Rock Ici Momes in Pays de la Loire, France

Dance, sing, clap and soak up the sunshine. It's not often that your children will get the chance to have a sing-along in the open air with 10,000 little friends -- Rock Ici Mômes offers exactly that. Aimed at three-to twelve-year olds and their parents, this highly original festival offers five hours of non-stop live music and shows especially for children, with families coming back year after year.

Thousands of children sit cross-legged in the sun on the gently sloping lawns of Château de Sablé's leafy park while pop groups who specialise in entertaining children sing to the young crowds from the main stage. Youngsters (les mômes in French slang) join in, with singing and song-writing competitions, or giggle at the acrobats performing around the site.

Theatre groups and musicians stroll through the park making merriment in the guise of drumming cavemen with giant dancing puppets, marching brass bands or crazy, tottering space-chickens. Children are transformed into princesses and tigers with face-paint then march about in colorful theatrical costumes.

And while they are enthralled by the 100 or so entertainers, you can chill out on the immaculate lawns -- the exemplary security means parents can relax while their children have an unforgettable day.

Age: 3-12 years.

When: One day in mid-July. 11am-4pm.

Don't miss: The small stage tucked away in the woods presenting drama productions set to music.

About the crowd: Thousands of mainly French children wearing face-paint, suncream and baseball caps -- but even non-French speaking children can enjoy the live music and fun.

Insider tips: Bring sunhats, water and suncream. Picnic boxes with drinks are on sale at the festival.

What else?: Take a boat-trip along the Sarthe River, which passes through the town, and taste the crumbly local Sablé butter biscuits.

Get there: From the Autoroute Océane between Paris (2½ hours away) and Nantes, take exit 10 signposted to the little town of Sablé-sur-Sarthe, close to Le Mans. The nearest airports are Tours and Nantes.

Price: Inexpensive.

Tickets and information: Buy tickets at the event entrance. (tel. +33 2 43 62 22 22; www.sable-culture.fr)