WATERVOLE WATCH

As the watervole, immortalised as Ratty in The Wind in the Willows, is an endangered species, Wildlife Watch is inviting young people to record sightings of Ratty and his telltale signs along reed-lined rivers, canals, salt marshes, ditches and even garden ponds. Information from Scotland, Wales and Cornwall particularly welcome. Leaflet from: Wildlife Watch, The Green, Waterside South, Lincoln LN5 7JR.

UNTIL APRIL 14

LIU HAIMING

The musician Vanessa Mae and author Jung Chang are among the many admirers of this prestigious Chinese artist exhibiting for the first time at Proud Galleries, 5 Buckingham Street, London WC2. The son of a coalminer in the Shanxi Province, North-west China, he is primarily an engraver, but now works in other media, including oil. Exhibits include stark monochrome woodcuts, such as The Wind in the Mountains and Sunflowers, and the oil on canvas, Go Home. Details: 0171 839 4942.

UNTIL APRIL 17

BRIGHTON AND HOVE MUSEUMS

At the Booth Museum of Natural History, April 14-15, make an exotic bird to hang from the ceiling. Children under eight must be accompanied. Tickets: pound;2.50 from 01273 292777. Drop in and do some traditional Easter egg decorating at Foredown Tower, April 13, free with admission ticket, for details tel 01273 292092. Make a traditional, simple Edwardian children’s game out of wood and chase the chickens into their coop at Hove Museum,April 16-17. Children aged under eight must be accompanied. Tickets: pound;2.50 from 01273 290200.

UNTIL APRIL 18

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

Seventy local children aged six to 16 from the Stage Coach Performing Arts Company are in the cast of this Birmingham Hippodrome production. Tickets from pound;7.50 (concessions available). Details: 0121 622 7486.

UNTIL MAY 30

THE ADVENTURES OF VIXEN SHARP-EARS

The City of Birmingham Touring Opera is taking this production to Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Worcester, Brecon, Dudley, Basingstoke, Bedford, Cambridge, Aldeburgh, Truro, Salisbury and Shrewsbury. Better known as The Cunning Little Vixen by Jan cyek, this English translation tells the story of Czech villagers struggling to learn about the cycle of life from the animals around them. Details: 0121 246 6644.

UNTIL SEPTEMBER

PLANETARY CELEBRATION

Theatre and science workshops at the Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Powys, will take children through Gaia theory or “geophysiology” by exploring the earth through the eyes of an imaginary physician. Topics include: why is our planet the only one in the solar system with life on it? Is the Earth in a healthy condition? Is Earth regulating everything and, if so, how does it do it? The project is supported by the Millennium Commission. Details: 01654 703743.

APRIL 10-13

CAPEL MANOR, ENFIELD, MIDDLESEX

Gardening buffs are invited to Capel Manor’s spring gardening and country show for floral, growers and nurseries’ displays, gardeners’ market, antiques collectors’ fair, craft marquees and a plant clinic run by Gardening Which. Admission: from pound;3.50, pound;2 children, family ticket pound;10-pound;12. Details: 0181 366 4442.

APRIL 14-17

GEFFRYE MUSEUM, LONDON E2

Free craft workshops for ages three to five, six to nine, and 10 and over linked to the museum’s temporary exhibition, “The World Service”, a seven-piece ceramic tea service created by Claudia Clare, with design motifs based on the Oxford Botanical Garden, each telling a story. The workshops will explore historical trade links between Britain and the world focusing on ceramics, traditions and styles from countries such as China, Persia and Italy. Children under eight must be accompanied. Details: 0171 739 9893.

APRIL 14-18

MOUNTVIEW ARTS CENTRE, LONDON N8

Acting and song and dance workshops are being held, 10am-4pm, for eight to 16-year-olds (split into age groups) culminating in a public performance for family and friends. There is also an “Acting for television” workshop for teenagers at which real television scripts, both comedy and drama, will be worked on and recorded on video to be shown to family and friends. Fee: pound;60 per workshop. Details: Jonny Ward, 0181 889 8110.

APRIL 17-24

OLIVER!

The Castle in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, promises audiences they’ll be begging for more once they’ve experienced this popular musical. Performances start at 7.30 pm with a 2.30 pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets: pound;6, pound;4. Details: 01933 270007.