FED up with all the rain? Us too. The washout weather so far this summer has put a real dampener on things, despite a sunny weekend. But it needn't necessarily be all bad news, says PETER SLEE. Here are 25 great ideas for things to do for free with children in the coming weeks.

1. Singleton Park. Take a wander round Singleton Park with friends and family - and don't forget your dog! The Botanical Gardens in Singleton Park are at their best in August, during Botanics in Bloom. Grab a picnic, a ball or Frisbee, and just have fun in the great outdoors.

2. Get involved! The young people's group Revive is staging a get-together on Friday, August 21, between 7pm and 9pm in Ysgol Street, Port Tennant. Events include music, karaoke, video bar and smoothies. For ages 16-plus.

3. Cwmafan Community Centre is hosting a free Travelling Planetarium tomorrow between 10am and 2.45pm. The Techniquest Travelling Planetarium is running six 40-minute sessions for ages five to 11 and 11 to 16.

Anyone interested needs to book their place in advance. To arrange a place, call Bethan on 01639 860160.

4. Swansea Museum. Check out its new Crime and Punishment exhibition, which includes the grisly details as well as the deeds of notorious individuals transported to Australia for their role in the Rebecca Riots.

The changing style of police uniform is also documented, as is the story of Elizabeth O'Brien, jailed at the tender age of 12 for stealing eggs, and who died in a Swansea workhouse a year later.

Among the grim objects displayed are a full-size stocks and a scaffold.

5. Kidwelly Industrial Museum is open until Wednesday, September 30, from 10am to 5pm on Monday to Friday, and from noon to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

6. Glynn Vivian Art Gallery. Try the exciting new series of workshops and events, including a futuristic model workshop, hands-on art workshops and even a magician on hand to entertain the whole family.

7. Dylan Thomas Centre - Take in the Man and Myth exhibition which captures the essence of Dylan Thomas's life through letters, books, photos and sound recordings.

8. West Glamorgan Archives, Swansea - For those who want to delve a little deeper into our area's past, why not use the archives to trace your family tree or other research?

9. Test your fitness skills on the exercise equipment along Swansea Prom. The new Green Gym equipment is ideal for a few minutes of exercise on your way into or back from work.

10. Cycle your way down one of Swansea's bike routes. www.swansea.gov.uk/cycling.

11. Stroll further down the prom and take a dip in Swansea's very own outdoor shallow waterpark, Blackpill Lido. It's a must-visit site with its family-friendly paddling pool, fantastic children's play area and climbing rock.

12. Swansea Central Library is located within Swansea's Civic Centre (formerly County Hall). You'll find thousands of books, music scores, DVDs and CDs to borrow, as well as an amazing children's area.

13. Try out some colouring and puzzles in the Swansea Bay Summer Festival activity book - available as a download on www.swanseabayfestival.com. Don't forget to enter the colouring competition for tickets to Sparks in the Dark fireworks display and chance to win an Ospreys rugby shirt!

14. With some of the best beaches in the UK on our doorstep, summer wouldn't be summer without a trip to one of our beautiful beaches - whether it's Pembrey, Rhossili, Llangennith, Oxwich Bay or Langland, just grab a bucket and spade and hopefully get a chance for a dip in the sea.

15. Head for Llyn Llech Owain Country Park in Gorslas on Sunday. An afternoon of free fun activities includes kite-making and countryside-awareness trails. Details on 01269 832229.

16. The popular Mumbles Raft Race takes place on Sunday - a great afternoon's entertainment. The crews dress up and there'll be a fabulous atmosphere as they paddle for the finish and try not to sink! The race starts at 2.30pm near Norton and finishes at Knab Rock.

17. World Party Weekend returns on August 29 and 30 in the grounds of the National Waterfront Museum. See Swansea as it comes alive with colour, live music and dance.

18. Join our skate jams this month and show off your skills at a park near you. There are no strict age restrictions, but it is recommended that skaters are over 12. www.breatheswansea.com.

19. Festival. September 19 - a one-day free beach festival in Swansea Bay. With live music, children's entertainment, skate park, craft stalls and refreshments, this is bound to be a good day out.

20. Swansea's National Waterfront Museum. Open all year round, the attraction offers a unique experience for all ages - plunge into the world of the Industrial Revolution.

21. Geraint the Snakeman will be visiting Margam Country park at noon tomorrow.

The reptile expert will be offering a free talk with slithering live exhibits in the Orangery Gardens.

The experienced reptile handler provides creatures for TV and news programmes and also rescues the animals.

22. Pembrey Country Park - you can't ask for a more flexible playground - between Carmarthen and Llanelli. Many people visit the park for the freedom to wander around 202 hectares of spectacular parkland, and take advantage of one of the cleanest beaches in South Wales.

23. Llanelli Duck Race is being staged on August 30 to raise much-needed funds for the town's Sea Cadets. Organisers plan to tip thousands of rubber ducks into the Lliedi River at Penygaer Field, starting at 10.30am.

To enter visit www.llanelliduckrace.co.uk

24. Comedian, presenter and keen sailor Griff Rhys Jones is heading to Mumbles tomorrow. He'll be at Newton Road bookstore Cover to Cover at around 12.30pm, signing copies of his new book, Rivers, which accompanies the current BBC series.

25. Nautical family fun comes to Penclawdd this month in the form of the annual Festival of the Tides.

The event was launched last year following the loss more than 15 years ago of the Penclawdd Regatta.

This year's event, on Saturday, August 22, features the famous raft race, stalls, live bands, a hog roast and crab racing.

More things to do with the kids this summer.