Ref. 24882-2Wondering what the children are going to do during the holidays? ALEX EMERY comes up with few bright ideas to help you.

School is out for the summer for thousands of children across Swindon.

But while most adults would jump at the chance to have six or so weeks relaxing, playing or just taking it easy, children tend to bore more easily.

With this in mind the Evening Advertiser has compiled a summer fun guide to ease boredom, stimulate young minds and help the holidays pass smoothly.

And Swindon model and television presenter Melinda Messenger, who is pregnant with her third child, has given us some ideas too.

Children who usually drive their parents up the wall can instead have a go at climbing one.

Several four-day action-packed climbing camps are on offer for eight to 15-year-olds at the Link Centre.

The sessions, which run between July 29 and August 29 from noon to 2pm, are designed to challenge and entertain both complete beginners and those with some climbing experience.

They cost £73.60, or £36.80 with Swindon Card Concession One, and £7.40 with Swindon Card Concession Two.

Five football fun weeks, promising a range of ball skill tuition and mini games, are available for children aged five to 11.

The first course starts on July 28, at a range of sites across Swindon, while the final week's action starts on August 26. Sessions run between 10am and 3pm.

Prices start at £8.75 for Swindon Card Concession Two holders, and increase to £87.50 for non-card holders.

For youngsters who cannot stand the heat, a five-day ice skating course at the Link Centre in Whitehill Way, Westlea, may be just the ticket.

Children aged from five to 15 can choose from a beginners' or improvers' course during the last three weeks of August.

The course comprises a daily 30-minute session, following the National Ice Skating Association Learn To Skate programme.

It leads to grades one and two of the Skate UK qualification.

The course costs range from £4.50 with a Swindon Card Concession Two, up to the full price of £44.50.

For the less sporty, Swindon libraries have a prize reading game for all youngsters.

The free activity started last Friday and runs until Sept-ember 13.

Children who read six books during the summer holidays will be awarded sheets of stickers there are six different designs to collect as well as a medal, a certificate and an exclusive invitation to a surprise party.

Creative hands will be kept busy at Steam, the Museum of the Great Western Railway, in Kemble Drive.

Youngsters aged from five to 11 are being asked to help fashion a large mosaic train, which will be displayed inside the museum.

They will also have a chance to make their own mosaic models out of paper.

The event takes place from 11am to 1pm on August 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, and 30. It costs £2 a child and there's no need to book in advance. There will also be family quiz trails at the museum throughout the school holiday period.

The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm, and on Sundays from 11am to 5.30pm.

Househusbands, single dads, grandads and uncles are well catered for this summer.

A Fathers' Time group operates on Tuesdays, except July 29, from 9.30am to 11.30am (see story on this page).

It is open for Pinehurst, Penhill and Abbey Meads residents and is held in the NSPCC rooms at the Pinehurst People's Centre in Beech Avenue, at 50p a session.

Edd Edgell, the fathers' development worker based at the North Swindon Family Centre, said: "We recognised that so many groups catered purely for mothers, and while men are welcome to attend, they tend to be in the minority.

"Guys don't seem to get access to a lot of support sessions so we thought it was about time something was done."

Plans are underway for a trip to Lydiard Park, on a date in August yet to be decided.

Melinda Messenger is urging people to take advantage of what is on offer.

She said: "My children are little so it's very easy I give them some sand and a bowl of water and they're happy.

"When they get older it will be harder. When I was younger I used to enjoy going to the Oasis Leisure Centre, or to the Saturday morning pictures."

Melinda, 32, who lives in Lower Wanborough with husband Wayne and sons Morgan, three, and Flynn, 18 months, added: "There are so many things for children to do in Swindon now, such as ice skating and summer clubs like short tennis."