The UK's National Museum of Computing opens its Summer Bytes festival for kids

The UK's National Museum of Computing (TNMOC) at Bletchley Park is kicking off its annual Summer Bytes festival tomorrow, August 1, promising "digital fun and games for all the family". Many of the events are designed to entertain kids during the school holidays, while also educating them about computing and coding.

The schedule also includes nine Ada Lovelace Days, plus some "special tours highlighting great achievements of women in technology".

Another featured event -- Who is Listening? -- uses "vintage 1970's and 1980's equipment to find hidden surveillance bugs in the library of The National Museum of Computing."

There are also days devoted to coding (programming) and code breaking (encryption and decryption). "Enigma and friends" promises a "hands-on with famous wartime machines like the Enigma and more".

Gamers will be able to compare the current version of Elite: Dangerous with the BBC Micro original. And, as usual, there will be a LEGO room, where the traditional activities include making LEGO models of old computers and robots.

TNMOC is situated at Bletchley Park near Milton Keynes, just north of London. It is run by a small charity, independent of the UK government, so it is obliged to charge for admission: £7.50 for adults and £5 for students and children aged 5 to 16. Family tickets for two adults and up to three children cost £20.

Summer Bytes runs daily from noon until 5pm from August 1-30. There is a day-by day guide to events on TNMOC's website.