Folk Play

Free Activities, Music and Fun for Kids!

Children 12 & under are admitted free to the Mariposa Folk Festival but must be accompanied by a ticket-bearing guardian at all times. We invite you and your family to experience the magic of Mariposa – your kids will thank you!

Details of the fantastic programming in Folk Play at Mariposa Folk Festival will be updated in this space as the festival approaches.

The Sunshine Stage in Folk Play is programmed with children’s performers, magicians, storytellers and more!

Click here for a pdf of the 2022 Folk Play activity schedule.

Sunshine Stage schedule is on the Stage Schedules page.

CHILD REGISTRY

With Mariposa’s Child Registry program, you may register your child at the Information Booth located in the middle of the festival grounds.

Your child will receive a numbered wristband at the gates, and you will be issued a verification card with the same number. Should you become separated, volunteers will assist you in locating your child.

In the event that you find a lost child, banded or not, please proceed to the Information Booth. In the event that the Information Booth is closed, please go to Site Communications behind the main stage.

Parents and guardians are responsible for the children under their care at all times.

Free Crafts

Spoon Maracas: create your own so you can shake along at the Sunshine Stage
Stick Harmonicas: craft your own harmonica
Paper Plate Hats: 5 different designs, colour your own hat
Paper Plate Frisbee: design your own and play in our open, grassy areas
Paper Plate Yarn Hearts: weave a heart with different coloured yarn
Paper Spinners: make your own spinner toy, wind it up and watch it go
Paper Bag Ninjas: create a ninja puppet with moveable arms and legs
Paper Cup Owls: have a hoot making it using a paper cup, feathers and card stock
Dragonflies: make one using a clothes pin, glitter, pipe cleaners and markers
Clay Creations: craft one of your choice and let it dry in the sun

Free Activities

Glitter tattoos, balloon animals, bubbles and fabulous face painting.

Hula hoop and juggling workshops

Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is bringing reptiles and birds of prey.

Hercinia Arts will have wandering characters, with some on stilts!

The Whole Festival is Child and Family Friendly

The Mariposa Folk Festival is an immersive music festival experience for all ages. We pride ourselves on being very family-friendly and encourage parents and grandparents to bring kids to enjoy every aspect of the festival.

Mariposa’s family-friendly vibe goes well beyond the Folkplay area. Families with children are welcome at every stage (even in the pub tent) where lots of family-friendly music is programmed.

So lay down a blanket or pull up some chairs. Let the kids dance, let them clap their hands, let them cheer. Let them experience the joy that is Mariposa!

Located in J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park, one of Ontario’s most beautiful waterfront parks, the Mariposa Folk Festival site has ample open green space for kids to run free, accessible walkways for strollers and wagons, a ton of shaded areas to rest and have a picnic, and a nearby beach, park and splash pad.

Families are welcome to bring their own food to Mariposa Folk Festival, but there are also dozens of food vendors featuring a variety of options the whole family will love. Don’t forget to bring your reusable water bottles and limit any garbage brought on site because Mariposa is famous for its greening initiatives. Leave no Trace. If you packed it in please pack it out.

Take advantage of family-friendly on-site camping and make Mariposa a family weekend getaway, or simply come for the day.