Shakori Hills is great for families! The festival is a rich, interactive experience for children of all ages, with several special activities for kids throughout the weekend.

Near the heart of the festival grounds is the Kid’s Zone. Hands-on art projects, performances, group activities, story telling, face painting and a Saturday afternoon parade! The kids village is organized by fun and creative festival volunteers. Interested in helping? Volunteer!

Exploring the farm is encouraged for older children — parents know they can depend on a nurturing, attentive festival staff and community to keep a watchful eye. Younger kids should still be supervised by their parents or guardians (the Coffee Barn’s not too far away).

Camping families can choose to settle down in our quiet camping zone, a peaceful cove that is perfect for, well, quiet camping! Ask at the ticket booth when you check in.

Youth tickets (ages 13-15) are available at a reduced price, and kids 12 and under get in free!

Fall 2017 Kids & Family Info…

Kids Area

Seedlings & Sprouts

Scheduled Kids & Family Activities

Printable Kids Activity Schedule

Kids Rise n Shine Yoga

Come start the day off by stretching, breathing, flowing and relaxing in a yoga class for children of all ages (parents are also welcome to join in or watch while sipping coffee!). No need to bring mats–just come with an open mind and open heart. Dance Tent, Fri, Sat & Sun 10am

Early Morning Creative Centers

A window of time for you to come create with Kids Tent staff and special guests. Build, crochet, make cards, decoupage, spin art and shrinky dinks! Make something special for a friend. Get creative, learn a new skill, read, create and enjoy! Kids Tent, Fri, Sat, & Sun 9:30-11am

Seedlings Play-Time

This special programming is for the 5 and under crowd. Join Shelley for interactive hands-on centers, activities, special guests and story/music circle time. Kids Tent, Fri-Sun 11pm-2pm

Face Painting

Our fabulous face painters will make art on you! It’s free, but donations gladly accepted. Kids Tent, Fri, Sat, & Sun 1-6pm

Giant Bubbles

Join the Bubble Goddess, learn the art and patience of creating giant bubbles, or you can just watch them float and run around popping them! Near Kids Tent, Fri, Sat, & Sun 4-6pm

 

Kids & Family Drum Circle

Gather to learn about and play drums, shakers and other percussive instruments. Sat 5pm

Family Bingo

The bingo words are uniquely related to the Shakori Hills experience! Sat 6pm

Express Yourself! Areas

Throughout the weekend, you’ll find boards and displays near the Kids Tent and sandpit, with items like paint, chalk, markers, weaving and matte board. Add your own art and style to these collaborative endeavors!

Fossil Dig & Dino Bones

Join our kids tent staff as they guide you on a dig for fossilized shells, teeth and bones from NC coast. Like puzzles? Help put together baby Dino bones, a really big puzzle? Kids Tent, Fri 12pm

Macramé & Pirate Knots

Join Whitney & Pam for this retro project! Use ship- knot-tying to create jewelry or hanging plant-holders. Kids Tent, Fri 1pm & Sun 12pm

Wonderful Worms with Grand Trees of Chatham

Join us for a fun afternoon learning about a tree’s best friend… the earthworm! We will spend some time getting to know these amazing little creatures and discover why worms and trees get along so well. We will create some worm artwork and then release our worms into the wild where they can make friends with the beautiful trees here at Shakori Hills! All Ages, Kids Tent, Friday 12:30pm

Kids Clowning & Circus Fundamentals

Join Liz Bliss of Imagine Circus for some clowning around & circus fundamentals! Learn hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, creative expression, partner balancing poses and audience engagement—with balls and red noses, of course! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Kids Tent, Sun 2:30pm

Kids Art Project: Small Museum of Folk Art

Be part of this cooperative creation between you, local artists and the Small Museum of Folk Art! Last Fall’s paintings were fabulous and the Spring Robots rocked! What will we create this time? For more folk Art info: www.smallmuseumfolkart.org. Kids Tent, Fri 2pm

All Things Apple

Apple-carving, apple bobbing on strings and in water,apple relay races where you roll them with your nose—enjoy NC apples in the fall. It’s apple fun for all ages! Kids Tent, Sat 3:30pm

Leaf-Changing Wands

Create Magical Leaf Color-Changing Wands and watch the fall colors blossom. Kids Tent, Sat 11:30am

Children’s Poi Workshops

Join Albert & Friends as you learn to make your own Poi. Then stick around and learn some basic moves with them to music. Poi refers to both a performance art and the tools used for it. Poi are tethered weights swung through a variety of rhythmical and geometric patterns. Kids Tent, Sat 10:30am & Sun 11am

TREEmendous Family Hike

Join Grand Trees of Chatham and get to know some of the “Treemendous” trees at Shakori Hills. We’ll also visit magical nature areas and hang with the critters. For ages 6 & up, and those who can hike. Meet at the Kids Tent, Sun 2:30pm

Origami & Kids Poetry

Create beautiful Origami and join us as you find your literary voice. This mini-workshop will demonstrate basic use of descriptive language, rhyme and verse with examples and assistance, followed by a performance where your kids take the stage and share their art! Kids Tent, Fri & Sun 2pm

Spread Your Musical Wings

The Angel Band Foundation is back with their trailer full of instruments! This 45-minute workshop features sing-a-long songs, world instrument introductions, rhythm/percussion ex- periments and Appalachian folk music. Children under 10. Kids Tent, Sun 3:30pm

Kids’ Arts & Crafts Market

Calling all people 15 and under! Spread out your blanket and sell your own hand-made arts and crafts!

• All items must be handmade by you and sell for $5 or under.
• Sign up 30 minutes before start time.
• We have fabric for good on-the-ground display space.
• Feel free to bring setups for displaying your goods!
• For more info email shakorikidstent@gmail.com or call 919-816-6677

Sign-in & set-up 30 minutes prior to start time. Near the Kids Tent, Sat 3:30-5:30pm & Sun 11:30am – 2pm. NOTE: This Kids Market is specifically for items made and sold by children 15 years and younger. Parents are welcome to help and be and be with their kids during the market. Adults who want to sell their works must have a vendor permit and sell in regular festival vending areas. 

Family Cabaret

Daytime activities at the Cabaret Tent are dedicated to families and kids of all ages. Stop by for some fun and even learn something cool!

Big Wonderful Variety Show

Acrobats, dancers, stories and drums, jugglers and surprises: Clapping Hands Farm presents the best in local talent! Cabaret Tent, Sun 12:30pm

Grey Seal Puppets Presents: Tangle of Tales

Three favorite folk tales from around the world come to life with a whole menagerie of zany characters to see and experience! “The Frog Prince” from Germany, “Three Billy Goats Gruff” from Scandinavia and “The Three Little Pigs” from England are told with refreshing wit and wisdom. Cabaret Tent, Sat 12:45pm

Halloween Stories with ReVonda Crow

ReVonda knows that everyone and everything has a story, and legends and ghost stories are what she enjoys the most. Stop in for just the right amount of spooky. Cabaret Tent, Sun 11:15am

Shakori Hills Junior Appalachian Musicians

The Shakori Hills JAM chapter began last spring with a group of brand new musicians from western Chatham County. This will be their first-ever performance! Cabaret Tent, Sat 10am

Cane Mill Road

Former Junior Appalachian Musicians, themselves, this young billboard-charting bluegrass group was selected by the IBMA as a “future of bluegrass” band. They are here to inspire our Shakori Hills JAM kids and will return next spring with a full festival presence! Cabaret Tent, Sat 11:15am

Casey’s Laugh & Learn

Join Casey Nees for “The Insane Science of Fairyland!” Journey to a madcap place where wolves sneeze down houses and princes defeat dragons with the magic of science! Cabaret Tent, Fri 11:30am

Family Square Dance

Join a Shakori Hills special band for this beginners’ square dance for all ages. Shoot the star and do si do; want a family fun activity? Well, here you go: live music and calling especially for families with children. Cabaret Tent, Sat 2:15pm

Triangle Home Nursery Puppet Show

Come visit a fairy tale brought to life by handmade puppets, lively drumming and the puppeteers of the Triangle Home Nursery Association! Cabaret Tent, Sun 10am

The Outpost

Printable Outpost Schedule

The Outpost is an area for young people— featuring harmonica, guitar and instrument workshops, large-scale games, circus arts, improv workshops, DJ dancing, board and table games, Open Mic and lots more!

The Outpost is for people ages 10-18.

Hours are: Friday 1pm – midnight; Saturday 11am – midnight; Sunday 11am – 6pm

CD Mandala

Mandala is an ancient Sanskrit word loosely translated as “circle.” A design that expands from the center to represent the infinite. Upcycle a used CD into your own unique Mandala, adding a sacred vibration to any space. The Outpost, Fri 11am & Sat 5pm

Tie Dye Bandanas

Join us and learn some classic Tie Dye folds, add your custom colors, and take home a one-of-a-kind bandana. The Outpost, Fri 1pm & Sat 2pm

Pocket-Size Games

Create a pocket-sized version of several classic games using material, paint and stones. Always be ready with a game. The Outpost, Fri 2pm

Paper Bag Stars

With common lunch bags you can make a 3-D star that is ready to decorate and hang. Learn how, and then make more at home. The Outpost, Fri & Sun 3pm

Improv

Get dramatic and make a scene with these theatrical improv games. Stretch your creativity and quick wit with Maya Burgess and UNCG drama students, exploring different scenarios into hilarious outcomes. The Outpost, Fri 4pm & Sun 2pm

Cosmic Outpost Shirts

Make your own interstellar wear. Using textile-based paints on black shirts, create a window into space with galaxies, comets and planets. The Outpost, Fri 5pm

Hooping Techniques/ Hoop Building

The Headspin Hoop Troupe will be here to demonstrate their spinning prowess, teach beginning to advanced techniques and even show you how to make your own balanced hoop! Learn from the Headspin masters then develop your own moves and style. The Outpost, Fri 6pm & Sat 11am

Kindness Rocks

Have you ever been touched by a kind word or message? Find a nice spot to leave a kindness rock as a random act of positivity for someone to discover and pick up. Color and tag your own rock with an uplifting word or phrase, then place it somewhere inconspicuous. Because, kindness rocks! The Outpost, Fri 7pm & Sat 1pm

The Headspin LED Hoop Troupe

The Headspin Hoop Troupe will light up the night with their latest moves. Watch in awe, and join in for an all inclusive Hoop Jam. The Outpost, Fri 8pm

Paper Marbling

Learn the craft of paper marbling: transferring colorful designs to paper for gifts and cards. The Outpost, Sat 1pm

Intro to Harmonica with Cary Moskovitz

Learn the basics of song structure, simple chord progressions and basic melody, as Cary shows how to unlock the secrets of the harmonica. All levels of musicians welcome. Some harmonicas will be provided. The Outpost, Sat 3pm

Macramé’ Attack

Decorate your world with string. Friendship bracelets, hair wraps, key chains and tech wraps are just some of the possibilities of amazing macramé. The Outpost, Sat 4pm

Flatpickin’ Techniques

Flatpickin’ is the common guitar technique used in bluegrass as well as other musical styles. Young traditional musician, Gus Mcgee, will show you the basics of the technique, ways to practice and some impressive examples. Bring a guitar or string instrument and a pick and give it a lick! The Outpost, Sat 6pm

A Musical Evening of “Brothers & Sisters”

A special performance showcasing sibling duets. Gus & Sylvia McGee are the eldest of five children from a very musical family. Django & Anika Burgess bring a variety of contemporary, old-school, novelty and original songs. They learned to harmonize early with their older sister and have fun adapting new songs to their special sound. Olivia & Sophia Fernandez have been playing music together with their oldest sister for years as The Fernandez Sisters. The Outpost, Sat 7pm

The Fernandez Sisters Sunday Serenade

Join Elise, Olivia and Sofia in a more intimate setting for an acoustic jam. The Outpost, Sun 1pm

Therapeutic Coloring

Let color and design bring comfort and calmness to a day filled with busy excitement. The Outpost, Sun 12pm

Open Mic Youth Talent Show

Bring out your instruments, best voice and friends, and take center stage! Open Jam intended for young musicians only. The Outpost, Sat 8:30pm

Intro to Boff Games

Join the Wandering Swordsman for this competitive and cooperative game that teaches a range of disciplines, including patience and honor, in organized, padded and combative play. The Oak Tree, Fri, Sat & Sun 12pm

 

Aerial Circus Skills

Liz Bliss from Imagine Circus will be teaching the technique behind what it takes to twirl suspended in air by hanging fabric. The Oak Tree, Sun 11am

 

 

Festival photos on this page taken by: Dax Pecaro, Jerry Friend, Matthew Busch, Elizabeth Larson, Val Waegerle, & Sarah Barry