Are festivals appropriate for kids?

[dizzeelizzee]

What are your thoughts?

prettylittlepeculiar.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/are-festivals-appropriate-for-children/

There are some festivals aimed at families. We went to Camp Bestival last year which was fabulous. I don't think I'd take DD to a non family orientated one thought - much inapproriateness!!

WOMAD festivals are generalt considered family friendly.....

I agree, I saw some young kids at Leeds festival last year and just couldn't understand why you would want to take them there, there is very little for young kids to do.

Yep, is that a problem?

I joined mumsnet AGES ago and kind of forgot about it. Then been on twitter and got reading again and thought that post might be of interest and perhaps spark a debate.

There was an article in last Sundays' Observer about festival dads and their offspring at Latitude festival in Suffolk.

Closer to my home is Rhythms of the World, Hitchin, Herts which is extremely family friendly, and has the benefit of being able to walk home and sleep in my own bed! Not really big name bands, but a lot of them have played at other festivals, and a big eclectic mix of musical styles.

I've just commented on it. We've met before from "the other side" :)

I think some festivals are fab for kids. I wouldn't be taking my dd to Leeds, V or Glasto just yet but that's for my own selfish reasoning. When I go to Glasto I want to lie in the sun (hopeful), drink cider, listen to great music, go and join in in the Healing Fields and not have a care in the world. I also want to party til 3am, dance my tits off and get up at 11 just in time to start all over again. NOT possible with kids in tow.
So, this year we're trying Beautiful Days as our dd's first festival. It got fantastic reviews last year, isn't as expensive, and we all love The Levellers. There are some fab alternative bands playing, loads for the kids to do, and fingers crossed the weather might have improved by then!

girly - I saw that article and it kind of annoyed me! I thought they chose very middle class dads of a certain type and I don't think it really showed the atmosphere at Latitude.

Walking home and sleeping in my own bed sounds awesome!!!

Squishy who were you 'over there'??

I know what you mean, I LOVE festivals without kids but I do really enjoy a family fest too. The two are so different x

Fluffy :) I've even been to your house now I look like a proper stalker

We're looking forward to our first family fest too. Are taking my parent's camper though which will make it so much easier, no 2am trips across site to the loo!

I've taken DD to a smallish festival which is very family friendly - Wychwood. They have tons of stuff for children to do and DD has enjoyed this year and last (aged 9 and then 10). The other two children we went with also love it and have also been the year before - youngest has loads to do too. I'd happily take a very small child to that one.

Some are more suitable than others. Did a V festival many years ago (when it was in Leeds) and that was definitely not family friendly in any way.

Hahaha stalker!!! We have a caravan - it does make life a little easier!!!

yes, there are festivals and there are festivals....Cropredy folk festival for example, probably wouldn't be full of rampaging ketamine heads........but be careful in your choice of venue.

Some yes some no.
Have taken dd to Glasto twice( age 8 and 13
Dh has taken her to bennicassim and t in the park ( age 15 and 17)
T in the park definitely not for the under 16s dd says, boozy muddy wild.
Glasto is great for kids but it is a completely diff proposition going with kids to going in a group of adults.

Dizzee, I think it's hard to judge from a brief article, but perhaps only the dads of the type you refer to were willing to talk to a reporter, so that would skew the whole thing.

We are hoping to go to the Cornbury festival next year, which is in Oxfordshire. Friends have been and said how fab it is.

We're going to The Village Pump folk festival in Wiltshire tonight. Not sure what to expect but the punky/folk one they had in Wickham was fine.