Can anyone recommend any shrubs that are colourful to look at ,spiny to keep the kids off and with berries to feed the birds, Please ?.

Firethorn (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyracantha) (pyracantha). You'll need to keep it well pruned if you want it to remain relatively small and compact.

Another link (http://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=70004).

And another (http://the-plant-directory.co.uk/pyracantha-golden-charmer-p-999.html).

A nice raspberry or blackberry bush, kept trimmed is good for keeping the kids at bay.

The fronds really wrap around their legs and leave a hell of a mark if they run across the flower bed and you can guarrantee that once the little bas.... sweethearts have been hurt once by it, they wont be back for a good long time.

I agree with Hecate, pyracantha is a good choice, there are lots of species to choose from and the spines are evil. Also have a look at berberis darwinii.

Another thought is holly but it is slower growing than the two above.