With this weekend marking the start of October half-term, have you planned how your going to keep the kids entertained? Take a look at our top pick.

1# Set out on the quest for the golden apples at the Family Autumn Festival at Rococo Gardens, Painswick 

Offering the perfect start to the half-term holiday, the event will feature seasonal activities to captivate all ages, including autumnal crafts, stuffing and baking apples on an open fire (fully supervised), apple bobbing and an autumn trail to encourage young visitors to explore the garden.

After the success of last year's Golden Apple Hunt, the quest is back - but bigger and better! Each day, there will be the chance to hunt down five special, prize-winning apples and win a variety of prizes - the top prize being a whole year's free family admission to the Rococo Garden.

The village's huge apple juicing press will also be in action and festival visitors can join in the fun of the juicing experience and taste some delicious, freshly-pressed apple juice.

Autumn Festival activities take place between 10.30am and 3pm. The Café will be open 10.30am-5pm throughout the weekend serving a delicious range of food and drinks, and the shop stocks a wide range of high-quality gifts.

2# Entertain the kids at one of Stroud's 10 fantastic half-term activities 

From a ninja wipe-out assault course to go-karting to a comic book workshop, there is plenty being laid on, and more.

Here Is Punchline's countdown of Top 10 things to do in the district:

MUSEUM IN THE PARK

1. Half Term Bat Trail 

2. Big Draw Day at the Museum 

3. The Big Draw. Drop-in Family Workshop: Make a Mini-Book 

4. Comic Book Workshop with Hannah Shaw 

STRATFORD PARK LEISURE CENTRE, STROUD

5. Wet and wild inflatable fun in the pool 

6. Halloween Roller Skating Disco 

THE PULSE, DURSLEY

7. Fun and games day 

8. Multi-sports day 

9. Pulse wipeout 

10. Halloween Dance Workshop 

3# Steam along to food and drink fayre 

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's third Cotswolds Food and Drink Fayre is set to whet appetites over the weekend of October 20-21, at Toddington station.

The event is bigger than ever - with most exhibitors returning along with exciting new offerings.

Local producers' wares on show and available to try include bakery items; cheeses and chutneys; honey and jams; puddings pies and cakes; meat products including local bacon and sausages as well as sausage rolls, chillies, herbs and spices including Tewkesbury mustard; sweets, chocolates and cookies; fruit juices and dairy products.

Joining local ciders, perries and spirits will be the products of local vineyards. And, to save preparing dinner when you get home, there will be a variety of imaginative locally made ready meals!

4# Watch the Royal Ballet's Mayerling screened live to the Corinium Cinema, Cirencester 

The thrilling ballet Mayerling will be broadcast live from the Royal Opera House in London's world-famous Covent Garden to Cirencester's Corinium Museum cinema on Sunday, October 21.

This haunting and emotional production reveals the glamour of the Austro-Hungarian court.

Audiences are encouraged to feel something new through dramatically evocative scenes that challenge the conventions of classical ballet.

Mayerling starts at 2pm at the Corinium Museum Cinema, lasting three hours and including presenting two intervals. The production contains scenes of an adult nature and may not be suitable for children under 12 years old.

5# See what Bourton has to offer at The Funstival 

The Funstival is a new venture in Bourton-on-the-Water, celebrating the local community and showcasing the activities available locally for people living in and around the village.

The public are invited to enjoy a wide range of free events at the Bourton Leisure Centre Bourton and the Cotswold School Hall on Sunday, October 21.

The Funstival - which is being organised through the Health Connect community development project in association with Cotswold District Council - will run from 11am to 3pm and will offer free snacks and cakes, magic shows, face painting, a mobile climbing wall, swim sessions, aqua gymnastics, and other taster sessions.