...free family days out; You don't need to break the bank to have a great day out in Wales. Here are 12 of the top free attractions.

The National Woollen Museum, Carmarthenshire This flagship museum is a new and exciting place to visit with something for everyone to enjoy.

Families can have fun following the specially designed trail, "A Woolly Tale", and create their own guide to making and using woollen cloth, trying their hand at carding, spinning and sewing along the way. Tel:[phone].

Big Pit Mining Museum, Blaenavon Learn about Wales' mining history in this interactive museum. Descend 100 meters underground to explore a real coal mine with an experienced miner as your guide.

A unique and unforgettable experience. There's plenty to do and see on the surface, too, with original colliery company buildings and exhibitions.

The town of Blaenavon has been awarded World Heritage Status. Tel: [phone]

Goytre Wharf Visitors Centre This British Waterways heritage centre has a wonderful stretch of canal to walk along, and hands-on interactive displays. Visitors can walk for miles along the canal bank walking under bridges or across the aqueduct.

The wharf has a visitor centre which provides information for the area, and refreshments. The centre also houses a tram road exhibition and art gallery. Tel: [phone]

The National Museum and Gallery, Cardiff History, science and the arts at your fingertips. You can stroll though elegant art galleries housing famous works of art, or take a journey back in time to explore a land of dinosaurs and woolly mammoths. New exhibitions include "Music 09". Tel: [phone]

Margam Park, Port Talbot Set in 1,000 acres of parkland, this beautiful park offers history, wildlife and a wide range of activities and facilities for the whole family. There is an impressive 18th century orangery, Victorian mansion house, and endless historical gardens. Tel:[phone]

Amelia Farm Trust, Five Mile Lane, Barry Set on a 160-acre site, this working farm has 40 acres of woodland to admire, more than 300 animals to meet, several play areas to explore and barbecue sites available to pre-book. The farm is an ideal place for families who are counting the pennies as entry is free, although donations are welcome. For directions and more information, visit www.ameliatrust.org.uk or call 01446 782030

The Egypt Centre in Swansea University, Singleton Park This is a real hidden gem of a museum. It has more than 4,000 items in its collection, making it a great place for children to learn about mummies and the pyramids. You can even learn how to mummify like the Egyptians did! The centre is open 10am until 4pm. Closed on Sundays and bank holiday Mondays. Call 01792 295960 for more details.

Kenfig Nature Reserve near Bridgend Walk along the sand dunes whilst you take in the spectacular views of Swansea Bay and the Gower, or try and spot the wildlife in Glamorgan's largest natural lake, Kenfig Pool. The reserve also has its own visitor's centre which houses a free hands-on exhibition for children of all ages and an art exhibition by local artist Paul Parsons. The visitors' centre is open 10am until 4.30pm including Bank Holiday Monday. For further details call 01656 743386.

Taff Trail If you're looking for something active to do this half-term, then why not take the family cycling on the Taff Trail? Cycle as far as you fancy between Cardiff Bay and Brecon with the added reassurance of knowing that the majority of the path is traffic-free. Fun, safe, free and guaranteed to be open on the bank holiday. More information can be found at www.tafftrail.org.uk

Swimming Since 2003, the Welsh Assembly Government has offered free swimming to children under 16 during the school holidays in order to promote healthy living. Take advantage of this offer by popping along to your local pool during the coming week. Children aged eight and over don't need to be accompanied by an adult and the scheme runs between 10am to 4pm. Be sure to check opening hours with your local pool, as times vary.

Penarth Seafront For a cheap as chips day out, take a walk down the pier with a cone of chips or play hide and seek in the gardens of The Kymin on Beach Road, which overlook the Bristol Channel. Younger children will enjoy the Cliff Parade play area whereas older children might prefer the Belle Vue Park on Albert Road, which has been awarded the coveted Green Flag award for a fourth year in a row. The pier is open 9am-9pm and both parks are open 8am-9pm. Both are open on Bank Holiday Monday. For more details, visit the Vale of Glamorgan website at www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

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Find out how your scarf begins its life at The National Woollen Museum Goytre Wharf