The sun is coming out and with it, the ice cream: from festivals to fairy-tales, there's no excuse to be bored this half term! Drag your parents (or teenagers!) out of bed and take a look at our selection of the brilliant events happening over the next week.
Friday 23 May - Oxford: Dark Tales from the Woods (7+)
Storyteller Daniel Morden brings a weird and wonderful world to life in the Story Museum. Think fairy tales are all about Disney princes and princesses? Think again: ghosts, ghouls, shape-shifters, talking animals and mysterious forests all take centre stage in this journey back to our folk past. While you're there, why not check out the mind-boggling 26 Characters interactive exhibition, and watch as your favourite authors are transformed into their own characters!
Saturday 24 May - Sunday 1 June - Newcastle: Seven Stories May Half Term
Seven Stories' holiday festivities begin with a mad hatter's tea party, and continue with half term treats every day including a Jabberwocky drawing workshop and the chance to make your own Alice in Wonderland pop-up movie.
Saturday 24 May - Sunday 1 June - Kent: A Squash and a Squeeze
There are Marvellous Monsters all week at the A Squash and A Squeeze exhibition, where you can discover everything there is to know about Julia Donaldson and her beloved tales.
Monday 26 May - Buckinghamshire: Monster Mayhem with Amy Sparkes
It must be something in the air... More monsters! Join in as madness descends on the Roald Dahl museum with Hodge the Hedgehog and Gruff Guides author Amy Sparkes. Hear from Amy's new book and make your own monster mask!
Monday 26 May - London: Dinosaur Doo with Andrew Weale
Roar! Dinosaur quizzes and cupcakes with Spooky Spooky House author Andrew Weale at Discover Children's Story Centre in Stratford. Dressing-up is more than encouraged!
Tuesday 27 - Saturday 31 May - Edinburgh: Hetty Feather at the King's Theatre
Jacqueline Wilson's resourceful heroine takes the stage by storm with live music and gravity-defying circus skills. Bring the whole family to join Hetty on her adventure.
Tuesday 27 May - Sunday 1 June - Kingston: The Gruffalo Live
Don't you know, there's no such a thing as a gruffalo? Watch out: it's time to meet the Gruffalo himself! Fox, Owl, Snake and, of course, Mouse also star in this hit musical version of Julia Donaldon's classic.
Wednesday 28 May - Manchester: Meet Francesca Simon
If you couldn't catch Francesca at Seven Stories in Newcastle on Saturday 24 May, the author of the Horrid Henry series will be signing books at Urmston Bookshop until midday to celebrate the mischievous character's 20th birthday!
Thursday 29 May - Saturday 1 June - Harrogate: The Harrogate Children's Festival
Lots to do for intrepid explorers! Highlights include a dramatic Dash Through Dickens, The Wimpy Kid Show and chaos from the author of Dennis the Menace.
Saturday 1 June - London: Hip Hop Shakespeare: All the World's a Stage
Founded by Akala, the Hip Hop Shakespeare Company examines links between Shakespeare and modern day hip-hop. A performance of musical re-imaginings of the Bard's sonnets, this is a must-see for teenagers and definitely counts as revision for those summer exams!
Also in London, celebrate 25 years of Elmer the Elephant until Saturday 7 June. Until Monday 26 May you can also win a special 25th anniversary edition of the book, with unique drawing by David McKee, here.
The Hay Festival
And you thought we'd forgotten... Where would half term be without Hay-on-Wye? It's an incredible line-up for kids and teens at this year's festival. Tickets are selling like hot-cakes but there's still a chance to catch star authors including dragon trainer Cressida Cowell, queen of picture books Babbette Cole, Judy Blume, grubtown's greatest, Philip Ardagh, Meg Rosoff and Michael Morpurgo.
If that hasn't tickled your taste buds, take a look at the full schedule for loads more inspiration!
