CHILDREN: WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Chinese New Year Celebrations

Coalport China Museum, Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire (01952 884391; www.ironbridge.org.uk) today & tomorrow, 11am- 1pm & 2pm-4pm, entry adults pounds 4.50, children pounds 2.70, plus a small charge for some activities

Events for the Chinese New Year are taking place around the UK next weekend, but you can celebrate the Year of the Rooster a little early at this Shropshire museum, where there will be traditional Chinese music, dance and food, plus craft activities such as paper lantern-making and Chinese reed-painting on plates and mugs.

Pancake Funday

Clumber Park, Worksop, Notts (01909 544917) tomorrow, 11am-3pm, entry to the park pounds 3.80 per vehicle plus pounds 1.50 per child for activities

Yes, it's this Tuesday, in case you had forgotten, and pancake fun and games for all the family are on offer at this National Trust property this weekend. No need to book, just turn up and join in the various pancake-themed trails and activities. There are also pancake treats available from the Tea Rooms.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

West Yorkshire Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds (0113-213 7700; www.wyp.org.uk) today, 2pm & 7pm, tickets from pounds 11.50

It's the last chance to catch this classic adventure story of good triumphing over evil in the mystical world of Narnia, with battle scenes, live music and songs. Tickets were available for both performances at the time of writing, but phone first to check.

Jorvik Viking Festival

St Sampson's Square, Clifford's Tower, Barley Hall and various venues around York (01904 543403) today & tomorrow (and to 20 Feb), times and prices vary but many events free

The Vikings are invading York! It's the 20th annual festival, so celebrations promise to be bigger and better than ever. This weekend's events include Vikings in the Hall (crafts and quizzes in Barley Hall, 10am-4pm, pounds 1), Vikings in the Square (battle- drill to shield-making in St Sampson's Sq, 1pm-4pm, free) and a Viking Wedding (Clifford's Tower, today, 10.15am, doors 9.30am, adults pounds 2.50, children pounds 1.90).

Family Story Workshops

Halton Lea Library, Halton Lea Shopping Centre, Runcorn, Cheshire (01928 715351) today, 10am-12noon & 1pm-3pm, free

This is one of many free family events taking place around the country for National Storytelling Week, which ends today. Similar workshops take place at the same times at Kingsway Library in Widnes (0151-907 8383). Numbers are limited, so booking is essential. For full details of other National Storytelling Week happenings, visit www.sfs.org.uk.

Only Tools and Forces

Glasgow Science Centre, Pacific Quay, Glasgow (0141-420 5000) today & tomorrow, 12noon, 2pm & 4pm, free with entry, adults pounds 6.95, children pounds 4.95, family pounds 18.95

Get to grips with gravity, in a nicely titled, interactive science show (left) with everything from a bed of nails to balloons and rockets. No need to book: places are allocated on the day.