Excitement is bubbling up over plans for this year’s Bradford Science Festival.

Many events for ‘It’s a Kind of Magic’ 2013 have already been confirmed and organisers are now wanting interested schools to book early.

There are 4,000 child places available in the school's programme which will be spread over three of the four days starting on October 16.

The start of the run-up to the festival was celebrated in City Park today with plenty of bubbles – young people enjoying their half-term holiday went along to try their hand at a series of fun-soaked bubble-related challenges.

Helen Barraclough, who leads the Space Connections team organising the festival, said it hoped local businesses would help fund their nearby schools’ participation so pupils could join in the fun.

She said: “We’ve got plenty of time in the run-up to the festival but we wanted to get started early to make sure we get lots of interest and people taking part. It would be great if businesses get involved by supporting their local schools to take part too.”

This year’s event will be the second of its kind in Bradford since the city hosted a national science festival last year.

Council leader David Green said: “It's all about inspiring interest among young people in skills and talents that this district is going to need in the next ten to 15 years.

“Future scientists and engineers are worth investing in.”

The festival this year will be taking science out to the people in a number of venues spread across the city, including taking snakes and tarantulas to City Hall.

The magic of fireworks, stunts and lights will be just some of the science being revealed, said Miss Barraclough.

She said: “We want to show how science is embedded in all aspects of life. It's not just something we do in a lab, science is everywhere – and it's exciting.”

One day of the festival will also be for adults. One of those events will be taking a look at Body Work, the science and art of tattoos and piercings.

To find out more go to bradfordsciencefesti val.co.uk