Kids

So often the kids entertainment at festivals consists of a lone facepainter. Not so us. The majority of the organisers have young families and have experienced firsthand how other festivals can get it so wrong. At the Deer Shed festival kids will not be second class citizens but will enjoy their own spread of musical, artistic and energetic pursuits all included free of charge.

Make you own freedom boot

Popularised by the Groanbox Boys, the freedom boot is a marvelous percussion instrument made out of a stick, a boot, some beer tops and various other bits and pieces. With the help of the boys of the groanbox we're going to make our own and test them out. And if you don't feel free afterwards you can hold us responsible, dagnabbit!

Paul Cookson - Poet - Performer

We're absolutely made up that Paul is performing at the festival. A brilliant poet that kids adore.

'As funny as ever - always a festival highlight!'
Northern Children's Book Festival

'An abundance of jests, jokes and japes - like The Beano in poetry form'
Junior Education

'I didn't like poetry before I saw you. It was brilliant - I couldn't stop laughing. You were like the Peter Kay of poetry'
John, year 6

Face Painting

Always a favourite with kids. Adults are more than welcome to get transformed too. Our face painters have a degree in face painting (not really, but they're amazing.)

Circus Skill Workshops

Being able to wheelie your mountain bike the length of a tennis court does not a unicyclist make as I recently discovered. Something for everyone to have a go at including tight rope walking, you will be in safe hands with our band of circus professionals.

Badge making

Create your own badge with our pro badge making kit. Draw your own design or make one from snipets of your favourite magazine.

Big Family Sing

Fun and relaxed singing for all ages from babes in arms to grandpa! Learn more about how to use your voice whatever your age or experience whilst learning songs to enjoy together in this forty-five minute session.

Junk Modeling

If your kids are anything like our's they will love a bit of junk modelling. We'll also have plenty of sellotape dispensers handy so you don't constantly lose the end of the tape.

Eeeeek! Noodle doodle mouses.

We are going to have quite a few professional illustrators on site, who just can't stop doodling. The doodle wall is a big white wall awaiting doodles from anyone passing through. It needs filling up and if it's not full by home time there'll be trouble.

Andrew Clover's Almost Famous Story Show

Andrew Clover (Perrier Nominee, Sunday Times Columnist, and star of BBC2's My Almost Famous Family) shares his Seven Secrets of Storytelling in a hilarious show which makes childen laugh, shout things out and eager to write their own.

'Clover is hugely likeable with an infectious enthusiasm for conceiving and delivering stories'
List

Deer Treasure Hunt

It has been a while since the Deer Sheds have seen any real deer. However, we have commissioned various artists to make us ten deer in their own style, whatever that might be. Suffice to say they are scattered over the festival site, and some of them are pretty shy. Get them found!

David Harmer

David's poems and stories appear in more than 100 books for children and he has a number of collections for adults. David has performed in schools, colleges, theatres and front rooms all over the country.

'David is a very good poet and an excellent performer. I love his work'
Gaby Morgan Editorial Director, Macmillans Children's Books.

Swing Balls

When does sport become art? When you have loads of swingballs beautifully arranged in a nice big grid (perhaps). We saw 'ping pond' in the Tate Modern once, a table tennis table with a pond in the middle where the net should be.

Mosiac making workshop

Our resident mosiac guru will be helping you to create something special out of recycled bits and bobs. Guaranteed to keep little fingers busy for quite a while.

Willow weaving

Forget your Nintendo Wii, willow weaving is the next big thing. Less frustrating than Sudoku, sexier than knitting. We can't wait.

Clay Modelling

Make a finger pot, hamster, dalek, racing car, Dr Who's new assistant, a pony, scale version of the Hadron Collider ... with our quick drying clay.