THE National Trust is offering help for parents stuck for ideas for what to do to keep the children occupied over the holiday.

A range of downloadable summer planners has been produced to print and stick on the fridge, packed with ideas for things to do.

Trust marketing manager Shona Owen said: 'For many children the great outdoors is a bit of a secret.

'We're here to share that secret with them, show them some of the little adventures they can have, building memories of exploring with family and friends.

'Whether it's taking part in organised activities at one of our places this summer, following a walk or play trail or simply getting out and den building, hunting for bugs and even making mud-pies, there's plenty to do.'

The planners have an idea a day until the end of August for things to do at National Trust properties across the South West. Some of the ideas include CSI Friday at Cotehele on August 17; Tales from the Gorge, at Lydford, myths and legends on August 21 and welcome to the Middle Ages at Buckland Abbey on August 25.

The summer planners are linked to the National Trust's '50 Things to do before you're 11¾' initiative to encourage children to get outdoors.

The initiative aims to encourage children to get out climbing trees, riding bikes, and flying kites in response to research which highlighted that fewer than one in ten children regularly play in wild places compared with almost half a generation ago.