School’s out – fortunately, our local attractions got the memo. Anna Britten picks some family favourites.

Whether you’re a working or stay-at-home parent, at some point this summer you’ll have to plan a family day out. A plan that doesn’t involve schlepping round JJB Sports and the Disney Store, or yet another Harbourside flat white with a stressed-out pal. You’re going to have to get out there with the kids and do original, wholesome, semi-educational things in a beautiful setting. Don’t worry, though – Avon and Somerset is bristling with options. Here are a few of our favourites…

Wing it at…

WILDFOWL & WETLANDS TRUST

Slimbridge, Glos (01453 890333; www.wwt.org.uk/visit/slimbridge) • Become a nature detective this summer, solving a mystery about what lives in Slimbridge’s dipping ponds; build a den; spy a wader; handle an amphibian; watch the otters being fed and make a Slimbridge scrapbook. These activities are free with admission. In addition there are special events involving reptiles, bats and mammals and some open-air Shakespeare. All this plus a dazzling array of ducks, geese and swans etc in 50 hectares of landscaped riverside.

Dig in at…

PUXTON PARK

Cowslip Lane, Hewish, Weston-super-Mare BS24 6AH (01934 523500; www.puxton.co.uk) • Prepare to get muddy at this new-ish and rather special nature centre near Weston-super-Mare which has received heavy investment from its farmer-owners since last summer. In recent months a new JCB ‘dig and play’ area and a new lake (grand opening Sat 9 July) have joined the existing pets’ village, brilliantly run Falconry Centre, massive soft play barn, working dairy, farm shop and kid-delighting restaurant. Needless to say there’s plenty of running-around space too.

Go fur it…

BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS

Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HA (0117 974 7300; www.bristolzoo.org.uk) • Our local zoo really comes into its own over the summer. As well as the brilliant-sounding Bristol’s Big Village Fete on Sat 16 July, children can also look forward to fun outings on the nearby Downs nearly every Thursday. Choose from Mammal Detectives (Thur 28 July), Dinosaur Detectives (Thur 4 Aug), Tree Tribes (Thur 11 Aug) and Busy Buzzy Bees (Thur 18 Aug). Don’t forget the delights of the zoo itself – especially Gorilla Island, Bug World, Explorer’s Creek and terrifying aerial adventure Zooropia.

Mind your manors at…

TYNTESFIELD

Wraxall, N Somerset (0870 458 4500; www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/tyntesfield) • Frequent family activities take place at this atmospheric Gothic mansion. There’s pottery painting, minibeast safaris, an open-air production of ‘The Wind In The Willows’ to name but three, but our attention was especially grabbed by two rather special-sounding events indeed: the all-ages Tyntesfield Sleepover on Sat 30 July, then, on Thur 4 Aug, the Family Woodland Adventure Day. This year Tyntesfield's new Home Farm visitor centre is open for the first time too – with a restaurant, shop and exhibition space.

Experiment at…

AT-BRISTOL

Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB (0845 3451235; www.at-bristol.org.uk/explore/events.htm) • Plenty of extra fun laid on between Sat 23 July and Wed 31 Aug. Discover the mysteries of the brain in the brand new Boggling Brain Show, get comfortable for daily storytelling and take tiddlers into the under-fives-friendly Little Stars Planetarium show. That’s alongside over 170 science and technology-based interactive exhibits, of course, all worthy of mention, including the Animate-It exhibition in conjunction with Aardman, ‘All About Us’ which focuses on the human body, and – gasp! - a real human brain! Worth every penny of admission.

Work it, baby, at…

THE FASHION MUSEUM

Bennett St, Bath, BA1 2QH (01225 477785; www.fashionmuseum.co.uk) • Does your brood love a swashbuckling costume drama? This summer’s big exhibition brings together the cream of British costume design over the last 50 years. Award-winning and Oscar-nominated costumes on display include those from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, ‘The Duchess’, ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Shakespeare in Love’. Every Tuesday at 10.30am children will get the chance to create outfits for pirates, Tudor bigwigs or their favourite pop star. The permanent collection is also truly fascinating – and definitely not just for your teenage daughter. Peep into the Assembly Rooms while you’re there.

Deck someone at…

BRUNEL'S SS GREAT BRITAIN

Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Rd, Bristol, BS1 6TY (0117 929 1843; www.ssgreatbritain.org) • Brunel’s big ol’ boat is looking fantastic these days. Authentically recreated cabins (complete with vomit smells and a talking toilet) and living areas, where the excellent audio guides really bring the place to life. Bags of summer holiday events – Gruesome Greens: Stories From The Galley on Thur 11, Thur 18 and Thur 25 Aug and gastro re-enactment event Crimean Troop Tucker on Sat 13-Sun 14 Aug. Plenty of musical action to be enjoyed during the Bristol Harbour Festival (Sat 30-Sun 31 July) too.

Rock out at…

CLEARWELL CAVES

Nr Coleford, Forest of Dean, Glos, GL16 8JR (01594 832535; www.clearwellcaves.com) • Nine thrilling underground caverns (once an iron ore mine) set in the middle of some lovely Forest of Dean countryside – plus a blacksmith’s workshop, tea room, shop and picnic area. Stacks of summer holiday events to take place here – still tbc at time of going to print. Do tell older kids that Doctor Who himself has been a visitor (parts of the 2005 Christmas special were filmed here).

Learn, baby, learn

Summer schools and workshops

Monkton Combe School Summer Holiday Activity Programme

Flexible holiday childcare for all at this Bath private school – choose from Minis (ages 4-8), Muckers (8-14) and Pick & Mix (8-14 – choice of activities), as well as short, specialized courses in ‘Glee’-style performance, rugby, lifeguarding and sports leadership. From £13.50 per half day. Ffi: 01225 721116 or www.monktoncombeschool.com

Traditional Irish Music Summer School

Runs Mon 8-Fri 12 Aug, for all ages, as part of Bath Folk Festival. Learn the essentials of Irish folk or sharpen your skills in fiddle, button accordion, flute, tin whistle, guitar and singing. From £90 for under-18s, family concs available. Ffi: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.bathfolkfestival.org

Film Academy

Runs Wed 17-Thur 18 and Wed 24-Thur 25 Aug for ages 11-17. Supported by the Watershed and run by BAFTA-winning Bristol-based production company ShootMe. State-of-the-art equipment, professional film-maker tutors and a red carpet premiere for family and friends. £189 per person (includes lunch). Ffi: 0117 307 9118 or www.shootme.com

Shakespeare At The Tobacco Factory Summer School

Runs Mon 25-Fri 29 July and Mon 1-Fri 5 Aug for ages 11-17. An unmissable chance to work alongside members of the nationally acclaimed SATTF company to present a devised performance to family and friends. £140 per person. Ffi: www.sattf.org.uk

Kompany Malakhi

Runs Mon 15-Fri 19 Aug for ages 13+. The urban arts dudes and the masters of physical performance and dance at the Tobacco Factory Theatre present the opportunity for young people to explore the story of Swan Lake – the tutu-free version. £150 per person (concs available). Ffi: 0117 902 0345 or www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com/plus/events/summer_school/