Kinderfestival Haren turns the Hortus into a making place, not a funfair

On 29 August from 12:00 to 20:00, the sixth Kinderfestival Haren fills Hortus Botanicus Haren with music, theatre, nature and art. Previous editions have sold out.

• Het Grote Knuffelarchief turns a child’s soft toy into a story worth keeping, while comic stamping and stamp-making let children communicate in images rather than only words.
• Drumcaravan and Radio Barkas bring sound-making on site; Apies Apenstreken, Knutselkeet and a growing group drawing move a child between watching and making.
• Eight hours is a window, not an obligation to stay throughout. Hortus capacity is limited and there is no waiting list, so sold out does not become extra door tickets.
• The address is Kerklaan 34, with the festival entrance right of the Hortus entrance. Most terrain works for wheelchairs and walkers, though garden surfaces and weather still affect movement.

Hokimi field note: Let the child choose one performance, one sound activity and one making activity, then leave time just to explore the Hortus. Space between items helps the stories and objects remain.