Playday: August 5

Events on the theme of ‘Friendship’ are being co-ordinated nationwide by The Children’s Society and the Children’s Play Council to mark the launch of a new Charter for Children’s Play. Details from the CPC,tel: 0171 843 6016.

SCOTLAND

Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie, Inverness-shire

Explore the new Wolf Territory and see animals such as capercaillie, foxes, badgers, pine martens, otters, lynx and red squirrels roaming through themed habitats. Discover many of Scotland’s native species, including some now extinct in the wild, such as bison, ancient breeds of sheep and wild Przewalski’s horses.Tel: 01540 651270.

ENGLAND

Sunderland Festival of Sport

From August 3-14, eight to 18-year-olds can take part in free fun days, introductory sessions, coaching courses and inter-youth club competitions in athletics, basketball, football, fitness training, hockey, netball, cricket and badminton.Tel: Sonya Hodge, 0191 553367.

Kirby Hall, near Corby, Northamptonshire

Over 2,000 Roman legionaries, Viking warriors, medieval knights, Parliamentarians and Royalists, Redcoats and Tommies from 50 top re-enactment societies are taking part in English Heritage’s History in Action III, August 1-2, 10.30am start. Children can join a 17th-century foot regiment, try on armour and have a go at archery. Admission: Pounds 4-Pounds 8. Tel: 01536 203230 or 0171 973 3434 (English Heritage).

British Museum, London WC1

A bulrush-weaving workshop, a chance to make an Egyptian collar necklace and talks on topics such as ancient coins and the Forbidden City in Beijing will be among the activities at an ‘Ancient Lands’ family open evening, August 4 (6-9pm). Admission: Pounds 5, Pounds 2 children, Pounds 10 family. Tel: 0171 323 8605.

Royal Festival Hall, London SE1

‘The Great Outdoors’ runs until August 23. Events include ‘Sun Isn’t Moon’, August 1 (9pm) and August 2 (3pm) - a large-scale, outdoor carnival performance presented by Andrey Bartenev from Russia. To accompany the Bartenev exhibition, ‘Botanic Ballet’ - two panto costume makers have created a dressing-up box for children to dip into until August 16; and at ‘The Right Trousers’ sessions, August 1, 2, 7 and 8, this box will inspire movement workshops on whether costumes can transform you into someone new. Tel: 0171 960 4242. Also at the Festival Hall, ‘Blitz ‘98’, hosted by Bullies Ballerinas, runs until August 16 with everything from tap for under 12s, belly dancing and Indian Celtic Funk to ceilidh, lambada, gumboot dancing, lindy hop and Step Afrika (dance, drumming and carnival workshops).Tel: 0171 921 0734.

HMS Belfast, Tooley Street, London SE1 Airfix prizes are up for grabs at ‘Dear Fred’ sessions, August 1-31, during which children aged seven to 14 are asked to write a letter about what it was like to serve on board during the Second World War. Tel: 0171 940 6320.