Thousands of families are pitching their tents for a space-themed festival which blasts off with a star-packed line-up including Jess Glynne, Fatboy Slim and Tears for Fears.

Jess Glynne.Jess Glynne will perform (Jonathan Short/AP)

As well as the schedule of major acts at Camp Bestival, the festival site at Lulworth Castle, Dorset, is packed full of activities to keep youngsters busy and enthralled including carrying out space-themed experiments led by the Science Museum as well as following astronaut Tim Peake’s exercise programme or building rockets.

The site has been decorated with an array of intergalactic designs including seven-metre high astronauts and an interactive light display called Celestial Dreaming.

Out-of-this-world music is being provided by the Royal Albert Hall’s education orchestra, Albert’s Band, which will perform a family friendly introduction to space-themed classical compositions.

Event organiser Rob da Bank said: “I absolutely love all the art, theatre and workshops that go on at Camp Bestival, and this year our Creative Crew have hit really escape velocity, filling our brand new Mission Control tent with some seriously spacey goings on.

“From Albert’s Band blasting us off into a supernova of sound on the Castle Stage and the intriguing Wonders of Space to the Urban Astronaut and Cosmic Crafts, not forgetting all the rocket building and space postcards in between.”

Other acts taking to the stage during the weekend will be DJ Yoda, Squeeze, Katy B and Arrested Development and comedy headliner Jasper Carrott – with the youngsters having their own headliners appropriately including the Clangers and Aliens Love Underpants as well as Dick and Dom and Mr Tumble.

The National Trust will also be joining in the space theme giving children a chance to sleep out under the stars as one of the attractions in its Dingle Dell area dedicated to the 50 things children should do before they are 11 and three-quarters.

Rob da Bank said: “Where on Earth could you build a den, go grass trumpet blowing, roll around in a mud kitchen and top it all off sleeping under the stars with your little ones and loved ones? Camp Bestival, that’s where.

“Strangely, with everything else that’s going on around the site, the Dingle Dell appears to have a giant kids-magnet in it, pulling everyone towards nature. My kids love it, hope yours will too.”

Youngsters will also be able to use up any left-over energy on the world’s largest bouncy castle, which at 23.8 metres long, 20.7 metres wide and 12.8 metres high, is claimed to be taller than the Great Wall of China.

Parents however will have a chance to relax in the Slow Motion area where they can indulge in a range of therapies from holistic massage and facials to reiki and head massages.

Rob da Bank said: “With all the insanity, rushing around, lack of headspace and general unsettling vibes going around in the world at the moment, festivals are an escape that are more necessary than ever.

“Last year we created Slow Motion as an escape from the madness of a festival and I suppose the world.”

And food fans of all ages will be able to hone their skills at the Hotpoint Festival Kitchen with interactive demonstrations from well-known chefs including River Cottage’s Steven Lamb and James Nathan.