Tots to Teens: Kaleidoscope is a festival of family fun

"Kaleidoscope, which takes place at Wicklow’s Russborough House from July 4 to 6, promises a star-studded lineup of young Irish talent alongside international music headliners."

Tue, 24 Jun, 2025 - 00:35

Sharon Ní Chonchúir

Tickets to Ireland’s largest summer family festival are still available.

Kaleidoscope, which takes place at Wicklow’s Russborough House from July 4 to 6, promises a star-studded lineup of young Irish talent alongside international music headliners.

It features seven-year-old social-media sensation Jacob Robinson, 11-year-old DJ Seán M, and 15-year-old Toy Show alumnus DJ Calum Kiernan.

The young stars will share the stage with British rock bands Texas and Ocean Colour Scene, as well as Irish musical acts The Coronas and Hermitage Green.

Ten areas and stages are dedicated to families, featuring live science shows with Mark the Science Guy, opportunities to get up close and personal with wildlife at Ireland’s National Reptile Zoo, arts and crafts with the National Gallery of Ireland, cookery demonstrations and workshops at the Scrumdiddlyumptious Festival of Food, sports and wellness events, circus acts, storytelling, and more.

Tickets cost from €39.40

kaleidoscopefestival.ie

Mystery trail

Children who fancy themselves as amateur detectives are invited to solve a series of clues along the Cork Playful Culture Trail this summer.

For the fifth year in a row, the trail will offer families an opportunity to explore the city’s cultural attractions by following a map, completing 20 interactive activities, and collecting stamps at each stop along the way.

The trail runs from June through September and features sites including the Blackrock Castle Observatory, the Butter Museum, Cork City Gaol, Elizabeth Fort, the Glucksman Gallery, Shandon Bells, and more.

Visit playfulculturetrail.com to download the trail map and the list of activities to do at each attraction.

A reading hurdle

The latest book in Nina Carberry’s Rowan Tree Stables series is written for children aged six to nine who have recently learned to read independently.

Horse Show Surprise tells the story of Grace and her best friend, Aaron, both of whom love helping out at Rowan Tree Stables, where their ponies are best friends, too.

In this fourth instalment, the pair are working hard to qualify to ride at the Dublin Horse Show.

But then Aaron falls ill, and Grace suddenly finds herself contemplating the possibility of attending the biggest horse-riding event of the year without her best friend by her side.

A crisis at the stable on the morning of the show throws all plans up in the air.

Horse Show Surprise (Gill Books) costs €14

Bracelet-making kit

This rainbow and flower bracelet-making kit from the Irish eco-toy store jiminy.ie is an ideal rainy-day activity.

It contains enough wooden flowers, rainbow and geometric beads, plus elastics to make 10 bracelets.

It’s suitable for children aged three and up and costs €25.

Mental-health tool

Youth mental health organisation Spunout has launched a new digital tool to help young people access mental health support.

Navigator was designed in collaboration with the Department of Health and the HSE to make it easier for young people aged 14 to 34 across Ireland to access the help they need.

Almost 900 people completed a survey for the project to inform its development, while a committee of 15 provided feedback throughout each stage of the development process.

The end result is a simple tool that asks young people three easy questions and then provides a personalised and localised response.

This could include curated mental health information and videos; recommendations for expert-approved podcasts, books and mobile apps; or signposting to local and national mental health services.