CHILDREN: WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN LONDON ... AND BEYOND

May Games

Various venues, Southwark (0181-928 0404) Mon, 2pm, free

Time-honoured May Day festivities (above) are revived in Southwark this weekend. A pageant starting at 2pm at Bankside, by Shakespeare's Globe, will weave its way around the streets, with dancing, theatre and traditional May Day games, such as a tug-of-war and pot-smashing.

Lampton Family Festival

Lampton Park, Lampton Road, Hounslow, Middlesex (0181-862 6545) tomorrow and Mon, 1pm-6pm, free

This popular May Day festival is in its 18th year and now stretches over two days. As well as a funfair and circus, there is a children's marquee and a world music marquee, plus Wild West adventure on Sunday and historical re-enactments on Monday.

Beach Kite Festival

Weymoth, Dorset (01305 785747) today-Mon, free

This festival (above) takes off properly on Sunday and Monday, with a packed programme of displays, competitions and stunts; but today there is kite-flying on the beach and a funfair. There will also be free children's kite-making workshops from 10am-4pm tomorrow and on Monday.

Bexhill 100 Festival of Motoring

Seafront, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex (01424 730564) tomorrow and Mon, 12noon-6pm, free (pounds 2 programme admits to enclosed areas)

The car is the star at this annual festival now in its 10th year. Bexhill's claim to fame is that back in 1902 it was the birthplace of motor-racing. There is a parade of classic cars through the town today, followed by fireworks and jazz, as well as children's rides and an Edwardian funfair, plus acrobatic displays, parachutists and a flotilla of yachts.

May Day Celebrations

Whitstable, Kent (01227 263595) Mon, 10.15am onwards, free

More traditional May Day celebrations at this coastal town, with maypole and morris dancing at various sites around the streets, followed by a procession to Whitstable Castle, where there will be music and entertainment.

Children's Weekend

Appuldurcombe House, Isle of Wight (01983 852484) today-Mon, 10am, adults pounds 2, children pounds 1 (English Heritage members and under-fives free)

A teddy bear's picnic this afternoon, magic tomorrow and children's music workshops on Monday are just some of the activities planned for kids at this historic house over the Bank Holiday. There will also be funfair rides and traditional side-shows. NS