'Our free Shakespeare events will excite children'

The festival at the end of the month will be held in Henley Street where Shakespeare lived

Children are being invited to get to know Shakespeare's women, from Titania the queen of the fairies, to the ruthless Lady Macbeth, during free events this month.

The primary schools' programme culminates in a free festival in Stratford-upon-Avon on 29 and 30 March.

It is part of Shakespeare Week, which is estimated to reach about two million children across the UK with resources on its website and a series of events in other parts of the country

The festival itself will take place in Henley Street, where the playwright spent his childhood years.

Organisers estimate the week reaches about two million children nationwide, who can take advantage of resources on the festival's website

The annual festival is organised by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, with events outside Stratford starting on 24 March.

They include an exhibition by children at Barnsley Library, a poetry event with the children's author Michael Rosen in London and a street dance on Bristol's SS Great Britain.

Performances, workshops and crafts, enabling costume and puppet making using recycled materials, will also be taking place in Stratford.

Project manager Sally Gray described the final weekend as "not one to miss".

"We can't wait to welcome families back to Henley Street for more fun," she said.

Children can have their face painted like a magical creature from the Forest of Arden, and make accessories such as a wand for Titania or a staff for the magician Prospero.

There will also be a performance inspired by Lady Macbeth, billed as Shakespeare's "most fearsome woman".

Events include performances, workshops and crafts at the festival

School activities include a day of workshops for Warwickshire pupils and there will be online daily broadcasts from authors and presenters.

An online exhibition, Are Ye Fantastical, includes a chance to meet the spirit Ariel, the jester Feste and Bottom, who magically gets a donkey's head.

The aim of the week is to give children their first experience of the dramatist's stories and language, and make his works accessible.

''It is important for us to make Shakespeare fun," Ms Gray stressed.