IT will soon be half-term and parents could well be looking for things to occupy their children’s minds.

Ready to do their bit to help is the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) which will be offering families an array of activities during the February half-term holidays.

Highlights include the chance to see the RSC technical team do a high speed set-change from one production to another in 90 minutes, an insight into the world of stage make-up with the Blood, Guts and Gore demonstration and a singing workshop with an RSC voice coach.

The full list of activities on offer are:-

FREE DROP-IN ACTIVITY

There is no need to book but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Secrets from the RSC Collection – Upper Circle Bar - Feb 16-18 and 20, 2 - 4pm - explore a selection of rarely displayed shoe themed props, costumes and accessories from the RSC Collection which coincides with the RSC’s latest production The Shoemaker’s Holiday. Suitable for all ages.

Dressing up box – Royal Shakespeare Theatre - Monday – Sunday, 10am - 5pm - dress-up with a range of special costumes from the RSC Costume Store. The permanent dressing-up box is based on the ground floor of the theatre and is for all ages.

Play Cart – Swan Reading Room and RSC Riverside Café - Monday – Sunday, 10am - 5pm - families can enjoy an array of craft activities with the RSC's Play Carts which are available in the Riverside Cafe and Reading Room.

Adventure bags – Royal Shakespeare Theatre - Monday – Sunday, 10am - 5pm - check out an RSC adventure bag and enjoy exploring the words of the world's most famous playwright in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. Bags are available from staff all year round.

ROYAL SHAKESPEARE THEATRE

Advance booking is recommended.

Blood, Guts and Gore – £3.50 adults, £2.50 children, Upper Circle Bar – Feb 16, 11am -12 noon and Feb 20, 11am - 12 noon - join former RSC Head of Wigs and Make-up, Brenda Leedham, as she talks about the tricks of the trade and shows how bruises, cuts and scars are created. Suitable for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Singing Workshop – adults £3.50, children £2.50, Upper Circle Bar - Feb 17 12 noon - 1pm - come and sing your heart out with an RSC voice coach. No experience necessary. For ages eight and over. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

CLORE LEARNING CENTRE

Advance booking is recommended.

Play in a Day – £20, Clore Learning Centre – Feb 16 10am - 4.30pm, suitable for those aged 8-10 years, Feb 17 10am - 4.30pm, suitable for those aged 11-14 years, Feb 18 10am - 4.30pm, suitable for those aged 15-18 years - create your very own shortened version of a Shakespeare play in a day with help from an RSC expert. Sessions are for children only.

Speaking Shakespeare – adults £3.50, children £2.50, Clore Learning Centre – Feb 17 2 - 3pm - want to have a go at performing some of Shakespeare's speeches? Come along to this fun and lively session that will have you quoting Shakespeare like a professional. For ages eight and over. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Story Garden – adults £3.50, children £2.50, Clore Learning Centre - Feb 20 10.45am - 11.45am King Lear, 2.30pm - 3.30pm, Macbeth, and Feb 21 10am - 11am, The Tempest. Enjoy having a go at performing part of a Shakespeare play in these special sessions where a storyteller will lead the way. Suitable for four to eight year-olds, all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Stage Fighting – adults £4, children £3, Clore Learning Centre – Feb 20 11am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 3.30pm - learn how the action is created on stage with this special workshop with an RSC expert. Suitable for ages eight and over. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

SWAN THEATRE

Advance booking recommended.

Open Changeovers – £5, The Swan – Feb 18 9am - 10.30am, The Shoemaker’s Holiday to Oppenheimer, Feb 19 2pm - 3.30pm, Oppenheimer to The Shoemaker’s Holiday. A chance to watch the technical team transform one set of a play to another in 90 minutes. For ages 14 and over.

FREE EXHIBITIONS

Bruce Bairnsfather - PACCAR Room, Royal Shakespeare Theatre - until March 15, 10am - 10pm or Sundays 10am - 5pm - there is still time to catch this free exhibition which explores the life and work of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather, who became world-famous during the First World War for his cartoons depicting life on the frontline.

My RSC Gallery – Royal Shakespeare Theatre - Monday to Saturday, 10am - 10pm and Sundays, 10am - 5pm - explore the building to find an exhibition of over 50 boxes embedded in the walls of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Lift the lids to reveal a miniature artwork and the inspiration behind each one. This is a permanent exhibition suitable for all ages.