Girls and Boys Puppet Factory – for all the family

What are little boys and girls made of these days? Sugar and spice and all things nice? Slugs and snails and puppy dogs’ tails? Or is it a whole lot more complicated these days?

Half term is the perfect opportunity for families to spend time together and do something creative.

This October half-term, you and the kids can visit Manchester Art Gallery’s Girls and Boys Puppet Factory where you can create double-sided boy and girl puppets together, made with whatever you like.

Whether they’re into all things pink, football or dinosaurs, children visiting the puppet factory will be able to choose their own images from magazines to create their own imaginative boy and girl puppets.

Families can take their puppets home with them. The finished puppets are made from a simple household coat-hanger and so could also look great hanging on the wall at home.

Coronation Street actor and comedian, John Thomson dropped into Manchester Art Gallery this week with daughter Olivia (aged 6) to road test the Girls and Boys Puppet Factory. He said: “It was quite strange seeing a puppet made up entirely of pictures of me. A bit like seeing your life flash before your eyes. It’s so important that kids get a chance to explore their artistic side and the puppet workshop looks like it’s going to be a great way for families to create things together.”

The workshops are inspired by the gallery’s current exhibition, Angels of Anarchy: Women Artists and Surrealism, which explores themes of gender and identity.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, Manchester City Council said: “Half term is the perfect opportunity for families to spend time together and do something creative. So, don’t miss out on these fun, free workshops at Manchester Art Gallery. They’re a great chance to talk together and share ideas while making something a little bit different, with the help of artists and educators.”

The free Girls and Boys Puppet Factory workshops run from Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 October, 1 – 3pm. Families are welcome to drop in any time, there’s no need to book.

For more information visit www.manchestergalleries.org