It's half-term next week and we know it can be hard to keep the children entertained.

So here's 10 great ways you can get out and about over the break.

1 Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, is the most significant location of its kind thanks to a collection of 18,000 trees from a bewildering array of species and varieties. It is also a favourite destination for families who want their children to be able to play safely – and perhaps learn about the importance of preserving the natural world. There are well-equipped play areas, nature and conservation trails and a plant-hunting orienteering trail for young people who want to test their observation skills. The arboretum’s website is www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt-the-national-arboretum.

2 Most of the world is covered by deep water accessible only to submariners and divers, but at Bristol Aquarium - www.bristolaquarium.co.uk – visitors can see many denizens of the deep. They are divided among 40 individual displays, each carefully designed to mimic its residents’ natural habitat. Those residents range from seahorses to sharks, and one of the most popular features is an underwater tunnel which allows visitors to stroll among both native and exotic fish.

3 The Teddy Bear Museum in Dorset - www.teddybearmuseum.co.uk – is not one of the country’s best-known visitor attractions but is surely among the most charming, and is sure to delight people of all ages. The Victorian building houses a collection of bears dating from as long ago as 1906, when the bear toy phenomenon was in its infancy.

4 Jungle Kingdom, in Cromwell Road on Swindon’s Groundwell Industrial Estate, is a themed indoor soft play area. There is a three-level playframe whose features include tunnel slides, roller sides, wavy slides, spinners and a spider’s web. A separate area is set aside for children aged three and under. While the youngsters are safely tiring themselves out under the watchful eye of staff, parents might prefer to relax in the café. Full details of what Jungle Kingdom has to offer can be found at www.junglekingdom.co.uk

5 That Cotswold Wildlife park - www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk - crops up so often on lists of ideal places for families to visit is testament to its perennial popularity. Habitats are carefully designed to cater for a huge variety of large and small mammals, primates, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. Larger species include giant anteater, Bactrian camel and zebra. The daily feeding of the park’s penguins and lemurs are among the park’s popular attractions.

6 When people think of Studley Grange near Wroughton as a visitor attraction, they tend to think of its garden centre, its craft village and, of course, butterfly world. For many people with young children, though, it is also a popular destination thanks to its well-equipped soft play area. The carefully-designed activity zone has plenty of safe, durable equipment for children to explore – and to climb, bounce on, hide among and generally interact with. More details can be found at www.studleygrange.co.uk

7 Tenpin Swindon at Shaw Ridge Leisure Park - www.tenpin.co.uk/our-locations/swindon - has long been one of the town’s most popular attractions. It offers a variety of special deals including unlimited play for certain days and times.

8 World of Country Life - www.worldofcountrylife.co.uk – is a museum of farming and countryside-themed activity centre in Exmouth, Devon. Visitors can wander among collections of equipment and memorabilia from various technological eras, as well as farming-related models and a collection of vintage vehicles. There are adventure zones, animal paddocks, play zones, and other attractions.

9 Jolly Roger Adventure - www.jollyrogerplay.com – in Greenbridge Road is the largest play centre of its kind in Swindon and one of the most extensive in the region, and will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. Its big slide is a particular favourite among young visitors and their parents. The emphasis is firmly on adventurous but safe fun.

10 Avon Valley Adventure Wildlife Park at Keynsham, near Bristol, offers activities such as meeting, handling and learning about animals, indoor and outdoor adventure play, nature trails and forest skills tuition. Visit www.avonvalley.co.uk