Would you take a toddler to a beer festival?

[snailmail1]

before anyone says to not butt in, I know it’s not my place so I won’t say anything to him, but my friend is taking his son to a beer festival with him in a few weeks and I just thought that was strange?!

I looked it up out of interest and it’s not a family event from what I can see, nothing for kids to do or family areas. it’s just a beer fest, he’s going in the day. Just him and his son who’s 2 and a half. Not sure what his ex thinks but they live separately so unsure if she knows.

is this a bit odd or is it a normal thing to take children to? I just wouldn’t think that would be appropriate but that’s me…

Poor kid. Looks awful for him.

I'm not sure they would serve a toddler 😂😂😂

So you went as a group for a day out with babies? That's very different to going alone with a 2.5 year old?

Potentially his friends are going. Maybe even with their own kids.

It’s a bit odd but kids are allowed so presumably he won’t be the only one.

Expect bored toddler will kick off and he won’t be there long!

The point of beer festivals is not to get drunk. It’s to try lots of different craft beer/ales etc hence why most are sold in 1/2 or even 1/3 pint measures. Whenever I go I often sample 6-8 beers having 1/3 of each so only have 2-3 pints in total over the course of maybe 4 hours.

Every beer festival I’ve gone to has music/bands of some sort and during the daytime session there are always lots of toddlers and kids. Our local one often has face painters etc and even has an NCT tent for baby changing and breastfeeding support!

it’s really not a big deal. Probably better than taking them to a pub to be honest.

Maybe but still it seems an odd thing to attend with a toddler. Presumably if he's split with his ex he doesn't have his child everyday and he could have found a time to attend with friends without dragging young kids along.

Also there’s often lots of outside space for kids to run around and people take picnic blankets/toys and the kids dance to the music

Perhaps like my son in law... he's meeting friends, might not even be drinking and his friends might be taking their children? My SIL often takes baby to the pub to watch the football and give mum an hour or so break.. as do his mates... it cute seeing them all with their prams and slings and stuff being 'dads'

Depending on the child he may find another kid to play with and kick off when they have to leave.

Eh? Surely this could also happen at a park? Seems like looking for issues. By that logic you shouldn’t take a child anywhere that they may find another child to play with in case they “kick off” when it’s time to leave?

@Chaosx3x the ones I've been to haven't had bands but there is plenty of space.

So as long as the kids stay away from where they are serving the beverages they can run around.

Christ I had no idea this was public opinion! I must be an unfit mother!

Maybe because we are rural but we always take our young kids and babies. They are on the village green and in the afternoon, usually home by 4 or 5. We also regularly take our preschool age kids to the pub weekly - one with an outdoor play park.

I personally don’t really have an issue with It. I would have an issue if he didn’t care for his child properly or got drunk, but as that is not a given and no indication of that, I can’t see an issue. And certainly not the one thr pp said of the kid might not wish to leave.

I took ds to some CAMRA beer festivals when he was little - in the day when there was morris dancing, bands etc. He loved it, and it wasn't lairy at all. Not like Woking beer festival in the evening with very drunk singing to the Wurlitzer!

Well, it's not something I would ever do or expect anyone else to do but if you check on the faqs via the link, children are allowed until 6pm so from that point of view, it's fine. The father probably isn't planning on getting drunk but just how boring for a child. Not a pleasant environment for them at all really.

Absolutely not appropriate. Jeez, can't adults just have adult time and events?

But you don’t know that, there could be other kids there, the kid will be outside in the sun, likely lots of adults. Not everything needs to be at soft play. Some times kids can go to adult things and have fun too.

I was on the local CAMRA committe when mine were toddlers. They helped at set up and we often met friends in the afternoon at the beer festival.

Not seeing the issue, sorry.

Ours is similar. It's about good, craft beer rather than getting shitfaced. There's a kids play area, live music, BBQ food, local food trucks etc.

Depends on the beer festival. Our local one (in Crewe) is held at the railway museum. Loads of people take kids. There is plenty of room indoors and out. It's very much a family friendly event and, and the kids get to play on the trains. Other festivals are far more crowded and really not suitable for kids. I've never been to Ealing so can't say what it is like.

Of course, beer festivals are not like the last days of Rome - they are very tame events full of bearded men in socks and sandals drinking halfs of real ale.

This seems to be the same.

It's a CAMRA real ale festival...in my experience real ale fans tend to get less drunk/drink less than many music festival goers.
Also....although the focus is a huge variety of different beers and ciders etc they do also have live music....and food vendors.
I highly doubt its just him and the child and he knows no-one else who is going. I would.assume he will have friends there who may also have children

We have a beer festival locally to raise money for local charities. It's full of families.

I took my dog to one once and he got tipsy licking beer off the floor!