School holidays could be crisis time for working parents if it were not for the willingness of grandpa and grandma to help out with the kids. NIGEL JARRETT looks at just a few things for them to do this summer

FISHING all day for sticklebacks beside the waters of a dragonfly-kissed canal is not the modern youngster's idea of fun during the summer break.

The dangers of that sort of activity have multiplied along with the number of alternative ways of spending long hours under the sun.

In any case, fifty years ago the world seemed much smaller even though devoid of sophisticated attractions and the absence of a low boredom threshold.

Then there is always the rain. Doing something constructive or entertaining under someone else's roof has to be more interesting than staying at home and watching Star Wars on video for the umpteenth time. Take them to the pictures instead.

What you do depends on the age of the grandchildren. A five-year-old can spend hours in a well-equipped public park while you supervise discreetly,but an outing to Techniquest, the capital's hands-on, science-is-fun centre, will dramatically close the age gap.

If you can afford it, take a longer trip. For example, with your Railcard and cheap fare for the kids, a day out to Gloucester and a visit to its cathedral, where some of the Harry Potter film footage was shot, could be just the ticket.

And don't forget to consult the Argus's daily and comprehensive What's On guide.

So get out and enjoy yourselves - with the little 'uns.

HAVING FUN FINDING OUT

Ever wondered how you compare with the rest of the animal kingdom?

Techniquest in Cardiff Bay will be telling you how in Animalympics, a display to be launched to coincide with the start of the school holidays.

Visitors will get the chance to imitate a fly on the wall by climbing up a Velcro pad, and a freeze-frame display will show what you look like in the round while in motion (02920 475475).

Griffithstown Railway Museum, with its popular working model, will be open through the summer.

It brings back wonderful memories for the older generation of railways as they were and for the kids it is fascinating, says owner Martin Fay (01495 762908).

If you haven't seen the result of Big Pit Mining Museum's £7.2 million investment at Blaenavon, it's worth a look.

The money has been spent on transforming the interest at the surface to complement the central attraction of trips underground (01495 790311).

Life as it used to be lived in Blaenau Gwent is currently a popular draw at Abertillery and District Museum, which will be continuing the exploration in the summer holidays. Actors in costume present dramatised episodes from local history (01495 211140).

Craft sessions in summer holidays at Chepstow Museum are always a big attraction for grandparents with schoolchildren (01291 625981).

GETTING PHYSICAL

If you can get out with the kids on a summer's day, you are probably fit enough to join them in their activities.

Greater Gwent's five local councils organise busy leisure programmes to coincide with school holidays. Look out for publicity of this year's events or ring the council headquarters for information.

Newport's Summer Fun programme (Helen Thomas at Maindee Pools, 01633 656656) is typical and this year will incorporate the Dragon Sports programme intended to encourage youngsters to exercise. Rural Monmouthshire and other areas have waymarked cycle routes (council cycling officer David Clark, 01633 644873), details of which can be found at Tourist Information Centres. A trip with your bikes - or hire them

there - to the Forest of Dean cycle routes (01594 812380) is a great active day out.

Among private centres, there are Scallywags Adventureland at Caerphilly

(02920 863333), Newport Megabowl (01633 276790), and any number of pony-trekking centres (horse-riding is physical; take my word for it).

SOMEWHERE SPECIAL

There was a time when kids and grown-ups spent half the summer on outings to the seaside, but nowadays it's a rare event. So revive the practice with details from the Wales Tourist Board (02920 499909).

South Wales beaches are cleaner than ever, especially on the Gower coast.

Barry Island and Porthcawl have the added attractions of funfairs close to the sands. Don't forget to take the suncream.

Train rides for their own sake are fun. Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway (01495 792263) on the uplands of Torfaen offers great views over lakes and a viaduct with the chance of making a day of it at Big Pit, Blaenavon, while the Brecon Mountain Railway (01685 722988) at nearby Merthyr takes you on an exciting trip into the Beacons.

Lengthier trips by bus and train are always fun. Choose your destination (Gloucester and Bristol Docks, for example) and plan public transport accordingly, using your bus pass to cross the Wales-England border free.

Bristol Zoo and Greenmeadow Community Farm (01633 862202) never pall. The zoo is very much educational and hands-on (the bugs area is a hoot), while the farm has a family day planned for August 14. Cefn Mably Farm Park at St Mellons is similar, with pony rides on offer (02920 799923).

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

Non-strenuous time shared with youngsters out of doors is limitless.

If you like gardening, encourage the kids with special tool kits available at some garden centres and supermarkets.

Take in the area's great feature, the Mon-Brecon Canal, for boat trips with Red Line Boats at Govilon (01873 880516).

If you want it cheap, buy a fishing net, pack a jam jar and take a stroll along the canal for those sticklebacks and minnows of yesteryear. Take sandwiches, crisps and a fizzy drink - kids love picnics.

Many public open spaces such as Cwmbran's boating lake (01633 867642), Parc Bryn Bach, Tredegar (01495 711816), the Sirhowy Valley Country Park (01495 270991) and the Lower Wye Valley have lots of attractions that can be combined with a leisurely stroll.

But make the outdoors exciting by telling the kids it's an adventure, for which they'll need to pack a little rucksack with wetwear and provisions.

CINEMAS

On rainy days, you cannot beat the movies.

All Gwent cinemas take account of their new young audience in the summer hols by screening films aimed at the young and young-at-heart (that's you!).

Harry Potter and Shrek 2 will undoubtedly be still on the timetable.

Ask for details at Newport City Cinema (01633 224040); Blaenavon Workmen's Hall (01495 792661); Chapter Cardiff (02920 304400); Scene Cwmbran (01633 866621); Scala Pontypool (01495 740417); Blackwood 'Stute (01495 227206); Brynmawr Market Hall (01495 310576); Newport UGC (08701 550516); Cardiff UGC (08709 070739); Brecon Coliseum (01874 622501).