WHEN the schools broke up for the holidays just over a week ago, the summer shimmered before the country's children like the promised land. But though they will have started out with big plans, within a couple of days - the weather a washout and friends heading off to far- away places - they might have found those carefree visions dissolving before their eyes.

Help is at hand. We've scoured the central belt to come up with this list of the top 10 family-friendly activities for all ages - from skateboarding to storytelling, and comedy sketches to street dance - that should keep boredom firmly at bay.

1. ANIMATION and PUPPETRY
Kick-start the summer with It's Alive, a week-long drama and storytelling course held at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow. It is run by animation and puppet specialists the Elephant in the Room and the Wee Giant Puppet Company, and children will be given the chance to devise, design and create their own characters and narratives. At intensive workshops, puppets and animations will be brought to life, with a final event planned to show off the results. The first course runs from July 23-27 for ages eight to 11, and the second August 6-10 for ages 12 to 16; both cost £100. See www.thetron.co.uk or call 0141 552 4267 for more details.

If that gets them inspired, why not add on an evening performance of His Dark Materials, adapted from the Philip Pullman novel and performed by the Scottish Youth Theatre to mark its 30th anniversary? It runs from July 25 to August 4 at the Citizens' Theatre. See www.scottishyouththeatre.org or call 0141 429 0022.

2. SKATEBOARDING
Skateboarding, for some people, is a lot more than just a sport - it's a way of life. But finding somewhere to enjoy your kickflips hasn't always been easy.

Unit 23 in Dumbarton, Scotland's biggest indoor skate park, was built by a father-of-two looking to get his children off the streets, and is packed full of enough home-made ramps, bowls and jumps to keep any teenage skater busy for hours, if not days. Open to boarders, inline skaters and BMXers, this is a place for serious fun. Helmets must be worn by all, under-16s won't get in unless they have a signed parental consent form, and under-eights need to bring a guardian along. The park is open daily throughout the summer from noon till 10pm Mon-Fri and till 8pm Sat and Sun. Two-hour sessions start at £5. For more information visit www.unit23skatepark.co.uk or call 01389 768333. Lessons can be arranged.

3. STORYTELLING
If your child loves tall tales, a trip to the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Edinburgh's Royal Mile is a must, with resident storytellers offering daily sessions for ages five and up throughout July. The programme features Liz Wilson, Judy Paterson and Ken and Mio Shapley, who will spin magical stories without a book in sight. There are workshops inspired by the story themes, and sessions helping you and your child craft your own tales. In August there are also two story-based shows - Red Riding Hood's Magic Purse by Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre for children aged three to seven, and Puppet State Theatre Company's adaptation of Jean Giono's comic eco-story The Man Who Planted Trees for older children. See www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk or call 0131 556 9579.

4. NATURE HUNTS
Get your children back in tune with the great outdoors with the help of Historic Scotland's Young Nature Detectives programme, running at Linlithgow Palace. At Tuesday drop-in sessions throughout July (which must be booked in advance), rangers will help youngsters under 15 investigate plants and wildlife in the grounds of the palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born, as well as delving into the depths of the neighbouring loch. For those looking for a bit more atmosphere, dusk sessions will also be held in August. Call 01506 842065 to book a place, or see www.historic-scotland.gov.uk.

For a day out that involves the whole family, try the National Trust of Scotland's Glencoe safari. During the three-hour Land Rover trip, rangers will talk you through the history and geology and point out the wildlife. Prices start at £15. Call 0844 493 2222.

5. MUSIC FESTIVALS
If you're the sort of parent who sighs nostalgically as the summer festival season approaches but have never dared take your offspring along, it's time to put your fears behind you and pull your wellies back on. The Wickerman Festival near Dundrennan in south-west Scotland on July 20 and 21 scores highly as a family-friendly event, with free entry for under-12s and a children's area offering puppet shows, storytelling and singalong sessions. There's also face- painting, a circus with workshops and a quiet camping area so you can get away from it all. This, of course, is in addition to the rock, acoustic and world music stages. Saturday night culminates with the burning of a huge wicker-man sculpture, but that's only after Friday's Wickerboy event, laid on for the kids. If your brood gets a taste for Glastonbury after this, you have only yourself to blame. Tickets, starting at £45 for adults, can be bought at www.wickermanfestival.co.uk.

6. DANCE
Get funky with the Ydance summer school, offering youth dance courses at venues across Glasgow for children between eight and 18 of all abilities. Highlights include week-long intensive programmes at the Arches, exploring all styles of dance from street to break, and contemporary to creative. Children will learn a range of routines incorporating rolls, spins, freezes and slides, performed to a varied soundtrack. A themed course - Alice in Urbanland - based on Lewis Carroll's classic children's story and described as "a fusion of fantasy and gritty realism" is also on offer in Bishopbriggs and Rutherglen. Details for all courses can be found at www.ydance.org, or contact the Arches on 0870 240 7528.

7. TENNIS
Wimbledon might have been a washout this year, but it surely can't rain all summer long. So if there's a budding Andy Murray lurking in your family's midst, its time to whip them into shape at one of the many summer tennis camps running across the country. Most clubs offer a variety of packages to suit all ages and abilities, with intensive coaching courses offered in week-long blocks, stand-alone daily lessons for those looking to pick up tips without the full-time commitment, and clinics for young players who want to work on a particular weak point. And it's never too soon to get started - most places offer "mini-tennis" clubs for children from four or five upwards. The Western Lawn Tennis and Squash club - www.glasgowwestern.co.uk or 0141 339 0065 - or Whitecraigs Lawn Tennis and Sports Club - www.whitecraigstennis.co.uk or 0141 639 1478 - are two options worth exploring.

8. DIY COMEDY
Got a comedian in the family? It's time to get them to put their money where their mouth is at Comedy Club 4 Kids. Founded by comedian James Campbell in 2004, the usually London-based operation decamps to Edinburgh for the Fringe, offering child-friendly performances with a host of guests throughout August. On July 20, a day-long comedy "academy" will teach children aged seven to 13 how to develop a five-minute stand-up routine, using physical and observational techniques, storytelling and sketch-writing skills. Each child who takes part then gets to perform their new act for one night only at the Comedy Club alongside the adult performers. The course costs £50, but that includes a club season ticket, which lasts throughout the festival. See www.fatcat productions.co.uk for details of the comedy academy and www.edfringe.com to book tickets for Campbell's club events.

9. SAILING AND BOATING
Float down to Glasgow's River Festival on the Clyde, running July 14 and 15 and offering a range of watery activities to suit all tastes. You can get some hands-on experience of rowing, and those aged 10-18 can learn how to sail a dingy with the Sea Scouts. If it's adrenalin you're looking for, try a powerboat ride or feel the force on a Zapcat catamaran. There are also boats of all shapes and sizes to explore, from Tenacious, the UK's largest rigged tall ship, to the legendary Vital Spark. On Sunday there's also a charity "duck race", offering the chance to win a car. Simply sponsor your yellow plastic duck and watch as it jostles with thousands of others down the river. See www.glasgowriverfestival.co.uk.

10. FUN ON THE DOORSTEP
Finally, don't forget about your local council's summer holiday programme. Most local authorities lay on a host of activities to keep children busy for weeks, including discounted entry to leisure facilities, workshops in arts and music, and sporting events of all kinds. Glasgow City Council's Holiday programme - www.

holidayprogramme.glasgow.gov.uk - offers free entry into local-authority-run swimming pools for Young Scot and Kidzcard holders, along with 20% off entry to Soccer Circus, the interactive football game at Braehead's Xscape. Activities - searchable on the site by date and area - include street dance, guitar lessons, basketball, DJ classes, gym induction, arts and crafts clubs, and football coaching. Phone your local council for details on what's on in your area.

  • And remember: read the Going Out section in The Herald every Thursday for the week's best events.