Hello! A nicely varied one this weekend. There's a festival of neurodiversity at Exeter Phoenix, the Moomins in St Thomas, model trucks at Canonteign and a LEGO day out in Plymouth, plus a free illuminated carnival in Sidmouth on Saturday night.

This Weekend's Pick

Kaleidoscopic Minds at Exeter Phoenix

Exeter Phoenix is running its second Kaleidoscopic Minds festival on Sunday. It's a day designed by and for neurodivergent people and their families, and everyone is welcome. The whole building opens up from 11am with crafting, printmaking, wild weaving, co-regulation yoga and quiet sensory spaces, plus a relaxed acoustic family gig from Poco Drom at 3pm.

There are talks for parents too, including Dr Naomi Fisher on school distress, and local ND charities are on hand all day.

You can drift between rooms and take breaks whenever you need, which makes it an easy one to try even if you're not sure how long the kids will last.

City centre car parks (Guildhall or John Lewis) are a five-minute walk.

When	Sunday 27 September, 11:00-16:00
Where	Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter
Cost	Under-18s free (book a free ticket), adults pay what you can from £5 plus £1.50 fee

More Good Stuff

Mischief and Mystery in Moominvalley, Theatre Alibi

The official Moomin stage show, made with the Tove Jansson estate, is at Emmanuel Hall in St Thomas on Saturday. It has puppets, a pop-up book set, original music and plenty of joining in.

It's an hour long and pitched at 3-7s, so it makes a lovely first theatre trip for the younger end, but the 11am in particular is worth booking ahead.

You can park on-street in St Thomas or at Cathedral & Quay, a short walk away.

When	Saturday 26 September, 11:00 and 14:00 (60 mins)
Where	Emmanuel Hall, St Thomas, Exeter
Cost	£8 to £12 plus booking fee

Model Boats and Trucks at Canonteign Falls

Exeter and District Model Boat Club are out on the Lily Lake on Sunday, while the barn turns into a model truck playground where kids can get up close and have a go themselves.

The truck barn, shop and cafe are free to wander into, so it works as a free stop on its own. Or you can buy a day ticket and add the waterfall walk (steep in places, so not one for buggies) and the adventure playgrounds.

When	Sunday 27 September, 10:00-16:00 (last entry to walks 15:00)
Where	Canonteign Falls, near Chudleigh (~25 min from Exeter). Free parking.
Cost	Truck barn free. Day tickets: adult £16.50, child (4-15) £8.75, family £48.50, under-4s free, with a free return visit until 8 Nov.

Worth the Drive

Plymouth Brick Festival

If there's a LEGO fan in the house, Plymouth Arena has big displays, speed-building competitions and a building area on Sunday. There are traders selling loose bricks, sets and minifigures too, so it might be worth agreeing a budget in the car.

Standard tickets get you in from 11am, or Early Entry from 10am is £13 each with a free gift. It regularly sells out, so book ahead.

When	Sunday 27 September, 10:00-16:00 (standard entry from 11:00)
Where	Plymouth Arena, Millbay Road, Plymouth (~50 min from Exeter)
Cost	Adults £8, children (5-12) £6, family (2+2) £20, plus a small booking fee. Under-5s free.

One free thing

Sidmouth Illuminated Carnival

Sidmouth's illuminated carnival sets off from Woolbrook Road at 7:30pm on Saturday. It winds down through town to the Esplanade with lit-up floats, bands and walking entries. It's a late one, so younger kids might just catch the start before bed.

Bring some change for the collection buckets, and get there early, because the town car parks fill up and the route closes to traffic from 7pm.

When	Saturday 26 September, procession from 19:30
Where	Woolbrook Road to the Esplanade, Sidmouth (~35 min from Exeter)
Cost	Free (bring change for the collection buckets)

That's it for this week. If you think something should have been on the list, or you know a good local spot that hasn't had a mention yet, hit reply. It comes straight to the inbox. Have a good weekend.

Details change. Check each venue's website before setting off, especially for timed entry or one-off events.