FOR mother-of-two Shirley Sanderson, keeping her son and daughter occupied during the summer holidays can be a juggling act.
With changeable weather making it hard to predict what the day will bring, the 51-year-old customer assistant from South Normanton is used to thinking on her feet.
Yesterday in Notts the heat reached highs of 30 degrees. However, the weekend promises showers.
Luckily, in and around Nottinghamshire there's an array of places to visit this summer holiday.
So no matter what the weather throws at you, there's always something exhilarating to do with your little ones.
Mrs Sanderson says that ensuring Josh, 11, and Amelia, eight – who both attend Glebe Junior School, South Normanton – are entertained can sometimes prove difficult as they each have different interests and hobbies.
Josh enjoys playing football and going to watch Nottingham Forest, whereas Amelia is a Moshi Monsters collector and a lover of crafts.
"When it's raining we tend to always visit family and friends. The children love visiting their relatives. It's a great way to catch up and stay indoors away from the bad weather," she said.
"We're lucky to live near Markeaton Park, which is great in the sun because there are such a huge variety of activities to take part in."
Situated in Derby, Markeaton Park houses the Mundy Play Centre, a large paddling pool, sports fields, the light railway, rowing boats and more. Visiting the park is affordable, too, as it's only £3.70 to park for over four hours.
Sometimes money can be a worry, especially with large families, so it's important to find interesting ideas that aren't going to break the bank.
Kristie Wheeler, 47, a teaching assistant from Mansfield, says that money is always a concern for her family as there are four children. "The cheaper the better, so we take a picnic with us. It makes it easier too as all of the children like different food," she said.
"A day at Clumber Park with a group of friends is always a favourite of ours. During the summer holidays, it's also become a bit of a ritual to go go-karting if we can.
"It's even better now my youngest – Nicholas, 13, – is old enough to use the same track as the rest of the family."
Helen Mackenzie, of the mums and tots group at Grace Church Nottingham, Castle Boulevard, said: "When it's sunny, I'd recommend making the most of the weather and getting outside to a park for a play and a picnic."
Louise Searson, 32, an events co-ordinator from Mansfield agreed.
"Playing outside is definitely mine and my children's favourite sunny activity," she said.
Mrs Searson, a mother-of-three to Ollie, five, Demie, four, and Louie, nine weeks, added: "We love going for a walk around Sherwood Pines. When it's raining, we visit indoor play centres, do crafts at home and watch DVDs."
Watching films is an activity that Louise Fox, 39, an administrator from South Normanton, is also fond of. "We either watch them at home or go over to the cinema to catch the latest flick."
Mrs Foz is a mother to two boys, Declan, 13, and Adam, eight, who love playing football whether it's rainy or sunny and she says that nothing will keep them away from the sport.
Linda Parker, of tourism promotion body Experience Nottinghamshire, says Nottinghamshire is full of hidden treasures, so you're never going to be short of activities when it's raining. She says the Galleries of Justice is a firm favourite for many families.
"An enthralling, if gory, experience lurks in Nottingham's old courthouse and jail. Performances, audio tours and exhibitions bring Nottingham's grisly history to life at the Galleries of Justice."
Open daily, the Galleries of Justice is not only exciting and entertaining, it's educational too.
Ticket prices start at just £7.95 and under-fours are admitted free of charge.
Ms Parker also recommends visiting Nottingham Castle, the Framework Knitters' Museum in Ruddington and the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont.
