Everything you need to know before taking your baby to a festival
Summer means that it’s time for the music festivals to start rolling. They’re full of exciting activities for adults, but did you know that you can take your little ones to a festival too?
Yes, even your babies are welcome! But you’ll need to go more prepared if you are partying with your children.
So here is everything you need to know before taking your baby to a festival this year. From the places to be and what to pack, we’re here to help along the way.
Family-friendly festivals in the UK
Now you know that your little ones can join you for a weekend of fun, you might be wondering which festivals are family friendly. Here are some of the best music retreats to choose from, whether you’re looking to embark on a new adventure or you already have tickets and want to bring your baby along.
Glastonbury, England
You can’t talk about music festivals without mentioning Glastonbury! This festival is held between 22–26 June, boasting performances from Khrungabin, Billie Eilish, Haim, and many more. However, you might not know that the ‘Kidzfield Big Top’ stage has performances from a number of artists ready to capture the attention of any baby. Line-ups include Basil Brush, Clown Zazz, and Andy and the Odd Socks.
There are two family-friendly camping fields at Glastonbury. Cockmill Meadow is close to the Kidz Field, but the Wicket Ground is a little further away if you want some space between your tent and the hustle-and-bustle of the festival. These tend to fill up quite quickly, so make sure you’re ready to pitch your tent as early as possible!
Big Festival, England
The Cotswolds has more to offer than quaint cottages and thatched roofs. Big Festival, running from 26–28 August, has everything you could want and more. This year, you can expect to see performances from world-class artists, such as Stereophonics and Basement Jaxx, and eat food from professional chefs Clare Smyth and more!
Let’s get to the family-friendly part. Big Festival has a whole line-up ready for babies and children to enjoy, with CBeebies Bedtime Stories to appearances by Justin Fletcher aka Mr Tumble. They can even try their luck at gardening in the GROW zone!
Doune the Rabbit Hole, Scotland
Last and certainly not least, Doune the Rabbit Hole is ideal for families wanting a music-filled weekend. The event takes place in Scotland from 14–17 July. Come rain or shine, you can see performances from Patti Smith and the Bluebells, and take part in relaxing yoga sessions and other fun activities.
Doune the Rabbit Hole also has a Family Field, perfect for parents wanting to take their baby to their first music festival. There are lots of things to enjoy as a family, whether you’re eager to listen to imaginative stories, create your own colourful kites, or eat in the mud kitchen.
Seven things you need to pack
Once you’ve made plans to go to a family-friendly festival, you’ll need to pack a number of essentials, such as baby changing bags and carriers. It doesn’t matter if they’re a few months old or crawling toddlers, here are some ways to prepare to spend a weekend preparing to spend a weekend in nature with your little ones.
1) Baby carriers
More often than not, the music festival you’re going to will be big. You might have to walk miles and miles every day, and although you’ll be surrounded by entertainment, this can become tiresome after the first few days. To make sure you’re able to carry your baby, invest in a cross-body baby carrier, so your arms don’t have to do all of the hard work
2) Ear protectors
Festivals can be loud. Even if you’re in the family-friendly fields, the noise produced by live music and brass bands is enough to make any baby kick up a fuss. So it’s always a good idea to pack a pair of small ear protectors. Even babies need to protect their ears, after all.
3) Baby formula
If you’ve chosen to feed your baby formula, you’ll need to bring a supply of milk and bottles to the festival. To make sure you’re ready to feed your little one at any time of the day or night, consider bringing the RapidCool Kit, a device that makes the perfect formula in as little as two minutes.
4) First aid kit
The health and safety of your baby is more important than anything else. There are first aid tents at every festival, but it’s always a good idea to pack your own supplies in case of an emergency. Make sure you include all of the everyday essentials, such as sun cream, savlon, plasters, and the one and only Calpol.
5) Festival clothing
We all want the sun to shine when we’re at a festival. Sometimes this doesn’t happen, and rain clouds come round to say hello on a seemingly ordinary summer afternoon. So make sure you’re prepared for any weather by packing clothes suitable for any festival weather, such as waterproof jackets and wellies.
6) Overnight essentials
Camping is a great activity to do with your family, even if you’re with babies or small children. You’ll need to bring overnight essentials, from a portable crib to sleeping bags. Also, remember to pack a small torch so you can see your baby during the night.
7) Baby changing bag
It doesn’t matter if you’re going for the day or a whole weekend, baby changing bags are essential for any parent going to a family-friendly festival. If there’s one piece of advice you need to hear, it’s to pack everything you need and more. You never know when you’ll need extra nappies or wipes!
There you go! You’re welcome to go to a number of music festivals with your baby. Take a break and go see your favourite artists this summer and make some memories with your little one that will last a lifetime.
