Things to make & do

Whether you're after physical theatre, dance, music, comedies, spoken word, cabaret, drama, political theatre, puppetry or magic – there's something for everyone at the Pleasance Kids 2015 2015.

Stuck for ideas on what to do with the kids this summer on those inevitable rainy days stuck indoors? Well look no further. The Royal Institution’s L’Oréal Young Scientist Centre has created this step-by-step video, which shows you how to make your very own pinhole camera, providing hours of fun taking amazing retro photos with the family.
 

Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, has declared an end to boredom this summer with the launch a Summer Manifesto for all kids in the UK to make it a summer of adventure.

Presented by Olivier Award nominated Wizards Presents and starring Danyah Miller, I Believe In Unicorns opens at the Vaudeville Theatre in August, bringing this magical adaption of Michael Morpurgo’s book of the same name to life. After London the production goes on tour.

This year’s shortlist for the Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award is a reflection of all the different sorts of museums in Britain, and how each one can offer a wonderful welcome to families.

Returning for another year, Fuller’s Inns is delighted to announce Shakespeare in the Garden 2015, in association with Permanently Bard. This year sees the theatre company interpret of one of Shakespeare’s most popular love stories: Romeo and Juliet.

On Sunday 7 June, hundreds of farms across the country will be opening their gates to welcome the public for the 10th Open Farm Sunday. This annual event organised by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), offers a great way for familes to find out more about where their food comes from, talk to the farmers who produce it and get up close and personal with the countryside.

Museums at Night, the UK’s annual after-hours festival of arts, culture and heritage, takes place over four dates in May, from Wednesday 13 until Saturday 16. During the festival, hundreds of museums, galleries and historic spaces all over the UK will open up late and put on a dazzling array of special night-time events, many of which are specially aimed at families. Here are the highlights in the Midlands, North East, Yorkshire, North West, Scotland and Wales.

Museums at Night, the UK’s annual after-hours festival of arts, culture and heritage, takes place over four dates in May, from Wednesday 13 until Saturday 16. During the festival, hundreds of museums, galleries and historic spaces all over the UK will open up late and put on a dazzling array of special night-time events, many of which are specially aimed at families. Here are the highlights in London and the South East, South West, and East of England.

Celebrating Camp Bestival 2015’s wild theme, Team CB announce the ultimate in amazing warm-up events for all the family, as Camp Bestival Goes Wild On Tour. Visiting Portsmouth, London, Bournemouth, Winchester, Southampton, Bristol, a forest on the Isle of Wight near Cowes, and Spinney Hollow’s forest location between Southampton & Winchester in May and June 2015 (see below for the full list of dates), each event will feature a whole host of different, incredible wild-themed activities, music, story-telling, competitions, face painting and arts & crafts, guaranteed to entertain all the family!

The first instalment of the fun-filled Great British Tennis Weekend returns in May as thousands of families hit the tennis courts for free. On the 16 and 17 of May, parks and clubs across Britain will open their doors as the nation goes tennis crazy in the lead up to a fantastic summer of grass court action.

The Clore Learning Centre is a new dedicated space for Learning at the National Theatre, transforming the NT’s approach to education. Offering events and courses for all ages, exploring theatre-making from playwriting to technical skills, often led by the NT’s own artists and staff, the family days take place on the first Saturday of each month plus during the school holidays.

On 19 April at 3pm Mrs H and the Singalong Band will be holding a free concert at Union Chapel, London N1 2XD

Yvette Henlon and her family went along to the launch of Jellybug a new online channel for pre-schoolers and had a fantastic time.

The fourth National Learn to Play Day takes place on Saturday 21 March, 2015 when participating venues will offer free taster music lessons.

Monday 16 March marks the start of Shakespeare Week, the national celebration that aims to bring the magic of Shakespeare into the lives of children as young as five. Shakespeare's creative legacy will be unleashed in nearly 7,000 primary schools across the UK. More than one million children will have a fun encounter with the Bard thanks to the campaign, organised by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in partnership with more than 100 arts and heritage venues.

For those who enjoy a puzzle, the Falcon de Luxe Mother and Daughter jigsaw puzzles is the perfect gift for Mothering Sunday or any special occasion, writes Anne Coates.

"Call The Midwife" a perfect puzzle from Gibsons makes an ideal gift not just on Mothering Sunday but for any time or occasion, writes Anne Coates.