I Want A Pet by Lauren Child (Frances Lincoln, £5.99)Lauren Child's tale of an animal loving little girl and her not-so-keen family has typically witty rhetoric and inventive, sketchy illustrations. Children who find their demands for a menagerie

broad spectrum of interests including food, music, art and film. The programme is perfectly suited to children and families too: Budding explorers can dress up and make mosquitos with scientists from the London School of Hygeine and Tropical Medicine

troupes on offer, allow us to offer you some inspiration with our pick of the best of the fest:Mad Science Free Dangerous Family ShowAugust 4–12Flying rockets, exploding icing sugar and the possibility of electrocuted parents all feature in this live

restaurant to healthy versions of children’s favourites at the Tree House Café and light lunches with exotic fruit cocktails at the trendy XANA Beach Club. We can almost taste that martini already…Luxury family holidays at the Angsana Laguna Phuket start from

gastropubs and restaurants, families seeking a revitalising yet still chilled-out start to the year should find this chic little island fits the bill nicely.For eco friendly luxury accomodation, try Niton Barns, located in the picturesque village of Niton

LondonNew Year’s Eve Funk PartyDecember 31Rare is the New Year’s Eve party that is as child-friendly as it is fun for adults but London restaurant Caponata and sister venue The Forge may just have pulled it off. Kicking off at a family-friendly 7pm

Teddy Bears' PicnicJune 24, July 8, 22Your child can choose her favourite furry friend, pack up a picnic and head to Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire for one of these merry activity afternoons with organised al-fresco lunching and more fun and games

Neagh is a celebration of Northern Ireland’s countryside heritage dating from the Viking era to the First World War. Embark on a trip through time with your family by watching fire eating and juggling performers, dog shows and equestrian competitions

25 years ago, two friends began selling sweatshirts on a ski resort in the French Alps to fund their passion exploring the great outdoors.Now, Fat Face supplies chic activewear to families across the country, and as its silver anniversary approaches

wish to discover another, lesser-seen side to the island, would do very well to pick up Wightlink’s Secret Wight brochure, detailing a plethora of family-friendly adventure challenges across the island.If the idea of an adventure holiday sounds a little