Vantastival is a very family friendly festival and children are welcomed.
All weekend scheduled children’s activities take place in the Enchanted Garden Kids’ Camp which will be open from 5-7pm on Friday and 10-6pm Saturday and Sunday. Schedule is here. There will be so much on offer from arts and crafts, circus skills sessions, music and comedy workshops, open mic sessions, giant bubbles, face paint and so much more. Check the blackboards for schedules on the day. All children must be fully supervised by parents/carers at all times.
Read this article from RTÉ Lifestyle with our top tips for people bringing kids to Vantastival!
A MAGICAL INVITATION
Once upon a time in the heart of the mystical land of Beaulieu House, an Enchanted garden bloomed. Alive with spells and critters, this garden sent a call across the land. To all magical creatures, brave adventurers, and kind-hearted children – it is time to gather beneath the Faraway Tree, for a wondrous spell is ready to be cast upon the world.
Place – The Faraway Tree
Spell – Bee Kind
Come dressed in your most magical attire—wings and wands. Let us celebrate kindness, nature, mini beasts, and the magic that lives around us.
BUBBLE TROUBLE
It’s a pleasure to be back again at Vantastival for more Bubble fun! You’ll find us at the Vantastival Kids area and the occasional pop up show around the festival. Fifteen years experience creating outdoor bubble shows we hope you find us and enjoy atmosphere and immersive experience as much as we do!
CIRQUE DU SPRAOI
Roll up, roll up! Cirque du Spraoi is bringing circus fun to the kids area! Join us for Circus Playtime – a chance to try juggling, hula hoops, and many more fun props! Keep an eye out for our Circus Walkabouts, spreading laughs and magic all around the festival!
HAPPY SOUL YOGA & SOUNDS
• Certified Sound Therapist 💫
• Yoga Teacher 🧘♂️
• Sound Baths ️✨
• Workshops & Retreats 🧚
Step into a sanctuary of stillness and sound, where I’ll be guiding you through beautiful Yoga sessions and immersive Sound bath experiences. Whether you’re seeking movement, mindfulness, or deep energetic release, this is your invitation to reset, realign, and reconnect.
Flow, breathe, and vibe with me as we dive into energizing yoga sessions and deeply rejuvenating sound baths. Get ready to stretch your body, lift your spirit. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just getting started, these sessions are all about tuning in, turning up, and feeling amazing from the inside out. Come move, come listen, come vibe! All levels welcome—just bring your breath, your body, and an open heart.
KIDS COMEDY
Standup and stories from Makeyuppers and a brilliant selection of top comics from across the country.
BUCKY’S CIRCUS
Join in the fun and learn some circus skills! We offer a range of circus skills, like juggling, diabolo, hula hoops and handheld stilts. For 2 hours participants can drop in and try some circus skills. These workshops are accessible for people of all ages, abilities and skill levels. We try to include everyone who is interested in our workshops and are more than willing to amend our workshop for people with specific needs, if possible.
NATURE HUB IRELAND
Calling Vantastival children to the Enchanted Garden to join Kerry Walker, a passionate Forest school leader, Forest Bathing Guide, Forest Therapy Practitioner, for a Bug Hunt and Forest crafts in the Enchanted Garden.
Friday
|
Time
|
Event
|
Area
|
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5pm – 6pm |
Sensory Trays |
Enchanted Garden |
Ease into the festival with simple activities designed to calm and settle. |
|
5pm – 7pm |
Hive Beats Disco |
Enchanted Garden |
DJ Marcus brings rhythm and energy to get the hive moving. |
|
5pm – 6pm |
Nectar of Sound |
Enchanted Garden |
Unwind with a restorative sound bath. |
Saturday & Sunday
The Creative Arts Hive
|
Time
|
Event
|
Area
|
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
10am – 12pm |
Pollinator Wands |
The Creative Arts Hive |
Craft magical wands inspired by bees and flowers. |
|
12pm – 2pm |
Clay Art |
The Creative Arts Hive |
Shape and mould clay into hives or meadow creatures. |
|
2pm – 4pm |
Bee-lieve in Yourself |
The Creative Arts Hive |
Stencil art and wooden affirmations to spread positivity. |
|
4pm – 5pm |
Artivism: BEE KIND |
The Creative Arts Hive |
Join a creative protest-making session where art becomes a voice for bees and the planet. |
The Eco Wellness Hive
|
Time
|
Event
|
Area
|
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
10am – 11am |
Hive Awakens |
The Eco Wellness Hive |
Laughter yoga |
|
11am – 12pm |
Sun Salutations |
The Eco Wellness Hive |
Yoga |
|
12pm – 1pm |
Music & Movement |
The Eco Wellness Hive |
|
|
1pm – 2pm |
Nectar of Sound |
The Eco Wellness Hive |
Sound Bath |
|
2pm – 3pm |
Meadow Flow |
The Eco Wellness Hive |
Yoga |
|
3pm – 4pm |
Music & Movement |
The Eco Wellness Hive |
|
|
4pm – 5pm |
Bee-lax Together |
The Eco Wellness Hive |
Family Yoga |
|
5pm – 6pm |
Hum of the Hive |
The Eco Wellness Hive |
Laughter yoga |
The Outdoor Buzz Arena: Circus Performances
Bucky’s Circus, FiFo, Bubble Trouble & Cirque Duspraoi
|
Time
|
Event
|
Area
|
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
11am – 1pm |
The Morning Swarm |
Outdoor Buzz Arena |
|
|
2pm – 4.30pm |
The Afternoon Hive |
Outdoor Buzz Arena |
A playful mix of bubbles, hula hoops, juggling, and surprises to keep all ages buzzing. |
The Hive Stage: Music & Laughter
|
Time
|
Event
|
Area
|
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
11am – 2pm |
Buzz Box Beats |
The Hive Stage |
DJ Marcus Unboxed |
|
2pm – 4pm (Sat only) |
Sting of Laughter |
The Hive Stage |
Comedy |
|
2pm – 4pm (Sun only) |
Secret Garden Musicians & Makey-uppers |
The Hive Stage |
Comedy |
|
4pm – 6pm |
The Young Bees’ Variety Show |
The Hive Stage |
Youth performances of music, comedy, and fun. |
Pop-Up Activities @ Far Away Tree!
|
Time
|
Event
|
Area
|
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Graffiti Laundry @ Dame Washalot’s Washing Line |
Far Away Tree |
Nature-inspired art |
|
|
Songs of the Forest |
Far Away Tree |
Tailor Bird’s live plant music |
|
|
Sensory Trays |
Far Away Tree |
Gentle activities to wind down the day |
|
|
Sound bath |
Far Away Tree |
||
|
1pm – 5pm |
Face Painting with Jo Bubbles |
Far Away Tree |
Nature Hub
|
Time
|
Event
|
Area
|
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
12.30pm – 2.30pm |
Seedling Café |
Nature Hub |
A nature-inspired space to plant. |
|
2.30pm – 4.00pm |
Bug Hunt |
Nature Hub |
Discover the hidden insect world |
|
4.00pm – 5.00pm |
Forest Crafts |
Nature Hub |
Craft with natural materials |
The Sports Field
|
Time
|
Event
|
Area
|
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
11am – 1pm |
Kick Up a Swarm |
The Sports Field |
Soccer skills & matches |
|
1pm – 3pm |
The Hive Challenge |
The Sports Field |
Obstacle course & games |