The phrases "a festival for children" and "children's festival" have very different meanings – you may think they both imply the same thing, but the distinction is very clear when you look at Imagine, a festival running at London's Southbank Centre till 24 February. A "festival for children" is one set up by adults for children – by far the most common approach in Britain. However Imagine is a "children's festival', made for children by children and with so many youngsters involved that adults are seldom in charge.
On a visit to the festival just as it opened, the few adults I did meet were all really friendly and kid-centred. They had set the festival up in a way that let kids decide what was included – and it has worked brilliantly. When I got a tour I found loads of great fun stuff there, including a disco hall, a fantastic kids' control area with a wind machine (!) and a marshmallow dispenser. The whole place is totally kid-centred and packed with free events. You can join in the hunt for everyone's favourite elusive character, Wally, or tour the street-market outside, or meet Judith Kerr, author of classic children's book The Tiger Who Came To Tea in a rare appearance, or join a discussion with everyone's favourite comedian, TV judge and author, David Walliams at the event based on his latest book, Ratburger. You'll also find the woman behind How To Train Your Dragon, Cressida Cowell, plus Cathy Cassidy, writer of The Chocolate Box Girls. There is something for children of all ages at the Imagine festival - stage performances, discussions, dance, music, book readings, games, puzzles.
The venue, the Southbank Centre, has been almost completely taken over by Imagine activities, and every room is adorned with colour, posters and model that suit youngsters. There are events such as Peter Pan yoga, Opera for babies and all sorts of wacky things to do. Delve into the deep sea in a room designated for underwater drawing or energise yourself in the kids' café.
Laura Dockrill, author of a brilliant new children's book Darcy Burdock (make it your next read – its great!), said this about Imagine:
"It feels… like an exciting home. You never know what's going to happen, it is a building and an environment that breaks walls and boundaries – its always exciting and churning out new things. You never quite put two feet on the ground before something else happens like making poetry on Michael Rosen's head. That's what's so exciting about a place like this – it's doing stuff that nobody else is. It's always jumping out of its comfort zone. I feel very privileged and honoured [to be involved]. It's a massive leap of faith from the Southbank Centre."
If you have to do one thing in London this half term, make it the Imagine festival!
The Imagine children's panel have guest curated the Guardian children's books site with author interviews, top 10s, exclusive extracts and much more.
