Half Term Family Activities at the RSC

From last year's The Play's The Thing. Photo courtesy of the RSC.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) have a whole range of May Half Term activities for families and young people, many of which are free. Brimming with engaging workshops and events, there's something to delight everyone from aspiring actors, to imaginative crafters and inquisitive minds.

Visitors can enjoy the new inflatable ceiling installation and matching floor vinyl in the colonnade created by artist Lisa Curtis. Programme also includes costume workshops, exploring Shakespeare using your senses, stop-motion animation classes, storytelling workshops, acting classes and interactive puppetry demonstrations

In addition, award winning writer and performer Tim Crouch brings his one man show I, Peaseblossom - a joyous take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream for families and young people – to the Swan Theatre for a limited run.

 All the details are on the RSC website along with links to booking your place, costs if any, and times. Please note that unless it’s a drop-off workshop all children must be accompanied by an adult. Here’s a quick run-down of some of the events:

I, PEASEBLOSSOM: This captivating one-man show revisits A Midsummer Night’s Dream through the fevered imagination of the Bard’s most overlooked fairy. Written and performed by the multi-award-winning theatre maker Tim Crouch. It's at the Swan Theatre from 28-31 May, 10.30am and 2.30pm. Suitable for ages 7+. Running time: 60 minutes, no interval

COLONNADE INSTALLATION: Situated in the foyer between the RST and the Swan theatre, a stunning new installation by artist Lisa Curtis is set to transform the colonnade into a vibrant celebration of colour, imagination, and playfulness. This large, suspended inflatable artwork, complemented by matching floor vinyl, is free for all to see and is inspired by the RSC’s summer family production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, running in The Other Place from August 4 to 31. Available during building opening hours. Free to visit

HOW TO MAKE COSTUME ACCESSORIES: Learn how to make your very own costume accessories, using recycled fabrics and materials from the RSC stage. Taking inspiration from the RSC’S many designs, you'll make your own creation to play with at home.  Tuesday 27 May from 10am to 12pm. Welcome Space, Level 2, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Suitable for ages 5+. Free, no booking required.

COSTUME QUICK CHANGE: Actors often make very quick costume changes - come and have a go! Try on costumes and learn how to change into a new one as quickly as possible with behind-the-scenes tips and tricks - can you set the fastest time? Tuesday 27 May from 2pm to 5pm. Welcome Space, Level 2, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Suitable for ages 5+. Free, no booking required

SENSORY STAY AND PLAY: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: Explore the worlds of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in these free drop-in stay and play sessions. Through textures, sounds and smells, you will explore and imagine you are in the woods of this enchanting play.  Thursday 29 May from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm. Welcome Space, Level 2, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Suitable for ages 0 – 4 years. Free, no booking required.

PLAYFUL SHAKESPEARE: Join us on the hour, for an hour, to play with a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Using rehearsal games and props, you'll work together to become your very own company of actors.  

Friday 30 May. Welcome Space, Level 2, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Suitable for ages 5+. Free, no booking required:

11am – Act 1: Become the King and Queen of the fairies.

12pm – Act 2: Get lost in the woods with four friends.

 2pm – Act 3: Everyone is reunited – time for a party.

 3pm – Act 4: Create the play within a play, as the Mechanicals.

From a 2024 activity. Photo credit the RSC.

SHARING SHAKESPEARE: Come back and share what you’ve made during the week. Join us to celebrate your creations and bring together the amazing playful and imaginative work from throughout the week. Anyone who has taken part in an activity or workshop is welcome to return with their parents/carer. Friday 30 May from 4pm to 5pm, Welcome Space, Level 2, Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Free, no booking required.

COSTUME MAKING MASTERCLASS: Calling all budding costume designers – join us to design and create your own costume for one of Shakespeare characters from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Friday 30 May 10:30am to 3:30pm. Clore Learning Centre. Drop-off workshop. Suitable for 8-14 years. Tickets required.

FAMILY STORYTELLING:  Storytelling is central to all that we do at the RSC, and in this fun, bitesize session, we'll introduce you to the world of Shakespeare. Take a journey through Shakespeare’s plays with a mixture of actor-led storytelling, drama games and play. Wednesday 28 May from 10:30am to 11:20am and 12pm to 12:50pm. Clore Learning Centre. Suitable for ages 4-8. Please book a ticket for all attending. £5 per adult, £4 per child

FAMILY PUPPETRY:  Over the RSC’s long history, we have used puppets in various productions, and many of them are made right here in Stratford! In this session, learn to make and operate your very own puppets inspired by characters from Shakespeare. Perfect for those looking for a fun family workshop, who want to learn more about the making and mechanics of puppetry. Thursday 29 May from 11am to 12pm and 2pm to 3pm. Clore Learning Centre. Suitable for ages 5+. Please book a ticket for all attending. £5 per adult, £4 per child

WORKSHOPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE: Perfect for budding young theatre makers who want to act, make, or brush up on their writing and animation skills! All workshops are drop-off sessions at The Clore Learning Centre.

Ages 8 to 11 sessions include:

Act Shakespeare – A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Tuesday 27 May. 10:30am to 12:30pm

Act Shakespeare – Much Ado About Nothing: Tuesday 27 May. 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Stop Motion Animation Workshop: Wednesday 28 May. 11am to 4pm

Write Like Shakespeare Workshop: Friday 30 May. 11am to 12:30pm

Ages 11 to 14 sessions include:

Act Shakespeare – A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Wednesday 28 May. 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Act Shakespeare – Much Ado About Nothing: Wednesday 28 May. 10:30am to 3:30pm

Stop Motion Animation Workshop: Tuesday 27 May. 11am to 4pm

Write Like Shakespeare Workshop: Friday 30 May. 1:30pm to 3pm

Ages 14 – 18 session:

Act Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Thursday 29 May. 10:30am to 3:30pm

Tickets require for all sessions.

For further details and to book tickets:  https://www.rsc.org.uk/events/may-half-term-activities