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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To take a 3 year old to Glastonbury

41 replies

PrincessDaff · 01/08/2019 13:34

Hi everyone

I know Glastonbury isnt until next year but I am desperately wanting to go and would love to take our son who will be 3 at the time (if we can get tickets of course).

I have been twice before and my partner has been about 6 times so we have seen children there but wondering how practical it actually is?

Has anybody got any experience of taking a toddler and if so do you have any tips?

Thank you

OP posts:

Original poster

PrincessDaff · 02/08/2019 11:05

Thanks for the replies everyone! Your right I am probably looking through this with rose tinted glasses thinking it would be perfect and he would love every second and not cause us any bother haha.

I will try a smaller festival first which is a good idea.

I live in Liverpool so the journey is quite long to Glastonbury (but he has been on longer car journeys and has been fine so that isnt too big a concern).

If we dont take him we couldnt even apply for the tickets because we would have nobody to watch him but maybe if we try a smaller festival first we could gage his reaction and see how we go.

OP posts:

Nana1234 · 02/08/2019 13:30

I took my kids and now take my grandkids. There is so much for you to do and they will love it. If you want to sit and get smashed then clearly better to go without them but honestly it is a fantastic place to take kids. There is a huge kids area too. Our kids and the grandkids didnt restrict us from seeing bands or doing anything. If they are young you just need to make sure you take suitable buggy. Shame on all you party poopers who say you haven't been but say it wouldn't be much fun. Lighten up and give it a try. You might just be surprised ....... 😎

farfallarocks · 02/08/2019 14:24

This year I mainly saw crying hot kids and stressed parents as well as parents totally off their heads. Massive queues for horrible loos. Why do it to yourself? Just take them to a funfair and then go to Glastonbury solo!

musicinspring1 · 02/08/2019 14:34

I was going to come on and lost and say try a smaller more family orientated festival first maybe - like a previous poster I went to Latitude this year for the first time with dc ages 4, 7 and 9 and had an amazing time. The kids field was packed with stuff to do - the main arena was manageable and we all watched bands there together and the family camping had stuff in that field too and nice toilets !!! Still was exhausting but I felt I got stuff out of it as well as the kids (watching Kelly Jones for one ...). We didn’t go near some areas (comedy for example as there were lots of signs up saying they couldn’t guarantee it would be family friendly) but plenty to do.

ysmaem · 02/08/2019 14:38

Personally I wouldn't. I understand you want to go as a family but you son will only be 3, it could be a little overwhelming, overcrowded and noisy for him and potentially very stressful for you.

FilthyforFirth · 02/08/2019 14:43

I personally wouldnt. I quite dislike seeing small children at festivals. They often look tired and miserable. I dont blame them. I imagine Glastonbury with lots of people, a lot of them drunk or high, is very overwhelming for small children. Being honest it is for you and not them.

Branleuse · 02/08/2019 14:59

I also went to latitude this year WITHOUT my kids, and was surprised and disappointed to find it was like being at a bloody toddler group there were so many kids running into us everywhere. Bubbles bursting into our faces, and big old radio flyer carts full of children wherever we went. Each to their own, but I cant help but reminisce about the days when festivals were about adults getting off their faces and watching bands and taking a break from reality. Cant you take them to butlins or something

DavetheCat2001 · 02/08/2019 15:20

OP I can highly recommend Camp Bestival..we went this year with our kids (8 and 5), and they had an absolute ball.

It's totally set up for kids, v family friendly and we got to see some ace bands too - Human League, Chic, Ash and Grandmaster Flash! There was also Mr Tumble/Maker and Bloom for the kids!

Runssometimes · 02/08/2019 15:31

We’ve taken our kid when he was three, and almost two and again at four. He loved it. Definitely less of the late night stuff is done and a sling is easier in the mud than a wagon but we brought both. He slept at night in the wagon with ear defenders on, even through Metallica’s set. DP is a massive fan so was st the front and I sat up the back with the wagon, although I still can’t believe DS slept through it. There’s so much in the Kidzfield that he found it really entertaining and we could just chill out. Its really lovely there too. People were very kind to us, even allowing us to skip the queues when he was toilet training and bursting for the loo.
Family camping is much more chilled out and overall it’s a hugely positive experience. We always camped in a tent. Bring enough snacks and just be flexible about what you want to see as you don’t want to spend all your time carrying a small child around.

Because he’s at school now we didn’t bring him this year and missed him, he would have loved it. We saw slightly more music and got far more sleep since we weren’t at the Kidzfield at 9am though but we know he’d have loved some of the bands and circus acts we saw, plus he was gutted he missed David Attenborough speak. Getting tickets next year will be very difficult as it’s the 50th anniversary and it’s always harder after a sunny year anyway, so it may be a moot point. We are seriously considering bringing him again - he’ll be eight, if we get tickets next year.

Userzzzzz · 02/08/2019 15:32

I wouldn’t but I found Glastonbury hard work on my own. I think it would be horrific with my 3 year old. She’d hate all the people, the loud noise and the toilets.

I think it really depends on whether you’ll stay in the kids field and build your weekend around him or cart him around while you try and do your own thing. I’ve seen people do the latter with miserable looking kids and I think they’re selfish.

Chickychoccyegg · 02/08/2019 15:54

I guess it depends how chilled you are and what your dc is like.
I find festivals quite stressful with no dc , i can't imagine doing it with a little one, for me it would be a nightmare but lots of positive stories upthread from people who have done it and enjoyed it so maybe you will too.

clottedcreamoverjam · 02/08/2019 16:50

I get to a party and after a while I realise I have no shoes and I am 2 miles from home.
Everyone keeps asking where my shoes are.

clottedcreamoverjam · 02/08/2019 16:51

sorry! I thought we were describing our worst nightmares

saywhatwhatnow · 02/08/2019 17:24

I've been to Glasto quite a few times and uhhhmed and ahhhed about taking our now 15month old this year. We decided to do a (slightly) more family friendly festival and it was brilliant but very very tiring, I am pregnant too which probably made it worse than normal. He had the time of his life though. Ear defenders, suncream, a good buggy and sling, cheap bright clothes and lots of snacks were crucial. The rain at night did wake him which meant we were even more tired (especially with 6am wake ups), but the days were great. Kids areas are fab and people were lovely and considerate.

The weather would make or break it though. I've been to Glasto when it's been mega wet AND mega hot and I must admit I would not want to do either with a small child. It's also soooo vast that you'd really have to think about where you want to go/who you want to see. It could be brilliant though, I'm still torn.

HazeyH · 02/08/2019 18:29

My children are 6 (been to 3 glastonburys) and 3 (been to 2).
Yes it can be hard at times but taking the children along is so fantastic. They love it! Not just the kidz field the whole place. People who are saying it’s too crazy for children just haven’t been! We still see loads of bands, including the late night headliners which they either stay up for or sleep through in a sling or cart. We don’t go to the ‘naughty corner’ at night but that’s not our scene anyway and where all the messy people tend to be.
Family camping is fantastic, they have an all night r and r tent with sofas where you can go and someone makes you tea and gives you a biscuit.
Take your 3 year old!

ChristmasFluff · 02/08/2019 18:43

I was about to recommend Camp Bestival too!

But really, what I would do, is start doing day festivals and small festivals nearby now. Kids get used to doing what they always do, and learn to behave appropriately by doing it.

Put children who can move on reins just in case - you don't want any runaways.

I wouldn't choose Glasto as one to do with v small kids - the cost-benefit just doesn't work out for me.

But look at your local festivals - kids love camping and music, so festivals are so fun for them, and worth getting them into early.

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