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Taking children to Glastonbury...

34 replies

Ilovemyboy · 26/02/2007 19:50

Has anyone done this?

How did it go?

How old were your children?

DS will be 8 months when Glasto is on this year and am thinking of taking him seeing as he will be easy to carry around at this age and this summer looks to be a hot one so hopefully it won't be a mudfest.

OP posts:
2shoes · 27/02/2007 17:04

are you saying the toilets at glastubury are not nice

lanismum · 27/02/2007 17:12

i took my dd then aged 4 months to the wireless festival, only for a day, and it was easy, took her last summer to the reading festival aged 17 months, and have to admit it was loads harder, she did keep trying to wander off, which was my main fear, but there were about 20 of us all together so lots of people to chase her (i was a few weeks pregnant and slightly green!)
i think the fact she was still in nappies made things a million times easier, would not like to have to take a toddler into a festival toilet, she enjoyed herself so much just generally roaming round, getting filthy, and having a huge fuss made of her, im trying to decide if going this year might be a good idea...ill have a 2.5 year old, and a 5 month old..............

Babyramone · 28/02/2007 15:25

I am hoping to do The Wickerman Festival in Dumfries and Galloway this summer as have heard good relaxed event suitable for families. I have DS3yrs and DD will be about a year. I pretty much agree with Bassmama plenty do it, but know that I'd cope better with smaller venue.
I wasn't taken to festivals as child, that would've been original woodstock but was dragged around farming shows which I loved. Full of bevvied farmers MAD.
Also this age prob when to go as next year she'll be trickier.
That other thread has some great tips.

UniSarah · 28/02/2007 17:59

write your mobile number on the back of their neck and arm in magic marker. dress them the same every day so you KNOW what you are looking for. TAke some shade with you. Good luck. I'm waiting till boy is older.

Smiler10 · 25/05/2011 09:39

I agree that the sentiments echoed here would put off most people from taking children to Glastonbury - which is a real shame. I love the way people who've NEVER taken thier children to Glastonbury have responded to the question "Has Anyone Taken Thier Children to Glastonbury, and How Did it go". If you've never taken your children, how on earth can you comment?

An example - "Oh god, I just can't imagine anything more hellish than trying to change a nappy in the midst of a mudbath while hundreds of young hedonists dance around off their faces and reminding me of what I'm missing." Eh no....I take my children to the kidzfield, where there are baby changing facilities and children's toilets, but of course having never taken your child to Glastonbury you wouldn't realise that was there would you? Similarly, you probably aren't aware of the children's baths/showers - where incidentally there's an NCT manned section which provides all the towels, shampoo, baby bath etc? Maybe you're not not aware of the kidzfield in general, or the Mammas and Pappas children's cafe which is a non profit making part of the festival? Or perhaps the secure CCTV kidzfield? Or perhaps the fenced off/manned family camping areas? No.....I thought not.

The point I'm making is - having not taken your children to Glastonbury and had to find these things out - you obviously don't know what you're talking about - how can you?

Take it from me, I've taken my children (age 4 and age 3) for the last 3 consecutive years and IT IS FANTASTIC!! It's not difficult at all. Sure, you can't get to the front of the pyramid stage, and you won't be able to party into the wee hours, and you'll constantly have to either hold thier hands/push a pushchair/carry them on your shoulders, but hey - that's being a parent isn't it?

Glastonbury with children isn't the same as going on your own - of course it's not. However, my experience is that it's as much fun - just in a different way. My three year old absolutely adores it. There's so much going on in the kidzfield (CBBC presenters, Zingzillas, The Gruffalo, Pirate ships, Swings, Slides, Sandpits, Story.....the list goes on and on and on), that you could spend an entire 4 days in the kidzfield alone. I still find that I'm also able to watch most of the bands I want to watch too - just further back from the stages (oh and make sure your little ones are wearing ear defenders if you're close to the stages). I tend to abandon sleep routines whilst I'm there - the same I would if I was on holiday.......

Have a little (and I mean a little) sense of adventure, and both you and your children will have an absolute blast, regardless of the educated opinions of those who haven't actually taken thier kids to the festival.

pinknatalia · 05/06/2011 23:56

We have not taken the children to Glastonbury with us until this year, and it is nice to actually read an informative response from someone who has! Ours will be 5,nearly 7, and 9 months. We are travelling up in the campervan but weren't sure whether to take our tent into the family camping areas to be closer to everything. When have you arrived at the festival in the past and have you been in family camping? If so, do you notice a very big difference in space from one day to the next as you do in main camping areas? Just deciding what to do, would really appreciate input from someone in the know.

Oh and I know they say about glass but seeing as I really wouldn't fancy feeding my baby the tins of baby food, has anyone managed to get away with baby jars at all? Not yet ready to give him food from stalls, still trying to work that one out.

snipskit · 07/06/2011 14:05

Here's my tuppence worth!... My hubby and I have been going to Glasto every year without fail since 1997 (except the years it wasnt on obvs!) We now have three children (5, 3 and 1). So I have experienced every life stage of Glasto, from being a bit off my head as a student, to being slightly more 'mature'(!), to being 8 months pregnant, recently given birth and looking after every age of children up to 5!!! We have always camped (never campervan) and always had an amazing time (as have the children). 2010 was slightly intense, giving the searing heat and the fact that I had a five week old baby permanently attached to my sweaty boobs, but I still wouldn't have missed it!!!

There is so much for the children to see and do. Everyone does their Glasto differently, but this is what we do....

Take a portable toilet for the tent - saves midnight trips to loo! Take a folding potty to carry around with you during the day (my 5yr old still goes on this and after 5 glastos, my kiddies have never had to use a glasto toilet for a number 2 - except the ones in the kids field which are much better. Would be too scared of losing them down the long drop!)

Take a robust 'off roader' buggy, or one of those bike trailers that convert into a pushchair. Let them sleep / stay up late as they wish - abandon all routines!! We have never missed a headliner - they just crash out in the buggy when they have had enough.

Take a pop up sunshade, wellies, waterproofs, suncream, jumpers, lots of pre-packaged rolls, fillings like peanut butter etc that wont go off for emergency lunches, baby food in pouches rather than glass if you need it, endless snacks, bottles of water, juice cartons, a big rubber foldable bucket for slooshing them down in when the mud gets a bit much, big water carriers to fill up and keep in your tent, blackout liners to put over the travel cot so they dont wake up at 4.30am!! Ummmm, and anything else you can think of!!

Write your mobile number on their arms in marker and leave behind all semblance of your normal life for a few days and embrace the mayhem!!!

Hope that helps!!!

pinknatalia · 12/06/2011 22:53

thanks, getting very excited now...

teej · 16/06/2011 22:49

we're just back from another festival - second year of doing it with the kids - and the only thing I would add to the above is take thermals, fleeces, wooly hats, mits and scarves to keep the littllies warm after the sun goes down. oh and waterproofs naturally - wellies and waterproof all-in-ones/ trousers and jackets are a godsend...
have a wonderful time!

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