Instead of a diet of cartoons, soap opera and unhealthy amounts of takeaway pizza, children and teenagers can actually get out and enjoy themselves this summer.

Eleven to 19-year-olds with aspirations to tread the boards should take a look at The Bull theatre's summer school, a two-week project with the aim of teaching a broad range of stage practices. These include physical theatre, dance, movement and acting exercises. Once the budding actors have completed their show they must take it to the toughest audience of all their family and friends. The summer school starts on Tuesday, August 14, and will run daily from 11am to 5.30pm. It is priced at £80, with bookings available on 020 8449 0048.

Dance, drama and song is the Chicken Shed Theatre's summer recipe. Ghosts and Ghouls will put 8 to 14-year-old children's dramatic skills to the test as they prepare a particularly creepy performance. Workshops and rehearsals will take place from Monday, August 6, building to a final performance in front of invited guests on Friday, August 24. It is priced at £80.

There will also be courses in dancing for five to nine-year-olds and nine to 16-year-olds from Monday 6 August onwards, from £50.

The theatre in Chase Side, Southgate, will also be running a novel musical scheme where youngsters can try their hand in the Creative Recording Studio. The five-day scheme, beginning Monday, August 6, allows inexperienced, yet musically-minded teenagers a chance to compose, record and mix a song or short instrumental.

Places on this course are £150, and only for those over the age of 14. Call the venue on 020 8292 9222 for bookings and further details on their summer schemes.

Swimming, gymnastics, football, trampolining, martial arts and rugby are just a few of the many ways to enjoy yourself at a selection of sporting venues in the borough.

These include: The Ashmole Centre in Burleigh Gardens, Southgate (020 8368 4984), Compton Sports Centre, Sunny Way, Summers Lane, North Finchley (020 8361 8658) Barnet Copthall Pools and Stadium, Great North Way, Hendon (020 8457 9900), Hendon Youth Sports Centre, Marble Drive (off Claremont Road), Brent Cross (020 8455 0818) and Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Meadway, Barnet (020 8441 2933).

Prices for all courses are available by calling each venue, though expect to pay around £65 to £80.

Creative children will enjoy the summer program at The Wyllyotts Centre, Potters Bar.

Five to eight-year-olds and eight to 12-year-olds can learn how to create boxes, lanterns and many other items, all with an insect theme. The Ugly Bug Summer Workshops take place from 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm on various days throughout August, at £7.50 a session. Call 01707 645005 for more details.

Bookworms looking for a challenge will delight in a scheme set up by Barnet Libraries. If a child reads six books or more over the course of the summer then they are entered in the draw for a special prize. It is just one of the many fun activities taking place in libraries across the borough this summer look for a program at your local library for more details.

The David Lloyd Centre, Glebelands, High Road, North Finchley, has football and tennis sessions until Friday, August 24. The cost is £20 per day for members, or £16 for non-members, for both sports. Contact the centre on 020 8446 8704 for details.

Other schemes that may be of interest include: arts and drama at All Saints Arts Centre, Oakleigh Road North, Whetstone (020 8361 7274), environmental awareness at the Welsh Harp Education Centre, Birchen Grove, West Hendon (020 8200 0087) and The Good Shepherd Holiday Club at Holy Trinity Church, Lyonsdown Road, New Barnet (020 8216 3786). Call for further information.