Free family fun at Montreal's Jazz Festival

The Montreal International Jazz Festival is not just for the young at heart.

It's also got a few great free activities for your little ones, too.

Here are three options for keeping your kids happy.

RioTintoMusicalPark

Walk, jump, run on the notes of the giant piano at the new, enhanced Rio Tinto Musical Park.Play the drums and the giant Pdalaphone.

The entire musical park was dreamed up and builtright here in Montreal, thanks to local savoir-faire and expertise.

Who knows what budding musiciancreating music on those giant instruments today will one day perform attheMaisonsymphonique next door?

The park is located on the Esplanade between the Maison symphonique and Salle Wilfrid Pelletier.

For the craftier types, there's the Club famillecraft tent withan endless supply of feathers, felt and construction paper, glue and sparkles to make hand puppets.

The Club famille is open daily between noon and 10 p.m.

The Little School of Jazz

Twice a day inside Complexe Desjardinschildren and their parents join up with Montreal jazz pianist James Gelfand for an introduction to jazz music. La petite cole du jazz (the Little School of Jazz) startsat 11 a.m.and 1:30 p.m. every day during the festival.

Jacques L'Heureux of Passe-Partout fame plays the role of Rmi. He's joined bythe singers from the Bande Magntik quartet and Ste-Cat,theJazzFestival mascot.

The school isfun for fans of all ages and a great way to introduce children to jazz.

Fountains on Place des festivals

One of the most popular, and quite possibly thebest spotto cool downis the Place des festivals itself.

Waterfountains there are a great way forkids tocool off and splash around with any willing parents.

There are lots of benches and steps forpicnics, and thegiant lawn chairs beside the Esplanade for a break in the shade.