PENN STATE HEALTH KIDS ZONE
Supported in part by Kish Bank and the Girl Scouts of America
We recognize that the Arts Festival should be a truly family friendly event, so we offer a space just for the kids! Adults are welcome to play too, but kids will love the chance to unwind, get creative, play yard games, and just let out some pent-up energy!
The Kids Zone is located in MLK Plaza (127 S. Fraser St.) and will be open Thursday and Friday, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. and Saturday, 10:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Kids (and adults) can enjoy games, craft activities, and participate in the painting of a mural that will bring fun, creativity, and meaningful engagement to families here and in the Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital. This year’s mural theme is “Where Hope Blooms”.
Penn State Health: Celebrating the healing power of art!
State-of-the-Art Care is an initiative started by the State College region of Penn State Health to highlight the healing power of art. With one of the nation’s premier juried art fairs held right in our own backyard, launching this initiative at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts was a natural choice. The initiative was kicked off with Our Kids to Your Kids campaign featuring a 2-part interactive mural project between the kids at the Arts Festival and the patients in Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital in Hershey.
2026 marks our 5th year as a sponsor at the Arts Festival and we’re thrilled to continue building a bridge of hope, creativity and smiles between the streets of State College and the rooms of the Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, PA. Join us for this special and fun-filled activity and share your encouragement and support with kids and families battling severe health issues.
Special activities at the Kids Zone on Saturday, July 11:
Instrument-Making Station
10 a.m. – noon
A creative, hands-on activity perfect for kids of all ages. Drop by and get crafty with sound to make your very own musical instrument with teachers from The Music Academy!
Early Childhood Music Class!
10:30 a.m. – MLK Plaza • Presented by The Music Academy
A perfect way to start your family’s weekend at Arts Fest! Bring your singing voice, and your dancing feet! Children and their caregivers are invited to join Miss Betha, certified Musikgarten Instructor at The Music Academy, as we sing, dance, and explore rhythm instruments together. This class is geared for children aged 0 – 5 years, but all are welcome! Be sure to visit the instrument-making station before or after class to create your own musical souvenir!
Suzuki Strings at Arts Fest
11:00 a.m.; MLK Plaza • Presented by students of The Music Academy
Come enjoy an inspiring performance by talented young violin and cello students, ages 5 and up, trained in the Suzuki Method! Experience the joyful sounds of strings through timeless classics such as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “O Come Little Children,” performed by budding musicians in our community.