CHILDREN'S SUMMER SPECIAL / Mummy, I'm bored: What to do when the moaning starts? A guide to summer activities from Anglesey to York, from Peter Rabbit to nanotechnology, from jazz funk to tennis.

INDOORS

ANGLESEY: Museum of Childhood. Toys and musical instruments from the last 150 years - over 2,000 exhibits. Age 5 upwards. pounds 2.50/adult, pounds 1.25/child (under-5s free). Castle Street, Beaumaris, Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd LL58 8AP (0248 712498).

BIRMINGHAM: Midlands Arts Centre. Summer holiday performances of ballets, plays (including Treasure Island) and musicals (including Guys and Dolls); matinee films and a huge selection of workshops. Age 5 upwards. Prices vary, phone for details. Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH (021-440 4221).

BRADFORD: Sooty's World Exhibition. Sooty Show sets, props, scripts, photos and videos. Age 2 upwards. pounds 2/adult, pounds 1.50/child (under-2s free). Windhill Manor, Leeds Road, Windhill, Shipley, Bradford BD18 1BT (0274 531122).

BRISTOL: The Exploratory Hands-On Science Centre. The largest hands-on science exhibition in the country - experiment with light, colour, sound and electricity. This summer's special display is a Lego motorshow, including a 1,000sq ft play area with unlimited supplies of bricks. Age 6 upwards. pounds 3.75/adult, pounds 2.50/child. Bristol Old Station, Temple Meads, Bristol BS1 6QU (0272 225944).

CARDIFF: National Museum of Wales Prehistoric Sea Monsters exhibition. Robotic reconstructions of prehistoric and present-day sea- creatures; includes Loch Ness monster and Jaws. Linked workshops run throughout the summer holidays (activities included in entry price, book on the day). Age 4 upwards. pounds 2/adult, pounds 1/child (under-5s free), family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) pounds 20 for a year's entry plus free entry to other Welsh museums. Cathays Park, Cardiff CF1 3NP (0222 344111).

DUNDEE: Dundee Children's Festival. Shows, classes, circus, puppet and kite workshops, Punch and Judy, Peter Rabbit storytimes and craft sessions throughout July. Various venues, various prices. Broughty Ferry Gala Week 4-11 July includes fancy dress show, treasure hunt, and pet show. Details from Dundee Tourist Information (0382 23141).

EDINBURGH: Museum of Childhood. This summer's special exhibition runs from 3 August to 11 September and concentrates on the Girls' Brigade, who are celebrating their centenary. Age 6 upwards. Free. 42 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TG (031-225 2424).

Fringe for Schools. (031-226 5257). One hundred and forty-six events for 5-18 year olds. There is an immense range - children's cabaret and musicals, puppetry, circus, concerts and music making, BBC Radio 4 workshops in comedy scriptwriting. Unusual highlights include a jazz funk dramatisation of an 18th-century Japanese comic book. Events are categorised in four age groups: 5-8, 9-11, 12-15, and 16-18. Prices range from pounds 2-pounds 4. Full Fringe catalogue available by sending 60p in stamps, with name and address, to: Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 180 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1QS.

GLASGOW: Haggs Castle. Museum designed for children, including reconstruction of a Victorian nursery. Age 4-12. Free. 100 St Andrews Drive, Glasgow G41 4RB (041-427 2725).

HALIFAX: Eureka] Children's Museum. 'Spring into Summer]', special programme with a health theme, runs over the summer. Follow the Health Trail; visit the Hazard Dome; feed the Giant Mouth Machine. Face painting and sports in the Eureka] Park. First anniversary celebration 10-11 July with music, balloons and cakes, workshops with the Northern Ballet (phone to book in advance). Eureka] reserves the right to refuse admission to adults without children. Age 5-12. pounds 4.50/adult, pounds 3.50/child (under-3s free), family ticket (up to 5, max 2 adults) pounds 13.50. Eureka] Discovery Road, Halifax HX1 2NE (0426 983191).

LONDON: Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood. Special exhibition of dynamic (moving) toys from round the world from 10 August to 19 September. Art workshops every Saturday morning and afternoon, for children aged 3 upwards. Performance workshops during the week throughout August. Over-5s can take part in a nail-biting mystery with 'Bethnal Green's answer to the Secret Seven' (Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays, three sessions daily) while under-5s can take an imaginary trip to the seaside (Thursdays, three sessions daily). Free - and free ice-cream. Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA (081-980 4315).

Horniman Museum. Art and craft workshops for children aged 8 and over every Saturday morning and afternoon, plus a programme of children's entertainers such as Rosy the Clown and Wally the Wizard on Tuesdays and Thursdays 27 July to 26 August. Permanent displays include puppets and musical instruments. Entry and events free. London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ (081-699 1872).

Livesey Museum. 'Optical Confusions' exhibition includes shadow puppets, magic lanterns, periscopes and kaleidoscopes - workshops this summer will include magic and holograms, phone for details. Age 4-12 (there is also a 'soft corner' for babies and toddlers). Free entry. 682 Old Kent Road, London SE15 1JF (071-639 5604).

Museum of the Moving Image. Gordon the Gopher comes to Momi in July - he will live in his own special exhibition area. Inter-active film and television displays - fly like Superman and present the news. Age 6 upwards. pounds 5.50/adult, pounds 4/child, family ticket (2 adults, 4 children) pounds 16.00. South Bank, London SE1 8XT (071-928 3535).

Natural History Museum. Meet the Megabugs - giant robotic beetles, caterpillars and dragonflies up to 90 times life-size, displayed in 3- D. The new 'Primates' permanent exhibition opens 9 July. A programme of dinosaur events is planned to coincide with the release of the film Jurassic Park. Age 4 upwards. pounds 4.50/adult, pounds 2.20/child, family ticket (2 adults, 4 children) pounds 12.00. Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD (071-938 9123).

Polka Children's Theatre. Plays to see during July and August include Three Cheers for Mrs Butler and Star Dog's Collection - suitable for various age ranges from 3 upwards. The Polka Summer School offers a four-day drama course for 8-16 year olds, plus workshops in drama, jewellery design, batik, circus skills and more. Age ranges vary with each activity. Prices vary from pounds 5 to pounds 45, phone for details and dates. 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB (081-543 0363).

Pollock's Toy Museum. The exhibition includes teddies, dolls, toy theatres and construction toys. Age 4-12. pounds 2/adult, 75p/under-18s. 1 Scala Street, London W1P 1LT (071-636 3452).

Science Museum. Special attraction is the Nanotechnology Exhibition. Age 3 upwards. pounds 4/adult, pounds 2.10/child (under-5s free). Exhibition Road, London SW7 2DD (071-938 8000).

Tower of London. Actors in costume will be recreating Edward I's court in the newly-restored chambers of his medieval palace. Visitors can participate as they play chess, demonstrate quill making, and play medieval music. Age 5 upwards. pounds 6.70/adult, pounds 4.40/child, family ticket (2 adults, up to 3 children) pounds 19. London EC3N 4AB (071-709 0765).

Unicorn Theatre for Children. Full and half- day workshops all through the summer holidays for ages 4-12 - or spend a week learning clowning, stage fighting, mask and mime, and more. The Unicorn's annual community play will be in rehearsal through July and August, with performances on 27 and 28 August. Anyone aged 8-12 can join in, no experience required - phone for details. 6 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JD (071-379 3280).

MANCHESTER: Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. 4/11/18 August: Explorer Days, with an environmental theme - making a rainforest, environmental activities. pounds 4/adult, pounds 3/child (under-5s free) - book in advance. Age 5 upwards. pounds 3.50/adult, pounds 1.50/child. Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4JP (061-832 2244).

MARLBOROUGH: Loaves and Fishes Cook School. 10/17/31 July, 7/21/28 August. Saturday Children's Cookery Club, turning out cakes, tarts, pasties and pastry. pounds 5 a session, to include all ingredients and completed dish to take home. Age 4-7. 76 High Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1HF (0672 516716).

NOTTINGHAM: Tales of Robin Hood. An 'interpretation centre' that delves into the legends of the outlaw of Sherwood Forest. The highlight is a ride that recreates medieval Nottingham; visitors are captured by the Sheriff, and experience the sights, sounds and smells (including rotting skeletons, bubbling stew and a blacksmith's shop) of a medieval town. There is a Special Events weekend at the end of every month, phone for details. Age 5 upwards. pounds 3.95/adult, pounds 2.95/child, family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) pounds 10.95. 30-38 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham NG1 6GF (0602 483284).

SALISBURY: Care Bears to the Rescue. 30 July. A fantasy pantomime and magic show, with music, dance and an environmental message. Five life-size Care Bears encourage audience participation. Age 3-12. pounds 3.60/person. City Hall, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 7TU (0722 327676).

'Flights of Fancy' Kite Exhibition. To end of July. Kites old and new, from Chinese flying birds to the latest sports speed models. There will be a kite-making workshop for children aged 3 upwards on 10 July. Age 3-adult. pounds 2.25/adult, 50p/child - tickets allow unlimited entry to the museum to the end of the year. Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum, The King's House, 65 The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2EN (0722 332151).

SUDBURY: Museum of Childhood. 30 July. Open-air Toy Day - play with games and toys of the past and learn to make them, storytelling, pounds 1/adult, 50p/child. Age 5 upwards. Museum entry pounds 2/adult, pounds 1/child. Sudbury Hall, Sudbury, Derbyshire DE6 5HT (0283 585305).

YORK: Yorkshire Museum Living World of Dinosaurs exhibition. Life-size 3-D moving models in prehistoric scenescape with atmospheric sounds - and authentic odours. 'Damp swampy smells and dinosaur dung', says a spokeswoman. Age 3 upwards. pounds 3/adult, pounds 1.75/child, family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) pounds 7. Museum Gardens, York YO1 2DR (0904 629745).

OUTDOORS

BUCKFASTLEIGH: Buccaneers 5th Children's Festival. 29 August. This year's theme is Cartoons and Animation, and cartoon workshops will be a highlight. Other attractions include arts, crafts and music workshops, children's theatre, puppeteers, clowns. Old rural skills workshops include bodging (using a lathe to shape green wood) and weaving; modern ones include T-shirt printing. Free swimming in open-air pool on site. Age 2-adult. pounds 1.50/person. Victoria Park, Plymouth Road, Buckfastleigh, Devon (0364 43071).

BURY: Teddy Bears' Picnic, East Lancashire Steam Railway. The picnic takes place in Nuttall Park in Ramsbottom, 20 minutes' ride from Bolton Street Station in Bury. Trains leave every hour, on the hour; take your own sandwiches. Sideshows, entertainment, Teddy Bear competition and Teddy Bear parade in the park. Age 3 upwards. pounds 3 adult return, children with a teddy travel free. East Lancashire Railway, Bolton Street Station, Bury, Lancashire BL9 0EY (061-764 7790).

DUNDEE: Dundee District Countryside Ranger Service. Indian tracking, nature games, mini safaris and orienteering. Unaccompanied children from 8 up; accompanied from 5 up. pounds 1/person. Camperdown Country Park, Camperdown, Dundee DD2 4TF (0382 623555).

EDINBURGH: Children's Adventure Tours. Days out in and around Edinburgh at butterfly farms, puppet theatres, country parks, castles. At least one adult to every eight children. Age 5-12. pounds 12.50 per half day, pounds 22 per full day, including lunch, transport, entrance fees, worksheets and souvenir. 4 Marchmont Street, Edinburgh EH9 1EJ (031-229 9816).

GLASGOW: Glasgow Countryside Ranger Service. The rangers are running events in the city's parks over the holidays, including Sunday walks and afternoons of birdwatching, nature games and environmental studies. Age 8-12. Free. The committed can join the Young Naturalists Club for pounds 1 a year. Glasgow Ranger Service, Pollok Country Park, 26-60 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G43 1AT (041-632 9299).

GLASTONBURY: Glastonbury Children's Festival. 27-30 August. Theatre shows and workshops, puppeteers, circus skills workshops, jugglers, magicians, rides and more. Age 2-12. pounds 3.50/person, or pounds 12 for all four days (includes all events). Children's World Charity, 10 St John's Square, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9LT (0458 832925).

HEXHAM: Kielder Castle. Family bike rides through the forest (28 July/15 August/5 September) and Holiday Fun Days for Kids (4/11/18 August). Bike rides pounds 1/adult, 50p/child, bike hire available - book in advance. Holiday Fun Days - nature games and activities, 50p/child. Age 5 upwards. Kielder, Hexham, Northumberland NE48 1HF (0434 250209).

KESWICK: Trotters & Friends Animal Farm. Meet Bess the Pot Bellied Tamworth pig, Carmen the llama and Rosy, Rita and Roxy the red deer, among others. Expected summer highlights include calves, fawns, piglets and chicks, plus milking, sheep-dipping and shearing. Age 4-14. pounds 2/adult, pounds 1.25/child (under-4s free). Trotters & Friends Animal Farm, Coalbeck Farm, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria (07687 76239).

MANCHESTER: Manchester United International Football Festival. 28 July-1 August. Under 12s/13s/14s and 16s teams for boys, under 14s and 16s teams for girls. Enter your team for a knockout tournament - the weekend includes a visit to Old Trafford training ground and club museum. Prices start at pounds 69 per person. Team standard is not as important as enthusiasm. International Sports and Leisure, 8 Centre Gardens, Bolton, Greater Manchester BL1 8HX (0204 493409).

SHEPTON MALLET: Stop the World for Parents and Children. A week's holiday in a large country house in 50 acres of Somerset countryside. Adults sleep in the house and are free to do what they want, with relaxation classes, aromatherapy massages and lectures laid on. Children camp in the grounds (supervised 24 hours a day) and take part in musical activities, dressing up and face painting, nature trails, and physical games and exploration. 6-13 August. pounds 650 for one adult and one child, all-inclusive. Age 6-12. Places limited to 10 adults and 15 children. For more information call Fiona Arrigo on 0963 824100.

SKIPTON: Kiddies Day with Embsays Happy Tank Engines, 25 July, pounds 2.70/person. Teddy Bears' Picnic, 15 August, pounds 2.70/person. Friends of Thomas the Tank Engine, 29-30 August, pounds 3/person. Steam trains, sideshows, mini-railway and free gifts for every child. Ticket includes a round trip on the steam train. Thomas is accompanied by the Fat Controller. Age 3 upwards. Embsay Steam Railway, Embsay Station, Embsay, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 6AY (0756 794727).

NATIONWIDE: National Archaeology Day. 28/29 August. Organised by the Young Archaeologists Club. Forty sites across the UK, including excavations, castles and Roman villas from Scotland to Truro, will be open to the public. Charges vary, but with one or two exceptions entry is free to members of the YAC (open to 9-18 year olds, at a subscription of pounds 5/year). Information on local sites (and club details) from The Young Archaeologists Club, c/o Geoffrey Cole, The Archaeology Centre, 4-10 London Road, Bagshot, Surrey GU19 5HN (0276 451181).

Archery Courses. Archery clubs all over the country have junior sections. Age around 8 upwards. For local information contact the Grand National Archery Society, Seventh Street, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LG (0203 696631).

Enviroscope Project. Run by Watch, the junior section of the Wildlife Trust Partnership, this scheme asks children to survey their local environment. Completed survey forms will provide data for Watch. Enviroscope packs introduce five survey themes - Habitats, Towns, Pollution, Energy, and Flora Britannica (local plants), and suggest follow-up activities. Age 7-12 upwards. pounds 2.50 per pack. Chris Luxton, WATCH, The Green, Witham Park, Waterside South, Lincoln LN5 7RJ (0522 544400).

Tennis Courses. The Lawn Tennis Association is running an intensive tennis course 26-30 July at the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey, near Marlow, for players aged 12-16 who have already reached a good school team standard or are regular club players. The course is pounds 275, including full board and coaching. Enquiries to the Lawn Tennis office at Bisham Abbey (0628 483084). The LTA Star Club Programme sponsors school holiday tennis courses all over the country; for details, contact regional LTA offices.

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