Winner of Green Parent magazine’s Green Festival award in 2012, Sunrise festival has long been recognised as one of the UK’s most family-friendly festivals, and this year, under the new Sunrise: Another World “festival micronation” format (30th May till 2nd June) in the nature wilds of Thoulstone Park, it promises to offer more magical and fun adventures for kids than ever before.      

Daniel Hurring, Managing Director of Sunrise: Another World says: “This year’s Sunrise Kids area will be more exciting than ever in 2013 with the introduction of loads of new content for kids of all ages. We take pride in our unique family vibe, and so this year we've made sure we've something to offer the whole family. From birth and toddlers through to teens, the festival is designed with families in mind.”

The festival’s Kids Area will be tucked away in Storylands, in the Northern Region of the Sunrise Micronation. Storylands, a semi-mythical kingdom, is designed as a “Never-Neverland of Eternal Youth” where adults too can rediscover their inner child. The Kids Area will be presented once again by the fantastical LATE Club and their crew of magical pixies. This year there will be more undercover space, including a large theatre tent, and the return of perennial favourites like the Skate Ramp and Bouncy Castle.

At the heart of Storylands will be the Magical Forest, an exciting new area for 2013. Presented by Idyllic Circus, this aerial nautical playground will take you up into the treetops to swing and slide in an exciting adventure area for kids of all ages. Expect plentiful treetop antics, a fire temple, circus artists, art trails and much more.

Here, a “Forest School “will provide a space for kids to learn and grow, exploring nature's bounty, gathering basic outdoor skills and delving into their imaginations; activities range from naturally inspired arts and crafts to basic bushcraft skills.

Another major highlight will be a series of unique performances from The Whispering Wood Folk whose blend of music, storytelling and physical performance will captivate imaginations and dazzle the senses.  Storytellers will guide the audience on alchemical journeys through the forest, weaving ancient and modern tales together with pieces of live performance. Enthralling displays of aerial artistry will be witnessed among the trees, enhanced by haunting acoustic music.

During the daytime, this forest kingdom is everything a child could dream of. At night, it transforms into a magical forest for grown-ups!

Open from 8am till 8pm, regular daily activities in the Kids Area include: Toddlers soft play and sandpits, bouncy castle, face painting, Lucia’s Scrap Fashion Emporium (come and make hats, accessories, masks etc), skateboarding, traverse climbing wall, pirate ship, games room (table football, pool, table tennis and giant games), The Original Space Hopper Games Arena, Wake and Shake Disco, theatrical performances, and the Tuck Shop (serving healthy snacks, tea, coffee and cake).

Workshops include: Kulchalee Arts, Screen Printing (bring along your own T- Shirt!), Drumming, Foam Nunchucks, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Gymnastics, Yoga, Movement, Music, Drama, Storytelling, Pottery, Mad Hatter Rockets, Pizza Making, Firestar and Purplestar Circus Skills.

Beyond Storylands, the wider festival has plenty to keep kids enthralled, from the Traditional Fair in the Village Green through to the musical magic of Tribe of Doris in the Global Village, and the Fairground at the heart of the Plaza Del Paz·        

Tickets for Sunrise: Another World are on sale at £115 until 15th May. Any remaining tickets will then be sold at the late-buyer price of £125. Child Tickets £25; Teens £75; Family Discounts available; Vehicle Tickets needed for parking on sale here