Best-selling author Ken Follett will talk about The Uses of Enchantment, Bettelheim’s book on fairy tales, and Noddy Goes to Toytown as an existentialist novel, and will outline the Government’s literacy crusade plans, at the Royal Society of Arts, 8 John Adam Street, London WC2, 6-7.30pm. The lecture has been co-organised with the National Literacy Trust and is sponsored by Channel 4. Details: 0171 930 5115.

OCTOBER 22-APRIL 26 ENIGMA AND THE CODE-BREAKERS

Find out how the Allies cracked enemy codes in the Second World War, see an original Enigma machine used by the Germans to send top secret information, try sending Morse code and taking down a message at a war-time listening post, and much more at this Imperial War Museum interactive exhibition in Lambeth Road, London SE1. Details: Christopher Dowling, 0171 416 5310.

OCTOBER 23 CRYSTAL SCHOOLS’ CHALLENGE

Schoolchildren in teams of four are invited to brush up their ski skills by entering this free parallel slalom race at the Hillingdon Ski Centre, London. Individual teachers and pupils can also come along for a free ski. Win trophies and Pounds 200 of sports accessories. Plus demonstrations by the British Children’s Ski Team. Details and reservations: Dan Burgess, 0181 241 5151.

OCTOBER 24-25 SEAWORDS: THE SEA IN LITERATURE

Distinguished maritime and travel author Hammond Innes is opening this literary festival at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, with readings by Jeremy Irons, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Lord Callaghan and Peter Snow, storytelling, sea shanties and guided walks. Other speakers include Beryl Bainbridge, Alexander Kent and Libby Purves. Details: 0181 312 6678.

OCTOBER 25 YORK MATHS FUNFAYRE

Perplexing pyramids, mathamagic, crystal maze, maths videos, fun and games for children aged 9 to 14, families and friends, at Burnholme College, Tang Hall, York, 11am-3pm. Details: 01904 424200.

OCTOBER 25-NOVEMBER 1 HALF-TERM AT THE NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, GREENWICH

Children’s events include stories of Blackbeard, Bonney and Long John Silver with a pirate storyteller, (plus workshops and Shakespeare’s Shipwrecks, a drama workshop, for ages 8 upwards; Crowsnest Club craft sessions with stories, drama and games for children under 6. Details: 0181 858 4422.

OCTOBER 27-NOVEMBER 2 HIGH SEAS ADVENTURE

Children aged 6 to 14 are invited to become sailors for the day onboard HMS Belfast, near Tower Bridge, London SE1. New crew members will report to the master-at-arms to be assigned their action stations. During a tour around all nine decks, they will claim a space in the crowded, hammock-slung mess decks, receive rations in the hot, noisy galley and help the chief stoker in one of the huge boiler rooms. Details: Sarah Hogben, 0171 407 6434.

OCTOBER 27-NOVEMBER 2 GET ANIMATED!

Animation workshops for 10 to 16-year-olds at the Museum of the Moving Image, South Bank, London SE1, 11am-4pm. No extra charge to MOMI visitors. Earlier children’s workshops include shadow puppet designing and making, October 22-23. Details: 0171 928 3232; minicom 0171 620 2025.

NOVEMBER 4, 13, 20, 27 AND DECEMBER 5 EQUALITY IN ACTION

Seminar series at Equality Learning Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London N7, 5.15-7pm, for professionals working with early years children. Topics are: managing children’s behaviour; boys and girls, are they different?; conflict resolution; inclusion must start in the early years; and listening to young children. Fee: Pounds 7.50 each or Pounds 30 all five; Pounds 5, Pounds 25 members. Details: 0171 700 8127.