Yangcheon-gu to hold 13th Infant Forest Family Festival

Yangcheon-gu in Seoul announced Thursday that it will hold the 13th Infant Forest Family Festival.

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 17 at Sintri Park, featuring a range of nature-themed play, craft, ecological art and garden activities. Highlights include "Acorn Village Hat Shop," where families can make hats and browse an exhibition; "Insects! A Soundscape in Thread," in which children examine insect traces and create ecological artwork using thread; and "Green Fragrance Garden," where participants can pot their own herb plants.

Also on offer is "Wood, Take Flight," an eco-friendly program in which families transform discarded wood scraps into their own creations, giving children a hands-on introduction to resource recycling through play.

Performances for the whole family round out the program. "Bubble Fantasia" takes the stage at 12:30 p.m., followed by a "Balloon Art Show" at 2:30 p.m. A "Family Memory Photo Studio" will also be available throughout the day for families to take keepsake pictures together.

The festival is open to any family with young children. Residents wishing to register in advance may apply through the integrated reservation portal on the Yangcheon-gu Office website from Thursday through Wednesday. If registrations exceed capacity, spots will be allocated by lottery. Some programs will also accept walk-in registrations on the day. For further details, contact the portal or the district office's Parks and Green Space Division.

Meanwhile, the district operates six infant forest experience centers — covering a combined 60,000 square meters — at Sinjeongsan (Ureongbawi and Gyenam), Jiyangsan, Yongwangsan, Maebongsan and Galsan. Each center is staffed by certified infant forest instructors who lead programs in ecological observation, nature play and seasonal activities. The centers are open to all residents on weekends and public holidays, and have drawn about 34,000 visitors so far this year, establishing themselves as a popular nature destination within the city.

"For children, the forest is the most freely playful playground and a space of discovery," Yangcheon-gu District Mayor Lee Gi-jae said. "I hope this festival gives both children and parents a special day to slow down in nature and focus on each other."