SALISBURY Playhouse has a wide range of shows and activities for all ages this half term as part of the 2014 Family Arts Festival.

The UK-wide festival is in its second year, and has award-winning writer Michael Morpurgo as the 2014 patron and a major partnership with Center Parcs.

More than 500 organisations will host over 2,000 family friendly arts events throughout the country.

Activities at Salisbury Playhouse include a free open day on Saturday, October 25, when visitors will get a rare glimpse behind the scenes, as well as demonstrations, displays, family activities and questions and answer sessions.

On October 30 there is another opportunity to take a look at rarely-seen parts of the theatre in the Children’s Backstage Treasure Hunt.

For those who would like to take to the stage themselves there is the opportunity to work with directors and technicians, using props, costumes and lighting to make a special show.

Five to seven-year-olds can create a play called Halloween Adventure on October 27 while Vicious Victorians will be the theme for eight to 11-year-olds on October 28.

On October 29, there is a special laugh-out-loud experience for underthrees as Curious comes to The Salberg involving messy cake-making, where the kitchen meets the garden. At the end of the performance children are invited to create their own recipes by digging in the soft soil.

On October 31, a heart-warming, magical tale for those aged two and over, with storytelling, puppetry and live music, is taking place in The Salberg. Entitled Match, the show is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic The Little Match Girl. And on November 1 at 11am and 2.30pm Tony and Mike, a county owl and a city squirrel, is on at The Salberg.

For tickets or more information call 01722 320333 or go to salisburyplayhouse.com.