Cultural Fairs and Festivals for Kids

A Great Opportunity to Infuse Cultural Diversity into Your Staycation, Vacation, or Wayward Weekend

I love a street fair! There’s almost nothing I enjoy more about visiting a new place as a family than attending cultural fairs and festivals for kids. Its an opportunity to survey the cultural landscape because where you find local fairs, you find local people.

The people bustling, mingling, and basking in the cultural glow are sure to engage you. Children laughing, running, and eating further pull everyone into the frivolity of the event. The community leaders rallying, mobilizing, organizing, and spotlighting keep you grounded in neighborhood needs.

Of course every street, city or local fair is different but, I’ve enjoyed every kind that I’ve attended. In fact my favorite trips domestic and abroad include attendance to some form of community organized fair, festival or market.

Usually these types of community events have a cultural focus and can be a great way to enhance a child’s sense of multicultural diversity. There are many opportunities to engage in the cultural benefits of a street fair. Here are a few tips for making your day trip to the culturally diverse street fair or city festival for kids feel like a real adventure or a culture quest. BTW: these tips could be used to prepare for any adventure off the beaten path.

There are many opportunities to engage in the cultural benefits of a street fair.

How to Prepare Kids for Culturally Diverse Street Fairs

Before you attend the festival, read a book about the culture and read a character book based in the culture. Use the books to explore potential points of culture that may be new and interesting to experience.

Try to identify a food type (vegetable, fruit, meat) that is new to your family. Choose a culturally specific meal from the book that can be tasted at the fair.

Look for new-to-you instruments that are specific to the heritage and seek out music performed with that unique instrument. Authentic and culturally specific instruments make great souvenirs.

Are there culturally relevant dances or ceremonies associated with the culture? Look for opportunities to witness ore even better learn these dances or ceremonies.

Were there costumes, uniforms, specific garments or styles of dress discussed in the books? Make it a point to look for expamlpes of these at the festival. There is nothing like seeing ceremonial clothing or pop culture styles in person. This unique and authentic clothing and or jewelry can also be a wonderful souvenir that represents and fulfilled day of memories.

Consider Learning More about A Culturally Specific Language

Is there a specific language that is new to you associated with the culture? Consider learning words associated with activities you will engage in at the festival. Use Google translator, babble or some other resource to learn how to say these foods, songs, dances, instruments, and clothes in the original language.

Use Google translator, babble or some other resource to learn how to say these foods, songs, dances, instruments, and clothes in the original language.

Practice requesting the item and try to use these words in a respectful and context-specific manner. Try not to laugh (from nervousness) or discount the language (because its a challenge to speak) to avoid being disrespectful. Practice using these words until you feel confident. Consider trying to use these if you feel comfortable.

Consider Making the Experience Personal by Researching Family Stories

If this culture is a lesser known part of your family heritage, consider seeking out stories and information about this side of your family through ancestry research sites and family members. Use that information to give more context and relevance to experiences seeking during the festival.

Don’t forget to stop by the information/ organization table and find out about more future cultural activities and community service opportunities that will be provided during the year.

Check back for updates to the following table listing Cultural Fairs and Festivals for kids that I’ve found through research or experience. If you have recommendations, I’d love to hear about them in the comments or sign up to stay in touch. Leave as much detail as possible so I may continue to add to this index.

List of Culturally Divers Street Fairs and Community Festivals for Kids:

Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities-ZORA! Festival 344 East Kennedy Boulevard
Eatonville, FL 32751

Houston Children’s Festival Downtown Houston

Lewisvielle Western Days Festival Lewisville Lake, TX Interstate 35E and State Highway 121

State Fair of Texas 3921 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75210
Located in Fair Park.