40 ways to entertain your kids: Part 5

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21. Take them to the seaside

You're never that far from the beach in the UK, and even if the sun's not shining, it can be great fun, walking along the beach looking for 'lost treasure'. You can find crabs and barnacles in rock pools, lots of shells and amazing coloured pebbles.
Best for: Girls and boys
Age: 5+

22. Find an old ruin

Castles are magical places and capture the imagination of most boys and girls, who love crossing moats, running up and down spiral staircases and looking at cannons.
Best for: Girls and boys
Age: 6+

23. Visit a museum

We know they spell boredom to many people, but lots of museums are free now and have made great efforts to be interesting for kids. Here are a couple of ideas:
- The Museum of Wales in Cardiff has Easter trails and treats running until 31st March.
- The Jorvik Museum in York has a Viking crafts event.
- The Natural History Museum in London is packed with dinosaur models and cavemen to get lost among. And it's free to get in!
- Nottingham has the Green's Mill and Science Centre, which is a museum inside a windmill - cool!
- Britain's only free planetarium is at the World Museum in Liverpool. It's also packed with treasures from around the world
- Visit Fossil Grove in Glasgow. It's the remains of an ancient forest, aged around 330 million years old.
- To find fun places near you, search at Ideas for the kids
Best for: Girls and boys
Age: 7+

24. Take them to your grandparents

Most kids love visiting gran and grandad and this time, why not get your son or daughter to ask them what it was like when they were kids. What did they do to pass the time? What were their favourite toys? Did they watch TV? They'll be surprised by the answers.
Best for: Girls and boys
Age: 9+

25. Make a treasure hunt

OK, so this means a bit of work on your behalf, but why not write some clues and then hide some treats around your house and garden for your children to find. Solve the clues and they'll get the prize!
Best for: Girls and boys
Age: 5+

- Next: Bowling, art or singing could make life more fun

More help and advice

- Fun ways to help your kids learn
- Help the kids are off school!
- 7 ways to teach kids big stuff

By Rob Mansfield