CHILDREN: WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN LONDON

From the Heart

Festival of Irish Music and Arts, Barbican Centre, London EC2 (0171-638 8891) today and tomorrow, free, most workshops pounds 2

The Freestage will be reeling from 12.30pm with the hottest talent in Irish music. And Ark, the centre for children in Dublin, will run a series of workshops.

Grandparents Tea Party

Borders, 203 Oxford Street, London W1 (0171-292 1600) today, llam, free

The theme at this mega bookshop's regular Saturday children's workshop will be grandparents. And grannies and grand-dads are all invited to tea with their grandchildren to enjoy the stories of Babbette Cole.

Ready Steady...Read

Enfield Civic Centre (0181-379 4052) today, 10am-4pm, free

Rounding off The Word festival of literature, this reading fair will have exhibitions, author readings, including guest appearances from Terry Pratchett, author of the Discworld series, Sue Townsend (left) and local author Robin Kingsland. There will be theatre performances, children's activities and a reading help-desk.

... AND BEYOND

Easter Fun for Children

Coldharbour Mill, Usfculme, Cullompton, Devon, (01398 341547) today, 10am-12noon or 2pm-4pm, pounds 3.50 per session

Create an Easter mobile, design Easter cards or make Easter flowers in a pot at this craft workshop at this working wool museum. Children must be accompanied by an adult and booking is essential. (pounds 5.50 adults, pounds 2.50 children).

Armada Weekend

Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Tonbridge, Kent (01892 870307) today and tomorrow, 12noon to 4pm, adults pounds 5.70, children pounds 3.20

If your kids are studying the Tudors at school, this event will certainly bring it all to life at one of England's finest family owned historic homes. "Armada !" aims to recreate life at Penshurst Place in 1588 as the household prepares for the anticipated invasion of the Spanish Armada. Costumed actors and musicians will re-enact everything from 16th-century dance and manners, to a workshop focusing on the apothecary as he prepares his potions and lotions for the militia. NS