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Original poster

Festival recommendations for kids?

35 replies

Lilyloo · 20/05/2012 22:12

Last year, thanks to mn the dc's went to their first festival, we loved it and want to book another this year. We camp with the neighbours and their dcs so would love some recommendations. We are near Manchester, but can't do just so any ideas? Thanks

OP posts:
ColumboIsMyHero · 21/05/2012 16:38

Not sure what age your DCs are - we went to Wychwood (Cheltenham) last year and loved it. Mix of activities and friendly camping. Going again in a couple weeks so hoping the weather improves.

Fuctifano · 21/05/2012 20:57

This one www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk/ is great for kids and has a fantastic line up this year. We met plenty of people from the North of England who thought the drive was fine and well worth it especially if you got the three nights.

Longagoandfaraway · 21/05/2012 21:50

We (us plus girls 8 & 6) are going to www.nodirectionhomefestival.com which is near Worksop so not too far, it's 8-10 June though... It's by the End of the Road people and looks great - Welbeck is beautiful and it will be small with lots of stuff for children I think. Gruff Rhys and Unthanks plus Django Django and Richard Hawley...

Original poster
Lilyloo · 22/05/2012 20:15

Thanks will take a look at those, has anybody been to the deershed festival in Yorkshire?

OP posts:
MerylStrop · 22/05/2012 20:22

www.deershedfestival.com/

v cheap, and st etienne are playing, but v small/lowkey. few staging issues with the

www.greenman.net

love green man, atmosphere is amazing

MerylStrop · 22/05/2012 20:24

oops, there were a few staging issues last year at the deer shed, the main stage lacked a bit of oomph really
but it was uber-civilised, brilliant stuff for kids to do, very pretty place, relaxing

Bumdrop · 22/05/2012 22:29

Barefoot festival,
Leicestershire,
Last weekend in July,
Best family friendly festival :)

threeleftfeet · 28/05/2012 14:17

The Independent did an article on child friendly festivals last week.

ramblingmum · 28/05/2012 21:06

No sure of your musical tastes but we had a great time at the cambridge folk festive and are going again this year. Lots of kid friendly activities.

greygirl · 29/05/2012 13:25

The 'just so festival' is aimed squarely at parents and children up to about 12 i think. If your kids would like to dress as fairies or pirates, participate in a lantern parade, learn circus skills, play in sand, take part in sports day events or join a music workshop, it is for you. it is in south cheshire (so quite close to manchester) and was fantastic last year. the band stage was brilliant as was the disco tent where parents could relive their youth. i learnt to hoolahoop, my friends sons got to make wooden signs (with a REAL drill) and the kids watched a group of actors do alice in wonderland.
brilliant for pre-teens.

5madthings · 29/05/2012 13:30

cornbury music festival is great for families and children, my lot loved it so much for them to, great atmosphere, really relaxed and the toilet and shower facilities were nice!

threeleftfeet · 29/05/2012 14:19

We're going to Standon Calling festival again this year, it's great :) Brilliant music, not too big, lots of stuff for kids and a really nice atmosphere.

They do fancy dress on the Saturday, one of my favourite moments last year was watching DS (then 2.5) dressed in a dragon suit, really excitedly introducing himself to two random adult dragons we happened to walk by. It was very cute :)

We had a tipi last year, it was brilliant! Hoping to get one again this year.

LoopyLoopsCorgiPoops · 29/05/2012 14:20

Definitely Shambala

KellyKettle · 29/05/2012 22:26

Another vote for Just So. We did it last year & shall again this year.

frankie76 · 29/05/2012 22:32

I am going to try just so as well

golemmings · 29/05/2012 22:52

We've not missed a just so yet. Dd will be 3 this summer. (although camping at 37 weeks pregnant last year was not one of my better ideas). Still wouldn't have missed it. Can't wait to take DS for his first festival this year.

We also do shrewsbury folk festival which has a great kids programme if you like music/dance.

golemmings · 29/05/2012 22:52

Although with hindsight shrewsbury is sold out for this year.

FormerCityDweller · 03/06/2012 22:28

What about Camp Bestival? Is that for small ones or better for older children?

MarianForrester · 03/06/2012 22:38

The Wickerman is great for kids. Lots of space and lots to do. Good camping for families too, tho get there early to get a flat pitch. If your kids get up really early, wander down to the general camping, where some cheery childfree partygoers will be wending their way to bed Grin
On that note, the "doof doof" dance music does go on til 5am....

We are going to Solfest this year; looks child friendly too, and good line up.

ThreadWatcher · 05/06/2012 18:33

We love Croissant Neuf - near Usk :)

MrsMc82 · 05/06/2012 19:05

Despite the mud last year we had an amazing time at Galtres its v small but still felt like a 'proper' festival and only 40 mins from where we live too!

monkeymoma · 05/06/2012 19:06

camp bestival is like a really good village fate, but a really crap festival if that makes sense. The acts are good but no festi atmosphere, people stick to themselves and its all a bit clean and civilised and unfriendly

MarianForrester · 05/06/2012 20:04

MrsMc82 that Galtres one looks great! Clashes with Solfest, tho, but some of same acts, maybe next year..

MrsMc82 · 05/06/2012 21:47

I'm v excited about Adam Ant Marian !!

MarianForrester · 05/06/2012 22:30

Yes! He's at Solfest too; and so's Billy Bragg Grin Will all be very exciting