Great things to do this weekend in the North-East

Sausage & Beer Festival, Camp Hill Estate, Kirklington, on Saturday/Sunday
Real ale, great sausages and live music - that's what this festival is all about. Enjoy sampling the best locally produced beers and some of Yorkshire’s tastiest sausages against the beautiful backdrop of the Camp Hill Estate. 

Become a sausage judge and help us choose the county's best banger. After the tasting relax with a drink in hand to some great live bands. Expect family fun for all ages with a vintage fun fair and the Woodland Kingdom for the little ones to explore. 01845-567788. 

Deershed Festival - Making Waves, Balderby Park, Topcliffe
Family festival, with music, comedy, literature, shows, cinema, workshops, science, sports and more. It seems this year’s music line-up – featuring Goldfrapp, Drenge, Field Music, Public Service Broadcasting, Gaz Coombes, Joan As Police Woman, This Is The Kit and Nadine Shah among many others – has made quite the splash. 
 

From ripples to rolling tides, rapids to meandering rivers, waves come in all different shapes, sizes, frequencies and guises. Some take us sailing away, and then there’s the waves from our five live music stages that get your limbs swaying to their funky vibrations. Whether you want to surf, slide, swim, discover the creatures of the deep or just dip your toes, we’re on your wavelength. 
 

Cirque Berserk! Hippodrome, on Saturday/Sunday
 

Showcasing the finest in traditional circus thrills and skills, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the invention of Circus by bringing this treasured form of live entertainment bang up-to-date in a jaw-dropping spectacular created especially for the theatre.

Combining contemporary cirque-style artistry with adrenaline-fuelled stunt action, this astoundingly talented international troupe includes over thirty jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, drummers and daredevil stuntmen. Featuring the world's most hair-raising circus act - the legendary motorcycle 'Globe of Death'. 01325-405405. 

Meet Chase from Paw Patrol, Head of Steam, Darlington, on Sunday, 10-4pm

Come along to the Head of Steam, to see Chase from Paw Patrol! The heroic pup will be making personal appearances at intervals throughout the day. Plus lots more fun for all the family, including face painting, mini train ride, arts and crafts and much more. Tel: 01325-460532.

Mud Pie Monday, Hardwick Park Visitor Centre, Sedgefield, on Monday

Old clothes are a must for these fun and messy mud pie-making session.

Summer Sun Family Fun Day, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, on Wednesday

Hurrah! Holiday time begins so come and celebrate with us throughout the Museum and in the grounds during this drop in session. look out for our festivity tent filled with crafts galore, sparkles and sprinkles, a delight for all. Bring a picnic!

Children must be accompanied by an adult for whom normal admission applies. Free to pass holders.

Marco's circus workshop, Botanic Garden, Durham, on Thursday

Learn circus tricks, including how to juggle and spin plates, at this fun workshop.

Robots Activity Trail this summer at Centre for Life, Newcastle, runs until September

Families are invited to explore an activity trail through Life Science Centre’s blockbuster exhibition Robots – then and now this summer holidays as part of an action-packed day at the visitor attraction.

Filled with quizzes, games and activities, the Robots Activity Trail helps younger visitors to get as much out of Life’s new exhibition as their parents, as they explore 500 years of robotic discovery.

Also included in the admission ticket is the new live show in the Science Theatre, Great Geordie Bridges, and the chance for children to craft their own souvenir in the Making Space, with a new activity every week throughout the holidays. Other highlights include the biggest planetarium in the North of England and the 4D Motion Ride.

For more information and to book tickets, visit life.org.uk/robots