As the summer holidays are here, there is so much time to plan days out and countless activities with friends and family.

Especially in Sunderland, where a series of events will be taking place right across the city’s cultural venues.

There is a jam-packed programme of affordable family fun to get involved with at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, National Glass Centre and The Fire Station.

Let's take a look at all the things to see and do with the kids in Sunderland this summer.

What’s on at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens?

Every day until September 2

Taking place daily until September 2 between 10am and 4pm, families will be able to discover wildlife on the venue’s Wild Wonders Trail. No pre-booking is required and each trail costs £1.

Every Monday until August 21

Meanwhile, history lovers can enjoy the venue’s Hooray for History sessions at the venue, every Monday until August 21 from 12.30pm until 3pm.

These free drop-in sessions will give you and yours the opportunity to learn about the city of Sunderland through the museum’s extensive collections.

Wednesday, August 2, 9, 16 and 23

Wednesdays are for budding artists when the museum will host free drop-in sessions for people to try different art techniques in fun, hands-on sessions.

Arts Wednesdays will be on August 2, 9, 16 and 23 and will be from 1pm to 3pm.

Visitors will also be able to view the University of Sunderland’s degree shows.

Friday, August 4 and 25

Next Friday and Friday, August 25, the museum will be visited by creatures from Discovery Zoo.

Families will be able to meet a Carolina corn snake, a giant African millipede, a Harlequin gecko and a Costa Rican zebra tarantula.

The Discovery Zoo sessions will cost £3 per child, with accompanying adults going free, and the sessions are timed at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm.

Tuesday, August 8 and 15

On Tuesday, August 8 and August 15, the museum will host Heads Up – Family Emotional Wellbeing Days.

This two-day course, led by Heads Up CIC in partnership with the museum, is aimed at improving confidence and communication between parents or carers and their children.

The free course is suitable for children aged five to 11 and a parent or carer – and places must be booked.

Friday, August 11

A Minibeast Hunt on Friday, August 11 will be led by Tom Parkin, a nature officer at Durham Wildlife Trust and involve scouring Mowbray Park for wildlife.

Hunters will also learn different ways to help nature on our doorstep and be given the chance to make a bug badge.

Three free sessions will be held at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm. Booking is essential.

Friday, August 1

A week later storyteller Hannah Graham will introduce children aged over four to Bear’s Museum Adventure.

After the story, the children will be supported to draw different animal characters and follow a map trail around the museum to find them.

Places cost £2 and accompanying adults go free – sign up on the Sunderland Culture website.

All information including booking for each event can be found here.

The Northern Echo:

What’s on at the National Glass Centre (NGC)?

Saturday, August 12, 19 and 31

There will be Big Science Workshops where children between five and 11 will be able to carry out their science experiments.

These will include slime and sherbet making and workshops cost £8 per child (children must be accompanied by an adult).

Every Wednesday in August

Meanwhile, on Wednesdays through August, NGC will host Glass Painted Postcard sessions from 10am, 12pm and 1pm, where youngsters will be able to create a painted glass postcard of a local scene or their favourite place.

Sessions cost £5 and are suitable for children aged four or over.

Every Friday until August 25

More opportunities to paint are available at NGC every Friday until August 25 through Memories and Wishes sessions.

Held between 10am and 12pm and then 1pm and 3.30pm, these sessions will also cost £5.

The Northern Echo: Fancy going on a minibeast hunt with the kids?Fancy going on a minibeast hunt with the kids? (Image: Sunderland Culture)

Sessions for young people aged over four, are drop-in or can be booked online via the Sunderland Culture website.

NGC will also be hosting its popular glass fusing workshops throughout the holidays and more information including dates and times can be found online.

These sessions cost £12 and are aimed at young people aged six or over and booking is essential.

Youngsters will be able to choose from a range of shapes to create a solid glass decoration or use colourful mosaics and glass grains to create a unique design.

Wednesday, August 2, 16 and 23

There’ll be further opportunities to make something in glass through NGC’s Sandcasting, Fish, Car, Cat and Hedgehog workshops.

Held on Wednesdays, August 2, 16 and 23, these sessions will enable children to create their own glass animals – with the help of NGC’s studio team.

Sessions at 9.30am and 10.30am are aimed at young people aged six or more.

They will cost £20 and must be booked online also.

Additionally, NGC has a range of free activities for families, including trails, activity backpacks and glass-blowing demonstrations.

Find out more about each event including how to book here.

What’s on at The Fire Station?

The venue will host children’s favourite Fireman Sam, where youngsters can join Sam, Penny, Elvis, Station Officer Steele and Norman in an all-singing, dancing, action-packed show.

There will be two performances on Saturday, August 5 (12pm and 3.30pm). Tickets cost from £13.20 and more information can be found here.