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, a climbing wall and a Saturday afternoon parade! The kids village is organized by fun and creative festival volunteers. Interested in helping? Volunteer! Also check out our Kids Area Wish List to see if you may have anything lying around that could make the tent more enjoyable.
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.
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 2016 Kids & Family Info…
Kids Area
Seedlings & Sprouts
An area especially designed for families with children age 10 and under. Look forward to poi dance, tie-dye, giant spin art, mandalas and music workshops! Come play in the sand pile or grab a make- and-take game “to go.” Bring a book or several to share with the Shakori Hills Kids library.
Kids Tent Hours: Fri 9am-7pm; Sat 9am-7pm; Sun 9am-5:30pm
Seedlings Play-Time
This special programming is for the 5-and-under crowd. Join us for story/circle time, interactive hands-on centers, activities and special guests. Check at the Kids Tent for activity times. Kids Tent, Fri-Sun 12pm-2pm
Special Activities Tent
Face-painting and interactive arts and interests areas with special guests dropping in through- out the weekend. Visit tents for Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, Clapping Hands Farm,The Spin Art Lady, and Katie Beth’s Learning Garden. Near the Kids Tent, Fri through Sun 1-6pm
Kids Arts & Crafts Market
Calling all people 15 and under to sell your own handmade arts and crafts! Sign-in and set-up 30 minutes prior to start time. Near the Kids Tent, Sat 3-5pm & Sun 11am-1pm
Kids Arts & Crafts Market Guidelines:
• All items must be handmade by you and sell for $5 and 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!
NOTE: This KIDS Market is specifically for items made and sold by children 15 years and younger. Parents are welcome to help and be with their kids during the market. Adults who want to sell their works must have vendor permits and sell in regular festival vending areas.
For more info: ShakoriKidsTent@gmail.com, or text or leave message at (919) 816-6677
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 experiments and Appalachian folk music. No instrument or experience needed!
Big Story Jam & Family Bingo
Gather to hear area storytellers and stick around to play bingo! Kids Tent, Sat 6-7pm
Express Yourself! Areas
Throughout the weekend you will find boards and displays in and around the Kids Tent and the sand pit with paint, chalk, markers, weaving and matte board art. Create, add to or produce your own added art to these collaborative endeavors.
Children’s Poi Workshop
Join Albert, Nick, Hannah & Friends to make your own Poi.Then stick around and learn some basic moves with them.
Great Big Bubbles
Join the Bubble Goddess, Brenda Wallen, to learn the art and patience of creating giant bubbles from wands you make yourself (or you can just watch and pop them). Happening daily near the Kids Tent.
Mandala Creation
A mandala (pronounced mon-dah-lah), meaning “circle,” is a cosmic diagram—a concentric structure of balanced geometrical shapes representing unity and harmony. Create transient art using sand and natural objects.
“Treemendous” Trees Family Hike
Join Andy Upshaw & Phillip Cox of Grand Trees of Chatham for a fun afternoon getting to know some of the “Treemendous” trees, critters and other features here at Shakori Hills! This activity is for ages 6 and up.
Family Time Pumpkin Carving
Yes real pumpkins! Scrape the guts, carve a face, use real tea lights and listen to spooky tales about NC pirates and other legends. Kids Tent, Fri 5-7pm
Retro Crafts!
Giant Spin Art
Join Sandra, The Spin Art Lady, as we create giant spin art crafts for kids of all ages and make some groovy, messy art on both small and large scales.
Découpage
Come on by to “découpage”—the process of gluing torn paper, magazines and the like to other items— then embellish these recycled items into pencil holders, vases and more. Have fun making this cool art from the 1970s today!
Macramé
Join Whitney & Friends for this Mother’s Day project! Use ship knot tying to create jewelry or hanging plant holders.
Tie-Dye
Join Vic & Crew to create a giant tie-dye banner. We’ll also have stamps and smaller-scale related projects. Bring your own cotton shirts or bandanas to take home your work.
Family Cabaret
Big Bang Boom
Set to release their third cd, BIG BANG BOOM is blowin’ up the children’s music world with their high-energy parent-friendly music for kids. Fri 11:15am & Sun 2:15pm
Big Wonderful Variety Show
Acrobats, dancers, stories and drums, jugglers and surprises: the Clapping Hands Farm presents the best in local talent! Sun 11:15am
Carolina Pine Cones
Bluegrass ambassadors for the music’s next generation! The Carolina PineCones began playing together in the area’s PineCone Bluegrass Youth Camps and year-round Youth Jams. Young musicians Sam Stage, Jacob Day, Emma Day, Natalie Mundorf, Carter Ramquist, Jessie Lang and Eliza Meyer perform a rousing selection of bluegrass songs and instrumentals under the leadership of band coach Jef Walter. Sat 2:45pm
Casey’s Laugh & Learn: The Insane Science of FairyLand!
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! Fri 12:45pm
Kids Rise & Shine Yoga
Come start the day with stretching, breathing, flowing and relaxing in this yoga class for children of all ages. No need to bring mats, just come with an open mind and open heart. Led by Julie Wells or Raleigh Tubb. Fri 10am, Sat & Sun 9am
Sisters’ Voices
Enjoy the sweet sounds of this choral community of girls in 2nd through 8th grades. Sisters’ Voices provides a cooperative atmosphere where singers develop confidence and competence while creating friendships and having fun together. Sat 10am
Tim & Susan Wells
This talented duet delights all ages with their authentic traditional songs combined with games and movement activities – improvisational, musical fun the whole family can enjoy. Sat 11:30am
Triangle Home Nursery Puppet Show
Come visit a fairy tale in the puppet show for all ages – brought to life by handmade puppets, lively drumming and the puppeteers of the Triangle Home Nursery Association! The THNA is a group of home nursery teachers offering play and nature-based programs for children ages 2.5 – 5.5 years of age. Sun 10:30am
The Outpost
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
Download a PDF of the Outpost Schedule!
Boff Games
Join the Wandering Swordsman for this contemporary take on an age-old tradition. Competitive and cooperative, the games teach a range of disciplines including patience, humility and honor in organized, padded and combative play. Oak Tree beside The Outpost, Fri 2-4pm; Sat 11am-1pm & 4-6pm; Sun 4-6pm
Tribal Games with Fuz
Fuz Sanderson is a survival skills expert steeped in the traditions of indigenous tribes. He will share some ancient games that are friendly, yet competitive, and emphasize balance, dexterity and quick thinking. Oak Tree beside The Outpost, Fri 12-1pm
Big Kid Games
Challenge your dexterity and strategy skills in these fun, full-body games. Oak Tree beside The Outpost, Sat 2-3pm
Concert: Carolina Pine Cones
The Carolina Pine Cones are a youth bluegrass band (ages 13-17) whose members met through the PineCone Bluegrass Youth Camps and year-round Youth Jams. These young musicians perform a rousing selection of bluegrass songs and instrumentals, and are thrilled to be bluegrass ambassadors for the music’s next generation. The Outpost, Fri 7pm
Aerial Skills with Liz Bliss
Liz Bliss, aerial artist extraordinaire, currently teaches aerial dance and conditioning, partner yoga and acro play, hooping, circus arts and fire safety. Stop by this workshop to learn some of her secrets and take a shot at it yourself! Oak Tree beside The Outpost, Sun 2pm
Improv Workshop: All The World’s A Stage
Join the fun as different scenarios and dramatic exercises are presented to challenge your imagination and wit. Maya Burgess will share her ideas and techniques to inter-act and stay creative in theatrical games. The Outpost, Fri 5pm & Sun 3pm
Teen Open Mic
Bring out your instruments, best voice and friends, and take center stage! Open Jam intended for young musicians only. Sat 8pm
Sugar Skull Masks
Design and color your own sugar skull mask, based in the tradition of the Day of the Dead Celebration from Mexico. The Outpost, Sat 5pm
Big Kid Boogie
Put on your dancing shoes and boogie down to some new grooves and old favorites. Sat 9:30pm
Primitive Instruments Workshop
We’ll take a hands-on look at our ancestors’ music-making tools. Have you ever created a backbeat with some rib bones or a melody with bamboo? Eclectic musician, James Olin Oden, will lead you through this introductory workshop. Instruments provided. The Outpost, Sat 6pm
String Designs
A new take on a classic ’70s craft concept. The Outpost, Fri 1pm
CD Mandalas
Mandalas are designs to focus on for relaxation and contemplation. Create your own personal design on a reflective CD. The Outpost, Sat 12pm
Meditative Coloring
Find your bliss in a world of mandalas, paisley and doodles. Scientists are confirming that coloring activates areas of the brain similar to deep meditation.Take a short break from the busy-ness to breathe, relax and color. Fri 11am, Sat & Sun 10am
Shell Pendants
Choose a beach-combed treasure (shell, stone or glass) from our Carolina coast and wire it into a pendant. Treasures provided. The Outpost, Sun 11am
Stilts
Come practice your balance by walking on stilts. The introduction will show you a simple construction you can make at home for hours of elevated fun. Oak Tree beside The Outpost, Fri 6pm & Sun 11am
Paper Bag Stars
With a common brown paper bag you can make a 3-D star that’s ready to hang. Learn how here and make more at home. The Outpost, Fri 4pm & Sat 3pm
