Children's Activities

What the Event Game Team Liked Best

The team assigned to observe the children's activities liked the diversity of people in the area and were pleased with the enthusiasm shown by the volunteers. The walkways were shady, the area was easily walkable and the decorations were festive and colorful.

What Could Be Improved

Some of the volunteers in sponsor booths were unresponsive and seemed to need more training. There was a lack of shaded or covered seating and the stage seemed too out of the way. Ticket booths lacked visibility and there was a need for more and better signage.

Short Term

The team suggested several actions that could be undertaken to quickly improve this activity of the Festival. They include:

• Paint footprints from food court towards Children's Area
  
• Hang streamers on the grid over Leahy Mall
  
• Add a water feature such as a fountain
  
• Add activities for ages 8-12 such as a scavenger hunt
  
• Provide plastic bags with a sponsor logo for children's crafts
  
• Play music when acts aren't on stage
  
• Recreate the "Show Wagon" as a sesquicentennial historical reference
  
• Bring stage south towards Farnam
  
• Have one large activity that all children could participate in such as a chalk art mural on the sidewalk.

Long Term

In the long term the team recommended:

• Provide covered stage seating
  
• Make announcements from the stage about upcoming acts, etc.
  
• Build a structure for children to play on, help build or decorate like a magic castle or log cabin
  

[ Comments and Suggestions ]