Castles, stately homes and monuments also offer really exciting days out - many offer great activities for kids and lots have been used as sets for films like Harry Potter. And, for an annual fee, if you become a member of organisations like English Heritage or the National Trust, you and the kids can visit them as often as you want.

These organisations also have lots of information available on art for kids:

• British Arts Festivals Association
  Many of the arts festivals held in the UK each year have lots for children to do. Find out more about your local festival by calling 020 7247 4667 or email info@artsfestivals.co.uk
• Access Art Experience arts activities presented by museums, galleries and artists, wherever you live.
• Show me Games, fun and activities for kids from UK museums and galleries.

Libraries offer a huge range of services you probably didn’t expect – from internet access, to newspapers, magazines and of course books to borrow!

• The Bookstart programme for younger children provides free books for every child at nine months, 18 months and three years. Visit www.bookstart.co.uk or call 020 8516 2977.
• Homework clubs are run by over 60% of libraries
• Internet access is available in every public library - so your kids can surf the net whenever they like. There's plenty to keep them amused at Culture Online. Find out more about this at www.cultureonline.gov.uk.
• The Summer Reading Challenge gets kids of all abilities involved in reading over the school holidays. Over 600,000 four to 12 year-olds take part each year at public libraries all over the country.

More information about the Summer Reading Challenge can be found on the Reading Agency website, www.readingagency.org.uk. They do not have a public enquiries telephone number but you can e-mail Anne Sarrang or Lynne Taylor about the challenge.