Enjoy a day of ups and downs
Watch your knuckles turn white on the world's longest rollercoaster at Lightwater Valley, Ripon, North Yorkshire. Young daredevils anxious to prove their mettle can try the Viper or the Heatwave, while younger or more gentle souls can entertain themselves on the Ladybird or the Toadhole. 10am-5pm every day. Prices range from free for those under one metre tall to £12.50 for the loftier family members. 01765 635 368
Flight fantastic
Blackpool Kidz Megafest welcomes the Red Arrows Display team today as the RAF swoop along the seafront between North and Central Piers. Let's hope they watch out for the tower. From 12.30pm. Free. Phone 01253 478 222.
Calypso beat
Cardiff goes Caribbean at the MAS Carnival on Mermaid Quay on 29 July. Entertainment includes a costumed parade featuring masks and giant mobile sculptures. The city's Oval Basin sees the culmination of the festival with DJs and a fireworks display. 8pm-11pm. Free. Phone 029 2087 3936.
Maze crazy
Find your way through a brand-new maze at Maize Maze, Byrkley Park Centre, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The maze is cut into a growing field of maize and opens on 25 July. Costumed staff, treasure trails and quizzes will help people find their way around and there will be something to nibble if you get lost. £2.50. 10.30-5pm every day. Phone 01283 716 467.
Let's glow
Special gas that glows in the dark will be pumped into 26 hot air balloons that will rise over Lower Gardens, Bournemouth for a Balloon Night Glow on 27 July. There will be musical accompaniment to the spectacle which is part of a programme of summer events. Free. From dusk. Phone 0906 802 0234.
Glasto for kids
Now it's the children's turn to have fun in Glastonbury's rolling fields, or at least in Abbey Park Playground. The Glastonbury Children's Festival 2000 takes place over four days from 28 July and features 20 performances in the theatre marquee and open air stage, as well as a velcro wall, rides for younger children and circus workshops. From 10.30am-5pm every day. Adults £3, children £5. Phone 01458 832925.
Day to treasure
Celebrate National Archaeology Day today with a find of your own at Worcestershire County Museum, Kidderminster. The County Archaeologist will be on hand to help with the clean ing and identification of any treasures that your children want to bring along, while a giant sandpit will be full of hidden coins so that everyone is guaranteed to take home some buried treasure. Adults £2.20, children £1.10, members of the Young Archaeologists Club go free. 2pm-5pm. Phone 01299 250 416.
