7 Kid Friendly Activities and More at the Renaissance Festival
Celebrating its 47th season, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, MN is a unique and wonderful event to be a part of. With 16 stages of live entertainment, 7 themed weekends, 250 artisan booths for endless shopping, and great food and drinks, the festival has something for people of all ages. The hidden gems of the Festival is part of what makes your family visit one to remember. Our latest blog focuses on some of the great family-friendly activities we enjoyed while at the Festival.
1. Fairy Wing Forest
Be whisked away into this mystical garden home of fairies, pixies, and other magical creatures. Kids can also follow the trail of pixy dust to make a wand with their fairy friends. Be sure to get your picture with one of the mystical fairies, even if they are asleep!
2. Mermaid Cove
Venture into Mermaid Cove and watch as the mermaids dive, twirl, and swim magnificently through the water. Maybe the mermaids will share a piece of their magic with your son or daughter!
3. Princesses & Story Time
The princesses of the Renaissance Festival are there to entertain and delight your child. See the royal jewels, have your daughter dress up as a young princess, and enjoy story time in the Garden of Stories.
A new themed weekend for 2017 is “Once Upon a Time”. This weekend will be based on fairy tales, fantasy, and science fiction! Kids will have a chance to travel to lands of witches and wizards, fairies, unicorns, mermaids, and steampunk creatures. Kids also will have an opportunity to show their creative skills in the fantasy mask competition. This themed weekend will take place August 26-27.
4. Games & Rides
The Renaissance Festival also offers great games and rides for children to enjoy. Kids can test their skills at games such as the Fencing Booth, Jacob’s Ladder, King of the Log, or Dueling Buckets. Or, enjoy rides such as the Swan Swing.
5. Archery Lessons in Sherwood Forest
Venture into the whimsical Sherwood Forest and enjoy the adventures within. Have your son or daughter learn archery from some of the proven marksmen, the merry men of Sherwood.
6. Stage Shows
There are numerous family-friendly stage shows located throughout the Festival grounds. Head over to the Gypsy Stage and watch the antics of Robin Hood and The Merry Men. Or, venture over to the Grove Stage and watch Tuey the Juggler perform amazing stunts and juggling skills that will leave you stunned in amazement.
7. Fun and Unique Faire Food
Bring your appetite to the Renaissance Festival. There is a terrific selection of food spots located throughout the festival grounds serving items such as Alligator on a Stick, Bacon & Egg Pie, Bangers & Mash, Fried Chicken Dumplings, Shepard’s Pie Boule, Spicy Plum Chicken Boule and, of course, Turkey Legs. New food items for 2017 include Unicorn Sundae, Spam Sliders, and a Pickle Juice Icy.
Other Family Friendly Entertainment
Other enjoyable activities for children while at the Festival include jousting, pirate hat making, sheep herding, juggling school, the grand march parade, and so much more!
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is open weekends August 19 through October 1, and Festival Friday, Sept. 29.
For more information, please go to www.renaissancefest.com.