SPRING is almost upon us and at the National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff, you can learn all about the wildlife that you might find living in and around a riverbank near your home.

From 12-21 February, find out which creatures you are most likely to see in different seasons and then make a handy riverbank decoder to take with you when you are out and about! Sessions start at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3pm.

Or why not enjoy the warmth of indoors instead and get creative in the art galleries.

From 15-18 February you can find out about the famous Welsh artist Augustus John, who spent a lot of his time painting and drawing portraits of his family.

Enjoy a family gallery talk about the Gwen John and Augustus John exhibition, and then make a family portrait of your own. Sessions are at 11.30am, 2pm & 3.30pm. Telephone 029 2039 7951 for further details.

Museum of Welsh Life - Celtic spells and Cabbage Patch Kids

Trains, planes and automobiles: for all sorts of toys, games and the great outdoors the Museum of Welsh Life is just the place to spend a day during the half term holidays.

With over 100 acres of the great outdoors, St Fagans offers a week of toy stories with toy trails, traditional toy workshops and a spectacular Great Train Show (19 & 20 Feb).

From whip and top, peg dolls, model boats and marbles this half term promises a world of retro relaxation and for both big and little kids alike.

Spring is on the door step and the Museum farm is at its busiest. Daffodils and crocuses shade beneath the trees in the enchanted woodlands and winding lanes which play host to a toy trail around the historic buildings for all budding toy detectives.

Celtic Games and Tudor Toys will be explained and demonstrated in the Celtic Village and the St Teilo's Medieval Church while model planes and boats ride above the re-erected houses and glide by on the St Fagans Castle fish ponds.

For details and times please contact the Museum of Welsh Life; 029 2057 500.