Would you take a toddler to a beer festival?

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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…

We've taken three year old DS to this multiple times - https://www.leedsbeer.com/ with no issues - although they have a dedciated "family day" on the Sunday.

I don't see the big deal at all, I recently took my 1yo to a cider festival with my family and it was fine, though there was a bit of children's entertainment there.

We would have taken her to the local beer & cider fest we usually go to but it's 18+.

I've been to that very beer festival and probably will again this year. There are loads of kids during the day, it's in Walpole Park fgs

The kids go home in the afternoon and adults kick on. It's a CAMRA festival, very civilised - in fact quite a lot of zero alcohol beers these days, some friends come who are teetotal

(Edit, I've been with my children I mean!!)

For weeks in the summer, part of Walpole Park in Ealing is taken over by a series of summer festivals - beer, comedy, jazz, and probably some other ones. I haven't been for years, but as I recall there's a pretty similar vibe for all the festivals of people hanging out in the park with a load of tents/stalls. Can't see an issue with taking a picnic blanket and going with kids.

No
Beer festivals are for adults, what possible joy would being at a beer festival bring to a 2 year old? Take him to a petting zoo or a soft play Ffs!!

You literally cannot judge this unless you know the area. It’s Ealing and Walpole park and FULL of children toddlers babies. There will be others and it’s not rowdy

We have an annual beer festival in our village, which is a pretty big event. One of the day slots is full of families with kids of all ages from toddlers to teens.

I think it depends on the event really!

No, I wouldn’t but in part that is because I would find it unrelaxing with a toddler, also, I think you just have to accept there are some things you have to postpone a bit or do with young children. Different situation but we have two siblings on our road playing tennis. It is completely ridiculous as it is a narrow road with rows of houses with hardly any front gardens so the balls are going into peoples windows and cars. The irony is they live in a courtyard of homes off this road where they could play but don’t and we have cars turning quite frequently as it is road that a station is on. My neighbour asked why the Dad who was playing with them one night can’t just take them to the park 10 minutes away! I have older teenagers and I’m afraid this is what you have to do you all go through it so not taking a 2 year old to a beer festival is probably something you should accept is for the teen years at best - still probably be bored!

No, that is inappropriate for any child, let alone a toddler! I don't agree with kids in pubs either, where adults are purely drinking.

Maybe not if the park is described as above actually. The festivals where we are are really strict so we are going to the comedy one but I can’t even take my youngest who is 13! The only festival around here that had children welcome in the park was a food festival but to me it is a waste of money as you have to buy a ticket and then rides for young children on top of that. I can’t think of another one in our park that welcomes children.

The event page says

Children under 18 are allowed in free until 6pm, if accompanied by an adult. Children must be accompanied at all times by a family member over 18 years old. For safety reasons we request that all children leave the site by 8pm, or shortly after. Basic baby changing facilities are in the accessible toilet facility.

But agree; it doesn't see like a fun outing for a toddler

A bit silly to assume it's child free when the FAQs say that children are allowed till 8pm and baby changing facilities are available.

I wouldn't want to . Apart from anything else I hate getting tipsy or drunk around kids I am in charge of, I think it's irresponsible. Plus they will be bored and running around, not a relaxing experience.

It would depend on the beer festival and my imaginary toddler

Children are allowed until 6pm, they sell soft drinks, he's going in the day. No real issue with this for the social side and the music, there's likely to be other children there no real difference to a music festival for a child that young. Little one might get bored and they'll just leave earlier.

Un less ofcourse he's a raging alcoholic who can't control himself, I'd imagine lots of dads and kiddies will be there

Its a stupid idea. Beer festivals, especially fusty Camra ones should be for over 18's only, for men and their hangers on to spend the day talking about brews such as Otters Pocket, Witches Tit and Dirty Blonde, whilst farting loudly and stinking the place out. No place for kids let alone toddlers.

No way.

I like beer and I’d enjoy it with just dp but I wouldn’t bring dc. I just wouldn’t be able to relax and enjoy it for one thing. As for bringing her on my own, no chance.
I have dreadful memories of sitting around bored out of my mind in pubs for hours on end as a kid and it just wouldn’t be for me.
If other people want to do it, fair enough as long as they don’t drink too much. Personally I would be drinking at all if I was in sole charge of a toddler.

I took a 7.5 month old baby to a beer festival - who was very happy and mostly just chilled out on a rug in a corner. I wouldn't dream of taking an older child that could walk or crawl.

I've been to a few beer and craft ale festivals with my DP and I'm pretty sure they have been over 18s only

I've done this. DH and I were visiting the town we grew up in and wanted to meet some friends. There was a kiddy fairground ride, a van selling sweets, a facepainter and loads of outdoor space. We had a few drinks with our friends, kicked a football (toddler style, wouldn't have done it with a 10 year old!) and took toddler home for tea.
From her point of view very similar to outings to the park, village fetes, etc. She got to meet mummy and daddy's friends, go on a ride, have a daisy chain made for her and we got a chance to reconnect with our friends.
Oddly I hate kids in pubs! This felt more like a kid in a park.

This is a ridiculous idea.

For one, the toddler is not going to stand his round. Secondly, he'll be smashed after one pint of real ale as he probably hasn't got a sophisticated palate and normally sticks to gassy lagers like carling. Madness!

The little man may get lost in the Perrys tent. Those pear drinks are moreish. What a silly event, Im surprised Camra put their name to it.

It really depends on the festival, there’s some that I would take my DC to and some that I definitely wouldn’t. To be honest I don’t think I’d take them to one unless they had activities for children, if not I think they’d get a bit bored.

For men?