Festival season is in full swing, and many music-loving parents are preparing to swap home comforts for tents, muddy fields, and busy crowds. Kate Webster, co-founder of the award-winning Deer Shed Festival, and content creator Carla Mellor, who attends festivals with her young family of four, have shared five essential hacks for a stress-free festival weekend with children.
Bring a Sturdy Trolley
Kate says: “A trolley is a festival hack in itself, as it is a great tool for transporting gear during festival weekends, helping you avoid sore backs when moving items from your car to your tent. But once you’ve unpacked, it also doubles up as a mode of transport for young kids and a cosy place for them to nap. Kit it out with pillows and a blanket, and you can even get your children to help you decorate it with battery powered fairy lights and bunting to embody the festival spirit and make it feel like your own. If you don’t want to buy a trolley or are concerned about boot space, many family-friendly festivals offer trolley rentals.”
Carla adds: “When you’re immersed within a festival, you won’t know what time it is, and the concept of bedtime isn’t really a thing anymore. What we do is bring the wagon and pack it full of pillows and a sleeping bag, and both my girls fall asleep there.”
Let Them Be Involved in the Plan
Kate recommends: “Once you arrive and settle into your camping spot, take the opportunity to study the festival programme together and create a plan for the weekend ahead. Encourage everyone to share their preferences for what activities they want to do and acts they want to see, allowing each group member to choose one must-see event per day. This approach means everyone gets to experience at least one thing they want to do every day. But also remember that sticking to a strict plan at a festival is near impossible, so embrace the idea of being open to new experiences, as you may discover something truly magical along the way.”
Carla shares: “At a festival like Deer Shed, the activities are endless, ranging from kayaking to roller skating, and this year, there’s even a big maze. With so much to do, the key rules our family follows are in fact to have no rules, avoid time watching, stay in the present, and look out for one another.”
Ear Defenders
Kate says: “These are an absolute non-negotiable, as little ears are at risk of ringing ears and hearing damage when exposed to big speakers playing out at high volumes and decibels. Safeguarding your child’s hearing is important to allow them to enjoy live music for years to come. And this is not just an important tip for kids’ health, as adults should consider wearing hearing protection too, since their hearing is also at risk when exposed to high volumes for extended periods. If your kids are reluctant to wear hearing protection, lead with example by wearing them too, and explain it’s best practice for everyone involved to do what they can to protect their hearing.”
“We would be lost without ear defenders, they’re a packing staple!” Carla adds.
Bring Your Mates
Kate says: “While festivals are great as a family, they become even better when sharing the experience with friends, especially if they also have their own children. It allows the parents to collaborate and share the load of babysitting responsibilities, giving each parent the chance to have at least one proper big night, while also providing more playmates for the kids, allowing them to have fun together and burn off steam.”
Dress Them Loud
Kate shares: “A festival is the perfect opportunity for children to express themselves in loud and bright outfits, but it is also a bit of a parent hack to keep an eye on them. Whether they prefer bright neon colours, sequins, fancy dress, or capes, letting them run around in highlighter style eye-catching outfits will make it easier for you to spot them in a crowd as they bounce around the festival site. Another important tip for your child's safety is to write your phone number on their arm or on a wristband. This way, if they wander off and get lost, anyone who finds them can easily contact you.”
Carla adds: “Even if our campsite is only a short walk away from the main festival site, we like to make sure our bags are packed with all the necessities to avoid multiple trips to and from our pitch. Pyjamas are a must so the kids can get cosy in the evening and make the trip into bed at the end of the night so much easier.”
