Ref. 26253-9Children have been getting their crayons out to design their own T-shirts as part of a holiday club run at the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery. JENNY LEWIS went along to see how they got on.

YOUNGSTERS have been having fun learning to design their own crazy patterns for T-shirts.

All this week children from five to 11 have been at the Swindon Museum and Art Galley in Bath Road, Old Town, printing their own T-shirts.

Each day had a different theme. On Monday it was the Egyptians, Tuesday was dinosaurs and yesterday was Under the Sea.

Today is Myths and Monsters, and tomorrow, the final day, allows children the chance to design whatever they want on any theme.

The children were shown how to draw their designs on paper first using template pictures and then traced these through onto the T-shirt with fabric pens.

The design was ironed to seal in the dye so that the children could proudly show off their T-shirts to their friends and family and wear them home.

Education officer Nicky Pardoe said: "The event so far has been a great success. We have 50 places and it has been fully booked every day.

"The children seem to have a really enjoyable time and are very calm and focused when it comes to the designing process."

Among those taking part were Sarah Summers and her daughter Grace, five, from Broome Manor.

Grace designed an Under the Sea T-shirt.

Her mum said: "It's nice that Grace has something creative to take home.

"We visit the museum regularly because Grace likes the crocodile exhibit but it is important to get other children interested in the museum. We need more events like this."

There is still time to come along. The event runs from 2pm to 4pm and costs £5 per child, including the cost of the T-shirt.

Booking is advisable and you can contact Swindon Museum and Art Gallery on 01793 466556.

Other summer activities on around Swindon this month

The Reading Maze, a free reading challenge for three to 16-year-olds, is available at all 17 libraries across Swindon until September 13

Secrets of the Past is a treasure hunt around Swindon Museum and Art Gallery following clues to find a very precious object. The trail is open to children aged five to 11 years and costs 60p including a small prize. The event runs until September 2.

With Love from Lydiard, a picture postcard competition in which entrants design a postcard-sized image with an aspect of Lydiard House and its gardens as its theme. Entrance is £1.30 and includes entry to the house. The competition closes on September 2.

Printing Patterns, a look at the variety of patterns and fabrics in Lydiard House and the chance for children to create their own designs using printing techniques. The event runs at Lydiard House on August 27 from 2pm to 4pm, and costs £3 per child, booking is advised, call 01793 770401.

Children's craft days at Steam, a day of arts and crafts in which children can make a mosaic style train to take home and help in the making of a huge mosaic to display in the museum. The event is suitable for youngsters aged five to 11 years and runs on Thursday, August 28 and Saturday, August 30 from 11am to 1pm costing £2 per child.