WALES CARDIFF: NATIONAL MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY Accompanying its “Megabugs” exhibition are “study a bug” and “date a bug” sessions for six to 13-year-olds, August 13-15 and 20-22, and performances by museum actors on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from August 17. Tel: 01222 397951 ext. 276.
CARDIFF: MUSEUM OF WELSH LIFE Toys and daily instruction in Victorian handwriting for seven to 11-year-olds in the Maestir school; daubing, weaving, spinning and milling in the Celtic village; and folk tales, August 14, 16, 19 and 23. Tel: 01222 569441.
SCOTLAND EDINBURGH Three festivals on the go at once: the Drambuie film festival, August 11-25, tel: 0131 228 4051; the international festival, August 11-31, tel: 0131 226 4001; and the festival fringe, August 11-31, tel: 0131 226 5257. At the castle, the Zulu Dance Band from South Africa joins the massed pipes and drums of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo until August 24, tel:0131 225 4783; and cabers will be tossed at Highland games at Stewart’s Melville playing fields, August 14, 5pm, tel: 0131 319 2005.
NORTHERN IRELAND HOLYWOOD, CO DOWN: ULSTER FOLK AND TRANSPORT MUSEUM Craft fair, August 10-11. Demonstrations of Ayrshire workbobbin lace and embroidered laces, August 14. Tel: Nicky McGarry, 01238 565282.
NORTHERN ENGLAND DERBY MUSEUMS At Derby Museum’s “Movie madness”, eight to 12-year-olds inspired by pictures of early cinema will make some of their own, August 13, 10am-noon, and 15, 2-4pm. At “Fun with feathers”, four to sevens will hear a feathery story and make a headdress. Free but booking essential on 01332 255580. Pickford’s House Museum is hosting an embroidery workshop for eight to 18s, August 16, Pounds 1 (50p unwaged parents). Book on 01332 255363.
CARLISLE:TULLIE HOUSE MUSEUM At a clay sculpture workshop, August 15, 10am-3pm, children eight upwards and adults will make model animals and visit the museum’s “Wildlife in the City” exhibition. Finished models will be fired ready to pick up on open day, August 27. Tickets: Pounds 8Pounds 6Pounds 4. On August 17, the Fairly Famous Family is running circus skills workshops and giving two performances of their juggling show. Tickets: Pounds 1-Pounds 6. Tel: 01228 34781.
NORTHWICH, CHESHIRE:SALT MUSEUM August 13, 10am-noon, “Peg people - make a miniature hero” for the over sevens. Pounds 2.50 bookable in advance. Tel: Sarah Hotter, 01606 41331.
SUNDERLAND: MONKWEARMOUTH STATION MUSEUM Families can help create a giant jigsaw, August 14, join puppet-making sessions, August 16 from 1pm, followed by a Punch and Judy show at 2pm, and visit a North East Meccano Society exhibition, August 17-18. Tel: 0191 567 7075.
SOUTH SHIELDS MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY “Animal Magic” exhibition opens on August 16 with animal face painting and other activities. Tel: Jane Miller, 0191 456 8740.
LIVERPOOL MUSEUM Woodcarving demonstrations, August 15, 12.30-4.30pm; family art workshops, August 15 and 29, 12.30-4.30pm; and on August 18 visitors can try knot tying and test their strength on the “block and tackle” challenge. Mid-week throughout August families can have a go at pavement art and, to celebrate Albert Dock’s 150th anniversary, actors will become dock labourers, emigrants preparing to leave for America, customs officers and smugglers. Tel: 0151 478 4747.
SOUTHERN ENGLAND BRIGHTON: BOOTH MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY August 13, “You can never tell with bees”, drama and games for the over eights led by storyteller Pat Bowen, 10.30am-12.30pm, tickets Pounds 3 in advance. August 14, “A sting in the tale”, bee stories for all the family, 11am repeated 2-3.30pm, tickets Pounds 1 in advance. Children under eight must be accompanied. Tel: 01273 552586.
SOMERSET COUNTY MUSEUM Taunton Castle Victorian fair, August 17, 10am-4. 30pm. Admission: Pounds 1.80 adults, Pounds 1.20 senior citizens, 50p children, under fives free. Tel: 01823 320201.
LONDON MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE, SOUTH BANK, SE1 Costumes, props and models from Batman Forever are on display during August along with storyboards from the film and more. At a summer school, August 12-16, 10 to 14-year-olds will devise and produce a TV show. Fee: Pounds 125. Details: 0171 815 1336.
MUSEUM OF LONDON, EC2 Animating London week begins on August 10 (excluding Monday), during which families can help create their own animated story with the help of experienced animator, Louise Spraggon. No extra charge. Details: 0171 600 3699 ext. 200.
RAGGED SCHOOL MUSEUM, E3, AND GEFFRYE MUSEUM, E2 At the RSM, workshops for over sixes on Victorian framed collage, August 14, and making Victorian sweets, August 15, both 2-4pm. Tel: 0181 980 6405. At the Geffrye, over 10s can try marbling paper, August 13; Victorian quilting, August 14; stencil designing, August 15; and making a decoupage box, August 16; while six to nines can join sessions on crazy paisley, August 13; and making a fantastic crinoline, August 14; a collectors’ box, August 15; and a decoupage box, August 16. All at 10.30-12.45pm or 2-4 pm. Tel: 0171 739 9893.
