LolliBop is now in its third year and is the UK's biggest festival for kids. It's a three day extravaganza, in London's Regent's Park, with all the entertainment aimed at under 10s. It is a festival that promises endless fun, thrills and excitement, with an abundance of shows and activities to keep all ages entertained. It is a safe secure environment with onsite St John ambulance first aid stations, and one main entrance and exit therefore dramatically reducing the likelihood of escapees.

It certainly delivered on all it promised. With shows ranging from the ever popular Cbeebies presenter and art and craft enthusiast Mister Maker, the educational yet gruesome Horrible Histories, and the hilarious Stavros Flatley, there really was something for everyone.

The facilities couldn't be faulted either, there were plenty of shaded areas, picnic benches, clean toilets with no queues and facilities for baby changing and breast feeding clearly signposted and easily accessible.

In addition, disabled facilities were plentiful, clean and, again, easily accessible. Disabled areas were set aside for easy, clear viewings of shows. There were three separate Buggy Parks spread across the venue for storing buggies whilst shows were on therefore creating more space. Recycling bins were never too far away and they were never seen overflowing with rubbish.

On a more personal note it was the first time as a family we had visited a festival. With two boys aged five and two and a half many parents would understand our trepidation. On hearing of Lollibop and it's ethos we decided it was time to leap into a new experience as a family. Travel was easy by train and tube followed by a walk through Regents Park to where Lollibop was situated, clearly posted in the north east corner.

Thankfully we weren't disappointed. But how could you be? With chances to meet real life Moshi Monsters, Zingzillas and the leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime. Singalong with Donkey from Shrek and go hunting for the Gruffalo, not forgetting all the opportunities for listening into popular stories about Poppy Cat or from my personal favourite children's author Roald Dahl, to name but two.

Lollibop was a real crowd pleaser, plus once you have paid your ticket price almost everything is FREE (apart from food, drinks and gifts from stalls). Food was fairly priced, ranging from £3-£7, and included hot dogs, burgers, vegetarian food and made to order milk shakes.

Chances to make things in the Lollibop kitchen or armed with sticky back plastic and paper were ample. There is a separate section for under four’s, the ‘3 foot and under area’ with its music, dance and sensory play. The Tween Town catered for the older kids, where they had opportunities to beat box, challenge a hula hoop champion or enjoy some magic. There was also an adult cresh, a carousel, where my husband enjoyed a quick beer.

We all came away tired but excited and smiling. One of us even came home as a tiger (face painting was free too). We have already pencilled in LolliBop on our 2013 calendar.

Review and photos Vicky Thornton and family