Family activities for the holidays

Illuminated Trail at Kew

Until 4th January 2014, 4.30pm - 10pm Children and adults alike can discover Kew Gardens in a different light, including the opportunity to interact with the spectacular illuminated environment. Adults: £12.50 Children (5yrs-16yrs): £8, under 5's go free Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children): £38 www.kew.org 02083 325655

Grab a V&A Backpack Open daily, closed 24-26th December, 10am - 5.45pm Embark on an adventure with a V&A backpack bursting with activities. Your children can choose what kind of adventure your backpack will take you on, from Time Travelling to Fancy Furnishings. Admission and backpack free www.vam.ac.uk 02079 422000

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Sheffield Park and Garden Until 5th January 2014, 10.30am - 4pm The National Trust is hosting a variety of activities at Sheffield Park and Gardens over the New Year. You and your children can try creating some wild art, take a special New Year's Day tour of the garden, or if you time it right you may be lucky enough to see white water falls. Adults: £9.50 (Members go free) Children: £4.70 (Members go free) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-garden 01825 790231

Kenwood House Family Fun Days 5th January 2014, 12pm - 4pm Spend the first weekend of the year at the recently restored Kenwood House, where there will be a variety of craft activities the whole family can work on together. Free admission www.english-heritage.org.uk 020834 81286

Leeds Castle Winter Trail Unit 5th January 2014, 10.30am - 5pm After the excitement of Christmas, wrap up warm and bring the children to join in a nature trail through the grounds while collecting festive clues relating to the Twelve Days. www.leeds-castle.com Tickets: £7 Children under 4 go free www.leeds-castle.com 01622 735616

NEC Toy Fair 27th December 2013, 10.30am - 3.30pm If you would like to celebrate the New Year a little early, Britain's biggest toy collectors fair is the perfect event for you and the children. While you reminisce and delight in rare models from Hornby, your children can spend the day discovering the joys of the more robust toys. Tickets: £6 www.thenec.co.uk 0121 7804141

Grassmarket Hogmany Fair 28th December - 2nd January 2014, 11am - 8pm This ethical fair is set to be the highlight of the Edinburgh winter calendar. Spend the day browsing Scottish crafts, listening to live music and enjoying freshly prepared food. Free admission www.handupmedia.co.uk 0131 5589644

Painting Pottery Café Open daily, closed 24th-26th December, 1st & 2nd January, Monday-Saturday 10.30am - 6.30pm, Sunday 11am - 6pm Spend your New Year's Eve creating lasting memories with the family in the form of personalised pottery. This is a wonderful opportunity to be really creative and get your hands messy. Booking recommended. Studio fee: £5 (plus cost of pottery) www.paintingpotterycafe.co.uk 01273 628952

Ice-skating at Eden Until 2nd March 2014, Monday to Thursday 9.30am - 4pm, Friday to Saturday 9am - 9pm, Sunday 9am - 6pm Have a truly magical New Year's learning to ice-skate at the Eden Project's spectacular ice rink. Parent or children who'd rather not risk the ice can relax and enjoy crêpes at the rink-side café. Tickets: £6 (admission to Eden not included) www.edenproject.com 01726811911

Smiling Inside the National Gallery 29th December, 11am - 12.20pm & 2pm - 3.20pm Get creative to celebrate the coming year at an art class at the National Gallery. Artist Sarah Simblet will be teaching aspiring artists about the smile. Free admission www.nationalgallery.org.uk 02077 472885

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