Youngsters can turn into explorers as part of the Family Library’s Time Machine treasure hunt, featuring Manx National Heritage sites.

The theme of the Family Library’s Summer Reading Scheme is The Time Machine, taking inspiration from the H. G. Wells classic, and will transport young bookworms back to the Victorian period.

One of the tasks is to search for hidden Time Machine depictions at Manx National Heritage sites. Children are being asked to find each Time Machine and collect all the colours before handing in the slip to the library.

School children will be allowed free access to MNH sites through the Ace Card scheme.

Librarian in charge Mary Cousins said: ‘We’re delighted that we have been able to team up with Manx National Heritage for part of this year’s scheme.

‘It means that, as well as being able to get full value from the reading scheme, children also have an extra incentive to visit many of the Island’s wonderful sites and, through MNH’s ACE card scheme, it won’t cost them anything!’

In addition, the Family Library is also laying on other events to help fight off the problem of children saying they don’t have enough to do in the summer holidays.

This Thursday (July 31) sees the launch of the Bored Games series. Every Thursday, between 10am and 2pm, the Family Library will have plenty of board games available for children to try their hand at, as something different to do.

Mary said: ‘While the weather so far has been great, we know there will be times when it’s not so good and children will have to find things to do indoors.

‘We hope that, by popping along to our Bored Games sessions, they will discover new pastimes and perhaps go on to play the games at home and with their friends. The sessions are free, so it’s a great way to learn more ways to have fun.’

Don’t forget, also, that the Summer Art School sessions with professional animator Gary Myers take place every Wednesday.

Multi-talented Gary can teach a wide range of techniques, from how to recreate your favourite cartoon character to completely original art work. The sessions take place every Wednesday until August 27, running from 12.30pm to 2pm.

The art school is open for children aged eight and upwards and it is ?5 per session. Contact the Family Library for more information and to book a place on 640650.

Tuesdays see the Maths Jam, from 11.30am to 12.30pm. It’s free and there’s no need to book – you can just drop in at the library, which is next to the children’s playground in Westmoreland Road, Douglas.

You can keep up to date with all the events at the Family Library by visiting its website familylibrary.im – which has details of all the resources available from the Family Library and the Mobile Family Library – and by visiting the Family Library’s page on Facebook.