Festival of youth
The Edinburgh Festival is not just about stand-up for grown-ups. The fringe festival starts today and offers an eclectic programme for children. Dr Bunhead's Exploding Vegetable Show, circus workshops, a performance of the Druid Tree and a storytelling session of James Campbell Is Not Made of Chees e give an indication of the range of events. Call 0131 226 5138 or visit www.edfringe.com
Take your pick
Young urbanites who think that fruit comes out of the ground in a plastic punnet might enjoy fruit picking. Parents who are equally unfamiliar with things pastoral can find a farm near them on the Farm Retail Association's website. Call 023 8036 2150. www.farmshopping.com
Puppets with a twist
A bedtime favourite has been brought to life in the shape of Running Bear's adaptation of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts in the British Library's Piazza today at 1pm, St Pancras, London. The puppet show draws on Dahl's collection of twists on classic fairly tales and is followed by a screening of Dahl's Matilda at 2.45pm. The puppet show is free, the screening £2.50. Call 020 7412 7332.
Adventure mapped out
Budding orienteers or cartographers can take part in a children's map-reading course at the National Park in Glenridding, Cumbria. Every Thursday until 31 August, Rangers and voluntary wardens teach theory before taking the children to the park to practise their skills. It is aimed at seven- to 11-year-olds. Sessions start from Beckside car park at 10.30am and 2pm; £2.50. Book on 017684 82414.
Covering up
Glasgow's Museum of Modern Art in Queen Street is offering summer workshops. From 2pm every Tuesday and Thursday, eight- to 12-year-olds explore the theme of identity through masks and disguises, while 12- to 16-year-olds can work on video diaries from 11am every Saturday. Free. Call 0141 229 1996.
Flight of fancy
School's out so the opportunities for making paper planes must seem limited. The RAF Museum in Hendon, London, however, offers the chance to take the craft into a new realm with their free Build and Fly workshops, starting tomorrow and running for the rest of the week. Call 020 8205 2266. From 10.30am-4.30pm.
In the record books
The contender for the world's biggest book will be bound at Manchester's Northern Quarter Street Festival today. The one-day free festival will feature live music and a street party, fairground rides and arts and crafts.Noon-6pm. Call 0161 834 5143.
Make your own robot
The Eisteddfod in Wales has plenty to offer children in its many pavilions at the Millennium Coastal Park, Llanelli. Dance classes and workshops are on offer as well as theatre performances, while the more technologically minded can make a robot in the Science and Technology Pavilion. Call 01554 772 000 . The festival started yesterday and runs until 12 August.
A history of battles
The world's largest re-enactment festival is on 12-13 August at Kirby Hall, Northants. Three thousand costumed performers from 80 re-enactment groups will converge on the hall for battles from the Roman invasion to World War II. Living history displays show 2,000 years of civilian life. One-day tickets are £12 for adults and £7 children. Call 01793 414 910.
