[twitter]Easily my most favorite Calgary festival of the year, Beakerhead, is back in Calgary for another week of geeky fun for everyone – including kids. Beakerhead goes off the 3rd week of September and it’s wonderfully creative. Think of it as Burning Man in a city instead of “la playa,” and a wonderful place to bring kids without all the “extra curriculars.”

Year 1 of Beakerhead saw my boys climbing inside a raygun gothic rocketship.

Last year we stayed up past bedtime and got down with the laser cat (pew! pew!) and the totally awesome metal octopus, El Pulpo Mechanico.

This year it’s fire blazing skee ball and inflatable rabbits we’ll be chasing. Here’s a look at 6 family friendly events at Beakerhead 2015:

A STRING (THEORY) OF INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCES
September 16 – 20 – Citywide
Incredible experiences await you and your family as you make your way around the world largest popup art gallery. With a 5km circumference, its a fantastic family day out! The oversize bunnies, giant robot and other intriguing installations are a surefire way to get your kids excited about science and art class! Free, everyone welcome.

BUILDING YOUR CHILD’S BRAIN Thurs, Sept 16, 4:30 – 6:30 pm – Mount Royal University This event is perfect for parents of children ages 3-5. Come for a free hands-on session to learn about early childhood brain development and the best way to get your child set up for cognitive and emotional success. Free, register online

STATION B
Thurs, Sept 17 – Sun, Sept 20, Hours Vary – Fort Calgary
There’s more family fun to be had at Fort Calgary, with a 6400 sq-foot sandbox and the 30-foot, three-player The Claw. Also check out the different events happening daily. Learn more.

THE ROCK ‘N ROLL HISTORY OF SPACE EXPLORATION
Thurs, Sept 17 & Fri, Sept 18, 7:00 pm – Webber Performing Arts Centre
Jay Ingram and his band take you on a rock ‘n roll journey into space, the imagination, and beyond. Get the family package and you can attend the show as well as TELUS Spark, the Glenbow Museum and the Calgary Zoo with your family from September 5-30! Buy tickets or Ultimate Family Package

BEAKERNIGHT
Sat, Sept 19, 8:00 – 11:30 pm – 10 Ave SW (between 14 & 18 St SW)
A free event that promises to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Four blocks shut down to traffic and opened up to some fun, hands-on art and engineering. Get ready to play fire-spitting skee ball, ride up a crane ride for spectacular views of the city, and take in performances and engineered spectacles. Free, everyone welcome.

CATHARSIS CATAPULT COMPETITION
Sun, Sept 20, 2:00 – 5:00 pm- Fort Calgary
Carrying around some baggage? Beakerhead invites you and your family to build a catapult fit for tossing all the stuff you love to hate. Get as creative with design as you want, just make sure the thing can launch.
Free, everyone welcome.

See you there!!