MONDAY

Be a songwriter

Do you have a tune in your head or a melody in your heart? There’s a chance to learn or improve your song-wrting skills this half term and enter the Songwriter 2012 Competition. Hertfordshire Music Service is running the songwriting project to encourage young people, aged between eight and 19, to write songs about their experience of living and growing up in Hertfordshire. The songwriting workshop takes place on Monday, February 21 from 11am to 2pm.

Watford School of Music, Clarendon Muse, Rickmansworth Road, Watford. Details: 01923 225531, www.hertsmusicservice.org.uk /songwriter2012

Animal antics

Elmer the elephant learns to accept his unique qualities in Blunderbus Theatre Company’s new adaptation of David McKee’s story Elmer The Elephant, told with music and puppets.

The Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett on Monday, February 21 at 11am and 2pm (ages 4-7).

Details: 01923 859291

Make and do

The Paper Trail’s Frogmore Paper Mill & Visitor Centre in Apsley is offering Paper Crafting Activities during half term. The drop in activities will run on Monday 21, Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 February – there will be two untutored sessions a day of two hours – 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm, each session costs £3 per person per session to cover materials (please note children must be accompanied by an adult).

Frogmore Mill, Fourdrinier Way, Hemel Hempstead. Details: 01442 234600, www.thepapertrail.org.uk

Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance at The Old Town Hall

Get involved in all aspects of putting on a show from acting, dancing, writing and singing, to essential backstage skills such as sound, lighting, props, costume and set design, stage management, filming, editing, photography and front of house. Dacorum Youth Productions is offering young people aged eight to 18 the chance to work alongside industry professionals Liz Raba and Joley Brindle to create their own original production.

The Old Town Hall, High Street, Hemel Hempstead, February 21-25, Monday-Thursday, 10am-3pm, Fri, 1pm-7pm. (Show at 6.30pm). Details: 01442 228091

TUESDAY

See above

WEDNESDAY

Meet the critters

Encounter live animals in South Oxhey with Animals About, an organisation dedicated to educating children about the world of animals. This interactive talk will introduce children and young people to a range of animals from creepy crawlies to unusual mammals. Discover the answers to questions such as: How many legs does a millipede have? How do snakes move? Who eats who in the food chain? Why do spiders shed their skin? Why do skunks smell? Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult.

The Centre, Gosforth Lane, South Oxhey on Wednesday, February 23 from 9.45am to 12noon. Details: 020 8428 4954, www.hertsmereleisure.co.uk

THURSDAY

Timely theatre

Join Cogsworth and friends for Sharpe Academy of Theatre Arts’ production of Beauty and The Beast, complete with inventive costumes, dazzling choreography, spellbiding music and more than 50 singers, actors and dancers, aged from six to 23.

Watersmeet Theatre, High Street, Rickmansworth February 24-26 at 7.30pm. Matinee Saturday at 2.30pm. Details: 01923 711063, www.SharpeAcademy.co.uk

FRIDAY

Dance showcase

The Hot & Bothered School of Dance is putting together a show featuring a variety of dance styles and performers from age two and up. Dance Syncopation is on Friday, February 25 and Saturday, February 26 at 7pm (Saturday matinee at 2pm).

The James Theatre, Watford Grammar School for Boys, Rickmansworth Road, Watford. Details: 07740 605275

SATURDAY

Puppet show

See Cinders in a new light as she transforms into a plucky heroine in Banyan Theatre’s show Cinderella Ashputtel, presented by Northwood Community Arts.

The Hall, St Johns Church, Hallowell Road, Northwood on Saturday, February 26 at 2.30pm. Puppet workshop available. Details: 01628 675800

VARIOUS DATES

Sports stars

Kick up your heels this half term with football courses at Westfield Community College, Rickmansworth School and Cavendish School in Hemel Hempstead. Alternatively, keep on your toes with dance workshops at West Herts Squash and Fitness Club and Moonglow Dance Studios.

Details: www.watfordfccsetrust.com

Lark in the park

Play Rangers are hosting activities such as den building, multi-sports and bug hunts in Watford parks for ages five to 15. Mon: 10am-12noon at Meriden Park, Garsmouth Way, 1pm-3pm at Callowland Rec, Gammons Lane and 3.30pm-5.30pm Harwoods Rec, Vicarage Road. Tue: 1pm-3pm at Garston Park, Codicote Road and 3.30pm-5.30pm at Watford Fields. Wed: 1pm-3pm at Paddock Road Rec, Lower Paddock Road and 3.30pm-5.30pm at Leavesden Green, Clarke Way. Thu: 10am-12noon at Woodside Rec, Horseshoe Lane, 1pm-3pm at Cassiobury Park, Cassiobury Park Drive and 3.30pm-5.30pm at Riverside Park, Riverside Road.

Details: 01923 278333

Learn to sing

Brush up your singing skills over the holidays with a visit to the Song Closet – ages eight to 12 and 12 to 18 can join in on group singing lessons featuring popular hits from the US TV series Glee, along with top 40 pop and rock numbers and jazz standards. You don’t have to have lots of singing experience to take part in these, fun and relaxed singing sessions. Participants can learn vocal, mic and performance techniques and harmonies with Jo Stevens, a qualified, CRB checked teacher and singer. Sessions run for ages eight-12 at 4pm-5pm and 12-18 at 5pm-6pm. Songwriting and acoustic guitar and singing lessons are also available.

The Orbital Centre, Haines Way, Leavesden, Watford. Details: www.thesongcloset.com