HERE are 19 family-friendly events not to miss over the bank holiday weekend and half term...

1. Family safety tours are back by popular demand at SafeWise Bournemouth from May 30-31 to help children build confidence and develop valuable life skills in a fun and interactive real life village. Aimed at children aged 5-11 years old, but all families/ages welcome. Tickets £5 (under-fours go free) To book, visit picatic.com/safewisebournemouth

2. The seventh Colourfest returns to Gaunts House near Wimborne from Thursday, May 31 to Sunday, June 3, a family-friendly festival with a focus on yoga, dance, music and arts. Visit colourfest.co.uk.

3. There will be swashbuckling fun at the Purbeck Pirate Festival from May 24 -28 at Sandpit Field, Swanage featuring stalls, pirate parades, entertainment and music.

4. Start half term with a bang at the Tank Museum with a sci-fi invasion on May 26-27. Meet favourite sci-fi characters and enjoy themed talks and tours. See tankmuseum.org

5. Every child that enters Monkey World over the Bank Holiday weekend bringing a melon for the primates, will receive a free badge. Call 01929 462537 for details.

6. Find out what lurks beneath the waves and make a sand sculpture or shell mobile throughout half term from 10.30am to 4pm at Studland Bay. For details, call 01929 450500.

7. Learn the basic skills you need to be an archer at Moors Valley Country Park on May 28 from 12pm to 4pm. No need to book – just turn up. Cost: £3.50 for 8 arrows. Call 01425 470721.

8. Check out the Deadly Dinosaurs and Funky Fossils trail at Durlston Country Park and win a prize, open until June 4 from 10.30am to 4pm. £3.

9. Step inside Corfe Castle and join local experts in the nature tent and find out more about bats, moths and reptiles from 10.30am to 5pm, June 1-3.

10. Go eco-crabbing on the seashore at Kimmeridge Bay. A guided event for families to find out how to catch and handle seashore crabs without harming them on May 31 from 2pm to 3.30pm. Call 01929 481044.

11. Go nuts about nature exploring meadows and ponds at Moors Valley Country Park on May 30 from 1pm to 4pm. No need to book, just turn up. Call 01425 470721.

12. The ever popular Peppa Pig heads to Adventure Wonderland on May 30. For details, see adventurewonderland.co.uk

13.Discover an array of garden mini-beasts at Wimborne Model Town with expert guidance on May 30 from 11am to 3pm. Call 01202 881924.

14. A Natural History Adventure will bring fun for all the family to Bournemouth's Castlepoint shopping centre from May 28-30 with fun science, exhibitions, workshops, a planetarium and a chance to meet a Dino character. Liberty Owls, Raptor and Reptile Centre will also be displaying a collection of birds.

15. The Gruffalo’s Child comes to Lighthouse, Poole from May 30 to June 2 at various times, based on the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Tickets £12.50, family ticket £45.

16. Known as the innovators of basketball and entertainment, the world famous Harlem Globetrotters bounce into the BIC on Sunday night.

17. If they’re over the age of 12, try New Forest Activities' Beaulieu Canoe Explorer experience.

18. If your young one would rather stay on dry land, book them into New Forest Activities' Holiday Adventure Day on May 31. Children aged 8-14 can get to grips with bushcraft, archery and a ropes course.

19. Fit For Sport is running a summer camp for children aged between 4-12, to encourage them to be healthy and active in their school holidays. For details, see fitforsport.co.uk or call 0845 456 3233.