Friendly buzzy bees … dancing oranges … fluttering songbirds … a picnic full of magical delights! 

Helium Arts’ Pop Up Picnic is a feast of multi-sensory play, relaxation and surprise for young children with complex needs and their families. A soothing world of music, sound, puppetry, movement and tactile fun is waiting to be discovered in this enchanting, interactive online performance. 

An online version of Pop Up Picnic was developed for Cruinniú na nÓg 2020 and was so popular that an additional run of picnics has been generously funded by Creative Ireland.

Pop Up Picnic is suitable for children aged 5 and under with profound disabilities. It is a Helium Arts production created in partnership with the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. Devised by musician Thomas Johnston, puppeteer Niamh Lawlor and director Joanna Williams, and now also featuring performer Roseanne Lynch and musician Julie Tiernan, the project development phase was mentored by Tim Webb of Oily Cart.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.