Don't despair if there's no summer holiday this year. Anne Shade has a wealth of

suggestions to keep the young ones amused, their minds alert and their parents happy

SCHOOL may be over for the summer - but don't let this stop the children learning a thing or two. Educational outings can be great fun, as you will see from this week's suggestions.

Skye Serpentarium, Old Mill, Harrapool, near Broadford, daily 10am-5pm, #2, children #1, family #5 (2+4); tel: 01471 822209.

n.THE Skye Serpentarium provides a unique opportunity to learn about snakes and reptiles. You can see various types of snake eggs in an incubator, as well as newly hatched corn snakes. If you are brave enough you can even handle a small python - under supervision of course. It's a pleasant surprise to find that they are warm and dry to touch and not in the slightest bit slimy.

Among the other inhabitants are frogs, and a three-foot long Monitor Lizard called ``Puff'' who stands on his hind legs and puffs out his throat when he wants to look fearsome. The centre also acts as a refugee for reptiles like tortoises, an iguana, and snakes that have been rescued by the RSPCA or impounded by Customs Officers at Heathrow airport.

Denny Tank, Scottish Maritime Museum, Castle Street, Dumbarton, open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, #1, children 50p, family #2 (2+2); tel: 01389 763444.

n.PLAYING with paper boats in the bath is fun - until they disintegrate. But at the Denny Tank kids can go one better and test the floatability of a number of different model boats in a small experiment tank. This is based on what was, until recently, a top secret experiment tank - the same length as a football pitch - still exists and hulls are put through their paces from time to time. Children can also try making hulls from clay and paraffin wax. A great place to spend an hour or so with budding engineers and inventors!

Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre, near Ancrum, Jedburgh, open 10am-5pm, free; tel: 01835 830306

n.DO you know how to play Nine Men's Morris, or Pharoah's Pyramids? Can you complete the Joiner's Cross or the Pyramid Puzzle? Try these and other giant board games at Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre. There's also a discovery room where kids can peer through a giant microscope at tiny creatures from the surrounding woodland.

Allow enough time to investigate the delights of the wildlife garden which has a pond brimming with waterlife and masses of wild flowers and nectar-producing plants to attract butterflies and bees. The kids themselves will certainly enjoy flitting around the equipment in the adventure play area and, if they have any energy left, you can explore one of the waymarked trails.

Special activities for six to 10-year-olds include the chance to investigate some nocturnal goings with the ``Nature Detectives'' (July 27 and August 2, 2-4.30pm, free). Or they can see how it's possible to survive in the wild without mod cons like supermarkets and satellite TV (August 9 and 16, 2-4.30pm, free).

Newhaven Heritage Museum, Fishmarket, Newhaven Harbour, Edinburgh, open daily 12-5pm, free; tel: 0131 551 4165

n.There's something distinctly fishy about Newhaven Harbour. It started life as a royal dockyard way back in 1504 but gradually metamorphosed into a thriving fishing port. At one time, huge quantities of oysters were landed here but by Victorian times the main catch was herring. The harbour is hardly used nowadays, but you can still get a feel for the history of the area by visiting the museum. Housed in part of the old fish market, this has interesting displays, tapes, and a video, as well as shells and crabs which you can touch. Best of all, children can dress up as fisherwives in shawls and striped petticoats, and see how it feels to lug a heavy creel.

It's well known that sea air gives you a good appetite - so round off the visit with some fish and chips further along the quayside at Harry Ramsden's (tel: 0131 551 5566).

Hullabaloo, 5a Millburn Road, Inverness, open daily throughout the holidays 11am-6.30pm, two-hour session costs #2.50 for children under five, #3.50 for over fives, children must be under 4'10"; tel: 01463 713134

n.THERE'S nothing remotely educational about Hullabaloo - just hours of fun and games for under-10s in this multi-level indoor play area. Rain or shine, they will have a whale of a time scrambling up climbing nets, sliding down tube chutes and wading through the ball pool.

There's also a separate play area for toddlers so they can enjoy themselves without being disturbed by their over-exuberant siblings. Parents are welcome to join in with the action so long as they feel up to the challenge - or they can spectate from the cafe accompanied by nothing more demanding than a cup of coffee!

n.Anne Shade is the author of Scotland for Kids (Mainstream, #9.99).