Storyhouse will host a festival celebrating children's stories and imagination next month.

The WayWord Festival, an annual festival for children, aims to inspire and celebrate the power of words to ignite the imagination.

Returning to Storyhouse this autumn, it will feature children's authors and illustrators live on stage, theatre performances, workshops, crafts, storytelling, and film.

Opening on Thursday 22 October, the festival will launch with two Horrible Histories shows based on Terry Deary's books, Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians, promising to take Chester audiences on a wildly entertaining journey through history.

Storyhouse will also debut its new production, Romeo and Juliet (for Kids), as the latest Storyhouse show aimed at introducing the Bard to younger theatregoers.

On Sunday 25 October, audiences can join Ratty, Mole, Badger and the irrepressible Toad in the Garret Theatre for a production of The Wind in the Willows from award-winning theatre company Box Tale Soup.

Farshore Funny Fest is described as the ultimate day out for children aged 6 and over this October half term.

Ticketholders can choose one of three exclusive extra treats before the main event – the silly science show How to Save Your Granny from a Runaway Train, The Big Beano Draw-along with Nigel Parkinson or join Farhana Islam for the hilarious interactive The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood. Spaces are limited so register early.

There will also be activities like face painting, scavenger hunts and book signings. And every child will receive a free Beano comic.

On Wednesday 28 October, there is the return of Doodle Day. The much-loved free event, taking place in the Den and Storytelling Room, allows visitors to doodle, scribble and draw.

That same day, children can enter The World of Oliver Jeffers. The artist, illustrator and writer comes to Storyhouse with his latest book, A Day Off School, and the new paperback edition of There's a Ghost in This House, in an event at the Garret Theatre organised by Linghams Booksellers and Booka Books.

Each child's ticket includes a copy of A Day Off School.

On Thursday, 29 October, join bestselling YA author and TikTok personality Andy Darcy Theo as he talks about his publishing journey, sharing top tips for aspiring writers and an interactive quiz to find out your elemental power.

Award-winning, bestselling children's author Emma Carroll visits the Storyhouse main stage on Friday 30 October with her new book Dracula and Daughters: School for Slayers.

On Saturday 31 October, celebrate Halloween with a twist with Storyhouse's Family Friendly Broadway Rave in the Garret Theatre.

Joss Arnott Dance presents the family friendly Meet the Hatter in the main theatre, promising a magical cinematic dance and multimedia spectacle, retelling the story of the iconic Mad Hatter from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

The Wayword Festival ends with Stars and Stones on 1 November, a fantastical adventure of ancient magic and transformation told with puppetry, play and music.

Storyhouse creative director Suzie Henderson said today: "WayWord is now in its fifth year, and I'm delighted that it continues to go from strength to strength.

"We started WayWord to fire our young visitors' amazing imaginations and it's always exciting to see the enthusiasm and creativity they bring to the festival.

"This year's programme includes a wide range of performances, visits, events and activities which celebrate the power of storytelling and which I know will appeal to inquiring young minds and help to inspire a lifelong love of books and reading."

You can find a full list of events and booking information here.