October half term events and activities for all the family to enjoy

  We have lots to entertain the kids (both big and small!) this Autumn – whether in person at Shakespeare’s Globe or from the comfort of your own home

4 minute read

Now more than ever it’s difficult to know what to do with the little ones this October half term – what activities are on offer that are fun, entertaining, but most importantly, safe?

We have a host of events and activities, both onsite at Shakespeare’s Globe and online, for everyone to experience this Autumn. From brand-new Family Workshops and Story Tours onstage in the Globe Theatre, to interactive and playful At Home Workshops and Storytelling, we hope that wherever you are in the world, we can bring you a little sparkle and magic.

Cartoon of a house with ghost, stars, bats and witches

We have a host of events and activities, both onsite at Shakespeare’s Globe and online, for everyone to experience this Autumn. Illustration: Mel Smith Designs.

  Onsite events and activities at Shakespeare’s Globe

For the first time since our closure in March, we’ll be running onsite Family Workshops in the Globe Theatre, as well as our brand-new Story Tours.

From 17 October, we’ll be leading fun and practical Family Workshops in the most amazing space – on our very own Globe stage! Using a range of activities and games designed to draw out elements of Shakespeare’s play’s language, characters and themes, families will be transported into the worlds of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest and Macbeth.

Families can also step into our wooden ‘O’ for magical Story Tours exploring Shakespeare’s most-loved plays. Follow the story of mischievous fairies, a troupe of over-enthusiastic amateur entertainers and young lovers’ shenanigans in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, travel to Shakespeare’s island where the sorcerer Prospero lives with his daughter Miranda and the mythical beings Ariel and Caliban in The Tempest, and go on a furious dash through dark castles and the wild Scottish woods in Macbeth.

What’s more, we’d love it if you dressed to impress our Shakespearean characters. Perhaps you’d like to don some wings to meet Oberon and Titania in their fairy woodland realm? How about a magical wizard’s cloak and staff to rival the sorcerer Prospero? Or you could join our witches in Macbeth with a broomstick and hat?

Both our Family Workshops and Story Tours can be enjoyed together, or as separate events. All events follow our new COVID-19 safety measures, and families can take part in their own socially-distanced bubbles. Read our COVID-19 guidance ahead our your visit.

An outdoor stage of an open air theatre

For the first time since our closure in March, we’ll be running onsite Family Workshops in the Globe Theatre, as well as our brand-new Story Tours. Photographer: Helen Murray.

  Swan Bar and Restaurant

Don’t forget if you’re visiting us as a family, our friends at Swan Bar and Restaurant are open for reservations (up to a maximum of six people) and have a wonderful children’s menu with tasty favourites including beef burgers, fish and chips, ice cream and chocolate brownies – yum!

A child eats a strawberry ice cream sundae

Our friends at Swan Bar and Restaurant are now reopen, with lots of tasty treats to enjoy.

  Event and activities to enjoy at home

If you can’t visit us in person, we have a range of At Home Workshops and Storytelling sessions for all ages from 3 – 15+.

From puppetry sessions and workshops for the whole family, to interactive sessions for teenagers to learn independently, there really is something for everyone in our At Home Workshops throughout October. Our practical workshops via Zoom bring Shakespeare’s plays to life in a fun and imaginative way, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Othello.

Perfect for Halloween, families can also learn the spooky secrets of our stages in our online Secrets of the Stage workshop on 31 October. Join Katy, our Head of Props, and Pam, Head of Wigs & Make-up to get messy creating stage blood, stage make-up, gooey eyeballs and more (yuck!).

There’s nothing better to do when the nights get longer and the air gets colder, than to join together, wrap up warm and listen to a good story. Our At Home Storytelling for ages 5 – 12 and 8 – 12 are a magical way for the whole household to enjoy Shakespeare’s famous stories as our expert storytellers sweep you through the worlds of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet, Henry V and Twelfth Night.

Fairy lights wrap around a pile of books, a model ship and lantern.

If you can’t visit us in person, we have a range of At Home Workshops and Storytelling sessions for all ages from 3 – 15+. Photographer: Charlotte Horobin.

A young child wearing a green top

Events for families taking place at the Globe Theatre are for ages 5-12. We’ll see you there!

FINIS.