KIDS rule in Nottingham over the next couple of weeks as the whole city becomes one magical playground for the very young. The third annual Nottingham Children's Festival features a packed programme of mostly free entertainment to keep youngsters aged up to 12 years happy for hours.

If your lot love music, dance, art, theatre or creative play, there's loads of brilliant activities to choose from, courtesy of the city council.

The festival kicks off at Nottingham Castle tomorrow with a day dedicated to exploring folk heroes and fairytales.

You can meet Robin Hood and his mates, bump into dragons and create your own magical fairy costume.

Then at the Riverside Festival (August 6-8), there will be a dedicated arts zone for children, with creative activities and workshops, plus dance and puppet shows.

The festival concludes with an enormous children's picnic at Wollaton Park on August 15. Bring your friends, family and food along and listen to stories, see some theatre or join the best-dressed teddy competition.

Look out for a range of great activities at city museums, libraries and art galleries throughout the festival – with visits from wildlife experts, musicians, children's entertainers and storytellers.

Or see one of the special Children's Film Festival screenings at Broadway Cinema, featuring Alice in Wonderland (July 31), The Tigger Movie (August 7) and Kung Fu Panda (August 14).

Festival organiser Sharon Scaniglia says this year's festival is bigger and better than ever.

She said: "For the first two years, I was running it all on my own, but so many other organisations have got involved this year – such as the Playhouse, Attenborough Nature Reserve and all the city parks.

"It's difficult for me to pick out a highlight. I know when I was little, the main thing was that an event was near where I lived, that's why I'm so pleased that there are so many events in libraries and in the local communities.

"There is also a lovely and unusual show at the Royal Centre called Small World – it's only for 30 people because it all takes place inside a tent on the stage. That sounds fantastic.

"The kids will be taking over – and with the beach in the Old Market Square it will be a great start to summer."

Other Children's Festival highlights (check festival website for dates and times):

The Big Walk The magical Star Child and friends will be visiting nine areas of the city to collect people's stories and keepsakes.

Clifton Cornerstone Activities Make music from rubbish, enjoy the Billy Bean Bag theatre, watch a puppet show, or sit down to be immersed in a story.

Johnny and the Raindrops Festival Roadshow Join the children's favourites as they go on tour with the festival anthems Goodbye Mr Panda and Animals in Danger, written specially for the festival – plus hear lots of other favourite family songs.

Fun With Nature City council parks will play host to a series of activity afternoons focusing on local animals like badgers, barn owls, water voles, bats, moths, hedgehogs and newts. You can also take part in sessions at Attenborough Nature Reserve and Bestwood Country Park.

Children's Market at Nottingham Playhouse Craft activities and stalls in the forecourt on August 14, plus special performances inside the theatre – including Story Rug Time.

Time for Tiny Tots Head to Nottingham Arts Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse for a series of magical shows aimed at kids up to four, including Baby, Bop and Bump at the arts theatre on August 14 – with DJ, dance, lighting and dizzy visuals.

Download the festival programme at www.mynottingham.gov.uk/childrensfestival or call 0115 915 5555.