THEY are the kind of fun events to make children laugh, squeal with delight and quite probably want to get their fingers dirty.

All of which are just what the Lawrence Batley Theatre had in mind when they put together the latest Imagine series.

These are the short, snappy shows and workshops – usually on a weekend – which the theatre has been using to build its family audiences. And they are working a treat.

With a new season just around the corner there are plenty of pluses for children.

It is not just children but mums, dads and probably grandparents too who will want to get in on these acts with everything from hands-on workshops – perfect for small people – to exciting storytelling pitched perfectly for those with big imaginations.

To get everyone in the mood for relaxing and being entertained, the theatre has decided to kick-start imaginations with Jumping Jacks.

This is a chance for children to meet a character who likes to jump in the air and almost touch the sky.

And this opening workshop session on September 11 aims to get children to join the theatre’s resident artists, Bini and Bev, who will show them how to create their own Jumping Jacks.

Once they’ve got used to the idea of creating their own characters they might like to meet one many of us know from our childhoods.

Cornelius and Jones is a small touring theatre company founded by Neil Canham and Sue Leech in 1986 and based in Milton Keynes.

It plays the LBT in mid September with a new version of Collodi’s classic tale, Pinocchio.

This may be a small company but it is big on reputation for well-crafted, original work. It creates its own productions and commissions scripts and music.

This new piece has original music by Andrew Dodge and is performed with hand-carved puppets capturing perfectly the themes of the story.

A double first for Huddersfield is the inclusion in the October Imagine slot of Tell Tale Hearts with a brand new show and a brand new base.

The company, regular collaborators with the team at the LBT, has now moved headquarters from Sheffield to Huddersfield.

And it marks that switch with a world premiere.

It’s a show called From Here To There and is all about building bridges.

It may say something about the company’s mood of communicating with new partners in a community they’ve so far visited but not put down permanent roots in – until now.

They show just how much a smile can say and how sound and rhythm play a part in how we all communicate.

Children will love the peek-a-boo, the hide and seek element of all the exchanges.

Aimed at children, maybe, but it all sounds like a real barrier breaker of a show from a company clearly out to make a whole lot of new friends in town.

Make a date too with a company called, rather romantically, A Thousand Cranes, who will be in Huddersfield during the October half-term.

The show is called Paper Washi Wish, and perhaps, not surprisingly, offers highly visual theatre inspired by stories from Japan and Europe.

The company was formed about four years ago by performer Kumiko Mendl and director Vicky Ireland.

Its name is inspired by a saying in Japan that if you fold a thousand paper cranes your wish will come true.

The show will perhaps help children fold the first of those paper cranes as its storytelling includes an invitation to the audience to get creative with paper.

Theatre company Babbling Vagabonds, now an LBT regular, return in early November with a bit of an adventure for the whole family.

Imagine is a great way to start off any weekend as well as getting children into the idea that theatre means fun, music, colour and magical stories.

There will be plenty of all of that in the Babbling Vagabonds’ latest story, The Lonely Giant.

Expect to see colourful puppets and hear original music in a show all about Morag, her naughty sheep and a giant with a big problem.

Last show in the next Imagine series will be a felt animal making session with Lisa Barraclough-Tobin on November 20.

Lisa is a hugely talented textile artist who is also a young mum.

This is a perfect combination to show families what a fun place a theatre can be.

Details on all the shows from the LBT box office on 01484 430528 or in the new brochure.