Keren and Michael Peter are adding colour, whimsy and fantasy to the mix with their Ladybug Express, a combination of puppetry, dialogue and music.

The Ladybug Express heads a solid selection of acts on the KidzFest program that also includes drumming monkeys, kids going bang and songs and lore of the sea.

Ms Peter told Fairfax her husband, Michael, had appeared at previous Canberra folk festivals in his capacity as a singer, songwriter and musician on numerous occasions over the past 15 years. It is the first time the couple have brought their puppetry to town, however.

"We have a four-year-old daughter who loves the travelling life and is our biggest fan," she said. "She is the reason for the [puppet] show. Once you have a child they pull your life in different directions and we were after something more family-friendly than performing folk music."

After giving the question of what to do some serious thought they hit on the idea of a "low-tech" puppet show in which audience engagement and children's already supercharged imaginations were the most essential ingredients.

Ms Peter, who loves the way puppetry is recognised as a universal art form around the world, said it did not work unless those watching were willing to totally suspend disbelief.

"There is a moment in our story where the children are totally involved and they actually make a piece of magic happen," she said. "The way they participate is wonderful to watch – children are just the best audience."

Born in Israel, she came to Australia as an 11-year-old and met Michael through show business.

"Michael was a guitar player and singer-songwriter," she said. "I was a professional fire twirler. When we met the rest was history."

Ms Peter is the "hands-on" member of the team who designed and built the colourful Ladybug Express puppetry booth that evokes memories of childhood favourites such as The Magic Roundabout.

"[The booth] is built on an old work stand that has been upcycled," she said. "We have tried to use natural materials wherever possible and it is very low-tech with the exception of our PA system, which is state of the art."