ARTS ACTIVE SATURDAY CLUB for seven to 16-year-olds, Turnpike Gallery, Civic Square, Leigh -- experiment with drawing, painting, sculpture, learn new skills and create your own work of art, led by local artists. Every first Saturday of the month 10.30am-1pm. Please book to ensure your place, under eights must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is free.

PORTRAIT OF A NATION -- Children's activities for the Christmas holidays. Create a self-portrait, discover portraits in miniature and draw cartoons to mark life at the beginning of 2002. December 22 until January 7, £1.50 per child. Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds. Details 0113 220 1940.

SHELTER BUILDING -- an activity for young people aged 13-17-years-old. Learn how to build a woodland shelter, pick up a few survival tips and cook your own lunch! December 15, 10am - 3pm. Smithills Country Park, Admission is free.

SMITHILLS HALL , Smithills Dean Road, Bolton -- The Hall is now open all year round for visitors to walk around the formal gardens or visit the Hall. Smithills has a family history of over 600 years and a series of rooms covering the period from the Medieval through to the late Victorian. Winter opening times are Tuesday and Saturday 1-5pm, Sunday 2-5pm, Tours and schools by prior arrangement. £3 entry, £1.75 conc, £7.50 family. Further Details 01204 332377.

CHRISTMAS FAIR at Affetside Primary School at 2pm, Saturday December 1. Seasonal fun includes face painting and an appearance by Father Christmas. Admission 75p.

THE PUPPET SHOW "RUMPELSTILTSKIN" -- Theatre Church, Seymour Road, Astley Bridge, Bolton on Saturday December 1 at 2.30pm and 7pm. This half life-size puppet show is performed by the world renowned Presto Puppet Theatre company and is suitable for both adults and children. Tickets are available from "Justicia" 81 Knowsley Street, Bolton, priced £4 which includes refreshments.

CHRISTMAS FAIR at Birtenshaw Methodist Church, Darwen Road, Bromley Cross from 10am-1.30pm, Saturday December 1. Gifts, cakes and hot home made lunches.

CINDERELLA PANTOMIME with Prestwich Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society at The Met Theatre, Market Street, Bury. From Tuesday December 4 to Saturday December 8, 7.30pm, 2.30pm matinee on Saturday. Adults £6, Children £3.50. Ticket Office 0161 761 2216.

VISIT FATHER CHRISTMAS IN HIS WETLAND GROTTO from 12 noon - 4pm on Saturday and Sunday December 8 and 9, costs £2.50 includes a parcel. Family activities throughout the Christmas holiday, from Saturday December 22 until Sunday January 6. Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, Burscough, Lancashire. Normal Admission prices are, Adults £5.25, children £3.25, senior citizen £4.25. Details 01704 895181.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY with games, children's entertainer, a visit and a present from Father Christmas, Saturday and Sunday December 15 and 16, 1-4pm, £6. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential. Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, Burscough, Lancashire. Details 01704 895181.

CORNERHOUSE KIDS EVENTS, 70 Oxford Street, Manchester. Scrooged, a movie variation on the classic Christmas tale, Saturday December 1. Action packed programme for 11-16 year olds every Saturday morning at 11.30am. Tickets £2.50. Details 0161 200 1500.

TOY MODEL AND TRANSPORT FAIR at the Museum of Transport, Boyle Street, Cheetham, Manchester. Over 50 stalls selling Dinkie, Corgi, books, kits and transport related items, free vintage bus service connecting with the Manchester Model Railway exhibition. Saturday and Sunday December 1 and 2, 10am-5pm. Admission adults £3, conc £1.75, under fives free. Details 0161 205 2122.

ROBIN HOOD MUSICAL for all the family -- this classic tale is brought to life with comedy, drama and audience participation. Runs from Monday December 10 until Saturday January 5. Various morning, afternoon and evening performances, please check venue for exact times. Tickets adult £7.50, child/conc £4.50, group bookings available. Bury Theatre in the Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds. Ticket/Information 0113 263 8556.

BLACKLEACH VISITOR CENTRE, Blackleach Country Park, off Hill Top Road, Walkden. Sunday December 2 from 10.30am-3pm help plant shrubs and wildflowers to provide nuts, berries and flowers for both people and wildlife to enjoy in years to come. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission free. Details 0161 790 7746.

FAMILY FUN DAY at Ordsall Hall, Ordsall Lane, Salford. See Tudor characters, try calligraphy, and weather permitting see Harry the Hawk. Sunday December 2, 1-4pm Admission free. Details 0161 8972 0251.

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE, Water Street, Buxton -- Christmas Pantomime, Dick Whittington, a traditional family show where Dick hopes to make his fame and fortune on the streets of London, opening performance December 14. Box Office 01298 72190.

TATE LIVERPOOL, Albert Dock, Liverpool. Events for families every Sunday between 1.30-4.30pm. 'Art Quest' every Sunday (apart from the last Sunday of the month) for an encounter with Modern British Art. 'Great Art Adventure' (last Sunday of the month) games and studio activities for children age five and up with accompanying adults. No need to book, just drop in. Details 0151 702 7451.

CLIFTON COUNTRY PARK VISITOR CENTRE, Clifton House Road, Swinton. Details 0161 793 4219.