book in during a festival week, then simply take siestas during the afternoon so the children can stay up into the evening and enjoy the free local entertainment.Camping is still a bargain, and children love it. “The past few years has seen a complete

in the sights from the lofty vantage point of the open-topped replica 1912 London Bus.Not many people know this, but… The Wombles came to visit Beaulieu in 1974 to open the Monorail and American entertainer Liberace once paid a visit to Beaulieu with a friend

family at the Village Hotel, Swansea. Children will love the eerie entertainer as well as a chance to do the Monster Mash during an afternoon disco. Dying for a bite to eat? A special three–course meal should satisfy even the most monstrous of appetites

Most children start talking between about nine and 15 months, starting to enunciate clearly at about two years. However, not all children find language so simple and still haven’t produced their first words when all around them are already nattering

, an enchanted woodland area and campfire, entertainment and workshops for children, and the promise of a secret Victorian lido for a revitalizing dip.PlayFest, New Eccles Hall School, Quidenham, NorfolkJune 1-3 Shortlisted for Best New Festival 2011, Play

holiday slump at the Bentall Centre in Kingston with free entertainment for children every Wednesday and Thursday including bear building workshops, hula-hooping, juggling lessons and fairytale craft workshop.Hogwarts At Cannon ParkJuly 30Discover if your

lunch and come along and enjoy the music and children’s entertainment at the Coronation Gardens in Waltham Forest.Park and Pond ExplorersJuly 30Engage your child’s curiosity about nature, both on land and underwater at Bedfont Lakes in Ashford.  Keen

selling a variety of Christmas gifts plus live street entertainers, Dickensian characters, musical bands and carol singers.Alice In WonderlandNovember 30–January 8The Royal & Derngate inNorthampton will be playing host to this reinvention of the classic

on the seventh floor, Babylon affords amazing views of the capital.Sunday lunch is very much a family affair. In fact, it’s there in black and white on their website: “Children are most welcome.” There’s even a magician on hand to keep them entertained, though

to be strapped into his seat, but a little philosophical pragmatism can go a long way when flying with young children. Think yourself into a positive can-do frame of mind, get organized as much as possible – forewarned is forearmed and all that – and your holiday