Child friendly book festivals

[reallybusymummy]

Hi, we are based in the Midlands and looking for child friendly book festivals to which to take a 5 year old. Suggestions and experiences very welcome

Hay Festival @ Hay in Wye? Not been but think it should be child friendly. Hay is lovely place, just never got round to going to festival.

That should be Hay on Wye ...

No use for you now (and depends on whether you fancy trekking down), but there's a children's book festival on the South Bank in London every February half term.

Yes Hay festival, google and you can see the childrens programme. We had a great time there 2 years ago. You can camp very near the festival. Loads to do, authors giving talks, workshops etc.

There are quite a few literary festivals with a children's 'section' - I'm not sure of the exact dates of all of them but have a look at Cheltenham, Cambridge, Bath Kids Lit, Oxford, Cardiff Children's Festival. There are also smaller local festivals which I have seen advertised - maybe try a local bookshop for something closer to you?

there is one at Luton hoo. I have no idea what it is like but would be interested to hear from anyone who has been as thinking of going.

slp123 - It looks good and has a good line up unlike some other book festivals is solely aimed at children although from the programme it covers from young children through to teens. Also it is only one day long so probably more manageable. I was checking the teen elements so just make sure that there's interactive and fun stuff for a five year old - they were tweeting today that they had sold their first 100 tickets

Thanks. Will have a check...

The Hay festival is fantastic. We have been a couple of times and loved it. You do need to book some of the more popular authors very quickly though.

The Hay Festival sounds fantastic! This is the first year I've heard about it.

I live in Bath so felt it was my obligation to provide a link for the Bath Kids Lit Fest :]
bathfestivals.org.uk/childrens-literature/

If you haven't managed to get to a festival yet try the Stoke Literary Festival.

London Road Festival is on this weekend and has a Literary Fringe which you might like

Hay Hay Hay Hay Hay Hay Hay Hay Hay. Hay.

I can't wait to take the DCs. Haven't been for a few years but they're getting old enough now. DD will be 5 by the time of next year's festival.

I would second Cheltenham in October - they have lovely events over two weekends.