HALF-term holiday breaks can be a parent’s worst nightmare with bored children wanting something to do.

But families have not been short of local entertainment as many found out this past week.

Some ventured to the cinema in Trowbridge where this week’s offerings include Shaun The Sheep: Farmageddon, The Addams Family and The Lion King.

Others took the very young to the new Baloos soft play centre in Silver Street, or the Hope Nature Centre at Southwick Country Park.

A spokesman for Southwick Country Park said: “It’s been really busy. We’ve had a lot of people in to look at the animals.”

At The Shires shopping centre in Trowbridge, there was a drop-in spooky craft session on Tuesday to keep youngsters busy making things, as well as craft session in the Sensory Gardens.

Longleat Safari Park near Warminster celebrated autumn with a series of outdoor and indoor activities, including sand art, pumpkin carving, mini tractor driving, owl flying displays and ghost tours around the house.

The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in Chippenham throws open its doors on Saturday with a day of free activities for all the family from 10am-4pm.

Visitors can travel back in time to join the College of Chivalry and have a go at longbow archery or watch knights in training with Swindon-based Black Cat Archery.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Wiltshire Council deputy leader and cabinet member for Heritage, said: “This is a great opportunity to discover just how much goes on at the History Centre.

“There will be something for everyone, with activities to suit all ages.”

The programme also includes living history exploring the lives of medieval women and the work of a barber surgeon.