KIDS TENT & ACTIVITIES
Hey parents! Stop by the kids tent for fun, educational activities and crafts! For parents with wee ones, it is a great place to rest in the shade. Changing table, baby potties, and feeding area will be available.
Each year we are fortunate to team up with organizations like Montana Discovery Foundation, Shooting Star Saddlery, Full Circle Wellness, Thrive, and Women’s Foundation of Montana to provide more fun opportunities for kids to learn.
We are fortunate again this year to partner with Tree of Life Family Care who is hosting their Community Care Tent. Are you a new mom or caregiver? Come settle into this clean, cozy, and accessible area to breastfeed and change your baby, right next to our Kids Tent. The Community Care Tent features extra diapers and wipes if you forgot your own, hand sanitizer and comfortable chairs for breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby out of the elements.
Please note: the kids tent is not a babysitting service. This is not a place to drop off your kiddos. There is a clear view of the main stage from the tent, so stick around and listen while your kids are learning, playing, and crafting!
Kids Songwriting Workshop
For the third year, Red Ants Pants Music Festival has partnered with Brian Kassay to facilitate a kids songwriting workshop (pre-registration required). This fun, community-oriented activity is focused on providing kids ages 5 to 18 with tools to write and perform original poetry and music. Throughout the weekend, participants will learn the craft of songwriting and music composition and enjoy a creative space to explore the magic of melody and lyricism.
Hosted by Brian Kassay, your favorite fiddle player from Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs, participants will collaborate with local and touring musicians who will help shape the music and bring each kid’s song to life. The two-day workshop culminates with songwriters having the opportunity to perform their finished piece on the festival Side Stage alongside a professional musician. Come join us in celebrating the talent and hard work of our young local songwriters!
Space is limited, so pre-registration is required. We kindly ask that parents only enroll kids who are enthusiastic about songwriting and are willing to commit to participating in the workshop. For more information, visit the Kids Songwriting Workshop page.
The Kids Tent is open from 1pm-6pm Friday, 11am-6pm Saturday, and 11am-4pm Sunday!
In addition to our special events below, join us for face painting, book corner, coloring, and more fun hands-on art and learning activities!
Sletten Construction
Sletten Companies is a 100% employee-owned construction company with over 450 employees and Montana roots going back to 1928. As one of the largest General Contractors in the western United States, Sletten has locations in five states and is licensed in 22 states. Sletten is building the new hospital in White Sulphur Springs, and is excited to continue building relationships in Meagher County and beyond.
Toothpick Engineering with Sletten Construction: Friday, July 24th, 1:30 PM & Saturday, July 25th, 4:30 PM
This hands-on activity encourages problem-solving, teamwork, and engineering skills as kids learn how shapes, balance, and design work together to make strong structures. Come build, experiment, and see just how tall and creative your kid’s imagination can be!
Thrive
Thrive provides mentoring, education, and support for children and families so that everyone in our community has the tools they need to be successful. Our proven programs have been developed using evidence-based practices, adapted to meet local community needs, and rigorously evaluated to ensure program efficacy. allthrive.org/
Join the Band with Thrive!: Friday, July 25th 3:30 PM & Saturday, July 26th 1:00 PM
Swing by the kid’s tent to make a musical instrument. Thrive will have materials to make and decorate a DIY fun-sized banjo, tambourine, shaker, or drum. All materials will be provided and we will have a stompin’ good time!
Montana Discovery Foundation
The Montana Discovery Foundation works to promote stewardship, understanding, and enjoyment of our natural surroundings through education. MDF will provide ongoing activities, crafts, and education opportunities for kids of all ages throughout the weekend! Come to the kids tent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to participate in the following programs. To learn more about MDF, visit: montanadiscoveryfoundation.org/
Who’s that bear?: Friday, July 24th 4:30 pm
Come learn how to tell the difference between Montana’s two wild bears – black bears and grizzlies – and make your own bear masks to take home!
Where Water Wanders: Sunday, July 26th 2:30 pm
Learn all about the water cycle and where water travels. Water moves through clouds, soil, streams, and more! Then, create your own colorful water cycle bracelet to show the journey a drop of water might take.
Be Bear Aware with Montana Discovery Foundation: Daily; check for posted times
Stop by the Bear Trailer to learn all about the bears that call Montana home! Find out how to stay safe in bear country and ask any bear-related questions you have. Bear spray demonstrations will happen throughout the day! Check out the schedule posted at the trailer for demonstration times.
Full Circle Wellness
Full Circle Wellness was founded to improve community mental health and well-being by offering accessible, evidence-based, and holistic wellness practices. With a founder who is a former public educator of 20 years, we have a special focus on supporting students and educators statewide. We’re dedicated to nurturing resilience, mindfulness, and well-being across the lifespan. To learn more, visit fullcirclewellness.org/
Exploring the Magic of Mindfulness: Saturday, July 25th 11:15 AM
Full Circle Wellness is bringing Full Circle fun to the kids’ tent! Elementary-aged little ants will explore mindfulness through playful, hands-on activities and leave with their very own toolkit to use anytime they need a moment of calm or focus. It’s mindful magic made just for kids!
Montana Outdoor Science School
Montana Outdoor Science School (MOSS) inspires curiosity, awareness, and understanding of nature and science through quality educational experiences. MOSS envisions a future where Montanans have a strong connection with nature, understand and value the natural sciences, and are inspired to care for this extraordinary place we call home. We engage people through exploration and learning, and prepare students to care for the environment. outdoorscience.org/
Track Tales: Saturday, July 25th, 1:00 PM
Explore animal skulls and tracks to learn what adaptations make every species unique. Then, create your own story about animal interactions in the ecosystems around us!
Montana Farmers Union
MFU is the state’s oldest and largest grassroots agriculture organization advocating for family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. MFU is founded on the 3 pillars of education, cooperation, and legislation. We believe that no farmer or rancher should stand alone, and are fighting for the issues that will preserve family farm agriculture and rural communities for generations to come. montanafarmersunion.com/
Agriculture Everyday!, Saturday, July 26th, 2:30 PM
Come join Montana Farmers Union by exploring the agriculture you see and eat every day! Try your hand at making a cattle brand, rolling a wool marble, and folding an origami flower!
Shooting Star Saddlery
Dedicated to making the finest, heirloom-quality saddles, chaps, gun leather, and personal items from the finest leathers available. Out of Niarada, MT, Jeff Morrow builds everything from custom saddles to guitar covers…just ask Corb! shootingstarsaddlery.com/
Kids Leather Stamping Class: Sunday, July 26th 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Learn about the fun and art of leather stamping with one of our longest-serving Festival vendors! Jeff will lead kids 8 years old and up in a great project to create their own stamped leather bracelets.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you don’t see your question answered here or in any of our Festival Info, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be happy to help in any way we can.