Here's Punchline's guide to five great half-term activities in the Stroud area which won't cost the earth:

1. Discover that life's nicer on the water

Have a go at a water-based activity on the Stroudwater canal. A day of activities is being held at Ryeford on Saturday, June 1, from 11am to 4pm. Choose from stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, Boatmobility, or take a trip on the Cotswold Canal Trust's narrow boat. There's live music all day, bring a towel, picnic, friends and family. All activities are free.

The Cotswold Canals Trust operate two narrowboats that cruise on weekends and Bank Holidays.

2. Take a ride on a miniature railway

Catch a ride on the miniature railway in Stratford Park, Stroud, while you can - it only operates on nine days during 2019. Take a ride through the park on Sunday, May 26, 2pm-4.30pm, 50p per person. Follow the Facebook page `Stratford Park Miniature Railway' for updates and photos.

3. Get into the spirit of Shakespeare

Family drop-in workshop: Jester's Sticks & Royal Crowns. Wednesday, May 29, 11am - 4pm (drop in) £2 per item. Come along to Stroud's Museum in the Park as it prepares for Stroud Shakespeare Festival and play homage to the Bard's Fools and Kings and Queens - make a jester's stick or royal crown. A family drop-in workshop for all ages. See the Museum in the Park website for more details.

4. Take a dip in an open air pool

The Grade ll listed Stratford Park Lido opens its doors on Saturday, May 25, when brave swimmers can take a dip in the unheated spring-fed pool. It opens every day from 11am until at least 5pm.

If you need to acclimatise yourself to open air swimming, the open air pool in Wotton-under-Edge is heated to 28-30 degrees C and has a retractable enclosure which is closed in colder weather, and drawn back for open air swimming when the weather is fine.

5. Play outdoors with Play Gloucestershire

Play Rangers will be bringing their active and creative play equipment to the district during half-term. They operate outdoors whatever the weather, and all activities are free. Typical sessions might involve informal sports, tag, den building, face painting and giant bubbles. Whole families join in the play and children with disabilities are welcome.

Tuesday 28 May, 10am-4pm - Oldends Lane, Stonehouse

Tuesday 28 May, 10am-4pm - Lawnside Playing Area, Forest Green

Thursday 30 May, 10am-4pm - Millennium Green, South Street, Uley

Friday 31 May, 10am-4pm - The Playing Fields, Leonard Stanley

There's more information on the Play Gloucestershire website.

Looking for something else outside Stroud too? Read: Top five things to do in Gloucestershire this bank holiday weekend