Willows Summer Spectacular, Hertfordshire
If you are looking to tire out the little ones, look no further than a fun-packed day at Willows Farm Village. Back by popular demand is the farm's A-maize-ing Maze, open all day for the whole family to get lost in. New activities this summer include the JCB Young Drivers Zone for Bob the Builder wannabes, with mini-JCB diggers and tractors available for children to ride around a miniature track. There are also nine different shows daily and sports day races as well as unlimited access to bouncy haystacks, funfair rides, and an agility play trail.
• Adult £12.50, child £13.50, under-twos free. Coursers Road, London Colney, 0870 129 9718, willowsfarmvillage.com. Until 4 September
Summer wild camping, Carmarthenshire
Glamping fans, steer clear of this one! If you fancy a spot of more traditional camping, put your family and yourself to the test by wild camping next Saturday night (20 August) in Dinefwr Park and Castle near Llandeilo. Explore the magical park and its grounds by day and by night watch the badgers, bats and other fantastic wildlife. If the sky is clear enough, you could do a bit of star-gazing. If you're lucky enough to survive the night, finish off your experience by cooking breakfast on a campfire.
• Adult £13, child £6, family £30 (booking essential). nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-dinefwrpark
Wild Life Safari, Bedgebury, Kent
Not for those afraid of creepy crawlies, mini-beast hunts this Tuesday and next (16 and 23 August) will certainly prove satisfying for bug-curious youngsters. A safari searching for beasts of the miniature kind provides a fun introduction to some of the smaller denizens of the Walled Garden area in Bedgebury's pinetum and forest. Evidence of larger creatures will also be examined and the morning is completed with the opportunity to make a dragonfly to take home. Booking is essential as places are limited, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
• £6 per child (over-fives only). Bedgebury Road, Goudhurst, near Cranbrook, 01580 879842, bedgeburypinetum.org.uk. 10am-noon, 16 and 23 August
Bournemouth Air Festival, Hampshire
More than 2.7 million people have visited the Bournemouth Air Festival since 2008, and this year looks set to be even more popular. The four-day event will feature displays from the Red Arrows, the battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Hawk Jet, Tuicano and Tutor. And it doesn't end when darkness falls: from 10pm from Thursday to Saturday there will be a dusk air display, live music, fireworks and film screenings.
• Free. bournemouthair.co.uk. 18-21 August
Wild Adventures, Livingston, West Lothian
Kids can go wild with a summer-long programme of activities recreating the lives of our prehistoric ancestors. Help your little ones build a prehistoric encampment and learn essential skills for stone age living. This fun and educational activity requires a shelter and fences to be built, crops to be planted, and livestock tended. There will also be a fire to be made, food to be prepared, clothing and bedding to me made and hunting to be done. Phew!
• Adult £5.50, under-17s £4, family ticket £17. Almond Valley Heritage Trust, Millfield, 01506 414957, almondvalley.co.uk. 10am-5pm, until 21 August
Herne Bay Festival, Kent
This is a nine-day long celebration of fun and free events: kite flying, a Bollywood parade, a motor show, coastal walks, a giant sandcastle and a monster crab catching competition to name a few. There will also be dance, circus skills and boat-making workshops. If you're musically inclined and your family fancy yourselves as the next von Trapps, enter the Herne Bay's Got Talent competition.
• Free. hernebayfestival.com. 20-28 August
Horse body painting, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire
This new activity is perfect for horse-mad kids or just for animal lovers. It's an educational and interactive activity by the Horse Trust aimed at teaching people about horse anatomy. Participants are given a printed sheet showing the animal's muscles, bones and major organs. They then have to remember where the anatomical structures are located and unleash their artistic flair by painting them on the side of the horse. The sessions cost £10, which includes the cost of non-irritant body paints and a small donation to the charity.
• £10 per session (under-14s must be accompanies by an adult). Slad Lane, Speen, 01494 488464, horsetrust.org.uk. 2-3pm every Friday until 7 September
Viking Raiders, Northumberland
The island of Lindisfarne, off the north-east coast of England was first attacked by Vikings in 793AD as they spread their wave of terror across England. Beware, they're making another appearance next weekend (20-21 August). Visitors can explore their encampment to discover the rigours and entertainments of Viking campaigning, and watch grisly displays of combat culminating in a full-scale, deadly battle.
• Adult £4.80, child £2.90. english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/lindisfarne-priory. 20-21 August
Gruesome Weekend and Time Travellers Go Gruesome, Whitby, North Yorkshire
Discover the gruesome antics of King Henry VIII with a light-hearted performance of "Top of the Chops!" – an play which gives audiences the chance to write their own version of history by deciding the fates of Henry VIII's many victims. Children can also take a closer look at the gorier side of history with hands-on activities and take part in crime and punishment trials, following a Gruesome Trail around the abbey.
• Adult £6, child £3.60, family ticket £15.60. Whitby Abbey, Abbey Lane, english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events. 11am-5pm, Gruesome Weekend 13-14 August, Time Travellers Go Gruesome until 29 August
The Captain's Tales, Penwith, Cornwall
Ahoy mateys! Master storyteller Mark Harandon will bring alive stories from Cornwall and further afield this Tuesday and next (16 and 23 August). His dramatic, funny and magical tales of mermaids, smugglers, giants and more will delight and engross any would-be Captain Jack Sparrows.
• Adult £5, child £3 (booking essential). The Count House, Botallack, 01736 788588, nationaltrust.org.uk. 7.30-8.30pm, 16 and 23 August
