The best in family fun: Manitoba

Winnipeg Folk Festival
July 4-8
Little folkies-in-training have lots to appreciate with more than 70 acts on stage, including Aaron Burnett, and Shelley Bean and the Duckety Muds. In between sets, check out the Family Area, where kids can run wild in the sprinkler, get busy with modelling clay, play drums or listen to a book reading.
Prices vary. Birds Hill Provincial Park, 24 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg on Highway 59. 204-231-0096; winnipegfolkfestival.ca

Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival
July 18-29
North America’s second- largest fringe festival offers an outdoor stage dedicated to kids, with free daily entertainment — including street performers, buskers and bands — in the Old Market Square. Young theatre buffs can also get more hands-on fun in the craft, discovery and storytelling tents.
Prices vary. Various locations in downtown Winnipeg. 204-943-7464; winnipegfringe.com

Islendingadagurinn (Icelandic Festival of Manitoba)
August 3-6
What kid wouldn’t want to don a Viking helmet and delve into Icelandic specialties like ponnukokur — a crêpe filled with brown sugar? When they’re not busy chowing down on delectable delights, they may want to catch a game of beach volleyball, fawn over the sandcastle-building entries or take in an Icelandic folk show.
Most events free. Gimli. 204-642-7417; icelandicfestival.com

Morden Corn & Apple Festival
August 24-26
This small-town festival brings in large crowds — and for good reason. There are lots of freebies, including admission, live stage entertainment, hot-buttered corn on the cob and apple cider. Free shuttle bus service is available, too. Saturday morning’s parade is a kids’ paradise with candy, freezies and balloons handed out to families who line the streets.
Various locations in Morden. 204-823-CORN (2676); cornandapple.com