The Guildford Live Festival organisers make a good effort to entertain kids of all ages. They have created a space within the festival site that is exclusively for children - 'KidZone'. The entrance to this area is in the middle of the festival site, but is separated off so that children can run free while parents/carers watch. There are some kid-specific loos with sinks which are great and the KidZone crew were easily identifiable in bright rainbow coloured shirts. This crew were all over the place, helping children in each and every way - quietly encouraging them, giving them a helping hand or playing with them full on.
The focal point of the KidZone is a tented area containing a small stage at which numerous shows were performed. Around the kids area were spaces for toddlers, quiet play, music making, craft making and face/body painting. There was even an old van that the children gleefully painted in any colour they liked! In the centre of the area were numerous circus props for the children to have a go at - the Diablo, Poi, barrels for rolling in or on, balancing boards etc. etc. There was even a tight rope and trapeze for the kids to have a try. There was so much frenetic stuff going on that its hard to record it all. One of my favourites was the area where kids were being put into soft, stretchy, woolly, knitted tubes with a knot tied at their heads. They could see out through the material, but were able to make amazing shapes with their bodies and throw themselves about and at each other like mad things!
There were also some fair rides near the entrance to the kids area. These were a slide, bouncy castle, flying chairs and train ride. It cost a £1 for 3 slides or 5 minutes on each of the other rides. The placement of these rides at the entrance to the KidZone is easily debated - firstly you could say that its annoying that the first and last thing the kids want to go on is a paid ride, but secondly you could say that this means that you get the paid stuff out of the way. We found that the latter was true. The fair rides were NOT the focus of the kids space and even when they were used you couldn't find more friendly helpful people running them. Our son was a little nervous to go down the slide as its quite high, but he was desperate to do it, so quick as a flash one of the guys took him up there and rode down it with him. He did this the full three times without being asked and very happily.
The KidZone crew were really smashing, putting on shows and parades on Saturday and Sunday. We caught the Saturday fire show which was very impressive with fire jugglers, fire poi, fire eaters and fireworks, an amazing dragon stilt walker and fabulous fire bird which flew over the crowd with its very long ribbon tail flying high. What made it particularly special were the number of kids involved in the show itself. These kids, who were incredibly talented in circus skills were around the KidZone all the time. I'm not sure if they were the children of the crew or what, but they certainly proved inspiring. I have been to plenty of places where circus props have been available for kids to try, but I have never seen them used so enthusiastically before. I am sure that the children visiting the festival were inspired by these talented kids who showed them how to have a go and that it is possible to be very young and use a diablo/juggle/poi. There was even a place for the children to show off their newfound skills as two of the best entertainers did a show which consisted of the children performing on the stage to the acclaim of the entertainers and audience. This meant that we saw many diverse acts ranging from a tiny toddler doing the diablo to a young teenager juggling while on a unicycle!
I could go on about this kids area more and more, I haven't even mentioned the clowns or the wonderful kids body painting, the crafts or the games. Needless to say this is a great space for children with plenty to do and no restrictions (other than for safety). Its not huge but its amazing what they have put into a small space. Our near 5 year old son left feeling very happy indeed as I'm sure did all the children who had the pleasure of visiting KidZone. Thanks Guildford Live!
GuilFest 
