Discover The Winter's Tale through activities and challenges for all the family to enjoy together.

Here you will find activities to help you explore the world of The Winter's Tale at home with your family. From how to warm-up your body to stories inspired by the themes in the play, there's something to get your teeth into for all ages.

Each activity has a recommended age as a guide.You will also find ways to adapt some of the tasks if you'd like to give it a go with someone younger or a child with additional needs.

If you don't know the story of The Winter's Tale, you can watch actor Assad Zaman tell the story below, or read a short version of it. Why not draw some pictures alongside the story to help you remember it too?

Play video

The story of The Winter's Tale

  • Read the story

  • Download the story

Discover Speaking Shakespeare workshop in the Upper Circle Bar 

 

Warm Up

Before a company of actors can start any rehearsal, they need to warm up to get their voices and bodies ready for the work ahead.

All you need is yourself and someone else from your household to have fun with!

Recommended age: All ages 

Download: Rehearsal warm up


The Winter_s Tale _2013_Sheila Burnett _c_ RSC_40995

 

Meet the Characters

After reading or watching the story of The Winter’s Tale, let’s find out a little more about the characters and how they connect to each other.

You will need pen, paper, toys/ figures, string, colours.

Recommended age: 6+

Download: Meet the characters


image1 for Creating a bear photo credit Alessandra Evangelista copyright RSC

 

Make a Bear

The Winter’s Tale contains the memorable stage direction ‘Exit, pursued by a bear’. Discover how we have created the bear on stage in past shows and have a go at creating one yourself.

You will need: pencil, paper, colouring pens/ crayons. In addition you could also use junk materials, glue, scissorsor any other materials you can find at home.

Recommended age: 6+

Download: Make a bear


Discover Speaking Shakespeare 22.08.18_2018_Photo by Sam Allard _c_ RSC_262103

 

Creating a scene

How actors move in the play helps to tell the story. These tasks help you to discover how being up on your feet can help you to understand Shakespeare's words.

You will need pen, paper, some items from around the house and at least two people.

Recommended age: 8+

Download: Create a scene


The Winter_s Tale _2009_ photo call._Stewart Hemley _c_ RSC_96357

A letter to Perdita

This is a creative writing challenge and looks at what might have been written in the letter found with the lost princess, Perdita.

You will need paper and pens.

Recommended age: 8+

Download: Write a letter


Musical instruments_2016_Laura Keating _c_ RSC_201360

Create a soundscape

Create the two worlds of Bohemia and Sicilia through sound and music.

You will need percussion instruments or anything from around the home that will make a noise!

Recommended age: 4+

Download: Create a soundscape


Shakespeare_s Birthday 2019_ Children_s craft activities_ TOP_2019_Photo by Sam Allard _c_ RSC_292485

Colouring Sheets

Have some fun colouring in a bear and learning to draw a sheep from the sheep-shearing festival.

You will need: lots of colours!

Recommended age: 2+

Download PDFs below:

How to draw a sheep

Exit, pursued by a bear


Picture Quiz

Can you spot the animals in each of these past productions and paintings of The Winter's Tale?

#ShareYourShakespeare

Why not ask your parent or guardian to share your Shakespeare creations with us by uploading a film or photograph on Instagram, Twitter or Youtube, tagging @theRSC and using the hashtag #ShareYourShakespeare. Alternatively, they can direct message it to us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thersc or email it to socialmedia@rsc.org.uk

Please always ask the account holders permission and we recommend reading this safeguarding advice.

Darwin Escapes

Charles Holloway - Season Supporter, Royal Shakespeare Theatre Summer 2020

The Winter’s Tale is supported by RSC Production Circle members Mark Thompson and Jane Blumberg-Thompson