THE summer holidays are here and children everywhere have been released from their schools and left in the hands of their despairing parents.

In the battle to stave off boredom, which normally sets in after about two days, the ultimate weapon is the promise of a trip to a theme park.

Unless your child happens to be the next David Attenborough, a new baby rhino at the local zoo will never appeal quite as much as an all-singing, all-dancing new rollercoaster at Alton Towers. The theme park will always win hands down, until a zoo finds a safe way of offering rides on their lions.

The summer is obviously the peak time for theme parks, and as such, the prices are at their highest, the queues at their longest and the crowds at their most unbearable. The parks know how popular they are and set their prices accordingly - the full cost of a day can turn a parent's face paler than the most vicious roller coaster.

School may be out, but it pays to do some homework before setting off for a kiddies' paradise. The ill-prepared family could find itself queuing for half the day or discover that its hyperactive eight-year-old is only tall enough to go on the mini-roller coaster.

A recent Which? magazine survey has looked into the pros and cons of the big day out. "It is a great day's entertainment for the family but we wanted to look at what people get for their money to see which parks offer the most fun at the best value," said senior researcher Simone Collins.

Adults will be charged up to £25 at the daddy of theme parks, Alton Towers, and not much less elsewhere. To add insult to financial injury, in this child-orientated business 12-year-olds are often given adult status.

Queuing is pretty much unavoidable and has to be accepted as part of the theme park experience. The best way to get the most out of the day is to arrive early and head for the big attractions straight away.

However, these and some other parks boast virtual queuing systems for their biggest rides, whereby slots can be booked for a specific time in the day. Again, it pays to arrive early and do this on arrival.

Here are some of the best (and worst) theme parks.

Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire)

Most of you will look no further than this, the undisputed king of theme parks. Set in stunning grounds and located no more than an hour-and-a-half's drive away, it has something for everyone.

It can't be beaten for rides for both young and old, but some will object to paying a small fortune for a few minutes of thrills. You even have to pay for parking. The park is massive, so it's a good idea to plan a route to take in the main attractions.

New this year is Air, a rollercoaster where riders are hung horizontally beneath the track.

Cost: Adult (12 years +): £18.50 off-peak, £25 peak; child: £15.50 off-peak, £20 peak; family: £62 off-peak, £74 peak.

West Midland Safari Park (Bewdley)

For a more relaxed day out, combining animals from hippos to giraffes and a selection of rides, look no further than Worcestershire's own safari park.

Cost: £6.25 (children four and under free).

The American Adventure (Ilkeston, Derbyshire)

It has fewer rides, and its main attraction - Skycoaster, a bungee jump for up to three people - can make it as expensive as superior venues. You may save money, but your children might not thank you. The choice is yours.

Cost: Adult (13 years +): £8.99/£13.99; child: £8.99/£10.99; family: £42.50.

Camelot Theme Park (Chorley, Lancashire)

For masochists only. I can't imagine many Worcester residents would feel the need to head north to experience this place, which features old-fashioned rides, poor toilets and basic food options. Which magazine's inspectors were less than impressed. Your children could probably make better rides out of toilet rolls and a couple of washing-up liquid bottles. You've been warned.

Cost: £13.50 (children under one metre tall free); family: £45.

Chessington World of Adventures (Chessington, Surrey)

Head south for a more heavyweight theme park experience. It boasts plenty of big rides and will appeal to younger children as well. However, food and drink is very expensive.

Cost: Adult: (13 years +) £17/£21; child: £14.50/£17; family: £52/£63.

Drayton Manor Park (Tamworth, Staffordshire)

Closer to home, but more of a rival to The American Adventure than Alton Towers, Drayton claims to have Europe's only stand-up roller coaster, the Shockwave.

Apocalypse's 54-metre drop is another attraction for those who want to see their breakfast again.

Cost: Adult: (14 years +) £15/£17.50; child: £11/£13.50; family: £47/£51.