At the end of May this year, the country’s second-ever National Family Week will take place, encouraging people across the country to celebrate being part of a family, whatever shape or size. So get set for more record-breaking excitement, fun, free events and activities, HUGE giveaways, competitions and loads of special savings to help make spending family time that little bit easier.

National Family Week aims to highlight the important role families play in society and encourage healthy active lifestyles and quality family time. It is the largest coalition on family issues and is backed by all major political parties and a huge range of national charities, local authorities, community groups and sporting associations including the FA, Premier League and Rugby Football Union plus a whole host of celebrities including chef, Antony Worrall Thompson, Esther Rantzen, sporting champion Sally Gunnell and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.

The inaugural National Family Week which took place between the 25th and 31st May last year saw over 4,000 events happening across the country with everything from Guinness World Record setting picnics to story telling sessions with Floella Benjamin. National Family Week 2010 is to run between the 31st May and 6th June and aims to be even bigger and better.

National Family Week is now working with over 180 national supporting partners and thousands of regional partners who will be organising events and activities for families throughout The Week. Confirmed themes include:

Monday 31 May – Family Week Picnic

Tuesday 1 June – Family Week Film Day

Wednesday 2 June – Family Week Story Time

Saturday 5 June – Family Week Sports Day

As well as thousands of smaller events and activities set to run all across the UK, large fun-packed flagship Family Week Picnics will kick start The Week in Lancashire (Clitheroe Castle), Leicester (Snibston Discovery Museum), Hull (West Park), Norwich (Sprowston Community High School), Barnstaple (Rock Park), Swanage (overlooking the bay) and Portsmouth (Southsea Common).

Families can then switch their picnic rugs for a spot of rugga and a whole host of other sports with flagship Family Week Sports Days already confirmed to be taking place in Newcastle (Newcastle United Academy), Manchester (Manchester City Stadium), Nottingham (Forest Recreation Ground), Wakefield (Thornes & Clarence Park), Plymouth (Central Park), Bath (Recreation Ground), Hull (East Park) and Twickenham (Twickenham Stadium). Families will also have the chance to join in with more Guinness World Record breaking madness as National Family Week attempts to break the record for the largest three-legged race!

Log on to www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk for further information including details on how you can take part. And from March, take advantage of the searchable map to find out about all the events and activities happening in your area.