playground at the Museum Of London Docklands where young children can try out some old-fashioned games and make a toy to take home.Mansfield Museum Dickens FestivalFebruary 13–17Nottingham’s Mansfield Museum is laying on a plethora of crafty dickens

to play every time we visit. Encourage your child to be conscientious about never leaving any litter and showing respect for any sealife, for example, taking photographs of any pretty shells she comes across rather than taking them home. “Lots of children

1 PebblesLook at the pebbles on the beach and see if you can match them to the rocks in the nearby cliffs. Large pebbles are great for making beach art or even just for spelling out a child’s name. Collect large smooth pebbles to make paperweights

the launch of his debut DVD, Rastamouse will be making a special appearance at Asda in Derby on October 8. The supermarket has ordered in an extra supply of cheese for the big day when the super-cool ska-jammin mouse will be meeting fans, taking photographs

to retain the mischievous spirit of the man himself whilst providing an educational family day out. Cheeky children will revel in tales of Dahl’s schoolboy pranks whilst adult aficionados can delve into the vast archive of  manuscripts, photographs, letters

York Festival Of Food And DrinkSeptember 16–25Foodie families will lap up this week-long calendar of gourmet themed events throughout York. There will be plenty of child-friendly events to get young tastebuds tingling including a chocolate factory

to open that day’s door on the impressive two metre high wooden calendar. Storytelling at Somerset houseDecember 3, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 22Curl up beside the glamorous New-York inspired Tiffany & Co tree at Somerset House for one of these fabulous