Family,Outings

Big Fish Little Fish family rave in Liverpool

Big Fish Little Fish

Mural at Constellations Liverpool http://rainbeaubelle.com

Raving with your kids? What a fab idea, as I found out when I went to the Big Fish Little Fish family rave in Liverpool last weekend.

You see once upon a time, I was a bit of a raver. As a teenager in the 90s I used to tape Pete Tong on Radio 1 on a Friday night, then listen back to it all week and save up for the occasional trip into Leeds with my mates for a night out at the Warehouse, Back to Basics or Hard Times.

When we were skint, we’d stay closer to home and drink cider in our friend’s bedroom while he worked his magic on the decks and DJ’d at our local club The Trav (since transformed into Ilkley’s chi-chi cinema).

When I moved to Manchester, I had places like Sankey’s Soap, the Hacienda and nights like Megadog (how ace was that?) on my doorstep and being 20 and able to handle it, an all-nighter was my perfect night out.

Sam raving at Big Fish Little Fish

Big Fish Little Fish

Fast forward 20 years *record scratch* and nights out like this just don’t happen anymore. The only all-nighters I pull are the ones where my kids don’t sleep or I lie awake worrying about life, love (or lack of) and the universe. The following day, I can’t have a lie-in and go out for hair of the dog; I have to do stuff, look after little people, be a mum.

Walking into the Big Fish Little Fish family rave felt just like I was back in those dance music days, and it felt good!

As we arrived at Constellations in Liverpool and walked through the courtyard entrance, we said hello to the organisers and Sam and Flo were given a glowstick bracelet each before we made our way inside.

Bar in Constellations, Liverpool http://rainbeaubelle.com

We went through the warehouse-cool bar area before heading onto the dancefloor with deep, dark house music making the walls throb and the whole place come alive.

This place was ace! I could have been back there in the 90s, only this time, I wasn’t on an all-nighter with my mates – I was out dancing the afternoon away with my kids.

The event had an under the sea theme, so we were surrounded by lots of people happily dressed up as mermaids, pirates, and fish (one lady behind the bar was wearing an impressive seashell hat). There was a real festival vibe and all obviously just so child-friendly.

To the side of the dance room there was a kind of soft play area with tents and tunnels; on the other side was a long paper mural to colour in. In the bar ‘chill out’ zone there was a table for playing with play doh, a craft table where the kids could make headdresses with sea-like flowing ribbons and sparkles on; and all-important for my son, a kid-friendly snack zone selling ice lollies, drinks, popcorn and nachos (the nachos, by the way, were amazing).

A mermaid walked the room selling pots of fruit salad, more lollies and drinks from a basket, and nearby a man applied little tattoo transfers to the children’s arms.

Me and Flo at Big Fish

Craft at Big Fish Little Fish

This was a highlight for Florence, who managed to get three tatts on her arms, one of which she’s still refusing to let me wash off. There was face painting on offer too and although it was really beautifully done, the queue was pretty long so I had to persuade Flo out of it (hence so many tattoos).

One of things I generally struggle with when I’m out with both of my children, is that they both want to go in different directions and it’s hard to keep an eye on them both at the same time. They played play doh for a pretty long time together which was good, but then Sam wanted to head back outside to play table tennis with some friends he’d made, and Flo wanted to stay inside, have a dance and make some mermaid-y things.

This left me running between the two – not a bad thing as it meant I managed to get a good look around and bump into some friends along the way – but I was glad I had my friend Karen around so we could take it in turns to keep an eye on our offspring.

Flo loved getting down on the dance floor but as she’s not quite three her attention span wasn’t quite as long as mine was for raving, sadly, and as soon as we got going she’d be off! This is clearly just an issue with taking a toddler out anywhere, they’re so fast and fearless, aren’t they?

One thing we all loved though was the parachute dance at the end, where the grown-ups held a huge parachute above everyone’s heads and we all partied underneath. There were lots of squeals coming from the mini ravers and so many smiles everywhere.

Me and Sam at Big Fish Little Fish

Tattoos at Big Fish

The whole event had such a happy, fun feeling to it I would definitely go back. I reckon next time though I’d try to get them to spend more time on the dance floor so I could relive my dancing days and you know, maybe teach them a few moves?

Big Fish Little Fish has held events in several venues around the country so far, such as Manchester, Birmingham, London, Glasgow and Bristol. Called the 2-4 hour party people because the raves go on between 2 and 4 in the afternoon, I left thinking what an absolutely brilliant idea. Most of the adults looked like they were ready to keep going and some probably did!

I really hope they come back to Liverpool soon – after all, going out with kids has never been so parent-friendly.

Whoop whoop!

x Julia

Sam in front of graffiti wall

Lily at Big Fish

Flo dancing at Big Fish Little Fish

DJs at Big Fish Little Fish http://rainbeaubelle.com

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7 Comments

  • Reply
    Tara
    May 26, 2016 at 9:55 pm

    How fab! Xx

  • Reply
    Mini Travellers
    May 27, 2016 at 8:58 am

    You have significantly better photos than me! Good fun day!
    Mini Travellers recently posted…June is for Juniors at Farm Stay UKMy Profile

  • Reply
    RachelSwirl
    May 29, 2016 at 10:31 pm

    This sounds like such an awesome event, I wish there was something like this around our area.
    RachelSwirl recently posted…#MySundayPhoto: Holding Back The Years With Simply RedMy Profile

  • Reply
    Kat | Beau Twins
    May 30, 2016 at 6:33 pm

    Oh my goodness. How much fun? The girls would have loved this – having a mummy and daddy who were ex DJs has meant they have heard some banging beats in their little lives. They love a good wiggle too. I love the fact you were a cheesy quaver as well. Oi oi. Fabulous images lovely – esp love the one of Flo dancing and Sam looks like a super cool dude. Xx
    Kat | Beau Twins recently posted…6 Lust Haves For A Mama BloggerMy Profile

  • Reply
    mummyofboygirltwins
    May 30, 2016 at 7:03 pm

    What an amazing idea!!!!! I love this. Oh I remember my clubbing days fondly..kind of 😉 Looks heaps of fun and what fab pics. Jess xx
    mummyofboygirltwins recently posted…6 things to do before you go on holidayMy Profile

  • Reply
    Tracey Williams
    June 4, 2016 at 7:55 pm

    As soon as you posted about this on social media I thought what a fab idea it is. I too went out raving wearing a whistle around my neck, oh the shame. Brilliant idea to get kids involved in events like this. Makes it seem as if you have had a night out with them but in the afternoon x
    Tracey Williams recently posted…First impressions of Q Lodges at Slaley HallMy Profile

  • Reply
    Big Fish Little Fish in Leeds
    November 28, 2016 at 9:34 pm

    […] had our first taste of the Big Fish Little Fish family rave experience in Liverpool in the summer, so when we heard they were putting on another party in Leeds, we were […]

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