SUMMER is here and, once school is out, keeping children occupied can be a daunting prospect. But with a little organisation, they can have a holiday packed with activity and adventure at very little cost.

The North West has an unbeatable selection of theme parks, attractions and opportunities for brilliant family days out, offering real value-for-money alternatives if you are holidaying at home with the children this year.

Always a hit with the children are theme parks. With their amazing rides, swings and roller coasters they suit all ages, but be careful of the entrance fees as these can vary enormously and some charge for parking.

If you are watching the pennies, there are plenty of cost-effective ways in which you can entertain the children at home.

One of the secrets is letting them help with the preparations — picnics and meals in the garden — that you would normally do yourself. Even the most hi-tech, computer-minded kids take to gardening once they discover how much fun it can be. With a few packets of seeds and some lightweight plastic garden tools, they can prepare their own corner and grow herbs or giant sunflowers.

If the weather is wet, there are jobs indoors that you can persuade them to turn their hands to. Encourage them to give their bedroom a makeover.

The region has a wealth of museums and visitor centres. Museums these days are a far cry from the days when dusty exhibits were displayed in old glass cases. Nowadays, many museums have hands-on experiences. Art galleries, too, know that kids don’t want to just look at old masters and they encourage children to join in special drawing, painting and creative projects.

Historic railways are always favourites with children (and grown-ups too) and riding on a steam train for the first time can be the thrill of a young lifetime.

It’s worth remembering, however, that you can’t always keep children occupied all the time and when they find themselves with time on their hands it is often when they are at their most vulnerable. You know your children best, give them lots of sound advice and keep them entertained.

As anyone who has looked after a child knows, if they are happy, you’ll be happy. So plan some days out, have a few days at home and enjoy the summer break.