WHAT’S ON

Introduce your child to the amazing world of Charles dickens in this adaptation of the story of the small boy who dared to ask for more

When you've had enough chocolate head down to Glastonbury and get medieval

Ride on the model railway at Ashton Court, just 90p a ride

Follow a trail to find ten little fairy doors, then listen to fairy tales in a yurt at the Wild Place Project for an enchanting time in the school holidays.  Visit the lemurs and meerkats before playing on the fort.

Net a plastic duck in the Mill Copse stream by the stunning Montacute House.

Fool your family and trick your friends with skills and spells at this interactive magic workshop

Head to the Sawmill to how to make a kite and then fly it.  Who can fly the longest?

Adults and children get the chance to make their own models at the Watershed .  Talk to the experts and take the chance to ask questions about Aardman Studios and hear about the animation process involved in the making of their award-winning films.  A second workshop is running on 6 April.

Ride on model trains - just 90p a ride!

Can't find the stick for the wood?  Take the little ones out on a short 1 mile trail for fun in the forest inspired by Julia Donaldson's Stick Man.   Beechenhurst Forest is a great way of getting out and exploring in some spring sunshine - free to enter the forest and the Stick Man activity pack costs just £3.  This event is ongoing throughout the year so if you don't make it this weekend there are plenty more opportunities throughout the year.

Style yourself Georgian with wigs, 'mouse-skin' eyebrows, face patches and white 'lead' powder.  At this annual celebration of Bath's World Heritage status there's a chance to dress as a Georgian as well as a tour of the stunning house to see how the upper echelons of the time lived.

Ride on model trains - just 90p a go!

The Birds of Prey Centre at Congresbury will open to the public for the second time this year.  Only £3.50 for adults.

This heartwarming and uplifting story of an evacuee - adapted from children's classic novel by Michelle Magorian

Paddington arrives at Avon Valley  Railway for a weekend of family fun.  As well as storytelling there's face painting, Punch and Judy, craft and train rides.

Woodworking for children.  Learn how to whittle, and craft something small out of wood with the North Somerset Bodgers

At the Bishop's Palace, Wells there'll be a Minibeast hunt - please help find the critters might be hiding in our Community Garden! Join Amanda any time from 11am-3pm for a fun, creepy crawly session!  Included in admission price.

Come and explore the reserve and have a go at pond dipping.
Search for exciting minibeasts, learn how to identify them and see how clean the water is.  We will be here between 11am and 3pm and will provide equipment. We will be along the wetland walkway, signposted from the car park.  Suitable for all ages.

All aboard for the train outside the M:Shed all the way to the SS Great Britain. Single £2, return £3 - under 6 free.  It's quicker to walk but not half so much fun.

Explore all the different makes and models of classic cars at Tyntesfield this weekend, find a favourite and maybe even get a photo of Dad behind the wheel. For the dad who has everything, why not try a unique Bodgers woodworking workshop as a special Father's Day gift.

At the RSPB's West Sedgemoor wetland centre you'll find a lovely opportunity to explore the fascinating worlds of dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies, and discover some of the different species that call the Somerset Levels & Moors their home.
Sun hat, sun cream and insect repellent recommended.  Bring a drink. Toilets on site. £5, directions provided on booking.

The ever popular (for children) Ice Age returns for the summer.

This is sure to be popular with families.  Julia Donaldson herself is travelling to Bristol Old Vic with a host of her well-known characters from books such as A Squash and a Squeeze, Zog, and of course, The Gruffalo

Roll up, roll up and take part in The Luminous Robot Circus, a visually spectacular show with a cast of robot performers.  On at 12.15 and 3.15 @Bristol and included in admission price during the summer holidays until November.  The circus invites audience participation operating lights and mirrors and asks how robots might behave in the future.

Join the National Trust at the Woodland Play area 10.30-12.30pm for den building mud pies and more for £1.

On general release from 22 July the BFG has a special place in our hearts.  Ten-year-old Sophie is in for the adventure of a lifetime when she meets the Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance). Naturally scared at first, the young girl soon realizes that the 24-foot behemoth is actually quite gentle and charming - the trouble comes when the other giants notice her.

Asterix and Obelix and friends battle those pesky Romans who are set on building condominiums next to their little village.  On general release from 22 July.

Tyntesfield will be holding its first ever Forest School day camps for children aged 6-10 this summer. From 10:30am to 2:30pm, children will explore Tyntesfield's beautiful woodland, guided by our Forest School leader and learning team. Activities will include fire lighting, cooking on the fire, den building, wild play and green woodworking.  three dates over the summer holidays.

Illustrator Matt Jeanes who has worked on celebrity cartoons such as Winnie the Pooh, My Little Pony and Wallace and Gromit is at the American Museum to help children with their own illustration from 10-12pm.  £10

Drop into one of Blaise Castle's Holiday Family Fun days to explore our fabulous collections and exhibitions through creative and hands-on activities for the whole family.  Every Wednesday during the summer holidays.  While your there if the weather is good why not talk one of the short walks around the estate?

Join Squire Stage Combat at the American Museum for an exciting introduction to the art of stage fighting. Use aikido bokken (wooden swords) to recreate the opening fight scene from Star Wars: Episode V— The Empire Strikes Back.  Booking essential £10 – to register call 01225 820866

Become a medieval detective and uncover hidden secrets in the ancient crypt.  Join the team at St John on the Wall, Broad Street Bristol, for crafts, family activities, medieval dressing up and make a keepsake to take home with you. 11am to 3pm.  Free - donations welcome

Looking for some crafty fun? Head over to the Stable Yard Room from 11am-3pm to get ‘hands-on’ with natural materials and make seed mosaics, funky plant pots and lavender bags.  Included in admission to the Bishop's Palace, Wells

Salad making for children at the Old Lodge, from 12noon - 1pm, free at Dyrham Park.  Usual entrance fee applies.  Ask for directions when you arrive and volunteers will help you find the activity.

The Bristol giant is back.  Celebrate the Blaise Castle giant story with the a fair which reurns after a break of over twenty years!  Explore the stalls, activities and take a ride on a vintage funfair supplied by Albert Rogers Funfairs, who were part of the 1950s fair.

Trees and den building at the Badminton Plantation, from 12noon - 2pm, free at Dyrham Park.  Usual entrance fee applies.  Ask for directions when you arrive and volunteers will help you find the activity.

Storytelling for children at the Old Lodge, from 12noon - 2pm, free at Dyrham Park.  Usual entrance fee applies.  Ask for directions when you arrive and volunteers will help you find the activity.

Prepare to walk the plank you scurvy crew.  Little pirates most welcome in Pirate Week at Tyntesfield - dressing up encouraged, normal admission fee applies.

Come on an RSPB adventure and enjoy a tractor and trailer ride out on to West Sedgemoor, run wild in the meadow and hunt for some of the creatures that live there.  Safaris at 11am and 2pm.  Sun hat, sun cream and insect repellent recommended.  Bring a drink. Toilets on site.  Directions will be provided on booking.

Children can fly a kite at the Old Lodge, from 12noon - 2pm, free at Dyrham Park.  Usual entrance fee applies.  Ask for directions when you arrive and volunteers will help you find the activit

Old Down country estate hosts a flock of fairies for story-telling and face-painting

Pond surveying for children in the West Garden, from 12noon - 2pm, free at Dyrham Park.  Usual entrance fee applies.  Ask for directions when you arrive and volunteers will help you find the activity.

Enjoy a day in the woods with an opportunity to learn willow weaving, with a variety of forest school activities for the younger ones. Expect creativity, toasted marshmallows and a wonderful wild setting. Plus tea for adults! Optional picnic in the woods after (BY0 lunch).

Practice making your own brush shelters for camping in the wild at the American Museum. Leave a message for visitors using Navajo symbols.  Included with gardens only admission. Drop-in, booking not necessary, recommended age 3+.

Join Wild Place Project for a unique and wild start to the weekend at one of our Summer Sundown events for an evening of family fun.  One of three late opening evenings, on 12/8 there will be Wild Games – get your trainers and tracksuits on to take part in some of the games on site. Try the 3G Power Swing and if you're brave enough the Leap of Faith jump!

Planting food for children at the Old Lodge, from 12noon - 2pm, free at Dyrham Park.  Usual entrance fee applies.  Ask for directions when you arrive and volunteers will help you find the activity.

Children can fly a kite at the Old Lodge, from 12noon - 2pm, free at Dyrham Park.  Usual entrance fee applies.  Ask for directions when you arrive and volunteers will help you find the activity.

Storytelling for children at the Old Lodge, from 12noon - 2pm, free at Dyrham Park.  Usual entrance fee applies.  Ask for directions when you arrive and volunteers will help you find the activit

Salad making for children at the Old Lodge, from 12noon - 1pm, free at Dyrham Park.  Usual entrance fee applies.  Ask for directions when you arrive and volunteers will help you find the activity.

Storytelling for children at the Old Lodge, from 12noon - 2pm, free at Dyrham Park.  Usual entrance fee applies.  Ask for directions when you arrive and volunteers will help you find the activity.

Wild art for children at the Old Lodge, from 1pm - 2pm, free at Dyrham Park.  Usual entrance fee applies.  Ask for directions when you arrive and volunteers will help you find the activity.

If the other half has a thing about stripy lawns and ride-on mowers they'll love this and hopefully get it out of their system.  This three day - yes 3 - is run by the YMCA and under 12s get in free.  Ticket price includes entry to beer festival and there will be classic cars too!  Add in racing & bands add you have a perfect storm on a lawn.

Wild cooking for children at the Badminton Plantation, from 12noon - 1pm, free at Dyrham Park.  Usual entrance fee applies.  Ask for directions when you arrive and volunteers will help you find the activity.

Family storytelling at Bristol Cathedral.

Enjoy a trip into the myths and mysteries of Ancient Egypt through original fiction written and read by four local authors.  Located in the Bristol Museum's atmospheric Assyria Gallery, the event is part of the Bristol Festival of Literature taking place throughout the city.  For children age 14+

Get creative with spooky squash at Tyntesfield

Free, drop-in session for families to experiement with products and materials from Artrageous, our art shop that is open to all.  Free at the Scrapstore, Bristol

The Imagination Museum at the Bristol Museum is a promenade dance piece designed to take you into a world of movement based on different museum objects.  The dance piece is aimed at children and families and has been designed for museums and heritage sites as part of the Dancing in Museums project.

Free Fungi Day for young nature-lovers, at Folly Farm Centre. Hosted by Justin Smith Foundation. This is a unique opportunity for young people to spend valuable time learning from fungi experts in stunning surroundings. No previous knowledge required, just an enthusiasm to learn about the fungi kingdom. Lunch and free gift included!  To learn how to sign up visit the website.

Can you build the highest tower, design a fantastical hat or make a working crane?  Be inspired by the historic exhibits and iconic cranes, let your imagination run riot and discover the designer hiding inside you, free at the M:Shed.

Are you a budding scientist? Come and experiment with No 1. Royal Crescent. Join Dr Andrews and Professor Rogers to find a cure and mix your own herbal remedies. Use a quill and coloured ink to take home your own fancy medicine label.  Drop in anytime to discover what unusual cures and hidden killers lurked in the Georgian home! Age 7+

FREE train rides for children in fancy dress at Avon Valley Railway.

Make a spooky Halloween mask and follow our pumpkin trail through the house and gardens to claim your chocolate prize at Blaise Castle

Dallas Pratt’s map collection is populated with terrifying beasts and monsters. Design your own map of the American Museum and grounds, filled with scary creatures of your own invention.  Included with gardens only admission. Drop-in, booking not necessary, recommended age 3+.

Looking for something to keep the kids busy this half term? We have two days of spooky fun here at the theatre. Scary stories, creepy creations and hair-raising hijinks at the Tobacco Factory, Bristol.

Scary bats have taken over the historic kitchen at No 1 Royal Crescent, Bath. Come and count them all for a Hallowe’en treat.

Due to popular demand our Ghoul-Guided Family Friendly Torchlit Tours are back! The Harbourside attraction at the Aquarium is a seriously spooky place as twilight falls and who knows what may be lurking in the dark as Halloween approaches!

Join the Bristol Museum for their annual Day of the Dead celebrations – the Mexican festival where families gather to remember their dead.  Create Day of the Dead crafts, add your memories and photos of loved ones to the colourful ofrenda (shrine), get your face painted and watch traditional Mexican dancing against the beautiful backdrop of the museum.