the bay, watch the action in the British Fishcraft championships, hear salty sea shanties, and don a splendid outfit for the pirate and sea creature dressing up parade for this year's Cardiff Harbour Festival.

everything from pirate shaped guitars to sun glasses shaped keyboards – at least, that's how the creative efforts of one ingenious young lad, featured in this YouTube clip, turned out. But that's not all. When musicians take up their instruments, what

indeed – as you can see by my gallery of festival snapshots.The highlights? Well, really too many to mention, but I'll try. How about the pirate school in the Tall Trees, the playground with the rubber tyre swing, the Sumarai warriors demos, the shop

’ River Splash, The Dragon roller- coaster, or Pirate Falls, or take a more leisurely submarine ride around the watery world of Atlantis. The latest addition to the 55 attractions on offer is the indoor Star Wars Miniland Experience, and a mini figure

imitated sword inspired by Disney Junior’s animated series Jake and the Never Land Pirates.The programme's new presenter, Lloyd Warbey, was inspired to get involved after watching the original show “I was a big fan of Art Attack growing up and used to watch

.Youngsters will also love Belfast Zoo, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory, the Botanic Gardens and Pirates Adventure Golf.For a treat, stay at the swanky Merchant Hotel, winner of Accommodation of the Year at the Northern Ireland Tourism

, the resort boasts the Pirates Island waterpark with waterslides, lazy river and water canons, as well as paddle boarding, banana boats and lawn chess.The Red Lane spa provides a sanctuary for those seeking rest and relaxation, with massages available

a fun and playful countdown to the season, with a pint-size play figure for each and every day. This year's Playmobil cast includes a Pirates' Treasure Cove, complete with skullduggery and scallywags; a snow-capped Forest Winter Wonderland, complete

's the clever thing: the new figures come in detachable head and body parts so that you can mix and match, allowing a whopping 256 play figure possibilities. New characters include Wash Buckler, a pirate with tentacles; Magna Charge, a magnetic robot, and Blast

on offer at this day long festival.Activities and workshops include flower seed bombing, coffee composting, pirate school, bread head mask-making, a video dance party, reggae nursery rhymes and family-friendly raves and events from some top names, including