The summer holidays seem to be just over, but parents already face the problem of preventing their children from being bored over the half-term break this month. One option to keep them on the move and entertained is a ferry-based break close to home. There are many opportunities available in late October and there are some tempting special deals.

Five-night self-catering breaks at a selection of holiday villages across Ireland are on offer throughout October through Irish Ferries, including Pebble Beach and Fisherman's Grove holiday homes in Co Waterford, with reduced entry at Tramore's Splashworld Leisure Centre. Horseriding, surfing and golf are among activities available in the area. Five nights for a family of two adults and two children in a Pebble Beach or Fisherman's Grove cottage costs £296, including return ferry crossings from Holyhead to Dublin or Pembroke to Rosslare with a car.

The Merton hotelin Jersey, with its Aquadome indoor pool and Flowrider surf simulator, is offering October half-term prices from £48 a person, £36 for children between 12 and 15 and £24 for under-12s. Families can book a return crossing with Condor Ferries through the hotel when booking accommodation. Return travel for two adults, two children and a car is from £184 from Weymouth.

While on Jersey, take a trip to the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, founded by Gerald Durrell nearly 50 years ago with the mission to save endangered species from extinction. The trust is home to more than 130 species, including Ya Kwanza, a 35stone western lowland gorilla. At the education centre, children can experience close encounters with reptiles, and enjoy the play equipment.

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How about taking the children to school on the ferry services of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company? The Old Grammar School served the community that grew up around Castle Rushen, one of Britain's best-preserved medieval castles, from 1701 until 1930.

Thomas the Tank Engine fans will get a thrill from riding the Isle of Man Steam Railway's venerable narrow-gauge steam trains that inspired the Rev W.Awdry's celebrated stories. The trains run until November 2. The Steam Railway Museum is in Port Erin, where the self-catering Cherry Orchard Apartments feature a leisure centre with a pool. Two nights for two adults costs £124 during the half term with Steam Packet Holidays, while child prices are £30 for any length of stay. Ferry crossings with a car cost from £29.

Offers to the Isle of Wight with Red Funnel include discounted tickets to many attractions, including the ITV Tiger Island at the zoo at Sandown, Osborne House, Queen Victoria's favourite home and Blackgang Chine with its clifftop rollercoaster. Return ferry travel is available from £32 for a car and up to six people, and family attraction tickets from £13.95. Red Funnel Holidays is offering savings of up to £300 on travel and accommodation packages at Appuldurcombe Holiday Cottages for seven nights, starting on October 25. The family-sized traditional stone cottages are set in the 300- acre grounds of Appuldurcombe Estate, which has its own falconry centre. Week-long stays cost from £349.

A trip across the Firth of Clyde could lead to a half-term holiday at the new Auchrannie Spa Resort on the Isle of Arran. All rooms sleep up to two adults and two children, with prices from £95 a room. The year-round resort features indoor tennis as well as swimming and leisure facilities. Older children may be interested in the more demanding sports on offer, such as canyoning and mountain biking. Excursions for all include a visit to the standing stones on Machrie Moor.

Caledonian MacBrayne operates crossings between Ardrossan and Arran from £80.86 for a family of four until October 18. A range of accommodation in Arran and the other islands can be found by visiting its website.

Need to know

These are just some of the possibilities available in conjunction with ferry services run by Sail and Drive-affiliated ferry operators. For more ideas, visit www.sailanddrive.com and follow the links to member companies.

www.irishferries.com - 0870 5171717

www.seymourhotels.com/mertonhotel - 01534 724231

www.durrellwildlife.org - 01534 860000

www.steampacketholidays.com - 0845 7585833

www.redfunnel.co.uk/redfunnel/holidays - 0844 8442690

www.auchrannie.co.uk - 01770 302234

www.calmac.co.uk - 0800 0665000

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