· Bats are on the menu at the National Trust Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire (01442 851227) on 31 July. A Bat Workshop begins with a slide talk covering bat behaviour, habitats and identification. Then you can see live bats in the hand. Afterwards there is an outdoor visit to watch bats emerge from their roost at dusk. The price: £10 per person.

· Clowning around will be given a polish on 1 August at Clowns' Day at Drusillas Park in Alfriston, East Sussex (01323 874100). This includes clown workshops, where adults and kids can learn juggling, spinning plates, walking on stilts and other tricks. There are performances afterwards. The park also has a zoo and an adventure playground. £32 for a family of four.

· They'll be getting medieval in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, where the legendary Robin Hood is celebrated from 29 July to 4 August. Jousting, archery, minstrel and jester performances, falconry, a medieval market and other merriments take place at Sherwood Forest Country Park and Visitor Centre, Edwinstowe (01623 823202). Parking costs £1.50.

· As part of the Sheba Summer at the British Museum, London (020 7323 8181) throughout August, there are children's activities, including free story-telling, Arabic mask making (£5) and sessions where artefacts from Yemen are handled and discussed (£5).

· Science is made fun at the Magna Science Adventure Centre, near Rotherham, (01709 720002). In the Earth cavern you can move rocks with a JCB, in Air you feel what it's like to fly, in Fire you see a huge flaming tornado, while Living Robots is a live, hi-tech action show. Open 10am-5pm all week. The cost: £6 to £8.

· Receive a free copy of Lets Go with the Children 2002. The first 15 Escape readers to email their names and addresses to the publishers at enquiries@cubepublications.co.uk will receive the nearest English regional version of the guide book.