Southern California: Best Renaissance Festivals and Ren Faires for Family Fun. Breakaway from the demands of the life in the 21st century for a day and time travel with your kids to a place where storytellers, bards, falconers, fairies, and magicians mingle with lords and ladies, knights, and perhaps a mythical dragon. 

Here’s the scoop. For any parent or grandparent with an interest in European history, sharing time at a Renaissance faire or festival with a child is a treat. The potential for uncomplicated fun and learning is obvious. And the chance to disconnect from technology (if only for a day) and still have fun has obvious benefits. No two festivals are the same but each of the ones I have selected offers ways for families to be part of living history spanning the 14th through the 16th centuries in Europe. Renaissance festivals and Ren faires are meant to be shared with children - just for the fun of it.

 
Central Coast Renaissance Festival – Black sheep games, archery and face painting (mid July) The Enchanted Forest is the exact spot to step back in time to the year of 1585 when Queen Elizabeth I reigned all of England. Walk among dukes, earls, lords, ladies, rogues and scoundrels all of whom populate the village. See Her Majesty and her attendants; watch authentic Elizabethan dancing, and plays. Storytellers, bards, and musicians wander the village keeping things lively.  Additional entertainment venues include daily jousts, vocal groups, a comedy parrot show, juggling acts, buffoonery. The marketplace will offer shirts, bodices, britches, doublets, skirts, boots, hats, belts and complete costumes of the period plus musical instruments, jewelry, toys, and crockery. Bonus Points: Children will enjoy face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo and clever games created just for them. Details: Laguna Lake Park, San Luis Obispo California 95451. O r go to Central Coast Renaissance Festival.