SCHOOLS will soon be out for the summer...

Families may have already planned a programme of events to keep themselves entertained throughout the long summer break.

Whether it be a jaunt abroad or a short-stay excursion it’s interesting travelling to new destinations and seeing different sights.

Children love to learn about new places, and participating in events and activities expands their knowledge and imaginations as well as helps them to develop their confidence and self esteem.

A trip to the park can be fun as well as educational - it’s being out in the fresh air and finding out about things that surround them.

The seaside is always a popular location for day trips on sunny days when you can look forward to building sandcastles on the beach and paddling in the sea.

Instead of braving the inevitable congestion in the car, why not travel by train and savour the countryside rolling by.

Kicking back and playing games to pass the time avoids the stress of being stuck in traffic too.

The Settle-Carlisle line, part of the UK rail network, gives travellers a fantastic opportunity to savour the beautiful scenery and landscape as they travel along this popular railway. Specialist operators do run steam excursions along the line from time to time too enabling travellers to experience bygone travel on what is know as ‘one of the world’s longest greatest rail journeys.’

Boasting beautifully preserved Victorian buildings, the Settle-Carlisle’s entire line is a conservation area and includes the iconic landmark, the Ribblehead viaduct which was built between 1870-1875. The viaduct stands 100ft high and is a quarter of a mile long. It is 72 miles from Settle to Carlisle with 17 viaducts and 14 tunnels.

Harewood House, near Leeds will be delighting its younger visitors as part of its Victorian Harewood as it hosts some of the well-loved characters, Alice, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter and March Hare, from Lewis Carroll’s classic novel, Alice in Wonderland.

White rabbit eye-spy trails, family friendly talks and craft sessions are among the free activities.

The Yorkshire Sculpture Park near Wakefield has a host of family fun throughout the holidays. Young budding photographers from the age of six can get snap happy curating their own story through a series of photographs in Frame, Focus, Shoot (sessions run from 11am until 1 and 2 until 4pm on July 26).

Animal Escapades with storyteller Oksana Tyminska gives young visitors under six the chance to meet Monkey, Rabbit and Ox and friends. Sessions run from 11am until noon; 1 until 2pm and 3 until 4pm on August 2.

Or why not search for clues and uncover mysteries in Art Adventurers (August 19). Sessions run from 10.30am until noon and 1 until 2.30pm.

The ARTcart will be roaming the park on August 5 and 25 and other drop-in activities will be encouraging families to get creative.

To find out more visit ysp.org.uk or call 01924 832631.

If you are looking for an action-packed day out then the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds Dock, Leeds, is the place to go.

During the summer the museum is hosting a range of events as part of its Dangerous Arts programme bringing to life its spectacular collection through combat demonstrations, have-a-go sessions, dramatic performances and collection handling.

Young visitors can learn the art of duel in the fun and interactive workshop ‘Swordplay with Style,’ participate in quick draw workshops and create crafts inspired by objects in the collection.

There will be demonstrations of traditional crafts too including workshop’s with the museum’s costume maker, leather worker, blacksmith and armourer.

Horse shows featuring The Winged Hussars, a team of fast-riding, sabre-rattling cavalrymen from Poland, are among the main attractions.

So what are you waiting for.....?

For more information visit royalarmouries.org