THERE IS no need for children and families to be scratching their heads for things to do or being glued to the TV, computer or mobile phones this summer.

Venues and visitor attractions across Worcestershire and the surrounding areas are offering a fantastic array of fun activities, courses and entertainment for youngsters and the whole family.

Young people can choose to sign up for astronaut training at Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury; catapult training sessions at the Worcestershire County Museum at Hartlebury Castle or do a woodland treasure hunt at Worcester Countryside Centre.

Little adventurers can sign up for astronaut training at Eastnor today (Wednesday July 26) and tomorrow and can learn how to launch rockets, build satellites and do other space-age activities.

Further attractions at Eastnor include air dried clay workshops from Sunday July 30 to Thursday August 3 while those interested in monsters and pre-history will enjoy the Dinosaur Show from Sunday August 6 to Thursday August 10.

The Lakefest family fun, music and entertainment festival will be returning to Eastnor for the sixth time this year from Thursday August 10 to Sunday August 13. While the Puppet Show is taking place at the castle from Sunday August 13 to Thursday August 17.

For information about Eastnor Castle events and tickets visit eastnorcastle.com/whats-on/.

Hartlebury Castle is the venue for a range of inexpensive children’s summer holiday events including themed weeks starting on Tuesday August 1. They take place every Tuesday to Thursday.

The first week from August 1 to 3 focuses on Battles and Sieges. Youngsters can siege the castle with catapult training sessions, make their own catapult and helmet face mask and follow the Battles Trail.

Children interested in nature will find the second week difficult to resist. From August 8 to 10, they can become nature rangers – helping to creature a bug hotel, meeting owls, make a mobile and follow the nature trail in the grounds.

The third week from August 15 to 17 turns to creative construction providing the chance to recycle materials, craft activities and follow the Construction Trail; while the following week from August 22 to 24 children will be looking to the skies and learning about space, making a rocket, trying on a space suit costume and following the Space Trail.

The last week concentrates on storytime when children can meet story characters, make a puppet, decorate Queen of Heart biscuits and follow the Storytime Trail. Bank Holiday Monday August 28 sees a special storytime event at Hartlebury where children can dress up, meet characters from their favourite stories, enjoy games and competitions, plus much more.

Archery sessions are also available during the summer.

Pippa Ashmore, museum events manager, said: "School holidays can seem endless and it can start getting really expensive keeping the kids entertained but a visit to the County Museum is affordable fun for the whole family.

"Throughout the summer each week has a different theme on everything from battle & sieges, to nature and space, so families can visit more than once and be assured of finding new activities to delight and inspire them as well as learning something new.

For more information call 01299 250416 or visit www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk

The George Marshall Medical Museum in Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, is staging a family fun day on Saturday July 29 from 11am to 2.30pm.

Visitors can follow the nursing-themed trail around the museum and make their own paper lamp to take away. They can explore the historical artefacts; order a prescription from Trevor, the apothecary; dress up as a nurse or soldier; test their health and make bandages; build a perfect Lego hospital and build a doctor’s bag with everything it needs.

Local National Trust properties also have their fair share of family events to enjoy this summer. Brockhampton Estate near Bromyard has created a Swallows and Amazon’s Trail, based on the 1930s book about the outdoor adventures of two families.

Visitors can follow the trail around the manor house, moat and orchards, solve the puzzle and win a prize. The activity is running until Sunday September 3.

Brockhampton is even staging an event for families and their pet pooches in the form of the Hereford and Worcester Animal Rescue dog show on Sunday August 6 from 11am to 4pm.

Dogs can enjoy sniffing out some interesting smells in the woods and the show is free to enter. Pet owners are invited to come along and join in the fun.

On Saturday July 29 Croome Park will have one of its rare open days at Dunstall Castle where visitors can climb the steep staircase to the top of the tower and enjoy views across the estate to the Rotunda (another Croome landmark) and the surrounding countryside.

The Grade II* listed structure, combining elements of a castle and a church, is thought to have been designed by Robert Adam in 1766 as a quirky folly. It was restored by the National Trust in 2010 which believes some of the stone was recycled from the original chapel at Croome Court.

Another special open day on Friday August 18 will allow Croome visitors to wander inside the Panorama – a circular temple-like structure designed by James Wyatt in 1801 - and enjoy a 360 degree view from its balcony. The building is made of Bath stone and modelled on Tempietto Romano in Rome. The balcony offers exceptional views across the Croome Estate to Worcester Cathedral and surrounding countryside.

The Museum of Royal Worcester in the city is staging a number of children’s activities throughout the summer. They include craft fun sessions inspired by the Japanese-style items in the collection every Friday from July 28 to September 1 from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

Up until Sunday September 3 children can join the Royall Worcester Porcelain Safari and track down the curious beasts hiding around the museum. This is an opportunity to wear safari themed fancy dress.

There are a range of holiday events for children on offer at Arley Arboretum near Kidderminster. They range from pony rides, forestry adventure clubs, the jungle trail, mini zoo, Arctic trail and British farm trail. Visit http://arleyarboretum.co.uk/events.aspx or ring 01299 861368 for more information.

Worcester Countryside Centre is offering six weeks of activities for families this summer ranging from cookery and craft jewellery sessions to multi sports and woodland treasure hunts.

Countryside Centre support officer Laura Pitt said: "We've got an action packed six weeks ahead here at The Country Park, with something for everyone.

"Whether you enjoy being arty and creative, want to try a new sport, enjoy cooking or would like to learn, or even fancy having a go at performing arts, you'll find it here over the coming weeks."

For further information call 01905 766155.

Shooting 4 Fun, operating at Hanbury-based Oakland Outdoor Activity Centre, is offering family fun sessions for the first time this summer. Groups consisting of two adults and up to three children can take part in archery or rifle shooting sessions (minimum age restrictions apply), with expert tuition and all equipment provided.

There is also an opportunity for two families to get together, to go head to head in a woodland laser tag battle. Each family can consist of two adults and up to four children from age six years upwards. Using state-of-the art laser technology, the guns record all hit and lost points and there is no paint, no pain and no mess.

Mark Treverton, who runs Shooting 4 Fun, said: “We want to offer families as alternative to the large, busy theme parks this summer. Our rural setting is a peaceful, safe environment where families can enjoy time outside together, having fun and learning a new skill.”

The family fun sessions run until September 2 and pre-booking is essential. For more details call Mark Treverton on 01527 575141 or visit the facebook page @S4Fun.

Information about more activities in Worcestershire and the surrounding areas throughout the summer can be found by visiting http://www.visitworcestershire.org/events/