Head to the Baptist Church on Newbury Street where you’ll find the welcoming home of the Children’s Folk Festival.
Children of all ages will find activities and entertainment from 9am until late afternoon. Read on to find out more about what’s on. See also Fringe Festival page for a whole lot more free activities throughout the town!
We’ve curated an amazing programme of children and family fun – please give generously where you see a donation bucket and help support the provision of these free activities. Refreshments will be available to purchase at the Baptist church.
Morris Dance Hanky Decorating Workshop
See you bright and early for this fun-filled morris hanky decorating workshop! Each child will receive their own pair of white hankies to decorate with their own unique design. After the decorating, children will join in with some traditional promenade morris dancing with members of Mayfly Morris!
Age: For ages 3+
Venue: Baptist Church – Craft Room
Time: Starts at 9am and finishes at 9.30am
Tickets: Free
Children and Teen Morris Dancing Workshop
Come and join in the fun at our lively morris dancing workshop, perfect for beginners! Led by Mayfly Morris, Whitchurch’s local morris team, children will learn the joyful, rhythmic moves of Cotswold-style morris dancing, with live music by the Mayfly Morris musicians! This interactive and energetic group dance session is the perfect introduction to this exciting and dynamic dance form.
Age: Ages 7+
Venue: Baptist Church – Craft Room
Time: Starts at 9.35am and finishes at 10.20am
Tickets: Free
Merry-go-Round Storytelling
Join storyteller Amanda Kane-Smith as she brings the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs to life with music, movement, early years drama, and lots of imaginative fun. This session will include sensory props and a chance for all children to pretend to be the characters from one of their favourite fairytales.
Age: Ages 2+
Venue: Baptist Church – Church Room
Time: Starts at 9.30am and finishes at 10.10am
Tickets: Free
Singing and Makaton
A chance to learn some Makaton signs through folk song. With Makaton Tutor, folk musician and music teacher Charles Allison.
Age: Ages 5-8 Years
Venue: Baptist Church – Church Room
Time: Starts at 10.30 and finishes at 11.15am
Tickets: Free
Morris Hanky Decorating (drop-in)
Looking for a peaceful activity to do with the kids? Our Morris Hanky Decorating Drop-In could be just the thing! Children will receive a pair of white hankies to decorate with their own unique designs. A relaxing, creative way to enjoy the festival at your own pace.
Age: All ages welcome
Venue: Baptist Church – Craft Room
Time: Drop in between 10.30 – 11.15am
Tickets: Free
River Song: Interactive Storytelling & Craft Workshops
Come and celebrate the magical sounds of the river and its wildlife in this special interactive storytelling workshop with Amanda Kane-Smith from Merry-go-Round Storytelling.
Amanda has created a new story specially for the festival, based on our beautiful chalk streams, and will bring it to life with the help of the children in her usual high-energy, interactive way.
After the adventure, children can make their own river-themed creations, including crayfish claws, flower headdresses, and river wands, all ready to join in the Jack in the Green Parade.
A wonderful way to explore nature, creativity, and storytelling – don’t miss out on this enchanting experience!
Age: For ages 3 plus
Venue: Baptist Church – Craft Room & Church Room
Times: This activity will run twice.
Session One: Starts at 11.45am and finishes at 12.30pm
Session Two: Starts at 12.30pm and finishes at 1.30pm
Tickets: Free
Jack in the Green making (drop-in)
It’s time to get creative outside the Baptist Church with Lizzie from the Muddy Puddle Club and help create this year’s river themed Jack in the Green and crafting with natural materials!
The Jack in the Green will be a magical creation that will lead our traditional parade through the streets of Whitchurch, and we need your imagination to bring it to life!
So come along and use your crafting skills to be part of this unforgettable community celebration!
Age: For ages 4 plus
Venue: Baptist Church – Outside
Time: Drop in between 11.30am- 1.30pm
Tickets: Free
Junk Modelling instrument making (drop-in)
Get ready to make some noise at our Junk Modelling Instrument Making drop in! This hands-on activity invites children to create their own musical instruments using recycled materials. From shakers and drums to guitars and melodeons, the possibilities are endless!
Perfect for young music makers of all ages!
Age: Age 3+
Venue: Baptist Church – Craft Room
Time: Drop in between 3.30pm – 4.30pm
Tickets: Free
Mini Folk with Jennie Bailey
Join Early Years Educator Jennie Bailey for an introduction to the world of music; with both traditional and familiar nursery rhymes in a fun and engaging session.
Age: Under 5’s
Venue: Baptist Church – Church Room
Time: Starts at 3.30pm and finishes at 4pm
Tickets: Free
Squeezebox Workshop
Come and learn to make music at this marvellous melodeon workshop! Led by the fabulous Tom Gregory from Folk Active (Folk Active is a Hampshire-based Social Enterprise and outreach music organisation). Tom will provide child-sized melodeons.
Age: 7+
Venue: Baptist Church – Church Room
Time: Starts at 4.15pm and finishes at 4.55pm
Tickets: Free
