Attending Festivals with Kids: A Parent’s Ultimate Guide
Attending a music festival is one of the most exhilarating experiences, but for parents, it can feel like an event of the past. The thought of navigating massive crowds, dealing with long hours, and balancing the needs of your kids can leave many parents feeling like festivals are no longer an option. But the truth is, family-friendly festivals are on the rise, and it is absolutely possible to attend a festival with your kids and have a fantastic time.
Many parents mistakenly think that festival life is over once they have children. However, with the right preparation, festivals can still be an exciting and unforgettable experience for the entire family. There are even festivals designed to be family-friendly, offering activities, kid-friendly music, and quiet spaces where families can enjoy themselves together.
Here’s how to navigate attending festivals with kids, while ensuring that the experience is enjoyable for both parents and little ones.
One of the most challenging aspects of attending a festival with children is figuring out what to pack. The needs of toddlers, kids, and teens vary, so it's important to make sure everyone has what they need for a fun and safe experience. Let’s break it down:
Packing Essentials for Toddlers
Traveling with toddlers requires a bit more preparation since they need more comfort and care. Here's what to pack for your toddler:
Ear Protection: Toddlers are especially sensitive to loud sounds. Invest in high-quality noise-canceling headphones or earmuffs designed for young children to protect their ears from the loud music and festival noises.
Stroller or Wagon: A lightweight stroller or wagon is perfect for moving your toddler around the festival grounds, providing a place for them to rest when needed. Some festivals even allow wagons, which can be a great alternative.
Snacks and Water: Always pack a variety of snacks that your toddler enjoys—think crackers, fruit pouches, granola bars, and small fruit snacks. A hydropack or refillable water bottle is a must for staying hydrated throughout the day.
Comfort Items: Bring familiar items to help your toddler feel at ease, like a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or pacifier. The comfort of something familiar can make a world of difference in a busy and overwhelming environment.
Packing Essentials for Kids
As kids get older, their needs change. Here's what you'll need for children who are past the toddler stage:
Ear Protection: Even though kids are more used to loud environments, it’s still essential to protect their hearing. Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs are a must-have for any music festival.
Snacks & Hydration: Make sure to have a variety of healthy snacks to keep them energized—granola bars, trail mix, fruit snacks, and even a sandwich for a more filling option. Don’t forget their water bottle or to stay hydrated. Investing in a hydropack that can hang like a backpack and hold their belonging would be a totally parent win at a festival.
Comfortable Footwear: A day at a festival often means a lot of walking, so comfortable, sturdy shoes are essential for your child’s comfort. Avoid sandals or flip-flops, which can lead to blisters.
Festival Gear: Encourage your child to embrace the festival vibe by bringing fun accessories like glow sticks, face paint, and dressing up. Not only does it add to the experience, but it helps your child get in the ease into the experience!
Packing Essentials for Teens
Teens are generally more independent, but it’s still important to ensure they have everything they need for a comfortable experience. Here's what to pack for teens:
Comfortable Clothing: Teens are likely to want to dress stylishly but also comfortably. Consider packing light, breathable clothes for daytime and a hoodie or jacket for cooler evenings. Layering is key.
Portable Charger: A phone is essential for staying in contact at a festival. Teens will want to have their phones for taking photos and connecting with friends, so a portable charger is a must.
Festival Essentials: Don’t forget festival map, your information as a screensaver just in case they lose their phone and someone finds it, your phone number in marker somewhere on their arm or leg just in case they are lost with no signal or they lose their phone or, and wristbands for access to festival areas.
Ear Protection: Even if your teen wants to enjoy the full festival experience, earplugs are an essential item to help protect their hearing while still allowing them to enjoy the music. Loop ear plugs are a great fashionable option.
Choosing Family-Friendly Festivals
When it comes to selecting a festival that’s suitable for the entire family, there are several factors to consider. Look for festivals that are known for being inclusive of all ages, with kid-friendly activities and facilities designed for families. Here are a few suggestions:
Breakaway Festival: A well-known festival that offers a family-friendly vibe, with activities for all ages, including kid-friendly areas and performances. Families are welcome, and it’s a great way to introduce younger ones to the world of festivals. Breakaway has festivals all over the country all year long which makes it easy to find one close to home. Not all of their festivals are all ages so make sure you check their site for more details.
Lollapalooza: Lollapalooza has a dedicated Kidzapalooza section that features performances, games, and fun activities for kids of all ages. It’s an amazing festival for parents who want to enjoy the music while their kids participate in age-appropriate activities.
Bonnaroo: Known for being family-friendly, Bonnaroo has several activities for children, including arts and crafts, storytelling, and family camping areas. It’s an ideal festival for parents looking to introduce their kids to the festival experience without the overwhelm. I personally love Bonnaroo and we are waiting until our youngest is about 6 before we do a family camp at the festival. Take note that Bonnaroo is Tennessee in the middle of summer so you will need to come prepared with all of the sun protection and a plan for consistent water for the little ones. I recommend RV camping with power if you can.
In addition to these festivals, many others are introducing all-ages programs and family zones, making them a great choice for families who want to enjoy music and community while keeping the kids entertained.
Sensory-Sensitive Children Can Party Too!
Understanding Sensory Sensitivity
As a parent of a sensory-sensitive child, I know how overwhelming a festival’s loud noises, bright lights, and large crowds can be. Sensory sensitivity is a condition where certain sensory stimuli—like loud sounds, bright lights, or busy environments—can cause discomfort or even anxiety in children. It's important to recognize when your child is feeling overwhelmed and have strategies in place to help them cope.
How to Prepare for Sensory-Sensitive Children
Here are some tips that help manage sensory overload at festivals:
Noise-Canceling Headphones: These are a lifesaver! Noise-canceling headphones or ear muffs are essential for sensory-sensitive children to block out the loud music and overwhelming sounds. Make sure they are comfortable and well-fitted for your child.
Quiet Zones: Many festivals now offer designated quiet zones or family areas where you can take a break from the noise and crowds. These spaces provide a calm environment where your child can relax and recharge.
Calm-Down Kits: A calm-down kit is a great way to have your child self-regulate when feeling anxious or overstimulated. Include items like fidget toys, a favorite blanket or stuffed animal, snacks, and even a tablet with calming apps or videos to distract and soothe.
Be In Tune with Your Child’s Needs: It’s important to stay in tune with your child throughout the festival. If they start to feel overwhelmed, be prepared to step away from the main areas or take a break in a quiet space. As a parent, I often bring along a friend or family member to help with my sensory-sensitive child, so we can both enjoy the festival while also caring for her needs.
Making the Festival Fun for the Whole Family
Festivals offer a variety of activities that can keep kids entertained while still being part of the festival atmosphere:
Crafts & Interactive Stations: Many festivals have booths and areas where kids can engage in arts and crafts, creating their own glow accessories or painting.
Kid-Friendly Music Sets: Look for family-friendly performances or kid-centric music sets, where younger festival-goers can dance and sing along to appropriate tunes.
Balancing Fun for Adults and Kids
It can be a challenge to enjoy the music while also making sure your kids are entertained, but it’s possible to strike a good balance:
Tag-Team Parenting: If you’re attending the festival with another adult, split up the responsibilities—one of you can take care of the kids while the other enjoys the music. You can rotate throughout the day so both parents get a chance to dance and have fun.
Set a Schedule: Make sure to plan your day around your kids' schedules—plan for breaks, naps, and meals so the day doesn’t become too overwhelming for everyone.
Designate a Meeting Spot: With the chaos of large crowds, make sure everyone knows where to meet in case you get separated.
Staying Safe
In crowded environments, keeping track of your kids is essential:
Safety Wristbands: Write your contact information on your child’s wristband in case they get lost. You can also make a note of the meeting spot in case you get separated.
Emergency Plans: Make sure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency, such as losing contact. Have a system in place to reconnect, whether it's through a mobile phone or a pre-arranged meeting place.
Supervision: Always supervise your children in large crowds. It’s easy to get distracted, but keeping a close eye on them at all times ensures their safety.
Hydration & Nutrition
It’s crucial to stay hydrated and well-nourished throughout the festival:
Water: Bring a refillable water bottle for your family and make sure to keep hydrated throughout the day. Festivals can be hot and physically demanding, and dehydration is a serious concern.
Healthy Snacks: Keep energy levels up with snacks like fruit, granola bars, nuts, and sandwiches. Avoid sugary snacks that can lead to energy crashes, and pack a variety of healthy, easy-to-eat options. Most festivals have food truck but are totally cool if you need to bring in food for your little one.
Festivals don’t have to be off-limits just because you're a parent. With a little preparation and awareness, you can create lasting memories and enjoy the music you love with your family. Family-friendly festivals are a fantastic way to bond, share your passion for music, and give your kids a taste of the vibrant festival culture.
Are you ready to experience the magic of a family-friendly festival? Sign up for our newsletter for more tips, and share your family festival experiences in the comments below! What are your must-have items for a successful family festival? We’d love to hear from you!
