CHILDREN will be able to enjoy Easter activities influenced by Edward Elgar's childhood music at the Birthplace Museum in Lower Broadheath.

The Wand of Youth will keep young people amused with events drawn from the composer’s Wand of Youth.

Families will have the opportunity to create Victorian toys and games - from thaumatropes to toy theatres - on Thursday, April 17.

They will also get hands-on with a wonderful selection of Victorian toys and objects.

A creative puppet workshop with Art Games’ Jim Morris will take place on Thursday, April 24.

Children will be able to create craggy giants, delicate fairies and other puppets based upon the characters in Elgar’s magical music.

Lucy Maycock, graduate trainee said: “We cannot wait to get cracking with our Wand of Youth activities.

"I have been captivated by Elgar’s story of Fairyland and think children will be too.

"These wonderful workshops will be a great way for families to get creative and discover the music and magical story that Elgar created as a teenager."

Traditional garden games and special trails for younger visitors will run until Sunday, May 4.

Children can also hunt the museum’s beautiful gardens for characters from Fairyland and explore as fairies or giants while discovering the magical story of The Wand of Youth.

The story and music of The Wand of Youth was begun in 1871 when Elgar was just 14 years old.

He and his brothers and sisters wrote a play in which they transported their parents to Fairyland, a magical place populated with creatures such as fairies, giants, moths and butterflies.

All events, which run from 11am to 4.30pm, are free with museum admission.