Go on a free fishing trip in Cowley or step back in time to celebrate the history of Manor Farm in Ruislip at the annual Medieval festival?

If youngsters get bored on their weeks away from school there are plenty of summer courses available across the borough with the council's Fiesta programme, or keep them active with tennis, football or basketball at a choice of two sports clubs in Ruislip.

Read on for some ideas of what to do.

1) Sporty youngsters who want to make the most of the summer weather during the school holidays can get involved with one of two summer sports camps in Ruislip.

Held at Sacred Heart and Ruislip High schools during July and August, the camps will give children aged between four and 12-years-old a chance to learn the basics in a wide range of sports in an action-packed programme.

The sports covered includes football, tennis, cricket, rugby, athletics, basketball and netball and certificates are awarded daily.

The children can choose to attend the camps for just one morning or an afternoon, a full day or the whole week. All of The Elms coaching staff are CRB checked and fully qualified.

  • What? The Elms summer sports camps for kids
  • When? Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 8, 10am - 4pm weekdays at Sacred Heart and Monday, August 11 to Friday, August 22, 9.30am - 3pm weekdays at Ruislip High
  • Where? Sacred Heart School, Herlwyn Avenue, Ruislip, HA4 6EZ and Ruislip High School, Sidmouth Drive, Ruislip, HA4 0BY
  • Cost? Morning or afternoon session: £14, whole day: £26 or full five day week: £99
  • Call: The Elms on 020 8954 8787 or book online at www.elmsholidayschemes.co.uk

2) Anyone keen to try fishing can join in with a free family fishing fun day. There will be plenty for the whole family to enjoy with hourly introduction to fishing sessions alongside other free activities including river dipping, a bouncy castle, face painting and craft tent.

You will also have the chance to meet Keith Arthur, the presenter of Tight Lines on Sky TV, and speak to local anglers and angling associations about fishing in the borough. The days are always very busy, and places for all activities including the fishing are offered on a first come, first served basis.

  • What? Family Fishing Day
  • When? Sunday, August 3. 9.30am - 3.30pm
  • Where? Little Britain Lake, Packet Boat Lane, Cowley, UB8 2JR
  • Cost? Free
  • Contact: Registration for fishing is on the day and all equipment, bait and rod license exemptions will be provided on a first come first served basis

3) The much loved medieval festival returns to the borough in August, celebrating the long history of the Manor Farm site in Ruislip with a packed programme of medieval activities and displays, from horseback jousting to living history re-enactments provided by professional re-enactors.

Whether you choose to tuck into a traditional hog roast and watch armoured knights battling, try your hand at medieval dancing or see how it feels to be stuck in the stocks, history has never been so fun. The Great Barn will be full of arts and crafts activities courtesy of Adult Education, with additional food, a Farmer’s Market and artisan stalls from the regular Duck Pond Market.

  • What? Medieval Festival
  • When? Sunday, August 17. 11am - 4pm
  • Where? Manor Farm, Pinn Way, Ruislip, HA4 7QL
  • Cost? Free to attend

4) Bookings are now open for the council’s summer Fiesta programme of activities for young people. There is a huge choice of courses for youngsters to take part in, including beatbox, make-up techniques, song writing, cycling, tennis and many more. Due to the popularity of the Fiesta courses many are already full but head to the Young Hillingdon website to check which courses are still available to book up.

  • What? Fiesta 2014
  • When? Throughout August
  • Where? Sports clubs, theatres and young people’s centres across the borough
  • Cost? Prices vary from free events to courses costing £25 for people living in Hillingdon, up to £87.50 for people outside of the borough
  • Visit: young.hillingdon.gov.uk to find out more and make a booking

5) Join a celebration of Cranford’s heritage. At a medieval camp with knights, sword fighting and craft demonstrations, costumed characters, storytelling and river dipping for children. Refreshments will be served in the Cranford Park tea garden. St Dunstan’s Church the Secret Garden and the historic stables will be open to the public. Put your childhood memories of the park on a Memory Wall and bring along family photos to share with the Cranford Park Friends. Admission is free and children must be accompanied by an adult.

  • What? Cranford Park Remembers
  • When? Saturday, August 2. 11am - 4.30pm
  • Where? Cranford Country Park, Cranford, TW5 9RZ
  • Cost? Free to attend
  • Contact: Bob Barton of the Cranford Park Friends group at secretary@cranfordparkfriends.org