salty seafaring activities abound including cannon firing sessions, storytelling on board HMS Gannet and puppetry with Pirate Pam.Day Out With ThomasJuly 21–24Children will have the chance to meet cheeky blue engine Thomas and his portly superior, Sir

 – but look out for beggars scoundrels and thieves who may just end up in the stocks before the day is through. Film Club: A Child’s Christmas In WalesDecember 10Settle down with your family at Wales’ National Museum for a special screening of an animated

locomotive as well as have the chance to ride a vintage train at the National Railway Museum in Shildon. Consequences with Polly Dunbar And Ed VereJanuary 21Head to Seven Stories in Newcastle to meet award winning illustrators and take part in an exciting

Mayor’s Show BallymoneyJune 30Join in the jubilations as a parade winds it way through Ballymoney town centre with a ‘back to the Fifties’ theme. Other entertainment includes a display of vintage vehicles, face painting balloon modelling and music

2Postpone the New Year diet one more day by enjoying a hot mince pie and drink on the traditional Strathspey steam-engine. Bask in the vintage glow of this old-fashioned train as you take in the breath-taking views of the Highlands' winter landscape

winter bite.Santa At Almond ValleyDecember 3–24Look out for the rotund fellow in red nestled away in the woods at Almond Valley Heritage Centre who will be dishing out Christmas presents to children both naughty and nice. Families can also enjoy Christmas

, discover regal etiquette and take their place on a grand throne. Georgian OlympicsSundays from July 22–2If you thought life was tough for athletes in the present day Olympic games, wait until you discover the ways the Georgian classes amused themselves

The Festive Gift FairNovember 17–20De-stress your Christmas shopping expedition this year and turn it into a fun, family day out at the NEC Birmingham. The hundreds of sellers in attendance at this four day shopping spectacular will be offering

the resident peacocks and macaws), circus skills workshops, and movie clubs for all-round family entertainment.  This year look out for piano playing comedian Tim Minchin plus Jools Holland, his Blues Orchestra and some very special guests.Latitude, Henham

child is destined for gregarious Gryffindor or sneaky Slytherin and improve their Expelliarmus with a magical Harry Potter themed day out at Cannon Park in Canley. The free event will include birds of prey, a flying Ford Anglia and the chance to pose