The highs of Rebecca Adlington standing on the podium and the lows of Mark Cavendish’s doomed attempt for gold in the road race have had the nation hooked on the London 2012 Games.

From day one, the word on organisers’ lips has been legacy and children inspired by what they have seen can be active at the Wildlife Olympics.

They can hop, skip and jump their way to gold at the games organised by Kent County Council at Kent’s best country parks, although the competitions are slightly different to what they will have seen on TV.

Welly throwing and the lily pad launch are among the individual events, while teams can bid for glory in the animal relay race.

Children aged eight and over can take part in the two and a half hours of competition. Parents do not have to stay, giving them a chance to have a morning of peace in the busy summer holidays.

Wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. Admission £6. Call 0845 824 7600.

Get behind your team in the Animalympics!

Cheer on four-legged competitors at the Animalympics at Kent Life. Piglets, gerbils and furry ferrets will compete in races at the attraction near Maidstone.

Get behind Team Maidstone, Team Medway and Team Everywhere Else as they fight for top spot on the medal table every day until Friday, August 10, excluding Saturday and Sunday, August 4 and 5. Young visitors can join in the races and dress up as farmers to guide mums and dads around an obstacle course in the parent herding event.

The week culminates in the medal ceremony at 4pm on Friday, August 10. Admission £8.95, concessions £7.75, children £6.50, under threes free. Call 01622 763936.

Wildlife Olympics run from 10am to 12.30pm at:

Shorne Wood Country Park, Brewers Road, Gravesend DA12 3HX on Tuesday, August 7.

Brockhill Country Park, Sandling Road, Saltwood CT21 4HL on Wednesday, August 15.