Tate Modern
Bankside, London
A bag full of games and puzzles helps adults and children follow one of four routes - or Start trails - through the landscapes of modern art at this latest addition to London's galleries. An audio guide narrated by children's author Michael Rosen also helps children enjoy the exhibitions. On Saturday afternoons a team of artists holds Starters workshops lasting 90 minutes. These have fun themes which encourage children to take a closer look at the art on display. These activities are free and are for children aged five and upwards, accompanied by an adult. Start trails take place every Sunday and on Wednesdays and Fridays during the summer break. 11am-1.30pm and 2pm-5pm. Starters workshops are every Saturday 4pm-5.30pm. Tel: 020 7887 8008.
Tate Britain
Millbank, London
Lots of fun activities are on offer this year for children interested in 90-minute workshops, with families. Families solve a mysterious quest through the gallery, enjoying group activities along the way, such as drawing, collage and word games. This will take place on Monday to Thursday this week at 11am and 2pm. The fee is £3 per child and adults free. Booking required.
To relieve boredom on a Sunday afternoon, the Art Trolley offers regular drop-in art activities suitable for children aged three to 12. Free. No booking required. Tel: 020 7887 8008.
Hayward Gallery
South Bank Centre, London
An exhibition entitled Forcefields is aiming to redefine the language of art in the twentieth century, creatively covering the development of scientific theories from Einstein to the Big Bang. The exhibition brings together work from artists such as Marcel Duchamp, Jean Tinguely and Yves Klein. Children can take part in family drop-in workshops and make sculptures and drawings. For anyone wanting to pre-book, there are workshops (£4 including entrance) run by artists who regularly exhibit their work. Here children can make mobiles, experiment with light reflective art and create 3-D drawings. Also ask for an activity sheet or visit the gallery on Sundays for a Gallery Guide.
The family drop-in workshops cost £1 per child (over 12s must pay £1 plus the £4 entrance fee while adults pay £1 plus £6). The activities are split into different age groups and run from 31 July to 18 August. For bookings tel: 020 7960 4242.
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, London
The theme of the new gallery exhibition New Art from Old is the focus of a series of family talks being held at the gallery lasting for one hour. These are running from 31 July to 26 August for children aged five to 11. Families can also take part in a variety of activities including painting, working on slate and model making. The fun starts at 2pm on 31 July-3 August, 7-10 August and 14-17 August for children aged 7 to 11. Tel: 020 7747 2885.
The Lowry
Salford
Something for everyone here. Art works is the newest addition to its plethora of children's activities. This allows you to paint a wall using a digital palette; dip your hand in digital paint and create a work of art. Invisible sound is a way to demonstrate your talent for dance; move around or dance and listen to its reflection in the sound world. Admission £3.75. Children aged four years and under free. Creative Brian is a giant brain into which children walk, and which stimulates their artistic side with fun activities. Softworld is a free-entry exhibition showing until 28 August. It presents fabric-based works around felt and other things soft and invites children to move things around the exhibition. Tel: 0161 876 2000.
The Grizedale Society
Grizedale, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria
Aiming to liven up sculpture for children, this outdoor gallery is hosting the Grizedale Adventure Scheme. This allows children the opportunity to do a different activity every week. Try trekking through the treasure trail, in the midst of the sculptures, or den building and pottery, orienteering and print making, then try out forest plays and prop making. The workshops take place every week day from 21 August to 1 September and you can register for a morning session (£5 per child), a whole day (£9) or for the week (£45).Tel 01229 860291.
Tate Gallery
St Ives, Cornwall
Dramatically sited above Porthmeor beach, the gallery is offering a summer programme of workshops and talks for children to explore how artists use colour. This will take inspiration from current exhibitions by the naive artists Alfred Wallis and James Dixon. The workshops will be on the beach, using colours from the beach environment and exhibitions. There are also 15-minute fun talks for children, discussing the gallery exhibits. The family workshops, Making a Splash, are Mondays 7-28 August, 2-4pm. (Adults £2, children £1). Short talks are free with admission to gallery. (General admission £3.95/2.50 concessions). Children under 18 free admission. Tel: 01736 796226.
Stills 23 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh
A more expensive option for 14 years and up is offered at this Scottish photographic gallery. Use computers and digital cameras to create a large postcard image of the holiday of your dreams or nightmares. This workshop takes place on Saturdays 19 and 26 August, 12-5pm and costs £95/£65 waged/£45 unwaged. A cheaper workshop is offered to family teams creating spectacular images of plants and insects using photograms and UV prints. This is for children aged eight to 12, on Saturdays 19 and 26 August, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm at a cost of £12/£6 unwaged. Tel: 0131 622 6200.
Bluecoat Gallery
Bluecoat Arts Centre, School Lane, Liverpool
A workshop teaching the rudiments of photography with light-sensitive paper will be held on 10 August and a chance to transform pictures of your face into amazing sculptures is offered on 24 August. Age ranges for all events are eight to 12. Sixteen places per day; advance booking advised. Tel: 0151 709 5689.
Arnolfini Gallery
16 Narrow Quay, Bristol
The current exhibition at the former tea warehouse is entitled Duchamp's Suitcase, and it leads the inspiration for Arnolfini's summer holiday activities. Art workshops have the gratifying end product of an exhibition in the cafe. The days will use a variety of mediums, from drawing, painting, photography and sculpture to installation, and take place on 14 to 15 August, for eight- to 10- year-olds, 10.30am to 4pm. In addition, there is a return of the Saturday Club, full of art activities. Each session is led by artists and inspired by Arnolfini's current programme. The cost is £3.50/£2.50 concessions and materials are provided. Tel: 0117 929 9191.
The Yorkshire Sculpture Park
West Bretton, Wakefield
In the scenic Bretton Hall estate, Britain's first sculpture trail offers a range of activities. Several activities are available, one of the most art oriented being to create your own sculptures. Work alongside artists in an exciting experience to make sculptures in the open air using seasonal natural materials. Taking place on August Bank Holiday on 27 and 28 August this costs £1 per person. The grounds are open 10am-6pm and galleries from 11am-5pm. 01924 830679
