Lollibop 2014 was the Big Bash for Little People. It ran from Friday 15th August until Sunday 17th August 2014, 10am-6pm daily. Taking on feedback from last year, the location for this year’s Lollibop was Hatfield House, situated in Hertfordshire. Described as an amazing stately home with surrounding lawns, gardens and woodlands. Boasting the hottest names in kids’ entertainment plus hundreds of workshops and activities at no extra charge. The festival is for the under 10s, but older children are welcome. Prices started from £20 pp. With parking in advanced being £6 or £10 on the day. A standard family of 4 was £82.50 (incl. booking fee). On the day VIP ticket upgrades were £35.00. Once inside no extra costs have to be incurred (if you take your own food and drink and do not purchase the merchandise). I went along with my husband and three boys ages 11, 6, and 5 (with Sensory Processing disorder) courtesy of Carousel PR.
Lollibop 2014 Venue
We were warned prior to leaving NOT to follow the signs for Hatfield House but instead to make sure that we followed the yellow signs to Lollibop. My husband found it no problem at all. We did not arrive early and there was some queuing to get into the car parks. I did find this part a bit of a mess. My husband tried to speak to one of the car park attendants to find out where he needed to go, but they rudely just told him to keep on driving. I had a rough idea of where to go thanks to information prior to the event. Luckily another attendant was more helpful. Cars were just charging into one another as about 4 lanes seemed to merge into one. Other than that there’s nothing other than praise for the venue. We got in quickly, it was well sign-posted, there was plenty to do, we were handed maps/information as soon as we went in and pointed over to where the boys could have our phone numbers attached to their wrists. We never had to wait to use the toilet, and they were clean and well stocked throughout the day. I am not fond of crowds at all, but it was so spacious that at no point did I have an issue with this. The boys absolutely loved all the trees, and at one point I had to stop and let them climb one.
Lollibop Merchandise
We happened to walk straight in the direction of the things for sale and I had spent £29 after only being there a few minutes. The boys had been given bubble guns to play with, try before you buy. At £9 a gun, and £4 for decent batteries. I am glad I let my son have one as there felt like there were bubbles everywhere. The younger two had balloons, £5 each and could be refilled if they went down. In hindsight we wish we had bought them a little later in the day as they did become a tad annoying. There were all manner of bags, t-shirts etc for sale. There was a magazine and if you visited all the stalls and collected the stickers there was a chance to win a family pass for next year.
Pom Bear Picnic Zone
The picnic area was a short walk from the car, so we did not have to carry everything around with us. The area itself was clean, tidy and spacious. There was a tent with lots of activities inside, and lots to play with outside. There were also lots of bears. This area was so good, and the staff so friendly that I did not think my boys wanted to leave. They also provided us with free Pom bear snacks.
Lollibop Live
Hosted by CBeebies Alex Winters there was live acts on stage outside through the day. My children had never been to a festival and I felt it really helped them understand more about them. My 11 year old was asking about being covered up if it rained and so we talked about the fact that the act would carry on regardless. A lot of the live acts my boys had grown out of. We did stay a little while for the iconic Justin Fletcher who my youngest could just about see on his dad’s shoulders, and the rest on the big screen. I liked the fact that adults in the seated area were told to stay seated. We had a clearer view of CBBC’s Sam and Mark at the end of the day too.
Lollipalladium
When we arrived it took our children a little while to get around to the Lollipadium (distracted by merchandise and free face painting). We had hoped to see Scooby Doo starting at 11am, but were told that actually the queue was so long that people were waiting in it to see Postman Pat which started 50 minutes after Scooby Doo. My husband was disappointed that we had travelled all that way and were not going to see the live shows, but I thought actually our boys had grown out of the other acts, and was therefore not worth the wait. I had been given advice that there was plenty to do and not to waste our time queuing. So we moved on.
Titan
We had first seen Titan at our local shopping centre some years ago. It was actually on our 11 year old’s birthday but he was too young to remember. Titan performed and then moved on. Crowds followed him like the Pied Piper, he stopped and performed a little more, then moved on, then stopped. This gave people the opportunity to really get up close and see him.
Lolliarena
Our Sensory Seeker did manage a queue to have a photo taken inside Thomas the tank engine. The wait for this was half an hour. My husband said that whilst our son was having his turn someone just came and sat their child on the front and took a picture – without waiting at all. Now although we do not like queues – and our Sensory Seeker finds them difficult – they are a fact of life. I do wish there was a member of staff preventing this kind of rude behaviour though. My husband is too polite. There was also other activities around Thomas and our son was very pleased with his prize.
Active Zone
Whilst the youngest waited for Thomas the tank engine the other two had a go at the Tottenham Hotspur football skills. There wasn’t a great deal to do here (a few kicks of a ball, one around an obstacle another timed), but the queue was short and the boys really enjoyed it.
Discovery Zone
Lollikitchen
Whilst this was happening it was getting close to our time slot in the Lollikitchen. This was entry by ticket only that we had taken in the morning. I decided on the Gingerbread decorating option as it sounded like the one that suited my boys better. Had I known more about the morning Chinese session I would have picked that as it sounded so interesting and scientific when speaking to the lady from Kiddy Cook. She told me not to worry about my son’s needs that she is used to working with disabled children. They offer parties too. Shame we do not live closer. We were really impressed with how they let our Sensory Seeker in, even though he was really late after finishing off with Thomas.
Nintendo
I am sure the boys could have played here all day. They were given a sheet and they had challenges to do which gave them stickers. Once they had collected them all they could trade them in for a prize. One of which was a Pikachu hat (which they very kindly let me have one too). We discovered Pokemon Art Academy – which my husband said was really good for our Sensory Seeker (he needs to develop his hand control) and that he took to it really well.
National Geographic Kids
They had the animal man there, but the showing was another 30 minutes after we were at the stand. There was really so much to do the boys did not want to wait around. It is a shame as I have heard that he was really good. There was plenty to do at National Geographic Kids, and I was pleased to hear an understanding parent say, “it’s ok he’s just excited,” when I realised that my Sensory Seeker had just pushed in front of her children to have a feel through the hole.
We also made an object out of clay each, and then put them on the tree. There was even free wipes provided afterwards to clean your hands.
Bear Grylls Survival Skills
Maybe I was being a bit naïve here, but I did think that Bear Grylls would be at the event, mainly because his face was on all the posters. It was what made me feel that the event would appeal to my boy Scout (11 year old). Needless to say even without Bear Grylls the boys had lots of fun. They learnt to start a fire without matches (the boy Scout is big on fires at the moment after learning at Scouts about how to start and maintain them), there was an assault course and the opportunity to eat a meal worm (again).
Lollibooks
I really wanted to visit this area so have no idea how we missed it (we were there 10-6, minus parking time). We saw Hagrid from Harry Potter wandering around though. I think this was mainly to do with the fact that they were in time slots, we just kept on moving as there was so much to do.
The Meadows
Disco Shed
The boys had a little dance there and we were intending to go back for the pillow fight but time ran away with us.
Skylanders Trap Team
Regular readers will know we are big Skylanders fans in this house and helped promote the launch of Skylanders SwapForce. This year sees evil monsters being trapped and their powers utilised for yourself inside crystals. There was dressing up, free photos taken on the green screen, opportunity to be one of the first to play, and a competition every hour to win prizes. Unfortunately, only 6 children per hour could compete. My 11 year old was very disappointed after two attempts not to be selected. Again there was plenty to still do, so we just moved on.
Join in with Southbank
We found the Robot Making Workshop late and did not get a chance to make a costume, but did get to play with some of the robots that others had made from cardboard boxes, Definitely a rainy-day activity idea. It was the end of the day and my 6 year old was getting quite tired. An incident had just occurred that he may have found quite upsetting too, so I was glad that he wondered over to the relaxing Yoga (provided by Tatty Bumpkin). The staff really seemed to get him involved, and he joined in, being imaginative and using his body. My husband took our Sensory Seeker off to try out the Giant Join in Dressing up Box, as this is one of the things that really meets his sensory needs.
Conclusion of Lollibop 2014
All in all the boys had a fantastic day. In fact I realise there’s even more that I haven’t even mentioned! I would in future like to see more Live acts geared for the older children. I think the venue was a fantastic location and generally it worked really well (with the exception of the Lollipaladium, but I heard that these issues were already being dealt with by the Sunday). I was really pleased with how quickly and easily we exited the park (as we left at 6). Our Sensory Seeker can struggle on days out; he did have a few wobbly moments but all in all the Festival (and us) were able to do with his sensory needs. I think when considering the cost you have to think about the fact that it is a full day, and what is provided free (face painting/Haribos/Pom Bears etc – that you don’t have to worry about your children asking for).
Here are some further photos of our day.
I received free entry for myself, husband and 3 sons, plus a parking pass into Lollibop 2014. This is an honest review, all words and opinions are my own.
SUCH a thorough and comprehensive review. Loved the video too, glad I can see from there that they got to the animated lego xxx
Lollibop sounds fab – I think it would be perfect for my two next year (they’ll be 5 and 3). Shame about Bear Grylls, but great you got to see Justin!
sounds amazing!
I don’t think we did any of the same things but it sounds like you had a great day. It was lovely to see you and hubby managed to shake hands with Simon Pegg and I said to Olivia Coleman in the end ;0)
Sounds a great day out. My children would have loved the National Geographic area!
I’m not a huge fan of festivals, but Lollibop always seems so much fun! It does sound that it is geared towards younger children though. Your idea of more older and teen friendly acts is a good idea.
I am sure Syd would love a day out – maybe next year I will make the trek! On another note, sounds like your sensory seeker coped well- which bodes well for a trip to Camp Bestival next year, as I would imagine the levels of stimulation are fairly similar! x
It’s interesting to read how your older son enjoyed it. I thought 7yo might be too old, but I think she would have enjoyed it.
It sounds like there’s something for every kind of little person. I’d really like to go with my girls when they are a little bigger
I wish Baby was older and we could have taken her. Sounds and looks so much fun x
Crikey we did loads but not half of what you did! We loved it this year and found the venuw so much better.
Great review x
An honest review Joy, as you know I vowed never to go again after last year but I have to say things do seem to have improved this year, particularly the venue.
It sounds like you had an amazing day….they really pack the events in don’t they? I do love that there’s no camping involved!
I’d never heard of Lollbopbefore but my Twitter feed has been awash with it the last couple of weeks. Looks awesome! Can’t wait to experience it ourselves in the future.
This looked like a lot of fun…I’m loving these family fun festivals that are popping up all over the place! x
Wow, it looks as though you saw loads! We also didn’t bother much with the live shows as we found lots else to do. I wish we’d been a bit more on the ball with the cooking sessions because mine would have loved it, I didn’t know how it worked with getting tickets. Sounds like you had a fab day!
This sounds like a great review and a fun day out for all to enjoy.
I have read so much over the last two years of this festival and i am seriously considering going next year. I love all the info you posted and it has really swayed me x
wow you fitted alot in, we on the other hand just chilled out! T?he kids did a few things and we spent a fair while crafting and eating!
I’ve never heard the Lollibop Children’s Festival before. It sounds quite exhausting! I do often find such places frustrating because of the amount of time you have to queue for everything. I would have been cross about the queue jumper too. There’s always someone isn’t there?
I’m glad there is so many things for kids to enjoy despite the weather! This one looks like a great fun!
Oh it sounds like such great fun! One of these days maybe next year will be our turn i’ll tell you!
sorry we missed you, great write up of the event x x x
I don’t think I would have know where to start first – it all sounds amazing x x
This is a great review. It sounds like a brilliant day out.
What a thorough review Joy, really excellent. It’s an event I would have loved to take the kids to when we were in the UK. It sounds like you all had a great time x
I’m loving looking at the Lollibop posts, so many great ideas and so many people focusing on different activities. I’m loving the clay snail, might just have to try these here for activity hour. What is it with boys and fire? Mine are all the same! Thank you for sharing your fun packed time on Country Kids.
I too would have thought Bear Grylls would have been there if I had seen his face on the poster. Glad you generally had a good time!
Brilliant review Joy! Sounds like it was a great day out for you and the boys. Love the sound of the National Geographic area #CountryKids
This really is a thorough review and gives you a great feeling about what it’s all about. Sounds like you all enjoyed a great day out x
Have seen few post about this event and its amazing that no 2 post is the same! Theres always something new to discover in each of the post. I am so glad that you have enjoyed this event cuz it does look awesome =) #countrykids
I have always been tempted but never actually gone as far as booking it, I worry it will be a bit over whelming (for me as much as the kids).
This makes me feel a little differently though ….. maybe next year ?
I love this review we did so much on sunday but it seems as if you managed to do so much more. We can’t wait to go next again next year.
Hopping over from Kara’s Lollibop linky
Sounds like there was tons there to keep the boys entertained. Far more than you could cover in one blog! Sounds like a festival well worth a visit
#countrykids