The top ten shows to see during the school holidays

Trying to keep children entertained during half term can seem like a daunting prospect. So if you're looking for an alternative to TV and iPad's, we've got you covered. Read our round-up of the ten best half term shows available for all ages around the UK.

A Mano (By Hand) – Unicorn Theatre, London

Spanish theatre company El Patio Teatro bring their show A Mano (By Hand) to the Unicorn Theatre. A Mano is the story of a very small but very special hero with a great desire to escape from his pottery shop window, and is told with crafted clay characters.

Age guide: 4
Duration: Approx 45 mins
Dates: 29 October to 1 November
Further info: Click here.

Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure – The Adelphi Theatre, London

Starring Bradley Walsh as Captain Hook and Jenna Russell as Mrs Darling, Peter Pan is based on the the J.M Barrie classic and features music and lyrics by Olivier Award-winning writing duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Age guide: 6
Duration: Approx 2 hours (including an interval)
Dates: 25 October, 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Further info: Click here.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears – Lyric Hammersmith, London

Stuff and Nonsense return with an adaptation of everyone's favourite 'bearytale' using a mix of puppetry, music and mischievous moments.

Age guide: 2
Duration: Approx 55 mins
Dates: 27 to 31 October
Further info: Click here.

The Comedy of Errors – National Theatre, London

Adapted for young audiences by Ben Power, the National presents a fast-paced and energetic re-telling of Shakespeare’s hilarious and moving farce, The Comedy of Errors. For extra entertainment, the National is also running workshops in conjunction with the show to explore 'who's who' and to find out how the funny moments and stage fights were created.

Age guide: 8-12 years
Duration: Approx 60 mins
Dates: 21 October to 6 November
Further info: Click here.

The Journey Home – Little Angel Theatre, London

Adapted from the award-winning book by Frann Preson-Gannon, The Journey Home follows Polar Bear as he sets off in search of a new home when the ice starts melting.

Little Angel Theatre bring the story to life through puppetry, lyrical music and ingenious design.

Age guide: 4 to 11 years
Duration: Approx 40 mins
Dates: 12 to 28 October
Further info: Click here.

Little Shop of Horrors – Clywd Theatre, Wales

Billed as 'a 1950s sci-fi spoof musical', Little Shop of Horrors features a Motown musical score composed by Alan Menken (composer of Disney's The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast). It follows Seymour Krelborn a florist's assistant,who finds an exotic plant which brings him instant fame.

Age guide: 10
Duration: Approx 2 hours, 15 mins (including interval)
Dates: 8 to 31 October
Further info: Click here.

The Scarecrows Wedding – The Lowry, Manchester

Scamp Theatre continue to adapt children's books for the stage and bring their latest show, The Scarecrows' Wedding to the Lowry. Promising to be 'an epic tale', the story follows Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay's adventure to the alter.

Age guide: 3
Duration: Approx 55 mins
Dates: 28 October to 1 November
Further info: Click here.

Mary Poppins – Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol

The stage production of the classic Disney film tours to Bristol over the school holidays. West End star Zizi Strallen takes the title role in the award-winning musical which includes songs such as "Step in Time" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious".

Age guide: 5
Duration: Approx 2 hours and 50 mins (including interval)
Dates: 29 October to 14 November
Further info: Click here.

Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs) – Northern Stage, Newcastle

Kneehigh return with their energetic new show Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs). Based on John Gay's musical satire The Beggar's Opera, Kneehigh combine trip hop, folk, Renaissance polyphony and psychedelia, ska, grime and dubstep to tell their witty and absurd tale.

Age guide: 14
Duration: Approx 2 hours 30 minutes (including interval)
Dates: 20 to 24 October
Further info: Click here.

Hetty Feather – West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

The Olivier Award-nominated West End show is currently touring the UK, stopping in Leeds for half term. Based on one of Jacqueline Wilson's most popular characters, Hetty Feather follows a Victorian girl as she embarks on a search to find her real mother.

In conjunction with Hetty Feather, the WYP are also offering the opportunity to listen to Jacqueline Wilson talk about her bestselling books and characters in a one-off event, An Audience with Jacqueline Wilson. Click here for more information.

Age guide: 7
Duration: Approx 2 hours, 15 mins (with interval)
Dates: 27 to 31 October
Further info: Click here.