Airfield to host ‘back to basics’ kids’ festival

A MORE “innocent” approach to games and play will be the emphasis of a new summer festival for children and their parents taking place at the Airfield Estate in Dundrum next week.

Ireland’s largest urban farm will be transformed over the weekend of Saturday, August 11 and Sunday 12 as Playstival with The Happy Pear arrives.

Dedicated to play, fun and imagination, the focus is on “going back to basics” with no fancy technology or screens.

Instead, children can immerse themselves in over 600 hands-on games, eight interactive ‘play universes’ and creative workshops across the 38-acre estate.

Delicious fare will be on offer all weekend provided by living happy and healthy lifestyle advocates, The Happy Pear, while there will be also egg collections, Jersey herd milking and tasting and vintage cars to enjoy.

There will also be an ASD (autism) friendly area onsite providing a quiet space dedicated to ensur-ing inclusivity for all.

Speaking ahead of the inaugural Playstival, Festival Director Shell Holden said it would be like no other.

“Everything will be interactive,” he said. “The hands-on games and themed play areas are designed to spark creativity, trigger imagination and nurture engagement. The aim is to get families away from mobile phones, games consoles and screens for a day filled of genuine feel good fun, play and imagi-nation.

“Playstival with The Happy Pear has been created to allow children and families to come together, spend time together and where the child leads have the parents follow. Our new festival focuses on self-initiated, open-ended and non-judgemental play.”

In addition to the play universes, families can enjoy free activities at Playstival such as Lego brick building with The Brickx Club, laughter yoga, storytelling, and papercrafts.