For those with kids coming to Kelburn Garden Party you can expect a music festival and adventure holiday rolled into one. Instead of a simple kid-safe zone that is the norm of many-a-festival across the UK, we are utterly proudly bursting with a whole spectacle of family-friendly fun throughout the weekend. Kelburn estate is an award-winning family attraction, and festival goers get access to most of those features on top of all the extra magic we lay on for the weekend. Drive a bus, discover the Green Man’s Maze, see a comedy show, join a drum circle, learn fantastic circus tricks, tackle the rope bridge… there is even a soft play barn! Read on for a cheeky taster of the activities and acts you and your family can catch at Kelburn. Kids under 5 go free to the festival, and kids and youth tickets are heavily subsidised. We also have a new quiet and family camping field and some upmarket toilet and shower facilities for those who like a bit more comfort.
Mr Boom
Mr Boom is the one and only One Man Band from the Moon! Big kids will remember him for his hit show in the 90s, when he starred in over 70 episodes of Over The Moon with Mr Boom. He’s touching down once again this summer at Kelburn Garden Party, bringing a cosmic treat for the whole family.
The Secret Forest Project
One of the gems in Kelburn’s crown and open from 10am to 5pm daily, the Secret Forest is a surreal labyrinthine trail through the woods above the main festival site, that includes many bizarre attractions, from the Chinese gardens and Pagoda, the gingerbread house and the Greenman’s maze, to the crocodile swamp and grotto and the “inner wood”. And exclusively for Kelburn Garden Party, you can catch the The Secret Forest Project. This living installation at the Kelburn Garden Party will host all manner of strange fairytale characters inhabiting the forest, each with their own story to tell as you make your way through the pathways.
The Famous BlundaBus
The famous Fringe venue is back! Bob’s BlundaBus (a double decker that’s also a pop-up comedy venue) will host kids’ events this year during the day at the Kelburn Garden Party.
How 2 Drive a Bus evolved from kids simply having fun and playing. ‘There are 30 kids interacting on a bus, taking it in turns to drive and tell their own jokes,” says Slayer. “They ask questions of the genius giraffe and meet the hungry caterpillar.” As for the BlundaBus itself: “it couldn’t be called anything else, could it?”
“Hilarious for all ages…” The Skinny. “The ultimate off fringe performer…” The Scotsman. “Spirit of the Fringe…” The Guardian
Big Fish Little Fish
The award-winning “2-4 Hour Party People” host sold out family-friendly raves all over the UK, and are hugely popular with parents who just can’t leave their clubbing days behind them – expect banging (but not too loud) tunes, confetti cannons, balloons and all kinds of party magic. Ideal for those parents who need to be in bed with the wee ones by dark.
Big Fish Little Fish have come a long way since exploding as a monthly party in Brixton. Famous DJs like DJ Food, Mixmaster Morris, Hatcha, Readers Wives, The Orb, Si Begg, Coldcut and Terry Farley have all played, mixing eclectic music across the rave spectrum to get families dancing.
Little Fawn Caravan Theatre
The Little Fawn is a wonderful, travelling puppet theatre. Created in 2012 by Sokobauno Puppet Theatre, a class 1950s Cheltenham Fawn caravan is magically transformed into a unique performance space for children and their families. Audiences of all ages will be transported by funny, tragic, and endearing stories all told in a cosy venue by a friendly cast of puppets.
Spinning Jennies
Wobble wildly on a unicycle, stand tall on stilts, teeter, balance and spin.
Join the shenannigans with spinning jenny and her circus skills team and learn to juggle, hoola hoop, spin a plate, make giant bubbles and loads more…
Gregarious Games
The most fun take on a sports day you can image! Expect silly games that keep kids and parents alike on their toes, with a live DJ and compere to keep everyone warmed up.
The Lullabies Collective
Families will find a warm welcome at the Lullabies Collective. A focal point of the family camping field, their programme puts some familiarity and rhythm into the day for younger festival goers while giving parents some down time too. Start the day with a Sing Along, enjoy a bubbly Baby bath after dinner, and finish off the day with the festival bedtime of your life – songs and stories from the Lullabies Collective!
The Lullabies Collective are artists and musicians with children of their own who love festivals and produce collaborative performing arts for children. Together they create the Lullabies Tent, an amazing sheltered environment for parents, babies and young children. Bath the kids and enjoy original songs and stories, traditional and modern lullabies, entrancing visuals, and soothing live music.
Workshops & Games
Throughout the festival site you will find a great range of activities for your little ones. From a nail-biting duck race with Alchemy Arts and the family hub in the Tall Trees to an artsy afternoon with Ayrshire Arts and nature walks, you can give them a proper mind-enhancing time by day before you do your best to live it up by night!
More to be announced soon…
