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Midwest => Minnesota Renaissance Festival => Topic started by: winterland on September 16, 2010, 10:55:06 PM

Title: The MN Ren fest is great for kids rant!
Post by: winterland on September 16, 2010, 10:55:06 PM
Finally made it last Sunday. Wow what a perfect day. I can take high of 77 degrees any day.
I was mostly walking around with my 4 year old in his kilt and and a friend of his as a pirate. Wife and her friend like to be mellow while we walk around having to see everything.  

I must say the Fest is so much fun for kids! There was a new adventure at every turn.

I would see something cool, point it out to them and their eyes would widen.  

Watching the Jousting.
Listening to the street muscians.
Getting to touch and learn about snakes.
Looking at the alligator and tortoises.
Watching the entertainers, magicians, fairies, patrons etc.
Checking out the merchents that are kid friendly. Getting to hit the drums making loud noise, looking at cool dragon stuff, wood swords etc.
Walking the Hobbit trail.  
Walking the flower garden.
Trying to solve kid riddles at the fabulous riddle booth.

All without having to spend anything more than the entrance fee. Which is free up to 5 years old. Of course you need some food but a turkey leg will more than fill a little one. I must say the ones we had were nice size and cooked to perfection.

Of course there are many more things for kids to enjoy the rides, games, other merchents booths etc.

Just wanted to point out that you can't go wrong bringing your kids to the Fest. It is a bargain. If they don't have fun the parents need to show them how to have fun. Which I do think more parents need to do.

Of course I get to have my fun watching them with a nice mug of mead in my hand.  

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/toddf/IMG_0878.jpg)
   

Title: Re: The MN Ren fest is great for kids rant!
Post by: Becky10 on September 16, 2010, 11:46:38 PM
He is the cutest! Look at that smile!
Title: Re: The MN Ren fest is great for kids rant!
Post by: white trillium on September 17, 2010, 09:37:10 PM
He is quite the cutie!  Glad to hear that he had a great time.  When our kids were little, we didn't stay for the entire day, but they had a great time and talked about their visit for weeks afterward.  There is something exciting around every corner and lots of things a child (or an adult for that matter) won't see anywhere else.
Title: Re: The MN Ren fest is great for kids rant!
Post by: Ren Jen on September 20, 2010, 12:50:42 PM
Thats great to hear.  There was a show the kids really liked by the petting animal area.  Lots of animals and a fairy like lady that really interacted with the kids well.  I was really impressed. 
Title: Re: The MN Ren fest is great for kids rant!
Post by: LadyFae on September 20, 2010, 02:15:13 PM
SO glad to hear that you are involving the young and that you had such a great time!  =)  I've brought my girls every year since '06- my oldest had just turned one.  There are SO many things to do with kids at Fest, and sometimes all we do is wander around all day and catch a few musical acts.  My girls and I can spend all day at Fest and they still complain when it is time to leave!  We most definately look forward to attending "Renaissance" (as the girls put it) as often as possible!  =D
Title: Re: The MN Ren fest is great for kids rant!
Post by: Goody on October 22, 2010, 12:36:11 AM
Ren Jen U r referring to Fawna and her family at the Irish Cottage. Absolutely fantastic! Keeps kids busy for at least 45 mins. Must check it out!! It has what the Childrens Realm lacks (in my opinion).
Title: Re: The MN Ren fest is great for kids rant!
Post by: Ren Jen on October 30, 2010, 08:05:56 PM
I think so.  Yes, way better than the 'childrens' rehlm.'  Shh, don't tell, but I heard one parent there say she was better than 'twig' too.  Really had the kids attention and interacted with them nicely.
Title: Re: The MN Ren fest is great for kids rant!
Post by: saphire_glade on October 30, 2010, 11:50:23 PM
I wish I could head down that way to see what it is like... *sighs* oh well... Maybe someone has video :P

Title: Minnesota Renaissance Fest is a wonderland for kids!
Post by: LilyValley on October 03, 2011, 01:55:28 PM
Saw a discussion on this topic from 2010 and decided to add a fairly new event - the Fairyland Tea in the Children's Realm.  MN Renfest has some unique Fae/Fantasy Characters who have begun hosting a FREE Fairyland Tea in the Children's Realm.  2010 was the first year, and in 2011 it was on the printed Fest schedule at 4:00.   The Tea is held on a little stage down inside the Children's Realm and there is plenty of seating for family and friends.  The kids sit all around their favorite Fantasy characters including Jewel the Water Faerie, Trinket Oakfeather the Fairy, Ivy the Faun, Bitto the Gnome, Tia the Dryad, Fetch (who is a delightful Puppy Dog character) and Pansy the Unicorn.  It's very informal and they all enjoy lemonade and animal crackers while visiting with the Fae and asking any questions they might have.  Discussions might include Birthdays, favorite toys, what they've seen at RenFest etc. They also sing songs together and learn how to sing and say words in sign language.  The Fairyland Tea is a great photo op, and a nice place to relax and enjoy the Fantasy.....
Title: Re: The MN Ren fest is great for kids rant!
Post by: Charlotte Rowan on October 04, 2011, 10:22:44 AM
Terp was teaching dancing in the Children's Realm this year too, daily at 2pm, and it was very well-received. (Of course, kids are welcome to dance with us at any time!)
Title: Re: Minnesota Renaissance Fest is a wonderland for kids!
Post by: Goody on November 21, 2011, 12:07:40 PM
Quote from: LilyValley on October 03, 2011, 01:55:28 PM
Saw a discussion on this topic from 2010 and decided to add a fairly new event - the Fairyland Tea in the Children's Realm.  MN Renfest has some unique Fae/Fantasy Characters who have begun hosting a FREE Fairyland Tea in the Children's Realm.  2010 was the first year, and in 2011 it was on the printed Fest schedule at 4:00.   The Tea is held on a little stage down inside the Children's Realm and there is plenty of seating for family and friends.  The kids sit all around their favorite Fantasy characters including Jewel the Water Faerie, Trinket Oakfeather the Fairy, Ivy the Faun, Bitto the Gnome, Tia the Dryad, Fetch (who is a delightful Puppy Dog character) and Pansy the Unicorn.  It's very informal and they all enjoy lemonade and animal crackers while visiting with the Fae and asking any questions they might have.  Discussions might include Birthdays, favorite toys, what they've seen at RenFest etc. They also sing songs together and learn how to sing and say words in sign language.  The Fairyland Tea is a great photo op, and a nice place to relax and enjoy the Fantasy.....
First of all there was much improvement this year in the kids area but it still lacks. Part of that, I realize, is the fest does not put money into this area. There are way better places to take kids to get more bang for your buck that isn't so much work for adults!! Because we had to start paying for the kids in my family, they were not brought out more than twice. And even then it was because we were given free tix.
As far as the Tea goes, we attended twice. We were confused and disappointed. Never sang songs or learned sign language. Actually thought it could be more structured. Keep what you've got but enhance it. Not sure how-perhaps a story, something educational, something historical, something more like High Tea??

PS This is not a complaint! Your effort and enthusiasm are much appreciated!!
Title: Re: The MN Ren fest is great for kids rant!
Post by: Goody on November 21, 2011, 12:09:29 PM
Quote from: Charlotte Rowan on October 04, 2011, 10:22:44 AM
Terp was teaching dancing in the Children's Realm this year too, daily at 2pm, and it was very well-received. (Of course, kids are welcome to dance with us at any time!)

Missed it. Will look for it next yr!
Title: Re: The MN Ren fest is great for kids rant!
Post by: saphire_glade on November 21, 2011, 11:08:05 PM
Fairy Tea was one of those unscripted... okay... you have us all together what do you want us to do kind of things. We are going to work on making it more polished lets say. Constructive comments are welcome, I will certainly pass them along.