in 2005, and has now taken the transformation a step further in 2006 with the addition of a magical rainforest attraction. There is a slightly `sinister' slant to this feature, with several hazardous creatures such as piranhas and poison dart frogs among its inhabitants. The centre is based at the Water's Edge, in Brindley Place, Birmingham. For more information call 0121 643 6777.

Thinktank, Birmingham's museum of science

Attractions include the IMAX cinema with its huge screen and surround sound, and a new planetarium powered by the world's most advanced digital projection system. The Kids' City and Medicine Matters galleries have now reopened with exciting new features. Birmingham Stories is Thinktank's online exhibition comprising four zones crammed with remarkable stories, multimedia clips and interactive challenges. Ticket prices for both Thinktank and IMAX start at £8. For more information call

0121 202 2222.

Snowdome, Tamworth

The UK's premier real snow indoor centre, with a 170m slope. Also has a swimming pool and a gym. For details call 08705 000011.

Twycross Zoo

Twycross Zoo opened in 1963 on a site in Leicestershire. Initially a comparatively modest collection, it has grown into one of the major British zoos, attracting more than 450,000 visitors a year. It is famous for its collection of primates. Admission is £5 for children and £8.50 for adults. For details call 01827 880250.

Explore@Bristol

Explore@Bristol says it is the first of its kind - a true 21st Century science centre combining the best of hands-on activities with the very latest multi-media techniques. Science is brought alive through more than 170 interactive experiences, including a TV studio and plenty of hands-on learning fun for children of all ages. There is also IMAX @Britsol, WildWalk@Bristol, and Learning@Bristol.

Call 0845 345 1235.

Alton Towers

Has hotels, theme park, water park and a spa. Prices vary from £14.75-£29.50. There are internet discount rates on www.alton-towers.co.uk. For more information call

08705 204060.

Drayton Manor Theme Park and Zoo

Thrilling rides include Apocalypse and Shockwaves. The zoo houses big cats, reptiles, monkeys, owls, eagles, parrots - plus an exotic creature reserve, near Tamworth, Staffordshire. Prices start at £10 for pensioners through to £20.95 for over 12s. For more information call 08708 725252.