Workshops
Enchanted Arts Festival
No dates yet
Location: Charente-Maritime, France
Size: 1,000
What is it? An intimate, family-friendly festival in the grounds of an historic Chateau in Charente-Maritime, western France, offering contemporary art, theatre, storytelling, dance, live music sets, TED-style talks, panel discussions, workshops, wellness and foodie experiences. The festival promises to inspire the entire family.
The organizers spotted a gap in the French market for a summer festival experience that works for all ages and wanted to create a space where people can come together. The festival promises to inspire the entire family.
Location: The Chateau de Dampierre-sur-Boutonne is located in western France in the triangle between La Rochelle, Niort and Saintes.
Capacity/size: Small and intimate – 1000 people.
Highlights for families: A laid-back, bohemian and friendly atmosphere is promised. In the Chateau grounds there will be inspirational arts and crafts on site, street theatre, magicians and pop-up concerts, storytelling in the woods and cookery lessons. Families can also take a horse and carriage over to the nearby donkey farm, or go boating on the river. Come nightfall, kids can stargaze and witness a total lunar eclipse.
Highlights for grown-ups: As well as the music on offer, adult festival goers can attend workshops and seminars. Guest speakers will include journalists, bloggers, commentators, environmentalists, actors and activists. There are also visual (film) and contemporary artists, TED-style presentations and opportunities for audience participation in discussions as well as healing and wellness events.
Music: DJs Spinning Sprite, Julie Lojkine and daDA. Line-up of musicians to be announced soon.
Food and drink: Organic food trucks, cafes and pop-up bars across the village.
Site and accessibility: The site stretches across the Chateau grounds and into the village of Dampierre-sur-Boutonne. The village is accessible for buggies and prams. A special toddlers’ and young children’s quiet area will be created so that families with young children can enjoy plenty of downtime and run-around-time.
Travel: By car the Chateau is a 1h,40 from Bordeaux, 1h30 from Nantes and 4.5 hours from Paris. Nearest airports are Bordeaux, la Rochelle and Nantes. Ryanair, Easyjet and Flybe all fly from the UK to Bordeaux.
Accommodation: Free camping area included in the purchase of weekend festival tickets with dry toilets on site. Municipal camping also available in the village with a shower block with baby changing facilities (contact the organisers for details). Glamping options are available via the website, with the glamping field enjoying its own showers and toilets. Water points will be dotted around the village.
Tickets: Adult day entry to the chateau is 20 euros + fees. Children, 12 euros + fees (13-17); Children 0-12 (free with proof of age)
https://www.facebook.com/enchantedartsfest/
Just So Festival
16th - 18th August 2024
Location: Rode Hall Estate, Scholar Green, Cheshire, ST7 3QT
Website: www.justsofestival.org.uk
” Just So Festival is such a magical place that I feel like I’m in a dream and lost in a book all at the same time!” – Teya (aged 10)
Just So is a small, weekend-long festival of creativity aimed at children, young people and their families. It’s an opportunity for families to share in the most fundamental of life’s pleasures: good old-fashioned fun!
Read more…
KidzField Glastonbury
www.kidzfield.com
Sited within the mahoosive Glastonbury in the sprawling fields of Worthy Farm is a real gem for children, an exciting explosion of colour and fun: The Kidz Field!
The Kidz Field claims to be the largest festival for kids in the world, and I wouldn’t argue with that. Everything inside it is free too.
There’s so much going on in this field: Helter Skelters, baby-changing, workshops, climbing frames, sand pits, inflatables, circus skills, swings, messy play, crafts, kids loos, special performances, and even an NCT Tent where you can give babies a much needed bath!
Your main gripe about this field is likely to be that you spend so much time losing yourself in the excitement of childhood delights that you miss an act you were desperate to catch on the other site of the festival! But it’s all about compromise and believe me, your kids are going to LOVE this place!
Things you must do at a festival
Once you have children it’s all too easy to get stuck in the kids field all day. But it doesn’t have to be all about them! Here are a few things you must do at a festival.
Festival Workshops – junk4funk
junk4funk makes Musical Instruments out of rubbish such as pizza boxes and plastic bottles. junk4funk runs workshops in schools and festivals across the country, and would love to be involved in more.
I had the opportunity to interview the owner/director, who wishes to bring his mix of craft, music and recycling to more music festivals. Read more…
In the Fields of Bliss and Angels
Blissfields is one of those festivals that just manages to get everything right. We’ve only been once but it’s already become a family favourite because they manage to fit everything – great bands, hidden areas, fantastic kids’ entertainment – all in a very small space, yet it somehow retains its laid back and friendly vibe… just without all the walking!
The children’s area run by Angel Gardens is undoubtedly the highlight for families, and so Blissfields secured us an exclusive interview with the lovely Angel Sam – she talks about Blissfields, working at festivals, gaining a sense of belonging and the importance of spare socks.
Taking children out of school for a festival
Can you justify taking children out of school to attend a festival?
This is an issue I am sure many parents have faced since schools are tightening up on authorised absences. Some schools will authorise time off in term time in exceptional circumstances. Some more enlightened Heads understand what a wonderful experience certain festivals can be for a child. Others will refuse point blank, and some may even fine families for taking their children out of school without authorisation.
What do children learn at festivals?
I love festivals, everyone knows that!
My reasons for going to them have over the years changed and my circumstances have certainly changed. Before it was all about me and my friends, now it’s not just about me and my friends; it’s also about my son and considering my reasons for taking him.
I want him to enjoy going to to festivals and have plenty of wonderful experiences from going, and from those experiences he can hopefully benefit every day.
At the grand old age of 3 (nearly 4) he already talks about and looks forward to his festival holidays. He is unaware of how much he learns from going to them, but such life experiences are hard to find elsewhere.
All this made me reflect on what those experiences can teach him? How can he develop from them?
Angel Gardens 2014
Angel Gardens create magical family spaces at festivals. We consist of a huge team of dedicated volunteers, children’s loos, cosy caravans and lots of beautiful Bell Tents.
This year Angel Gardens have looked at everything that parents need to help them get children through a weekend in a field as well as ensuring we have a good set of activities, workshops and entertainment that helps you work together as a family as well as learning new stuff as individuals.
Read more…
Inspired by creativity and exploration
Today I took my children along to Toddler Imps on the Green, an outdoor creativity and play session at the beautiful Fair Green in Diss, Norfolk.
Run by Rachel Baker, a former primary school teacher with a passion for learning through exploration and creativity, Imps provide creative play experiences for under 5s and their parents, as well training and workshops for early years practitioners and Big Days In for early years settings.
This morning’s session was aimed at Toddler Imps, 18 months to 3 years but as it was the school holidays there were older children at the session as well as babies and toddlers and every child I saw at the session was engaged, involved and having a wonderful time.
Enchanted Arts Festival
No dates yet
Location: Charente-Maritime, France
Size: 1,000
What is it? An intimate, family-friendly festival in the grounds of an historic Chateau in Charente-Maritime, western France, offering contemporary art, theatre, storytelling, dance, live music sets, TED-style talks, panel discussions, workshops, wellness and foodie experiences. The festival promises to inspire the entire family.
The organizers spotted a gap in the French market for a summer festival experience that works for all ages and wanted to create a space where people can come together. The festival promises to inspire the entire family.
Location: The Chateau de Dampierre-sur-Boutonne is located in western France in the triangle between La Rochelle, Niort and Saintes.
Capacity/size: Small and intimate – 1000 people.
Highlights for families: A laid-back, bohemian and friendly atmosphere is promised. In the Chateau grounds there will be inspirational arts and crafts on site, street theatre, magicians and pop-up concerts, storytelling in the woods and cookery lessons. Families can also take a horse and carriage over to the nearby donkey farm, or go boating on the river. Come nightfall, kids can stargaze and witness a total lunar eclipse.
Highlights for grown-ups: As well as the music on offer, adult festival goers can attend workshops and seminars. Guest speakers will include journalists, bloggers, commentators, environmentalists, actors and activists. There are also visual (film) and contemporary artists, TED-style presentations and opportunities for audience participation in discussions as well as healing and wellness events.
Music: DJs Spinning Sprite, Julie Lojkine and daDA. Line-up of musicians to be announced soon.
Food and drink: Organic food trucks, cafes and pop-up bars across the village.
Site and accessibility: The site stretches across the Chateau grounds and into the village of Dampierre-sur-Boutonne. The village is accessible for buggies and prams. A special toddlers’ and young children’s quiet area will be created so that families with young children can enjoy plenty of downtime and run-around-time.
Travel: By car the Chateau is a 1h,40 from Bordeaux, 1h30 from Nantes and 4.5 hours from Paris. Nearest airports are Bordeaux, la Rochelle and Nantes. Ryanair, Easyjet and Flybe all fly from the UK to Bordeaux.
Accommodation: Free camping area included in the purchase of weekend festival tickets with dry toilets on site. Municipal camping also available in the village with a shower block with baby changing facilities (contact the organisers for details). Glamping options are available via the website, with the glamping field enjoying its own showers and toilets. Water points will be dotted around the village.
Tickets: Adult day entry to the chateau is 20 euros + fees. Children, 12 euros + fees (13-17); Children 0-12 (free with proof of age)
https://www.facebook.com/enchantedartsfest/
KidzField Glastonbury
www.kidzfield.com
Sited within the mahoosive Glastonbury in the sprawling fields of Worthy Farm is a real gem for children, an exciting explosion of colour and fun: The Kidz Field!
The Kidz Field claims to be the largest festival for kids in the world, and I wouldn’t argue with that. Everything inside it is free too.
There’s so much going on in this field: Helter Skelters, baby-changing, workshops, climbing frames, sand pits, inflatables, circus skills, swings, messy play, crafts, kids loos, special performances, and even an NCT Tent where you can give babies a much needed bath!
Your main gripe about this field is likely to be that you spend so much time losing yourself in the excitement of childhood delights that you miss an act you were desperate to catch on the other site of the festival! But it’s all about compromise and believe me, your kids are going to LOVE this place!
Festival Workshops – junk4funk
junk4funk makes Musical Instruments out of rubbish such as pizza boxes and plastic bottles. junk4funk runs workshops in schools and festivals across the country, and would love to be involved in more.
I had the opportunity to interview the owner/director, who wishes to bring his mix of craft, music and recycling to more music festivals. Read more…
Taking children out of school for a festival
Can you justify taking children out of school to attend a festival?
This is an issue I am sure many parents have faced since schools are tightening up on authorised absences. Some schools will authorise time off in term time in exceptional circumstances. Some more enlightened Heads understand what a wonderful experience certain festivals can be for a child. Others will refuse point blank, and some may even fine families for taking their children out of school without authorisation.
Angel Gardens 2014
Angel Gardens create magical family spaces at festivals. We consist of a huge team of dedicated volunteers, children’s loos, cosy caravans and lots of beautiful Bell Tents.
This year Angel Gardens have looked at everything that parents need to help them get children through a weekend in a field as well as ensuring we have a good set of activities, workshops and entertainment that helps you work together as a family as well as learning new stuff as individuals.
Read more…
Just So Festival
16th - 18th August 2024
Location: Rode Hall Estate, Scholar Green, Cheshire, ST7 3QT
Website: www.justsofestival.org.uk
” Just So Festival is such a magical place that I feel like I’m in a dream and lost in a book all at the same time!” – Teya (aged 10)
Just So is a small, weekend-long festival of creativity aimed at children, young people and their families. It’s an opportunity for families to share in the most fundamental of life’s pleasures: good old-fashioned fun!
Read more…
Things you must do at a festival
Once you have children it’s all too easy to get stuck in the kids field all day. But it doesn’t have to be all about them! Here are a few things you must do at a festival.
In the Fields of Bliss and Angels
Blissfields is one of those festivals that just manages to get everything right. We’ve only been once but it’s already become a family favourite because they manage to fit everything – great bands, hidden areas, fantastic kids’ entertainment – all in a very small space, yet it somehow retains its laid back and friendly vibe… just without all the walking!
The children’s area run by Angel Gardens is undoubtedly the highlight for families, and so Blissfields secured us an exclusive interview with the lovely Angel Sam – she talks about Blissfields, working at festivals, gaining a sense of belonging and the importance of spare socks.
What do children learn at festivals?
I love festivals, everyone knows that!
My reasons for going to them have over the years changed and my circumstances have certainly changed. Before it was all about me and my friends, now it’s not just about me and my friends; it’s also about my son and considering my reasons for taking him.
I want him to enjoy going to to festivals and have plenty of wonderful experiences from going, and from those experiences he can hopefully benefit every day.
At the grand old age of 3 (nearly 4) he already talks about and looks forward to his festival holidays. He is unaware of how much he learns from going to them, but such life experiences are hard to find elsewhere.
All this made me reflect on what those experiences can teach him? How can he develop from them?
Inspired by creativity and exploration
Today I took my children along to Toddler Imps on the Green, an outdoor creativity and play session at the beautiful Fair Green in Diss, Norfolk.
Run by Rachel Baker, a former primary school teacher with a passion for learning through exploration and creativity, Imps provide creative play experiences for under 5s and their parents, as well training and workshops for early years practitioners and Big Days In for early years settings.
This morning’s session was aimed at Toddler Imps, 18 months to 3 years but as it was the school holidays there were older children at the session as well as babies and toddlers and every child I saw at the session was engaged, involved and having a wonderful time.