Children: What to do this weekend

Big Blue Experience

London Boat Show, Earls Court, London W14 (0171-385 1200) today and tomorrow, 10am-7pm, adults pounds 10.50, two children under 16 get in free

This huge annual bash has a special event this year aimed at introducing young people to boating. The (above) will be held in Warwick Hall and includes fashion shows, and chat shows with young boaters and Olympic hopefuls, as well as watersports simulators.

Family Storytelling

Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, London SE23 (0181-699 1872) today 2.30pm, free

Stories from around the world are on offer in this wonderful museum, which also runs children's workshops at weekends. While you're here, check out the old, over-stuffed walrus - apparently the taxidermist didn't realise that they were supposed to be wrinkly!

Shaping-Up Workshop

Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2 (0171-600 3699) tomorrow 2pm and 3.15pm, free with museum entry of pounds 5 for adults, pounds 3 for children

This part of the museum's London Bodies Exhibition looks at the changing shape of 19th-century clothes (below). Have a go at being laced into a corset or step into a crinoline. Tickets must be obtained on arrival and places are limited.

Nikki Spencer

... AND BEYOND

Toy and Train Collectors Fair

Hall 17, NEC, Birmingham (01526 398198) tomorrow 10.30am-4.30pm, adults pounds 3, children pounds 2 (below)

If your loved ones didn't get the Beanie Baby of their dreams this Christmas, this is the place to go. Although some do fetch between pounds 50 and pounds 200, you'll probably be relieved to hear that most will be changing hands for a few quid. There'll also be everything from Barbies and Action Men to Dinky toys.

Straw Bear Festival

Whitlesey, Cambridge (01733 208245) today and tomorrow

Dancers and musicians will parade through the streets today from 10.30am, before performing outside the town's 11 pubs as part of this revived 140- year-old festival, which centres on a "bear" in a straw suit. This year the "bear" (traditionally a man of "good stature") will be joined by two little bears - two local nine-year-olds. On Sunday the straw suits will be ceremonially burnt in the grounds of the Kings Dyke Club. NS