Larmer Tree is crazy for kids – again

What to say about Larmer Tree? for years we resisted the charms of this bijou festival on the Dorset/Witshire border, despite glowing endorsements from many festival fans of our acquaintance. It simply seemed too good to be true! In 2008, we took the plunge and turned up for one night. and boy, are we glad we did!

If there is one word to describe Larmer Tree, it’s magical. The setting is spectacular, a world away from a band playing in a field – manicured and enchanting gardens, laid out with suprises on every corner, hideaways waiting to be discovered, Peltor-wearing children excitedly haring about until well after dark, but absolutely no air of menace or danger for the kiddies. the music policy, while more mainstream than many festivals, will offer something to keep most people happy. Click here for 2009 line-up details.

Here’s what organisers are saying about the kid’s facilities for 2009:

Proud winners of the 2008 UK Family Festival Award, Larmer Tree offers more than 75 free workshops, shows, and activities for children aged 0-10 on the Larmer Lawns, from 2pm Thursday through to Sunday, plus 11 acres of magical gardens to explore with a huge adventure playground, making it perfect for children…

Carnival Workshops and Procession
A highlight for many this year’s Sunday carnival promises to be extra special, as the Larmer Lawns become a Shangri-la for everyone in The Paradise Parade… Everyone can get involved with an adult, youth and three children’s workshops running from Friday to Sunday. 

For kids there are fun filled groups to choose from… join Candyland to make the world taste good and indulge in a paradise of delicious delights to display in a procession of sugary sweetness! Make a shimmering starfish shaker, jellyfish hat, sarong and coral cuffs costume for this marine masquerade down at The Larmer Lagoon, or head to the Sandsational Oasis, a sparkling oasis, complete with friendly giant camel and glittering palm trees. 

The five groups with more than 500 participants come together in an explosion of colour, sounds, and movement to parade around the festival on Sunday at 3.45pm! All children’s groups are age 6-10 or accompanied by an adult.

Children’s Shows
If you want a break from making and doing, let us entertain you with some wonderful puppetry, stories, theatre and songs for all the family:
Bubbles Walkabout with Bubble Inc
Farmer Jason Show with Jason Ringenberg (www.farmerjason.com) 
Funny Business starring Fraser Hooper 
The Glass Cupboard by Terry Jones with DNA
Katy Make-Sure by Terry Jones with DNA
Tallulah the Missing Fungaloolah Bird with Smartypants
Walkabout Doris with Robert Hoskins and Holly Kibble

Get Stuck In!
There will also be special one off workshops and activities taking place at various times for everyone to join in with, so what are you waiting for? 
Bedouin Pitta Bread Workshop with Pizza Tabun 
The Fun Factory with The Village Idiots
Giant Snakes & Ladders with Claire Stringer
Hammered Dulcimer with Rebecca Edwards
Kids’ Drumming with Inta Africa

Children’s Hands On!
Let your imagination run free and learn a new craft to take away with you in sessions running on Saturday and Sunday mornings. 
Belt Up Kids! with Jennie Hiett 
Fabulous Hats with Vanessa Kenneth
Funky Fish with Maria Harding 
Jumping Jellyfish with Kathy Kelly
Re-Dye & Re-Vamp with Tina Whittet
The Wonders of Wool with Clare Brown 
 
Under 5’s
Although a number of other sessions are open to under 5’s there are a selection of activities especially for the bouncing babies and tearaway toddlers in the Larmer Tree crowd:
Baby Music with Kathryn Crosby (ages 0-2)
Baby Yoga with Kathryn Crosby (ages 5-12 months) 
Hush-a-Bye with Nickie and Gill (ages 0-5) in Lostwood
Mini Maestros with Miranda Boakes-Clarke (ages 1-4)
Playsongs with Nickie and Gill (ages 0-5)
Teddy Bears Picnic with Tania and Stephen Ross (ages 0-5) 

MushyPea Circus Skills
Discover how to clown around at this year’s festival – workshops open to everyone, from Thursday afternoon through to Sunday. 

If you’re looking for something to do together then activities for the whole family to join in with can be found in the Lostwood and LostArt area from Thursday to Sunday.