With a fantastic range of half-term events on offer, Liz Nicholls looks forward to a truly magical time

Do you believe in unicorns? You will, after you see Danyah Miller’s show.

A one-woman performance, based on Michael Morpurgo’s book of the same name, I Believe In Unicorns comes to Oxford’s Story Museum next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Olivier Award-winning company Wizard Presents won rave reviews for Unicorns at last year’s Edinburgh Festival and the show lands in the West End with a run at Vaudeville Theatre for the whole of August, so half-term is the time to catch the show in Oxford.

And the story itself is hard to resist, telling of Tomas, an eight-year-old-boy whose mother is concerned he might turn into a goat he spends so much time in the mountains. Chivvied to go to the library, a fabulous world is revealed to him, including the Unicorn Lady who explains that whoever has the magical creature will never be lost for words. This comes in handy as – in true Morpurgo fashion – war comes to the village and Tomas must fight to save his library from being burnt down.

“What’s been wonderful about this show is how much adults have enjoyed it, as much as children,” says Danyah.

“I feel totally passionate about stories and how they underpin confidence, community and identity.

“Our imagination is like a muscle – the more we use it, the stronger it becomes. If we can learn while we’re young that there’s a world of stories we can get lost in, we’re lucky.”

With a set designed by Kate Bunce, children are encouraged to bring a book to form part of the stage library and be swapped at the end of the show. Expect gasps as the set comes to life (we won’t spoil the surprise) and Danyah will also spin stories on the spot, while timed by a stopwatch, using audience suggestions. No pressure then.

I Believe In Unicorns is one of an array of magical half-term activities at the Story Museum, which also features Adverse Camber’s A Boy and His Horse on Friday. Charlotte and Adam Guillain and Korky Paul will read their books tomorrow and next Saturday. This Sunday is Discworld Day, when the museum will be transformed into the Post Office from Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal. Stephen Briggs, the voice of the Discworld novels, will read from the series at 11.30am and 2pm. And next Saturday, catch Nick Cope’s Songbook about monkeys, bears, socks and mud.

Oxford Mail:

There are Wonder Walks with The Story Museum all week (playful family tours of the city) and the free Reading Allowed events (continuing with Treasure Island) every Sunday.

Visit the Story Museum exhibition 26 Characters to sit in a talking throne, peep into the Borrowers’ living room and swash on to the deck of a pirate ship.

The Story Museum is in Pembroke Street, Oxford. Call 01865 790050 or see storymuseum.org.uk. Book for all events at ticketsoxford.com or 01865 305305.

* In advance of the bank holiday weekend, it’s well worth making a trip to Cornerstone in Didcot, which is hosting a free Youth Activity Day today from 4-7pm. Cornerstone and Oxfordshire Play Association have rustled up the event for those aged nine plus with the ground floor of the arts centre taken over with an army obstacle course, break dancing and DJ-ing, sports and games and a free music gig with Laish.

Next week at Cornerstone, join Drop In And Doodle: Self-portraits (Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm) for all ages, which is free. On Tuesday (1.30-3.30pm) it’s Clay Sculpture: Toby Jugs. Children aged five to 12 can think of a favourite TV character, teacher or friend and make a jug that looks like them (£14, adult goes free). Wednesday (10.30am-12.30pm) brings Shake, Rattle and Roll when kids can create their own musical instruments from recycled stuff then make funky songs. On Thursday it’s Play In A Day, when 10 to 14-year-olds can brainstorm, devise, rehearse and perform for family and friends (10.30am-4.30pm, £27). On Friday it’s Media Mash-up, ideal for seven to 11-year-olds to learn how to make an animation and mini movie (10.30am-4pm, £35).

Call 01235 515144 or see cornerstone-arts.org

* It’s time to knuckle down to some Hard Labour at Oxford Castle Unlocked which takes families back to try life as a Victorian prisoner.

From tomorrow until June 1, tackle the treadwheel and the capstan wheel and crank in the atmospheric former gaol. And, from July 23 to August 31, uncover funny, frank and the downright stupid prison breaks, from climbing down a rope of bed sheets to skating away through a snowy Oxford in white camouflage. Complete an interactive trail exploring the Saxon tower, the ancient crypt and the Georgian prison wing.

Entry to Oxford Castle Unlocked is £9.95 for adults and £6.95 for children. It’s open from 10am to 5.30pm. Call 01865 260666 or see oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk

* Over at The North Wall in Summertown don’t miss 1001 Nights on Tuesday (11am and 2pm) based around The Arabian Nights. Children aged six plus can be whisked away on a magic carpet ride with young Shaharazad and her fantastical world of kings and jinns. See thenorthwall.com or call 01865 319450.

* Take the children to Millets Farm Centre in Frilford for Bear-illiant Fun all next week. Each child can build their own teddy bear, with birth certificate and bear carry bag followed by 30 minutes of teddy bear games (£5.99 for the hour).

Roll up for John Lawson’s Circus, at Millets from tomorrow until June 1 (£5.99 per person). With an entirely human cast and new acts and routines including aerial Miss Monika from Hungary and Miss Georgia from, Ross on the rola rola, Spiderman on the cloud swing and plenty clowning around, this is a bargain.

Call 01865 392200 or see millettsfarmcentre.com

* Join Science Oxford on Thursday for Super Suckers where young engineers aged nine to 12 can make their own hoovers. These creative workshops at Kennington Village Hall take place from 10am-12pm or 1-3pm and are free, but book by calling 01865 810000 or visit scienceoxford.com/live

* Buzz over to Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre in Milton Park for Bee Fun. Drop-in sessions take place 10am-4pm on both Wednesday and Thursday with bee-themed games, activities and crafts.

* Adventurous types aged seven to 16 can head to Blenheim Palace where outdoor pursuits instructors will engage children in Bear Grylls endeavours.

Canoeing, kayaking, raft building, archery, base building, orienteering, survival skills, map reading, first aid, bug hunting, fish gutting and much more are all on the agenda, which should keep them busy from 9am to 5pm. To book, visit call 01865 594325.