raves – the joy of five

Children, Families, Family Life, Festivals, Kids Days Out, Large Families, Memories, Reviews, Seaside

Getting Ready To Set Sail With BFLF and Camp Bestival

April 23, 2018April 23, 2018by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment

I would say we have probably been gearing up for this years Camp Bestival since Christmas and for the kids…well and me too July has seemed like a lifetime away.

One of the ways we love to get into the festival spirit before the big day is a trip to one of the fabulous events that Big fish Little Fish put on in conjunction with Camp Bestival.

Big Fish Little Fish are a independent company that allow parents to share their love of rave music with their own little ones in family friendly venues across the country. It means that parents can let their hair down and loses their inhibitions for a few hours, safe in the knowledge that the kids are having just as much fun.

A few weeks ago we went along to Dreamland in Margate and after having such an amazing time we chose this venue to return to again this year.

The cool, retro setting lends itself perfectly to this event and I was pleasantly surprised that this year they had moved into the ballroom which gave everyone a lot more space for throwing some shapes!

It was literally minutes before we took to the dance floor…much to the embarasmemt of my preteen. There really is no ‘school disco’ feeling at these events, the floor is filled within minutes with parents reliving their youth and kids going wild to the fantastic music whist getting covered in bubbles and confetti.

Of course the music is the main attraction but the fun doesn’t end here. There was a craft station where the kids made some fantastic pirate hats and got covered in tattoos, tables full of playdoh for those of you that wanted a bit of quiet time, a section that was cornered off for tiny ones and tents and tunnels for everyone to climb through and hide in. There was also a face painting station that somehow managed to pass us by.

I think one of the highlights for mine was actually the Naughty Floss stall where we grabbed delicious candy floss that came on a super cool, flashing glow stick!

The ballroom was filled was fun and laughter throughout and it has definitely got us in the mood for Camp Bestival later this year where we will no doubt be dancing along with Big Fish Little Fish again!

* We were given tickets to the event for the purpose of this review and they are all my own, honest opinions.

Children, Families, Family Life, Festivals, Holidays, London, Seaside, Spring, Summer, Surrey, Sussex

Around The World In 18 Raves:Camp Bestival Warm Up Tour With Big Fish Little Fish

January 16, 2018by thejoyoffiveLeave a Comment

As I am writing this the sun is shining through the window and I have to say I’m getting a little bit excited for the spring and summer to finally arrive.

The warmer weather for me is the que for me to start dusting off the sequins (well actually mine don’t really get put away)in preparation for festival season.

Last year we got into the spirit of things by attending the Big Fish Little Fish event at Dreamland in Margate and we are looking forward to returning again to get into the festival mood!

Big fish Little Fish put on amazing events that allow little ones to get their groove on along with their parents. Think glitter, sparkle, bubbles, lights and great music all wrapped up into a fantastic few hours that the whole family will love.

This year the tour will be travelling to 18 cities and will be based around Camp Bestivals theme this year which is celebrating all things nautical.

There will be a nautical themed craft area, baby chill out zone, a dance floor filled with bubbles, balloons and glitter and a very special parachute dance.

There will also be a chance for the whole family to have some fun in the photo booth whist trying to win a family ticket to Camp Bestival.

If this sounds up your street then take a look HERE at the differnt locations the tour will be visiting and get those tickets booked!

Children, Families, Family Life, Festivals, London

Win Tickets To The Ultimate Kids Rave:RAVE-A-ROO

October 2, 2017by thejoyoffive25 Comments

Around a year ago now I attended one of the most surreal locations for a children’s event to date – The Ministry Of Sound.

Yes you heard me correctly, we danced, played and sung the afternoon away at the first ever RAVE-A-ROO event that has since gone from strength to strength.

RAVE-A-ROO events are daytime festivals that the whole family will love and have elements that all ages can enjoy.

From dancing along to old school tunes played by top DJs to neon crafts or jumping though the soft play area to getting a UV tattoo it really is a fun packed day out.

The fun is starting this weekend and tickets are still available for 7th October which will be the first event in partnership with Vtech and tickets can be booked ‘here’.

If you can’t get along this weekend then no fear there is another event on the 11th November and I am giving away a family ticket for two adults and two children to the 4pm-6-15pm session.

To enter, simply tell me which exciting London club RAVE-A_ROO will be held at in the comments below and I will select a winner at random.

Good luck!

Competition T&C’s:

The competition closes on 29th Oct 17. We have one family pass to giveaway. Each pass admits two adults and two children. The winning family can attend the 4pm-6.15pm session on Saturday 11th November 2017. The prize is non-refundable and no cash alternative will be offered. The prize is non transferable and ID will be required on arrival at the event.

Children, Crafts, Families, Family Life, Festivals, Holidays, Kids Days Out

Getting In The Festival Spirit With BFLF And Camp Bestival On Tour

April 14, 2017April 14, 2017by thejoyoffive2 Comments

A whole year is a pretty long time to wait in between festivals so thankfully Camp Bestival and Big Fish Little Fish have got together this year to create a tour that allows everyone to experience the fun of festival for a few hours before the summer and get ready for this years festival theme of ‘pop stars and rock stars’.

Last year we spend a lot of time next to the BFLF stage at Camp Bestival and the boys absolutely loved dancing around and jumping on and of the stage to all the great music they put on.

We were lucky enough to go along to the tour at Dreamland in Margate last week which is one of my favourite seaside attractions.

The cool, retro theme of Dreamland was the perfect setting for a children’s rave with lots of open space around the roller disco area that had been transformed into a super cool dance floor for the kids…well the adults too!

The dance floor was packed with people dancing playing with the tents and tunnels that were set out and eagerly awaiting the bubble machine and glitter cannons to go off!

For the really tiny ones there were quieter areas set up away from the hustle and bustle of it all.

It wouldn’t have that festival feel without face painting and even though my guys weren’t interest there were some very impressive faces walking around.

The boys spent a lot of time over at the craft station getting tattoos, making superheroes masks and creating masterpieces with the play dough.

In addition to all this fun families had the opportunity to grab some ‘pop stars and rock stars’ themed props and take a photo at the booth that gave them the chance to win one of three family tickets to Camp Bestival 17 which would make for the most fantastic prize!

The next event is in Hackney on 23rd April and if is set to be another cracker if you can get along to it.

If not please take a look at everything Camp Bestival has to offer. I can’t put into words what a mind blowing experience we had last year and this years is set to top it!

Children, Costumes, Families, Family Life, Festivals, Holidays

Getting That Camp Bestival Vibe Started With Big Fish Little Fish Tour

January 23, 2017by thejoyoffive1 Comment

One of the many highlights from our trip to Camp Bestival last year was the Big Fish Little Fish stage. These very clever guys are the makers of the best…if not only family friendly, kids raves I have seen.

We were lucky enough to go to their first event in the Ministry Of Sound which albeit a little surreal was the perfect mix of dress up, dancing and fun and games for children and adults alike.

It would be the perfect taster for a insight into what to expect at Camp Bestival for anyone thinking of going or as a warm up for all the regulars.

With the Camp Bestival ‘Pop Stars And Rock Stars’ theme this year the tour would be a great chance to get all those outfits ready and give them a run on the dance floor to see if they can take the pace, there will even be an opportunity to have your photo taken in the Camp Bestival photo booth and enter a competition to win one of three family tickets to this years festival.

The tour is starting on the 5th of February and is coming to Farnham, Bristol, Southampton, Balham, Margate, Bath, Bournemouth and Hackney.

We will be going along to Margate and enjoying the rave at Dreamland which if you are a follower of mine you will know this is one of our favourite seaside venues and will be the perfect place to host a Big Fish Little Fish Event.

Take a look here to get your tickets booked and keep an eye out for all the run we are going to have in a few months time!