The combination of a long Bank Holiday weekend and half term may appear a bit daunting for some parents, until they discover the wealth of activities laid on all over Oxfordshire to keep school children amused.

For instance, the Vikings are coming to Sulgrave Manor for two days to demonstrate the reality of their gruesome era. Life in Viking Britain will be revealed with a living history encampment, where smiths and leatherworkers create their crafts and surgeons demonstrate Dark Age medical techniques.

The combat displays include several battles and sieges throughout the day, and bring to life the bleak age of warfare with a vivid presentation of a fascinating period in history.

The event runs on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 10.30am-5pm. Adults £6.50, children £3.25. 01295 760205.

The Lord Mayor's Parade kicks off on Bank Holiday Monday as part of the year's Fun In The Parks events. The fun starts at 11am outside the Royal Oak Pub on Woodstock Road.

Sponsored by the Oxford Mail, the parade of motorised and walking floats passes through the city centre via St Giles, New Road, Queen Street, High Street and St Clements to arrive at South Park at noon, where a fair and stalls will boost the fun.

All profits will go to the city's children's hospital campaign. The parade will also launch the Oxford in Bloom

competition, where residents and businesses have the chance to show off their horticultural skills.

Children wanting to have a go at horse riding will enjoy the children's pony show at Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Wallingford. The relaxed and friendly show for novices and more experienced children also offers the chance to have a look around the sanctuary.

Disabled riding for children, aged three years and above, is also scheduled over the half term weekend at the sanctuary, when children can enjoy riding the gentler-natured donkeys in the indoor riding school. Visit the website on www.donkeyrescue.co.uk for more details or call Peggy Rogers on 01235 812553.

On Saturday, the Museum of Oxford, St Aldate's, is holding a family open day to find out about entertainment in Oxford's past. Sylvesta the jester will be on hand

alongside demonstrations, artefacts, gallery activities and craft workshops. Just turn up on the day - entry is free.

Older children may enjoy the first in a series of sculpture workshops for 13 to 16-year-olds, led by Rob Lee, at Modern Art Oxford, Pembroke Street, Oxford.

For a theatrical experience, why not take your young ones to see Not Now Bernard And Other Monster Stories at the Pegasus Theatre on Wednesday. Adapted for the stage from the work of children's author David McKee, the result is an hilariously funny and delightfully scary show for three to eight-year-olds to enjoy with their friends and families.

The story is about a little boy who sees a monster in his garden. When he tries to tell the grown-ups about it, none of them have time to listen. Bernard is accompanied by two other monster stories from David McKee, the creator of Elmer the Elephant and cult cartoon character Mr Benn. Box office 01865 722851.

These are just a few of the events wedged in between craft fairs, plant sales and sports events. But one thing's for sure - your children will have no excuse to be bored.