INSPIRING children to enjoy the natural world during the summer holidays are activity days at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, near Clanfield, and Gilbert White’s House, at Selborne.

Artist Madeleine Allison and the education team at the country park are offering a free morning of art as part of its Forts and Fleets project on Wednesday (August 8). The event starts at 10am and places must be booked in advance.

There’s a chance to Dig for Dinos, follow the T-Rex trail, do chalk painting in the woods and build a beast on August 14. Activity times are 10.30am to noon and cost is £6 for each child who must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Little adventurers, aged from two and a half upwards, can build dens, go bug hunting and toast marshmallows over a fire, on August 7 or 17 in the morning, while the crazy critters bug hunt on August 10 includes a craft activity and trail. Each of these activities costs £6 and bookings can be made by calling the visitor centre on 023 9259 5040.

For children with a real passion for wildlife and nature, the Field Studies Centre at Selborne is running holiday day camps for youngsters eight to 12. Cost is £25 per child, per day for camps scheduled for August 6-9 and 20-23.

For details on this and other family activities, visit the website at: www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org