The best family-friendly activities at Bristol Harbour Festival 2018!
Posted on: 18 Jul 2018The immensely popular Bristol Harbour Festival is back for its 2018 edition this weekend, and along with it comes the biggest-ever programme of attractions and activities to keep the huge crowds entertained. As well as a fantastic musical lineup (you can see our 2018 top picks here), the festival will welcome a host of maritime attractions, performance arts, markets and delicious food and drink stalls. What's more, the organisers have made sure to double down on their range of family activities, meaning this year's Harbour Festival really is unmissable for everyone - no matter the age! See below for our list of the best family attractions on offer at this year's event.
365Bristol Pick: Inclusive Harbourside fun with WECIL and SENSE
Where: Millennium Square from 11am-4.30pm on Saturday 21st AND Sunday 22nd July
Hosted by disabled persons charity WECIL (West of England Centre for Inclusive Living) and national disability charity SENSE, the Inclusive Harbourside Fun event will see a whole day of great events for children of all ages on the second day of the Harbour Festival.
The two organisations are joining forces to create a haven for young people with disabilities and learning difficulties to engage and interact, with music workshops, face painting, sports activities, accessible circus skills and sensory play sessions on offer.
Families with disabled children are welcome throughout the day to find out about the local services on offer as well as taking a break from the bustling festival. The first activity of the day will be the Music Workshop from 11am-12pm, followed by Sensory Play from 12pm-1pm, with a short break for discussions and opportunity to find out more about Bristol services, before an accessible sports session from 2pm-4.30pm.
Baby Racing
Where: The Circus Playground at 12.30pm on Saturday 21st AND Sunday 22nd July
This year's baby race only narrowly missed out on being our 365Bristol pick of the weekend, and it certainly would have been if it weren't for the great work of WECIL and SENSE. It's not easy being a parent, not least having to guide your kids through a busy festival environment, so what better way to let off some steam than to pit your youngest in a winner-takes-all race against some strong competition.
Of course, the Baby Racing isn't about winning, but rather about having fun taking part. There are trophies on offer, though, and obviously the race presents a great opportunity for you to laud it over the other parents when your little one crosses that little finish line first. Just a thought. The first race on both Saturday and Sunday will take place at 12.30pm, with later races commencing at 2.30pm and 4.30pm.
The Curious Cube
Where: Millennium Square at 11.00am on Saturday 21st AND Sunday 22nd July
Created by We The Curious, The Curious Cube comes to life with questions that the people of Bristol ask themselves daily, reflecting the curiosity of the city back to us. The Cube encourages debate and conversation, getting Bristolians talking about what makes them curious and coming up with their own questions.
Now, applied to a group of kids, the Curious Cube concept could go one of two ways: there's a chance it might go straight over their heads and invoke some serious bouts of confusion, or it could spark your little ones to dig deep for some of their greatest gems and lead to them asking the Cube all sorts of weird and wonderful things. Either way, it's certainly worth a look this weekend.
Bocadalupa
Where: The Circus Playground from 11am-5pm on Saturday 21st AND Sunday 22nd July
This year's Bocadalupa playscape invites children of all ages to explore ideas around weather. Come rain or shine, your kids are welcome to come along and be a weather maker, try some experiments, make some art or just hang out and explore.
Founded in 2001, Bocadalupa is a Bristol-based performance and arts company that puts together original performances, events, playscapes and other porjects that provoke a sense of wonder, possibility and belonging.
Best of the Rest
Also running throughout the weekend of this year's Harbour Festival are numerous dance classes and workshops - look out for Tiny Toes Ballet and Diddy Dance - as well as some great interactive art activities, like the British Origami Society workshop and the A.P.E Project.
For more information on the range of family-friendly activities at this year's Harbour Festival, as well as more details on the activities listed above, visit the Bristol Harbour Festival website or check out their Facebook page.
Article by:
Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.
