YOU don’t have to bust the budget to have a good time at half-term. Herefordshire has plenty to offer to keep the kids entertained without costing the earth.

From pond-dipping to visiting local castles, walking the hillsides to hurtling down them on a mountainboard, there’s plenty to do every day of the week – but there are also loads of opportunities for treats.

English Heritage is running special events at two of the region’s attractions, with The Great Castle Quest taking place at Stokesay Castle, and a variety of games, including giant Jenga and croquet, at Witley Court and Gardens.

And at another of the county’s historic houses, Eastnor Castle, a living history camp will be set up on the valley lawn with authentic displays of cookery, dancing and combat from medieval times.

At the National Trust’s Lower Brockhampton estate, people can join in celebrations of the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne by trying their hand at quill-making, writing on parchment and brass rubbing.

More hands-on activities are offered in a series of workshops at Herefordshire’s libraries, where you can create and decorate a special scrapbook to hold all your photos, keepsakes and memories.

Sessions will be held at Hereford, Ledbury, and Leominster libraries on Wednesday, May 27, Ross Library and The Bromyard Centre on Thursday, May 28, and Colwall Library on Friday, May 29. Sessions, which are open to seven to 12-year-olds, run from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Tickets cost £2 and are available in advance from the library where the event is held. Booking is advisable.

At The Waterworks Museum in Hereford, Monday sees one of the regular open days in steam, from 1pm to 4pm, when the museum has many of its steam and internal combustion engines working.

May half-term also sees the exciting return of Hay Fever, The Guardian Hay Festival’s programme for children and families. There will be a host of activities and talks for children of all ages across the 12 days.

“We’ve designed this year’s programme to ensure that there is something for every age, interest and budget; from comedy and poetry to free-running and yoga,” says Hay Fever director, Sophie Lording.

Visitors will discover a wealth of events – from a breathtaking display of parkour (free running) through Hay to appearances by children’s favourites, Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo and Cornelia Funke, not to mention Cressida Cowell, Anthony Horowitz, Jeremy Strong and Roger McGough, with his slapstick verses.

Lucy Shuttleworth leads a unique masterclass on her film adaptation of The Secret of Moonacre, while 12 to 18-year-olds can learn to write their own screenplay with the Young Film Academy, and Jason Bradbury, of Five’s Gadget Show, talks gaming and his new children’s book.

There are opportunities for younger visitors to dress up and party with Dino Cove, Glitterwings Fairies and Beast Quest, and free Spot, Peter Rabbit and Mr Men story times where children can meet their favourite characters. And every day in the children’s zone, youngsters can pop in and take part in free crafting activities with the RSPB or discover the amazing interactive exhibits of Techniquest.

For more details, visit water worksmuseum.org.uk; hayfesti val.com/hayfever; hereford shire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries; eastnorcastle.com; national trust.org.uk and english-her itage. org.uk.