Blog
Competitions, product reviews, opinions, and awards; welcome to the Festival Kidz blog!
Chilled in a Field – New Venue!
NEWS: Chilled in a Field have announced their new home for 2014!
This year Chilled in a Field will be held in the Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum. This location is even more perfect for families as it is a wonderful magical place for children to visit, and entry to Bentley is included in your ticket. Read more…
Best Family Festivals 2014
Here are our top picks for 2014!
Now is a great time to start thinking about buying your festival tickets – most of the festivals offer ‘early bird’ prices, which means they are reduced if you book them early.
Whether a festival is good for you depends on what music you’re into and what other things you like doing at festivals, as well as the age of your kids. If you are new to festivals with kids, you may want to read our guide to Choosing the right Family-Friendly Festival. Read more…
Festival Babies!
*** WIN! WIN! WIN! ***
The lovely Baby Woohoo have given us these gorgeous shoes to give away!
** The competition is now closed **
Closing date: 5th April 2014 Read more…
Big Fish Little Fish – New Venue!
Big Fish Little Fish arrives in Balham!
Big Fish Little Fish have a brand new venue, the Bedford in Balham.
The competition to win tickets has now closed.
The winner is: Michelle Fullerton
Festival Kidz love this event – family afternoon clubbing with decent music! There’s a professional DJ playing ska, old skool rave, soul, indie, hip hop, house, disco, dubstep and drum’n’bass, in cool venues in Brixton, Balham and Crouch End. It’s as close as you can get to the family festival feeling outside of the festival season.
A lot of thought has gone into the event to make it appealing to both parents and children. On the dancefloor they have club visuals and lighting, balloons, glowsticks, bubble machines and confetti guns. If that’s not enough there is also a craft area and a separate chill-out room with inflatables, ball pool and pop up tents for quieter baby time with a 20s and 30s soundtrack by Speakeasy D. There is a licensed bar for the parents, a cake stall, and free snacks and smoothies for the children.
The aim is for parents (and uncles/aunts/grandparents/carers) to enjoy great music, dancing and socialising together with like-minded people and their kids in a safe, fun environment.
Parents can chill with a drink to some excellent tunes, chat to the other grown ups or join their kids on the dancefloor and knock a few balloons about. Very young children or those that want a break from the dance room can either play with the toys in the baby friendly chill out room or make things in the craft areas. So with the top talent on stage and in the DJ booth and a multisensory environment, you can be sure that parents and kids of all ages alike will never be bored. Each party will be themed so the kids (and adults too if they feel so inclined) can indulge in a bit of fancy dress.
See our review of last October’s event here!
Venues
Balham
The Bedford, 79 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9HD
Brixton
Brixton JAMM, Brixton Road, SW9
Hackney
Shapes, 117 Wallis Rd, E9 5LN
Crouch End
Earl Haig Hall, Elder Avenue, Crouch End
For further information, please visit the website:
www.bigfishlittlefishevents.co.uk
WIN A Festival Pop Up Tent!
Argos have kindly given us a Regatta 2 Man Festival Pop Up tent as a prize for one of our lucky readers – and you can even choose your colour: purple and pink butterflies or green camouflage.
They make great festival tents for an older child, or a separate play tent for younger ones, are extremely light and easy to put up or pack away.
More tents are available here.
This competition has now closed. The winner was Tracey Hatch. Enjoy your new tent Tracey!
Regatta 2 Man Festival Pop Up Tent
A choice of two colours!
Pink Butterfly or Green Camouflage
The Flying Seagull Project
The Flying Seagull Project: What ya Ghana do when they come for you?
by Vicky Lane
We first met the Flying Seagulls at Wilderness Festival in 2012. One of the first areas we tend to head for is the children’s area at any festival. Within minutes we noticed the Seagulls, and who could miss them? In every children’s area they tend to attract the largest crowds, never an empty seat when they perform unless they have you dancing, jumping around and becoming part of the show. They become the backbone of every kids’ area they perform in. Read more…
Our new Festival Kidz writer!
We have enjoyed reading all your reviews so much, and have finally found a winner!
New rules make it illegal to take children out of school for holidays
In September 2013, the rules on taking children out of school in term time changed. Schools are no longer allowed to grant term time holiday for festivals.
Before September 2013, headteachers could approve absences of up to 10 days a year for family holidays in “special circumstances” – which for many families included festivals during term time. The new rules, however, state that absences are only allowed for “exceptional circumstances” such as funerals of family members. Read more…
Festival Family Christmas Gift Ideas
Yes, it’s that time again! If you are stuck for gift ideas, here are some suggestions that will be popular with festival loving families… Read more…
Fairyland Trust Fairy Christmas
St Andrews Hall, St Andrews Plain, Norwich, Norfolk
The Fairyland Trust returns this December with it’s third event of the year at St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich. This one day event taking place on 15th December, brings you the magic and beauty of a real Christmas experience in true Fairyland Trust style with unique workshops introducing families to wildlife and conservation and their unique vibe.
The event will be a smaller than the charities, Fairy Fair or Real Halloween and is held indoors. Children can take part in bookable workshops including Christmas Fairy’s where they will hear the story of why we put fairies on top of our Christmas trees, and then make one of their own to take home or, new for this year, a Christmas Light where they can create a unique magical woodland-themed Christmas Light to grace any table whilst learning what magical creatures get up to in Mid-Winter.
Father Christmas will also be in residence in his beautiful grotto with Mrs Christmas, ready to meet children. Other activities include Christmas Tree Animal decoration making, Christmas Pixie Post Office (including a specially designed Lucy LoveHeart postcard), face painting and more.
Abbie Panks from the Fairyland Trust said “we are delighted to be running Fairy Christmas again this year; it’s a beautifully atmospheric event and last year proved incredibly popular with it selling out in just a few hours of going on sale, as with all of our events we advise people to book in advance”
There will be a Christmas Café selling food and drinks including Christmas Soup, Mince Pies, and Mulled Wine And entertainment will come from The E.L.F Ukulele Troubadours with their Christmas songs together with toe-tapping fiddle playing from a variety of wandering minstrels. The trusts lovely Sugar Plum Fairy will emerge on the hour to twirl to Tchaikovsky’s famous music and lead a dance for any budding ballerinas.
And there will be a selection of beautiful hand crafted gifts to buy from the Christmas market.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at www.fairylandtrust.org . Booking in advance is strongly recommended as spaces are limited.
Entrance tickets: £4.50/ person, under 3s free.
Doors open at 10 am and close at 4pm.
workshops and activities from 50p to £4
Please note:
No dogs are allowed except for guide dogs.
Sorry but, unlike our outdoor events you will not be allowed to consume your own food or drink.
There is no parking on site, but there are many nearby public car parks to use, the closest being St Andrews. The Hall are right in the middle of Norwich City Centre and only 10 minutes walk from the railway station. Please use public transport if you can.
Chilled in a Field – New Venue!
NEWS: Chilled in a Field have announced their new home for 2014!
This year Chilled in a Field will be held in the Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum. This location is even more perfect for families as it is a wonderful magical place for children to visit, and entry to Bentley is included in your ticket. Read more…
Festival Babies!
*** WIN! WIN! WIN! ***
The lovely Baby Woohoo have given us these gorgeous shoes to give away!
** The competition is now closed **
Closing date: 5th April 2014 Read more…
WIN A Festival Pop Up Tent!
Argos have kindly given us a Regatta 2 Man Festival Pop Up tent as a prize for one of our lucky readers – and you can even choose your colour: purple and pink butterflies or green camouflage.
They make great festival tents for an older child, or a separate play tent for younger ones, are extremely light and easy to put up or pack away.
More tents are available here.
This competition has now closed. The winner was Tracey Hatch. Enjoy your new tent Tracey!
Regatta 2 Man Festival Pop Up Tent
A choice of two colours!
Pink Butterfly or Green Camouflage
Our new Festival Kidz writer!
We have enjoyed reading all your reviews so much, and have finally found a winner!
Festival Family Christmas Gift Ideas
Yes, it’s that time again! If you are stuck for gift ideas, here are some suggestions that will be popular with festival loving families… Read more…
Best Family Festivals 2014
Here are our top picks for 2014!
Now is a great time to start thinking about buying your festival tickets – most of the festivals offer ‘early bird’ prices, which means they are reduced if you book them early.
Whether a festival is good for you depends on what music you’re into and what other things you like doing at festivals, as well as the age of your kids. If you are new to festivals with kids, you may want to read our guide to Choosing the right Family-Friendly Festival. Read more…
Big Fish Little Fish – New Venue!
Big Fish Little Fish arrives in Balham!
Big Fish Little Fish have a brand new venue, the Bedford in Balham.
The competition to win tickets has now closed.
The winner is: Michelle Fullerton
Festival Kidz love this event – family afternoon clubbing with decent music! There’s a professional DJ playing ska, old skool rave, soul, indie, hip hop, house, disco, dubstep and drum’n’bass, in cool venues in Brixton, Balham and Crouch End. It’s as close as you can get to the family festival feeling outside of the festival season.
A lot of thought has gone into the event to make it appealing to both parents and children. On the dancefloor they have club visuals and lighting, balloons, glowsticks, bubble machines and confetti guns. If that’s not enough there is also a craft area and a separate chill-out room with inflatables, ball pool and pop up tents for quieter baby time with a 20s and 30s soundtrack by Speakeasy D. There is a licensed bar for the parents, a cake stall, and free snacks and smoothies for the children.
The aim is for parents (and uncles/aunts/grandparents/carers) to enjoy great music, dancing and socialising together with like-minded people and their kids in a safe, fun environment.
Parents can chill with a drink to some excellent tunes, chat to the other grown ups or join their kids on the dancefloor and knock a few balloons about. Very young children or those that want a break from the dance room can either play with the toys in the baby friendly chill out room or make things in the craft areas. So with the top talent on stage and in the DJ booth and a multisensory environment, you can be sure that parents and kids of all ages alike will never be bored. Each party will be themed so the kids (and adults too if they feel so inclined) can indulge in a bit of fancy dress.
See our review of last October’s event here!
Venues
Balham
The Bedford, 79 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9HD
Brixton
Brixton JAMM, Brixton Road, SW9
Hackney
Shapes, 117 Wallis Rd, E9 5LN
Crouch End
Earl Haig Hall, Elder Avenue, Crouch End
For further information, please visit the website:
www.bigfishlittlefishevents.co.uk
The Flying Seagull Project
The Flying Seagull Project: What ya Ghana do when they come for you?
by Vicky Lane
We first met the Flying Seagulls at Wilderness Festival in 2012. One of the first areas we tend to head for is the children’s area at any festival. Within minutes we noticed the Seagulls, and who could miss them? In every children’s area they tend to attract the largest crowds, never an empty seat when they perform unless they have you dancing, jumping around and becoming part of the show. They become the backbone of every kids’ area they perform in. Read more…
New rules make it illegal to take children out of school for holidays
In September 2013, the rules on taking children out of school in term time changed. Schools are no longer allowed to grant term time holiday for festivals.
Before September 2013, headteachers could approve absences of up to 10 days a year for family holidays in “special circumstances” – which for many families included festivals during term time. The new rules, however, state that absences are only allowed for “exceptional circumstances” such as funerals of family members. Read more…
Fairyland Trust Fairy Christmas
St Andrews Hall, St Andrews Plain, Norwich, Norfolk
The Fairyland Trust returns this December with it’s third event of the year at St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich. This one day event taking place on 15th December, brings you the magic and beauty of a real Christmas experience in true Fairyland Trust style with unique workshops introducing families to wildlife and conservation and their unique vibe.
The event will be a smaller than the charities, Fairy Fair or Real Halloween and is held indoors. Children can take part in bookable workshops including Christmas Fairy’s where they will hear the story of why we put fairies on top of our Christmas trees, and then make one of their own to take home or, new for this year, a Christmas Light where they can create a unique magical woodland-themed Christmas Light to grace any table whilst learning what magical creatures get up to in Mid-Winter.
Father Christmas will also be in residence in his beautiful grotto with Mrs Christmas, ready to meet children. Other activities include Christmas Tree Animal decoration making, Christmas Pixie Post Office (including a specially designed Lucy LoveHeart postcard), face painting and more.
Abbie Panks from the Fairyland Trust said “we are delighted to be running Fairy Christmas again this year; it’s a beautifully atmospheric event and last year proved incredibly popular with it selling out in just a few hours of going on sale, as with all of our events we advise people to book in advance”
There will be a Christmas Café selling food and drinks including Christmas Soup, Mince Pies, and Mulled Wine And entertainment will come from The E.L.F Ukulele Troubadours with their Christmas songs together with toe-tapping fiddle playing from a variety of wandering minstrels. The trusts lovely Sugar Plum Fairy will emerge on the hour to twirl to Tchaikovsky’s famous music and lead a dance for any budding ballerinas.
And there will be a selection of beautiful hand crafted gifts to buy from the Christmas market.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at www.fairylandtrust.org . Booking in advance is strongly recommended as spaces are limited.
Entrance tickets: £4.50/ person, under 3s free.
Doors open at 10 am and close at 4pm.
workshops and activities from 50p to £4
Please note:
No dogs are allowed except for guide dogs.
Sorry but, unlike our outdoor events you will not be allowed to consume your own food or drink.
There is no parking on site, but there are many nearby public car parks to use, the closest being St Andrews. The Hall are right in the middle of Norwich City Centre and only 10 minutes walk from the railway station. Please use public transport if you can.