Tall tales
Storytelling at Launceston Castle, Cornwall (0870 333 1181)
If the 'location, location, location' maxim can cross over to storytelling, a castle should be the perfect backdrop for listening to stories of myths and legends. Launceston Castle is on a high motte, and has been used as a prison, as well as hosting trials and hangings. Perfect! Rattlebox supplies the entertainment, which includes 'a cheeky goblin and a posh rat'. Are the Beckhams back already?
Open: 11am, 27 August
Cost: Adults £2.70, concessions £2.10, children £1, English Heritage members free.
Festival fever
The Seedling Arts Children's Festival, Hatfield House, Hertfordshire (0115 912 9000)
A day that promises to 'knock the socks off Glastonbury' has a lot to live up to, but with a full programme of creative workshops, performances and activities, they might just make it. Children can watch TV favourites such as Maisy Mouse or Miss Hoolie and PC Plum from Balamory , or make kites, jewellery and mosaics. For the mini fashionistas there's a fashion show with a real catwalk, and each day ends with Meninos do Morumbi, the Brazilian youth band, gathering the kids for a procession.
Open: 10am-5.30pm, 15-17 August
Cost: Adults/children £8.50, under-threes £5.50, under-ones free. Family (two adults, two children) £31.
Send in the clowns
Giffords Circus, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire (01242 572573)
If you want to escape the commercial culture of the mainstream circus, then Giffords may be what you need. It takes the show back to the 1930's tradition, mixing mime, dance and acrobatics, and filling the interval with original swing boats and manually powered merry-go-rounds for the children. The troupe lives in restored 1930s wagons, painted burgundy and cream - as opposed to off-white camper-vans and trailers.
Open: 7-18 August
Cost: Adults £12.50, children £7.50, under-threes free
Galaxy of fun
National Astronomy Week 2003 at the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory, Greenwich, London (020 8858 4422)
It's free - and you might learn something. Just don't tell the kids that. With Mars reaching its closest point to Earth for a long time on 27 August, you might want to take the opportunity to find out more about our red neighbour. The Royal Observatory has several events scheduled, from family lectures with Blue Peter astronomer Anton Vamplew about finding water and life on Mars, to learning days and planetarium shows.
Open: 23-30 August
Cost: Most events are free, but more comprehensive events cost £6-£8.
Fright club
The York Dungeon, York (01904 632599)
The dungeons boast of bringing 2,000 years of gruesome history to life, showing you the 'darkest chapters of our grim and bloody past', which should lead to an eventful day out, if not the most uplifting. Death, decay and dark catacombs are all readily available, and the York Dungeons states that under-15s need to be accompanied by an adult. Surely today's PlayStation kids won't be scared of mere history?
Open: Daily between 10am and 7pm.
Cost: Adults £8.95, children £5.95, concessions £7.50.
Stage struck
Kids Week, various locations, London (0870 444 6066)
London's Theatreland becomes Kidsland for one week in August, with a selection of plays, musicals and workshops available especially for kids. They can meet the stars, go backstage, learn to dance and stage-fight and eat free at a selection of restaurants. Even though it's a little on the pricey side, bookings are recommended as some of the more popular events are full already.
Open: 22-29 August.
Cost: £40 for one adult and one child, up to two children extra for half price.
