Get hands-on and creative at the Severn Valley Railway

A fun competition, great prizes, exhibitions and activities are set to keep children occupied at the Severn Valley Railway this half-term holiday.

Creative children can enter the SVR Half Term Quiz, inviting them to draw and colour a steam train, find the railway-themed words in the grid and complete names of some of the stations, places and attractions along the line, and win prizes including an Annual Family Pass to the Railway, worth £95, and family tickets.

The Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley will be packed with a range of family-friendly activities – the brand new Great Train Robbery exhibition will suit inquisitive minds of all ages. Budding young postmen can help sort the mail in the Royal Mail carriage, while adults can learn about all the detail of one of the 20th century’s most infamous crimes.

What’s more, children and adults alike can climb up onto the engine, sound the whistle and take the driver’s seat in the full-size locomotives on display at The Engine House, whilst youngsters can let off steam on the railway-themed outdoor play area.

The SVR’s range of resident locomotives will be in full steam to take passengers along the famous line, from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, throughout the holiday, offering chances for families to hop on and off along the route.

For more information and ticket bookings, contact 01299 403816, visit www.svr.co.uk or see our Severn Valley Railway Families page on Facebook.

Half term Fun at Ludlow Assembly Rooms

There is a feast of family fun for half term at Ludlow Assembly Rooms.

On Tuesday morning, 28 May, Jo King, curator of the Ludlow Open, along with artist Nicola Haigh will be running a two hour long art session for children aged 5 – 11. Says Jo ‘the idea behind this session is to inspire children to have fun and get creative. We can help them to develop their ideas and, we hope that they will be encouraged to make a piece of art to enter in the Ludlow Junior Open Competition and Exhibition in August’. Tickets are £5

On Wednesday 29 May, 2pm, Theatr na nÓg will be showing a delightful children’s play called We Need Bees. Bertie Bee is at the bottom of the heap in a tightly run, busy little beehive, and spends his day pollinating apples. But – Bertie dreams of pollinating the wild flowers in the countryside like his friend, Bron Bee. One day Bertie rebels and flies away from the hive where he meets an Adonis Blue Butterfly and a tuneless song thrush. But, he also mistakenly leads his poor friend Bron into danger. For the first time ever, Bertie is determined to make things right and save the day.

An adventure story with music aimed mainly at children aged 3 – 8, this is about one bee’s fight for survival for the sake of the colony and an explanation for youngsters as to why bees are so important. Theatr na nÓg is one of Wales’ most exciting theatre companies with an excellent reputation established over 30 years. We Need Bees was written by Kathryn Chandler, an award winning writer who also writes for Pentabus Theatre & Bristol Old Vic. £5 per ticket, or 4 tickets for £16. Children under 8 years must be accompanied by an adult

Also showing at the Assembly Rooms on Monday and Tuesday, 27 & 28 May is Oz the Great and Powerful, a spectacular prequel to The Wizard of Oz.

For more information go to www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk or call the box office 01584 878141.

Flower themed ceramic workshops at Coalport China Museum

Flower themed family workshops and activities are being staged at Coalport China Museum in Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge during the May school half-term.

Go along on Monday 27th May and join drop-in workshops to paint a mug or vessel inspired by the beautiful floral designs on Coalport China, while from Tuesday to Friday, 28th – 31st May, try your hand at modelling your own fantasy garden from clay.

The half-term workshops at Coalport China Museum will be held from 11am until 1pm and 2pm until 4pm; ceramic activities carry an additional fee of £4 per item plus £3 to post your finished piece back to your home after firing.

Open 10am to 5pm Coalport is one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. A great value Annual Passport Ticket allowing entry into all ten museums, valid for twelve months and unlimited return visits, costs £24 per adult, £19 for the 60 plus, £15.25 for students and children and £65 for a family of two adults and all their children aged up to 18 years in full time education (terms and conditions apply); under 5s free. Activities may vary and a Museum ticket is required to take part. Individual museum entry tickets are also available.

Half term fun with Dudmaston’s Great Garden Games

Photograph attached shows Visitor Experience Officer, Ruth Watson, practising her skills at Slug Quoits in the kitchen garden

Last year we had London 2012, this year why not get in training for Dudmaston’s Great Garden Games. During the Whitsun half-term holiday families are being encouraged to get down to the property and challenge each other as competitors in the games.

There will be a number of games situated across the property suitable for all members of the family to get involved in, ranging from Slug Quoits in the kitchen garden to hula hooping in Gerards’ Wood; and contestants will be set various challenges to complete along the way.

Visitor Experience Officer, Ruth Watson said “this is a great opportunity for families to challenge each other whilst having great fun. All the team at Dudmaston have been trying out the games, so we are hoping that visitors will be able to beat our scores and are looking forward to discovering who our champions are each day.”

Every child who takes part in the games will receive a prize and will also have the opportunity to take part in making some of their own games to take home. The games will run on 26, 27 and 29 May from 11am until 5pm.

Women in aviation brought to life for half term

This May half term the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be celebrating the achievements made by women in aviation. From Monday 27th to Friday 31st May the Museum will be running sessions for families to enjoy, based on some of aviation’s most inspirational women.

Children will learn about pioneering English aviator Amy Johnson who set numerous long-distance records during the 1930’s and flew in the Second World War as part of the Air Transport Auxiliary. Taking place in the Museum’s Hangar 1 at 11am and 2pm each day, listen as a news reporter interviews Amy about her childhood, gaining her pilots licence and attempting to break the World record flying to Australia, all played by actors.

Pioneering American aviator Amelia Earhart was the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and received the U.S. Distinguished Cross for this record breaking flight. Brought to life by actors during the week, learn about the other flying records set by Amelia before her mysterious disappearance in 1937, as she attempted to fly around the World. Visitors will find Amelia in the Warplanes Hangar throughout the half term week.

It’s not just female pilots who have made their mark in history, families can learn more about the first female in space, Valentina Tereshkova. Join this 50th Anniversary story time session for children taking place near the Space Race Hotspot in the National Cold War Exhibition and hear fascinating stories about Valentina’s experiences in space. Take a look at a real space suit, or try on our space costume and have your photograph taken; whilst viewing photographs and other space related items.

‘Women in Aviation half term’ is FREE of charge and sessions will run throughout the week (sessions each day may vary).

May Madness at Park Hall Countyside Experience

In addition to all the play and Farmyard Fun at Park Hall, the team are going crazy with a week of sheer May Madness.

They want you to take part in the daily Spacehopper Races and try to ‘Beat the Batsman’ with his very big bat!

It’s one thing having a ‘bounce’ on a Spacehopper but trying to race is another thing entirely- so go and test out your balancing skills

Anyone can have a go!

Legend of the Waving Cat to visit the Hive!

In this stunning puppet show, Maniki Neko will face the challenges of a tropical storm, a wicked Sorceress, a tricky prince and several important tasks to undertake before midnight arrives! The live performance at the Hive on Tuesday May 28 will showcase the tale of Maneki Neko, aka The Waving Cat.

This is the instantly recognisable Japanese cat-shaped figurine, which is believed to bring good luck and fortune, of whom there are many folk tales and legends across the globe

The show promises to dazzle young children, especially those aged between 3 and 7 years. People are invited to come and join the acclaimed Krazy Kat Theatre, as they celebrate their thirtieth birthday year with this visually exciting new show, which is also a special sign language creation. The show will offer a puppet-style theatrical fantasy tale, with an eye-catching mix of Japanese imagery.

The performance will be taking place at the Hive on Tuesday May 28 at 2pm. Tickets cost £6 for adults and £5 for children. When people book two tickets, they can receive a third ticket free of charge.

Wild adventures at Attingham Park this Half Term

Visitors to the Shropshire tourist attraction can expect a week of wild adventures this Half Term, with everything from challenging outdoors trails to an unmissable chance to see birds of prey up close.

The packed programme of events gets off to a flying start on Saturday 25 May, when Feather Perfect Falconry will once again be showing off their stunning birds of prey. Visitors can get up close to these beautiful creatures as they stand on display from 10am – 4pm, and marvel at a breathtaking aerial display at 2pm as they soar above the historic parkland.

Keen-eyed families can take on a challenge with a Half Term trail, 10am – 5pm daily from 25 May – 2 June. Little ones can test their sleuthing skills as animal detectives, and older children can travel through history to find the footprints of the past on a Time Travellers’ trail. Trails are £2.50 per child, which includes a prize at the end.

Traditional Bank Holiday celebrations will be taking place in the Stables Courtyard on Monday 27 May, when the Shrewsbury Morris Dancers will be celebrating with a series of performances. The local group will be delighting visitors with performances of this historic dancing at intervals from 11am – 2pm.

Young explorers can pick up some wild skills and learn how to track animals at Trusty’s Tuesday Club, 10am – 4pm, May 28. Would-be animal trackers can create their own tracking dial to take home and go on a hunt for wild animal tracks with an expert, as well as learning how to leave their own secret trails and messages with sticks. Trusty’s Tuesday Club is £2.50 per child.

The popular Trusty’s Thursday Picnic will also return for the first time this year on Thursday May 30. From 11am – 2pm, families can bring a rug and a picnic and listen as the storyteller weaves his fantastical tales.

Crafty families can give the wildlife in the woodlands a helping hand on Saturday June 1, when the wardens will be looking for helpers to drop in as they build shelters for wild animals from 11am – 3pm.

Standard grounds admission charges apply for all Half Term events. Admission to the grounds is free for National Trust members and under 5s.

Furry Tails Day at Hoo farm – 27/05/2013

“Furry Tails” Day at Hoo Farm on May 27th invites all fairies, elves, goblins, Puss in Boots, Goldilocks and Little Bow Peeps to come and play

Hoo Farm will host a day full of family fun including fairy tale activities with animal demonstrations including sheep shearing, a fancy dress competition and craft activities! The day will feature a packed timetable of activities along with spinning and felting demonstrations, The farm also boasts over 120 different species to see on the farm trail, the adventure playground and new for 2013 the Crazy Golf Course.

Furry Tails day will feature lots of fun activities meet the 3 little pigs, help collect the Golden Eggs and the Story Book Animal Handling sessions.

Visitors are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite fairy tale character and enter the fancy dress competition after the Sheep Racing when Little Bo Peep will judge the winner. Entries can be made on the day prior to 3pm and the lucky winner will receive a Family Ticket worth £38.

Action packed event for Oswestry teenagers

Young people in and around Oswestry are in for a real treat this May half term at a special fun-filled event at Cae Glas Park, Oswestry.

The CAP-Fest event will take place on Friday 31 May 2013 from 1.30pm to 4.30pm where teenagers can take part in a host of activities from music workshops to sports activities, including free ramp sessions by Ramped. The new Oswestry-based social enterprise is an exciting skatepark project which brings alternative sports like BMX, skateboarding, rollerblading and scootering to young people across the area.

The winners of the Oswestry Creative Writing competition will also be announced at the event. So far over 100 entries have been submitted.

Celebrate Queen Victoria’s 81st birthday at Blists Hill Victorian Town

Join the residents of Blists Hill Victorian Town over the Whitsun bank holiday weekend of 25th – 27th May as they celebrate the 81st birthday of their much loved Queen Victoria with great style, pomp and pageantry. Each day will be a fitting tribute to the gracious lady and her long reign with an extravaganza of colour, music and street entertainment. The event is part of Blists Hill Victorian Town’s 40th Anniversary celebrations.

A great value Annual Passport Ticket allowing daytime entry into all ten museums, valid for twelve months and unlimited return visits, costs £24 per adult, £19 for the 60 plus, £15.25 for students and children and £65 for a family of two adults and all their children aged up to 18 years in full time education (terms and conditions apply); under 5s free. Activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the admission fee. Individual museum entry tickets are also available.

Design and Sail a Boat at Enginuity

Use your design skills to create a sailing boat from simple craft materials then see how wind power makes it race through the treacherous ‘shark infested’ waters of the pool of doom at Enginuity, near Ironbridge, Shropshire. The fun Float-a-Boat sessions will be held daily during the Whitsun half-term week from Saturday 25th May until Sunday 2nd June between 10.30am and 3.45pm. There’s no need for families to book, just drop-in and join the hands-on workshop. Activities will vary from day-to-day. Museum admission costs apply, plus a £1 charge per boat to cover materials.

Open 10am to 5pm Enginuity is one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. A great value Annual Passport Ticket allowing entry into all ten museums, valid for twelve months and unlimited return visits, costs £24 per adult, £19 for the 60 plus, £15.25 for students and children and £65 for a family of two adults and all their children aged up to 18 years in full time education (terms and conditions apply); under 5s free. Activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum admission fee. Individual museum entry tickets are also available.

Coalport China Museum drop-In flower themed ceramic workshops

Join hands-on workshops at the Coalport China Museum, near Ironbridge, Shropshire to make and decorate ceramics. Create your own unique work of art inspired by the floral designs on Coalport china; activities vary from day-to-day and carry an extra charge plus p&p to send home after firing.

Open 10am to 5pm Coalport is one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums. A great value Annual Passport Ticket allowing entry into all ten museums, valid for twelve months and unlimited return visits, costs £24 per adult, £19 for the 60 plus, £15.25 for students and children and £65 for a family of two adults and all their children aged up to 18 years in full time education (terms and conditions apply); under 5s free. Activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum admission fee. Individual museum entry tickets are also available.