THERE is no need to venture out of Wiltshire to keep the kids and the rest of the family occupied this half term – whatever the weather there is lots to do.

The county has its own tourist attractions: Longleat, with its children's attractions and amazing safari park, or Bowood with its playground and beautiful nature walks.

A trip there might be the 'big treat' but on other days there are plenty of free family events to stop boredom setting in.

Three Horseshoes Walk in Warminster has planned a jam-packed week of free half-term fun including a photo booth, a juggler and a stilt-walking bubble artist.

Balloon modeller Dave Hickory will be entertaining the children on Monday (10.30am-3pm). A special Valentine's Day event on Tuesday will include a footman handing out Valentine's treats (11am-4pm).

Rainbows face painting will be in the centre on Wednesday (11am-3pm), and come and meet a walking, talking gingerbread man on Thursday (11am-4pm). On Friday, Miss Meadow will be juggling crystal balls (11am-4pm) and a stilt-walking bubble artist will be in the centre on Saturday (11am-4pm).

The Shires in Trowbridge also has some free half-term activities. A balloon modeller will be demonstrating some of his best work on Tuesday and the kids can have their face painted on Wednesday. On Thursday, there will be various seasonal arts and crafts activities.

To coincide with its new poster exhibition, on Wednesday Trowbridge Museum will be inviting children aged five and over to create their own wanted poster (10.30am-3.30pm). On Thursday, inspired by the Sensory Garden, families are welcome to take part in nature-themed clay modelling (10.30am-3pm).

Join the museum staff making perfect picture frames from wool on Friday (age 4+). To ensure your place on this workshop be sure to pick up morning tickets from 10am onwards, or afternoon tickets from 1pm onwards. (Morning sessions are from 10.30am, 11.10am and 11.50am. Afternoon sessions start at 1.30pm, 2.10pm and 2.50pm.)

Wiltshire also has natural beauty to offer, such as picturesque canal walks. The Kennet & Avon canal cuts right through the area, and offers lots of chances to walk by the waterside and then circle back through the nearby town to your starting point.You can stroll from Bowerhill in Melksham through Giles wood to the canal. For a longer stroll follow towpaths past swing bridges and locks to get to Semington bridge, a great route to take on foot or by bike.

Further along the canal in Bradford on Avon you can enjoy watching boats negotiate the lock off Frome Road, walk along the towpath to admire the historic aqueduct at Avoncliff and then wander back through Barton Farm country park, where there are growing willow mazes to entertain the children and a play park near the historic Tithe Barn.

Trowbridge Park has received many great reviews on Trip Advisor, and features tennis and basketball courts and mini golf, as well as refreshment kiosk and a children’s play area. Or take a short, relaxing stroll through the park paths among the trees. Otherwise take the kids to the King George playing fields in Melksham for them to let off steam on the wide open green, or play in the large children’s area, which includes a mini zip slide.