5 More Brilliant Kid-Friendly Summer Events!
There are some things you should definitely attend this summer, whether it’s a festival or a street summer party. So that you don’t miss out on any of the fun, we’ve compiled a list of places for you to go – be there! They’re really kid friendly.
Picnic in the Castle – Fantasy and Fairytales
Cardiff Castle
Where: Cardiff Castle grounds
When: 31st July 2011
Kids love dressing up so this is perfect for them. They should come to this themed picnic dressed as their favourite hero, villain or princess and the best dressed kid will win a prize. As you eat, there will be live music and entertainment in the form of walkabout entertainers so watch out for characters like Hodman and Sally. You can bring your own picnic but refreshments are on site. Tickets are £2.50 each but babies under a year old go free.
Playday
Play Day
Where: Anywhere
When: 3rd August
Playday is the national day for play, co-ordinated by Play England in partnership with Play Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland. On this day, children of all ages celebrate Playday by playing at community events for FREE, doing whatever they want wherever they want. Events include jubilee style street parties, festivals in parks and mass adventures in any area (beaches, woodlands etc). Adults are not admitted unless accompanied by children but they can help with the fundraising. To learn more about Playday, visit www.playday.org.uk.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
When: 5th – 29th August
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival has everything you can ask for: live music, market stalls, theatre, street entertainment, museum and city tours, live comedy and more than I can name. If the whole family loves reading good books, go to the Book Fringe and hear a reading or listen to Revolting Rhymes (interactive performances of Dahl’s stories). Likewise, if you’re into theatre, watch Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Red Riding Hood and the Wolves or King Lear, or catch the brand new Mr Benn stage show. But for real family fun, go to Card Ninja or Little Howard’s Big Show. E4’s Udderbelly will also be there for some of the best comedy shows so don’t miss that. Book accommodation fast for this festival – it is an extremely popular festival and places will fill up quickly so get it cheap while you can. It may rain and be cold up in Edinburgh but I can guarantee that you’ll have a good time. For more information on events, go to www.edfringe.com.
Street entertainment at the Royal Mile
Sheffield Super Summer Weekend
Sheffield Super Summer Weekend
Where: Graves Park, Sheffield
When: 5th – 7th August
All weekend, kids have the chance to see their favourite TV characters in giant form, from Fireman Sam to Peppa Pig and Bob the Builder and watch them battle against each other. As well as that, there’s a funfair on site where rides are only 99p. I hope your kids don’t get motion sickness because the fair has the best rides there; they have coffee cups, mini carousels, dodgems, flying turtles and so many more. There are also funhouses, like Hollywood, Kings Circus, Aladdin and Big Boot and there are power and rocket ship simulators. In addition, there are trampolines, food stalls and inflatables to look out for. The best thing about this event is that it’s free entrance.
Potted Potter
Potted Potter's Daniel Clarkson
Garrick Theatre, London
18th – 29th August
Fans of Harry Potter should not miss this! CBBC’s Dan and Jeff make a performance of all seven of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books in just seventy minutes and get you, the audience, to take part in a game of Quidditch. A giant fire-breathing dragon will also feature, and there will be singing, a number of insane props and plenty of Hogwarts magic. Find out more about the show at www.pottedpotter.com.
Have a great summer!
About the Author: holly
Holly is the mother of two small girls. She also works pretty much full time and yes she is permanently tired, but she's on an eternal quest for the work/life balance. If you find it do tell her! You can read more about the ups and downs of being a working mum at her blog It's a Mummy's Life . 
