Games and activities, crafts and entertainment for children of all ages - family fun at its best

The beating heart of Sidmouth FolkWeek’s Children’s Festival remains at Blackmore Gardens, with a superb line-up of Young Performers’ Showcases and some very special surprises.

You will also find Walkabout Entertainment, the ever-popular Amazing Marble Maze and Do It Yourself Puppet Theatre, Pop Up Performances, Morris and Dance displays, Parachute Games, Face Painting, Dancing, The Knitting Circle, and a host of other family entertainment.

There is a wealth of activities for children to get involved in, with something for each age group. A ‘Musical Journey’ theme encourages all youngsters to join the journey at whichever point suits them. There are Action Songs, Sing Along Songs and Percussion and Rhythms for the under fours; Junior Choir and the Minims Beginners Band for 5-7 year olds; and for over-eights the Sidmouth Songswell Choir and, of course, the amazing Seaside Stompers Ceilidh Band, which works hard to learn the tunes to play for the Stomping Ceilidh, in Blackmore Gardens Marquee, on Thursday evening.

For the creatively minded, there are many opportunities to get crafty! Under fours have Colour and Create, Creative Workshops for Children and Teddies’ Hospital, whilst five- to seven-year-olds can choose from Crazy Crafts, Happy Hattery, Pottery, Windsocks, Gargoyles and Mobiles. Over-eights have the ever-popular Craft Carousel, Pottery Workshops and Merlin’s Mob for drama activities. Families can join in the Children’s Festival Torchlight Processional Build and make something spectacular to carry in the procession.

For the Dancers and Movers there is Yoga, Jungle Jiggle and Woodland Wiggle for the under fours. Five- to seven-year-olds can Dance Round the Maypole, relax with Yoga or Ceilidh Dance together. Over-eights can learn some Rapper Dancing, Appalachian Clog, or join in Border Morris Dancing.

Every day there will be performances on the Garden Stage featuring stunning Young Performers. The Gardens will also feature dance displays, walkabout and pop up entertainment. There will be family ceilidh dancing, a Do It Yourself Puppet Booth, the Amazing Marble Maze, the knitting circle and face painting.

Family Evening Shows at All Saints Church Hall 7 – 8pm

Quality entertainment for all ages is laid on every night at Sidmouth FolkWeek from 7pm. Take the whole family…

Saturday, August 4

Funny Business Gerald, despite misgivings, has decided to take on Wallace, the hapless circus trainee, as a permanent juggling partner. Has he made a mistake? Expect a show full of hilarious misunderstandings and fantastic new illusions.

Presented by Circus Berzercus

Sunday, August 5

Family Concert Music and songs for little people, big people and everyone else in between.

Presented by David Gibb

Monday, August 6

A Necklace Of Raindrops that keeps its owner dry in the heaviest rainstorm; a house that stands on one leg and a granny who sews magic into every stitch – these are just some of the objects and characters that delight and entrance in these spellbinding stories.

Presented by One Moment In Time Theatre

Tuesday, August 7

Family Puppet Show: The Da Silva Marionette Circus

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... the Circus has come to town! Be amazed by aerial acrobatics on the flying trapeze, spectacular cycling stunts and trampolining ups and downs, and laugh at the antics of the cheeky clowns, one of whom takes the joke that bit too far – with disastrous consequences.

Presented by Noisy Oyster Theatre

Wednesday, August 8

Fabulous Family Medley – A tasty serving of stories, songs, music, dance and more with Gog Magog Molly, Pat Ryan, Pete Coe and Tolquhon.

Thursday, August 9, 7.30-10.30pm, Super Stomping Evening Ceilidh, in Blackmore Gardens Marquee, with The Sidmouth Seaside Stompers Ceilidh Band and calling by Martyn Harvey plus The Outside Capering Crew and Spangles the Clown. Expect a hugely popular evening of sheer ceilidh enjoyment.