Mad science and sad crocs keep kids amused

IT’S that time of year again — when the days are getting longer, the daffodils are starting to push up their heads, and every family household is ringing with the sound of children crying, “Mum, I’m bored.” Yes, it’s half term.

There are a number of options, though, to keep the children amused with a range of activities in the local area.

The River and Rowing Museum in Henley is running a number of workshops and events for children from Tuesday, February 12.

Children will have the chance to hone their craft skills by making a motorcar from card in the Make A Motorcar For Mr Toad workshop, which is being run to celebrate the centenary of the Morris 13. This event takes place on Wednesday, February 13.

There is also the chance to make music using all sorts of unusual instruments, including plastic bottles, boxes and paper, in Make Some Noise on Thursday, February 14, and again on Thursday, February 21.

For full details of the workshops and to find out more about temporary exhibitions visit the museum’s website at www.rrm.co.uk

The Kenton Theatre is showing a children’s production of The Selfish Crocodile on Tuesday, February 11, with two performances at 11am and 2.30pm. This show is based on the bestselling children’s book by Faustin Charles and Michael Terry, and tells the story of a crocodile who won’t share the river with any of the other creatures. The performance comes courtesy of professional touring group Blunderbus Theatre Company. Box office: (01491) 575698 or visit www.kentontheatre.co.uk

A pair of workshops for children is on offer at the Oxford Playhouse next week. What’s In The Box? is a two-day event described as “perfect for children with big imaginations”. Children aged seven to 11 will use devising, games and a huge box of pictures, music and objects to create stories. For older children who are interested in the performing arts, the Stage Combat workshop will teach basic stage combat techniques including how to judge distances, mask blows and throw staged punches. This is aimed at children aged 12 to 16, and is coached by stage combat expert Ian McCracken. It runs on Friday, February 15. Box office: 01865 305305 or visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com

For children with an unusual talent or an interest in science The Hexagon is staging a one-off show on Sunday, February 10. The Guinness World Records Officially Amazing Science Live! show is on its first country-wide tour, and members of the audience are encouraged to get up on stage and break a world record right there and then. The show is produced by the same team who are behind Brainiac Live! and Science Museum Live On Tour. Tickets are available from the box office: 0118 960 6060 or www.readingarts.com

For full details of the workshops and to find out more about temporary exhibitions visit the museum’s website at www.rrm.co.uk

The Kenton Theatre is showing a children’s production of The Selfish Crocodile on Tuesday, February 11, with two performances at 11am and 2.30pm. This show is based on the bestselling children’s book by Faustin Charles and Michael Terry, and tells the story of a crocodile who won’t share the river with any of the other creatures. The performance comes courtesy of professional touring group Blunderbus Theatre Company. Box office: (01491) 575698 or visit www.kentontheatre.co.uk

A pair of workshops for children is on offer at the Oxford Playhouse next week. What’s In The Box? is a two-day event described as “perfect for children with big imaginations”. Children aged seven to 11 will use devising, games and a huge box of pictures, music and objects to create stories. For older children who are interested in the performing arts, the Stage Combat workshop will teach basic stage combat techniques including how to judge distances, mask blows and throw staged punches. This is aimed at children aged 12 to 16, and is coached by stage combat expert Ian McCracken. It runs on Friday, February 15. Box office: 01865 305305 or visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com

For children with an unusual talent or an interest in science The Hexagon is staging a one-off show on Sunday, February 10. The Guinness World Records Officially Amazing Science Live! show is on its first country-wide tour, and members of the audience are encouraged to get up on stage and break a world record right there and then. The show is produced by the same team who are behind Brainiac Live! and Science Museum Live On Tour. Tickets are available from the box office: 0118 960 6060 or www.readingarts.com