School's out for summer

It's the time of year that kids can't wait for – and that every parent dreads.

But summer holidays needn't be torture. Today the E&S launches a week-long series of pullouts giving you all some bright ideas for the next six weeks for five to eight year-olds.

Wolverhampton

Bilston Craft Gallery will host an afternoon's entertainment, from 2pm-7pm on August 15, with a range of activities for all ages. These will include a free drop-in craft workshop suitable for all the family. Also for the children, there will be a free treasure hunt around the garden with a prize for every child and storytelling sessions by the library. From 5pm the party will continue with music and a belly dance performance. Contact the gallery on 01902 552506 for further information.

Playkidz holiday club. Games, sports and competitions will entertain youngsters at Compton Youth Centre, Henwood Road, for £15 per day. Sessions run from 8.30am to 5.30pm between July 23 and August 16. More information is available from Jenny Turner on 07866 466229

Springdale holiday club is running a series of fun events between August 13 and 17 between 10am and noon. The events are Christian-based, but are open to all faiths, and take place at Springdale Methodist Church, Warstones Road. The stories, songs, crafts and drama are aimed at five to 11-year-olds. It costs £1 per day. More details are available from Lesley Cook on 01902 330614.

South Staffordshire Council's SUSSED summer programme offers activities for five to 12-year-olds, ranging from cartoon workshops to street dance. Activities this year are taking place across the district at Wombourne, Codsall, Penrkidge and Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centres, South Staffordshire Libraries and Baggeridge Country Park, as well as Sussed going Out & About touring the district.

Out & About this year will be visiting Bishops Wood, Brewood, Coven, Wombourne, Essington, Perton, Pattingham, Wheaton Aston, Featherstone and Great Wyrley. Finishing the summer holidays off in style will be the Big Summer Event – a free one day event taking place at Baggeridge Country Park on Thursday, August 30. Bookings on 01902 696 519.

Bantock House in Finchfield has a packed programme of events for children six and over. On July 26, from 1pm to 3pm there will be a workshop entitled Birds of Paradise where youngsters can create a flapping bird out of a variety of materials. On August 21, the workshop Lights and Flights will see young visitors making a mobile to hang outside. Entrance to both events is £2. For details call the musuem on 01902 552195.

Go Kidz Go indoor adventure playground, Cullwick Street, Wolverhampton. The site, which includes a ball park and slides opens from 10am to 8pm weekdays and from noon to 8pm on weekends. Admission during the summer holidays is £4.95 for an hour-and-a-half and £5.95 for a whole day. Call 01902 408068 for details.

Wolverhampton's award-winning West Park has a range of activities for youngsters including tennis courts, a children's play area and boating lake. The park opens 7am to dusk. Call 01902 550773 for more information.

Northwood Park, in Northwood Park Road, Bushbury, will be holding Play In The Park schemes for youngsters on July 25 to August 1, again from August 6 to 8, from August 13 to 15 and from August 20 to 22. Call 01902 55270 for information.

A host of fun-filled activities have been lined up to entertain youngsters at a sports centre near Wolverhampton. Boxing, trampolining, netball, football and day trips to a host of locations are just some of the activities being offered by Idsall Sports Centre, in Shifnal, from July 23 to August 31. Youngsters can take part in art classes and games. Summer holiday activities will be held at the centre from 9am to 4pm every day. Call the centre on 01952 460499 or email isc@bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk.

Youngsters can make a splash at Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre, at Bentley Bridge, which has a fun pool, wave pool, water slides and bubble pool. For more information call 01902 384777.

SANDWELL and BIRMINGHAM

Youngsters will be enthralled by tales of the deep at the Sharks exhibition at the Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery. Running until September 1 the exhibition will teach youngsters all they need to know about one of the sea's most misunderstood creatures. The free exhibition is open between Tuesday and Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 2pm-5pm and there will also be free children's craft workshops – with a shark theme – on July 21, from 2pm-4.30pm. A free family funday, Under The Sea, will also be running at the exhibition on August 27, between 1pm-3pm and will include music, games, children's entertainment and family fun.

Youngsters interested in arts and crafts have a summer packed with activities at the Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery with a make your own birdfeeder sessions on Thursday, August 2, costing £2; make your own hedgehog home, on Tuesday, August 7, costing £3; garden gnome painting, on Thursday, August 16, costing £2.50 and pudding making for garden birds, on Tuesday, August 21, costing £1. Places can be booked on all workshops, all held at 11am, by calling 0121 556 0683. There are also drop in craft workshops throughout the holiday every Wednesday and Friday, between 10.30am-12.30pm and 2pm-4pm. The museum and art gallery also has a free Meet The Tudors day, on Thursday, August 9, between 1pm-4pm and a Meet The Victorians day on Thursday, August 23.

All through August Oak House in West Bromwich will be holding drop-in craft sessions, every Wednesday to Friday. Youngsters will have the chance to make Robin Hood hats, window decorations and Robin Hood puppets. The drop in sessions will run between 10.30am-12:30pm and 2pm-4pm and cost 50p.

On August 8 and August 22 there will be free summer shows, between 2pm-4pm, complete with a magic show and balloon animals, also at Oak house, which can be contacted on 0121 5530759.

At Haden Hill House Museum and Haden Old Hall in Cradley Heath running a free Victorian summer at the stables session on Sunday August 12, between 12pm-4pm and free summer drop in workshops every Wednesday between 11am -12pm and 2pm-3pm. A Civil War encampment will also be at the at the hall on Sunday, August 26 between 12pm-4pm.

Galton Valley Canal Heritage Centre is holding a 'towpath through time' event on Sunday, July 22, between 12pm-4pm. Costumed characters will accompany visitors along the way to bring the story of the canals to life. There will also be traditional music, craft workshops, Black Country food and traditional activities and fun. - Event put on by Smethwick Canal Summit Project. On Thursday August 16, between 12pm-3pm there will be a Victorian picnic including, workshops, boat trips and children's entertainment and on there will be another free event - life on the canals Sunday August 19, featuring boats, canal music, canal art workshops and children's entertainment. Anyone who would like more information should call 0121 5530759

Tipton Heritage Centre in Tipton Library is holding a wild summer funday on Saturday July 21, offering a day of wild animal fun. There will be the animal man with lots of unusual animals to see and hold, children's entertainment, wild workshops, musical entertainment, games, trails and quizzes. The day's events run from 11am-3pm and are free. The centre can be contacted on 0121 5571796.

Leisure centres across the Black Country run by Sandwell Council will also be running Kwik Cricket sessions. There is a simple game for all boys and girls from the age of five years upwards, with an introduction into the great game of cricket and gives children a chance to learn and improve basic skills. Each session costs between £1.35 and £2.70 and full details of times and centres are available by calling 08456594815.

There is a full programme of events organised at libraries across Birmingham throughout the six week holidays. Youngsters at can take part in Harry Potter activities at King's Norton Library on July 7, can make animal masks at Birchfield Library on August 1, and make animals from junk at Sheldon Library on August 15. Details of all the summer events at the libraries are available by calling 0121 3033008.

Creepy crawlies will be keeping children entertained during an event at Birmingham Nature Centre. Children visiting the centre in Pershore Road, on August 8 will be able to see how smaller insects live and eat. The session runs from 2.30pm and costs £1.90 for adults, who can bring a child for free. The centre can be contacted by calling 0121 4727775. For a complete list of activities available in the Sandwell area contact Sandwell Council on 0121 5692200. and for a complete list of activities organised in Birmingham, visit www.birmingham.gov.uk

WALSALL

Learn all about small animals, birds, reptiles and insects in a fun, free session with the Animal Man at Rushall Library on July 24 between 11am-12pm; Willenhall Leisure Centre July 26 11am-12.30pm and August 14 and 23 1-2.30pm; Pelsall Library July 26 2-3pm; Walsall Wood Library July 26 2-3pm; Brownhills Library July 26 3.30-4.30pm; Pheasey Library 11am-12pm July 31; The Children's Centre, Bentley West School August 8 1.30-2.30pm; Beechdale Library August 8 11am-12pm; Bloxwich Library August 8 3.30-4.30pm; Streetly LibraryAugust 16 11am-12pm; South Walsall Library August 16 1.30-2.30pm, Pleck Library August 16 11am-noon; Darlaston Library Aug 16 3.30-4.30pm and Aldridge Library August 16 1.30-2.30pm. Call 01922 721310 for details.

Learn how to draw for free with cartoon illustrator Graham Higgins at South Walsall Library on August 2 2-3pm; Darlaston Library August 7 10.30-11.30am; Pleck Library August 7 2.30-3.30pm; mobile library Fishley Lane, Bloxwich, August 23 5.35-6pm; mobile library Shannon Drive, Brownhills, August 23 4.35-5.35pm and mobile library Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Bentley, August 23 10.15-11am. Call 01922 710625.

The Treasure Island children's playground at Walsall Arboretum is free and great for young children.

Interactive children's permanent exhibtion is free at New Art Gallery, Gallery Square, Walsall. Call 01922 654400 for opening times.

Have fun for free on the climbing frame, swings and slides at the refurbished playground off Coalpool Lane, Walsall.

Sample different cultures, language and food without leaving The Holy Ascension Church in Sanstone Road, Lower Farm, Bloxwich on August 26 10am-3pm. Call Maggie Bull on 01922 710248 for details.

Circus skills for free at Darlaston Multi Purpose Centre in Victoria Road on August 31 from 10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm. Children can learn to ride a unicycle, juggle and perform lots more circus skills. Lots of fun for all the family!

Dudley

Creatures of the sea is the theme of a craft session held at Dudley Museum and Art Gallery. Youngsters can make a jelly fish or a sea horse at the venue in St James's Road, Dudley. It costs £2.25 to take part in the event on August 1 at 11am, 12pm and 1pm and for details call 01384 815575.

It's fun and games the old fashioned way when the Black Country Living Museum hosts entertainment from a bygone era. Children can hop, skip and jump back in time when they roll hoops along the cobbled streets, play hopscotch on the pavement and test their skill with whip and top and skittles.

There will be parlour games in the Station Road cottages and craft making projects, including writing with an old fashioned pen and ink, bookmark and mask making. Games and crafts take place from July 21 until September 2 and details of times and costs are available by calling the team on 0121 557 9643.

Search for shells but not on the seashore at Broadfield House Glass Museum. The museum in Compton Drive Kingswinford is running the event from July 21 until August 31 between 10am and 4pm. It is free and details are available on 01384 812745. Also at Broadfield House a treasured memento of a hand or foot can be made. The casting sessions take place on August 4 between 12pm and 4pm and cost £12. Pre-booking is essential on the above number and workshops are suitable for children aged six to 11. And look out for pirates at the site when they hunt for hidden treasure from July 24 until September 2. The pirate capers are free and are held between 12pm and 4pm.

Hunt for holiday items at the Red House Glass Cone in Wordsley. From suitcases to sunglasses items will be hidden around the site for children to find. The fun runs from July 21 until August 31 from 10am until 5pm and is free. Call 01384 812750.

The Romans have invaded the Cone. Make a roman knuckle bones game and pot using air-drying clay. Sessions are on July 25 and 26 from 10.30am until 12.30pm and 1.30pm until 3.30pm and the cost is £3 booking on the above number.

Get green fingered and design a window box at the cone. The plants won't grow unfortunately as they will be made from paper. To learn about plants visit the cone on July 30 and 31 at 10.30am until 12.30pm and 1.30pm until 3.30pm.

Saturdays need not be dull if children join the Cone's Saturday family craft club. Admission is free and the club runs on the first Saturday of the month so the next one will be September 1 from 1.30pm until 3.30pm.

A fiery new exhibition will open at Dudley Museum and Art Gallery just before the children go back to school. Return Of The Dinosaurs will give kids a fascinating insight into the creatures which inhabited the earth long before humans. Those who visit may dare to walk through the dinosaur alley. The display opens on September 1 and information is available on 01384 815575.

Little ones looking to make a splash can swim at the Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge. For those who cannot swim, swim only a few strokes to those who can swim in deep water there will be sessions at the pool available most days. For further details call the Bell Street centre on 01384 812910.

Staffordshire

Events are taking place at Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre, in Saredon Road, and Penkridge Leisure Centre, in Cannock Road, daily throughout the summer as part of South Staffordshire Council's SUSSED scheme. For children aged five to eight-years-old they include puppet making, fun and games and circus skills. Call Penkridge Leisure Centre on 01785 714152 and Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre on 01922 417790.

Billy No Buzz workshop, Prince of Wales Centre, Church Street, Cannock, August 13 to 17, 10am to 4pm, for ages four to eight. Costs £50.

Cannock Chase District Council's Chase IT! summer activity scheme will include various events throughout the summer for children aged 5-13. For a programme call 01543 425996.

Free swimming by using the phrase summer splashtastic at Burntwood Leisure Centre between July 23-August 31, 01543 308810, and Friary Grange Leisure Centre in Lichfield, August 6-31, 01543 308782.

Weekly playschemes held at various locations throughout the district from July 23-August 24. Activities, trips and coaching sessions. Fees starts from £30. 01543 308765.

Mini Mambo sessions for under fives, Might Mambo sessions for five to 11-years-old. Sessions held in village and church halls, schools and community centres across Lichfield. 01543 308765.

Make Way For Noddy And Friends, a super show for the little ones, is at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre. August 24 and 25 for three shows. Tickets £9.50/£10.50. 01543 412121.

Stafford by the Sea in Market Square, Stafford on Saturday, August 4 11am to 3pm. Puppet shows and face paintings and a beach for making sandcastles. Free admission.

Amerton Farm at Stowe-by-Chartley, near Stafford, is holding its annual Amerton by the Sea event from July 30 to August 31. There will be donkey rides, a special beach, Punch and Judy shows, a coconut shy, face painting, seaside rock and fair rides. Open each day 11am to 4pm. Call 01889 270294.

Beginners' swimming lessons running at the Riverside Recreation Centre in South Walls, Stafford, from July 23 to 27, July 30 to August 3, August 6 to 10 and August 20 to 27. Cost is £19.50 per week and full details of enrolment on 01785 619500.

Tennis coaching at Rowley Park, Stafford, July 23 to 25, 9.30am to 10.30am. Skills and drills led by professional coach John Trickey. Price £8.50 for all three days. Call Stafford Borough Council sports development on 01785 619656 for more details on the coaching sessions.

Mini Kickers football coaching course run with Stafford Rangers at Rowley Park, July 30 to August 3; Beaconside Sports Centre, August 6 to 10 and Alleyne's Sports Centre, Stone, August 13 to 17. Price £20 per week. Call Stafford Borough Council sports development on 01785 619565.

Kidderminster and Wyre Forest

The Wyre Forest Visitor Centre, Callow Hill, Bewdley. In its delightful woodland setting, the centre is open throughout the year but really comes into its own for the summer months and the school holidays. Great walks for children of all ages and a wonderful adventure playground. There is a good cafe and shop and picnic areas when the weather is fine. Free, although there is a charge for parking. For details, see www.wyreforest.net or call 01299 266944

West Midland Safari Park. A safe bet with children of all ages, with the park's impressive array of wild and wonderful creatures, although it does get pretty packed in the summer holidays. Best to get there early for the safari ride. Animals and a great funfair – although don't expect much change out of £80 for a family day out, including the rides. Call 01299 402114 for more details.

Severn Valley Railway. The recent flooding means that, sadly, the railway is only partly open. But the Kidderminster station alone gives a great insight into everyday life in the Second World War. Currently running to the lovely town of Bewdley, which in itself is worth a visit. Call 01299 403816.

Kidderminster Town Hall: July 23, Kidderminster Town Hall, Get Mucky Potter Workshop, 11 - 4pm, £2 per session pay on the door;

July 27, Pavement painting, 11- 3pm, Free, children will have the chance to paint a piece of art on the street pavement; July 27, Kidderminster Town Hall, The Myth and Magic of Finn Macool, 11-3pm, Free, Exciting puppet stories about Ireland's hero; July 30, Brer Rabbit's Story Book Puppets, 2 - 3pm, £1.50 pay on the door;

August 2,Samba Drumming Workshop, 2pm - 4pm, £2 on the door, children can learn a Samba groove using a wide range of traditional Brazilian percussion. The workshop is suitable for all ages and no musical knowledge is required.

Bewdley Museum: Aug 7, 14, 21, 28, brass rubbing, 2- 4pm, £1, children can learn the ancient art of making brass rubbings

Wyre Forest Glades Arena, Kidderminster: Every weekday in August, Kraft Klub, 9.15am - 12.15pm, cost is £7.50 for half day and £12.50 for a full day Aug 13 - 16, Stourport Sports Centre, Martial arts, 11 - 12pm, £6 per session.

Stourport Sports Centre: Aug 6 -10, and 27-31st, Stourports Sports Centre, arts and crafts for children, 10 -12pm, £6 per session August 20 -24, Stourport Sports Centre, Rookie swimming lessons for beginners, 9.30am to 10.30am, which costs £5 a session.