May Half Term at the Corn Exchange, Newbury

Families can look forward to a lively and inspiring May half term at the Corn Exchange Newbury and The Base Greenham, with a programme packed full of creative workshops, interactive theatre and unforgettable adventures for children of all ages.

At the heart of the holiday offer, children and families can step into a world of imagination with Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really Big Adventure (Friday 29 May). Celebrating 20 years of Kristina Stephenson’s much-loved character, this fast-paced and interactive show combines live music, puppetry and inventive storytelling.

Young audiences are invited to become storytellers themselves, helping to transform the stage into a land of daring quests, magical creatures and unexpected surprises. It’s a joyful celebration of creativity, play and the power of imagination.

For dinosaur fans, Dino Tales: Jurassic Rescue (Sunday 31 May) promises a thrilling, larger-than-life adventure. Featuring some of Europe’s largest walking dinosaurs, the show follows a daring mission to save a baby Ankylosaurus from a villainous foe. Along the way, audiences will meet an unforgettable cast of prehistoric characters, from a dancing Raptor to a mighty T-Rex, in a production packed with excitement, humour and heart.

For the very youngest audiences, Take Flight (Wednesday 27 May) offers a magical introduction to theatre. Created especially for babies aged 0 – 2 and their grown-ups, this gentle and immersive aerial performance follows a musical mother bird and her baby as they explore the early stages of life. Blending music, movement and sensory storytelling, the show concludes with a beautiful aerial moment as the baby bird takes its first flight. After the performance, families are invited into the space to interact with the performers and explore the baby-safe set and props, including the chance to experience the silks up close. Developed in collaboration with developmental psychologist Dr Valentina Sclafani from Lincoln University, the production is designed to support early development while strengthening the bond between babies and their carers.

Returning to the Corn Exchange’s holiday offerings are their popular Create and Make (Tuesday 26 – Friday 29 May) sessions, a creative club based in the Corn Exchange’s brand-new Old Library space. This fun-filled holiday club combines arts and crafts, drama and hands-on activities in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Led by professional practitioners, children will have the chance to experiment with everything from junk modelling to painting, while developing new skills, making friends and exploring exciting daily themes. It’s the perfect way to keep young minds engaged, creative and entertained throughout the school break. With options for both a standard day (10am – 4pm) and an extended day (8.30am – 5.30pm), the programme caters for busy families while offering maximum flexibility. Sessions are tailored by age group, with activities for children aged 4 to 9 in the Upstairs Studio and for those aged 10 to 12 in the Downstairs Theatre space.