Fancy a festival but not sure how you'll cope with the kids? Check out our top tips for a fun-packed family summer filled with music.
Fancy trying out a festival this summer? If the thought of pitching a tent in the rain, ‘helped’ by a clutch of excitable kids, leaves you cold, fear not –- there are plenty of family friendly options, and if you don’t mind washing with wipes you’ll find it’s actually pretty good fun.
If you’re new to festivals, you may want to start with something small and friendly like Camp Bestival. Camp Bestival is held in the grounds of the spectacular Lulworth Castle from July 30, and everything is lovely and close together, with car parks, tents and the festival site all within easy walking distance.
This year, as well as arts, crafts and dressing up, kids can try maypole dancing, enjoy performances from Zippo’s Festival Circus and Punk Science, or even join in the new open freesport park sessions, where you can try your hand at BMX, skating and parcour.
Looking for something more laid back? How about unwinding at The Big Chill? For kids there’s an entertainment tent, workshops, trampolines and old fashioned swings and for parents there’s Club Mum – a space for parents and babies to escape the older children for a while.
If you want a few hours to yourself to enjoy some music or perhaps enjoy a cocktail or two, both Camp Bestival and The Big Chill are this year featuring the boutique babysitting kids club – supervised, age-specific childcare for kids aged two to four and five to eight –- a mini-festival in a tipi! The kids club is run by experienced childcare professionals and they promise at least one adult to every five children.
More of a glamper than a camper? Then treat yourself to some luxury festival camping with Tangerine Fields. Tangerine Fields provides pre-erected tents, tipis, yurts and even gypsy caravans, with the option of having them kitted out with airbeds and sleeping bags. At all the festivals above, there are also private toilets and showers available in the Tangerine Field. No tent to put up? Exclusive showers?
Get your floral wellies on kids, we’re off…
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dad
29 June, 2010
I am really keen to take my son to a festival, and I think Bestival is the way to go. Closer to me is the Jo So Festival in Staffordshire, specifically catering for kids, looks like a fair bet too. Though it does clash with V Festival, which I have used as a parenting break for the last 3 years.
admin
07 July, 2010
Funny I was reading about Camp Bestival this week as we have just booked a camping weekend in Lullworth! Unfortunately not on the same dates but we will definately consider for next year when we've had a bit more family camping practice.
Leigh
Ready for Ten Team
mum
07 July, 2010
Good suggestion Ian - I've been hearing a lot about the Just So Festival over the last few weeks - it's new isn't it? It claims to be the only camping festival targetted specifically at kids, so sounds like a great choice for families.