By Chloe Jackson, ILO Clothing
I grew up on the festival circuit.
In the 80s and 90s, my parents had a stall and every summer my brothers and I were packed off on a magical roaming adventure of fields, music, mud and freedom. We travelled the big names like Glastonbury and WOMAD, as well as smaller legendary gatherings that have long since disappeared, like Elephant Fayre.
Those were the days of free-range festival kids - sun-kissed, muddy-kneed, running through fields until dusk.
Times have changed, of course. Festivals are bigger, busier and parenting is a little less laissez-faire than it was back then. Now, with children of my own, I’ve discovered that free-range feeling can still be found.
Nothing makes me happier than watching my children - now seven and nine - disappear into the ever-changing but somehow wonderfully familiar landscape of Worthy Farm, building their own festival memories. We still love the big festivals, but we also enjoy smaller gems closer to home like Godney Gathering and Valley Fest. My children have been festival-goers since they were babes in arms, and they absolutely love the magic of it.
It helps that we’re an outdoorsy family. We camp regularly and now have the luxury of a campervan, but we’ve done plenty of festivals in tents too. The children are completely used to sleeping in fields throughout summer - just as I did with my brothers.
If you’re considering your first festival with children - or you’re a seasoned festival-goer wondering whether life with little ones means hanging up your wristband - here’s my honest guide to what helps, what matters and what’s worth packing.
Festival Essentials for Families
A washing-up bowl (trust me)
It may not sound glamorous, but a humble washing-up bowl is gold.
Yes, many festivals have showers, but sometimes it’s far easier to wash little ones in the comfort of your own tent or van. A warm bucket bath at bedtime can become part of the routine, believe it or not, it’s pretty useful for washing grown-ups too.
Ear defenders
An absolute essential.
Festivals are full-on sensory experiences - incredible, but intense. Loud music, crowds, smells, excitement, constant stimulation… it can all become overwhelming for little people.
Ear defenders aren’t just for protecting small ears from loud stages, they’re brilliant for helping children retreat a little when it all becomes too much.
A sturdy pushchair
My children stayed in a double buggy at festivals for far longer than they ever used one at home and for good reason.
A pushchair is:
- transport for tired legs
- a safe retreat when crowds feel overwhelming
- a mobile nap pod
- storage for snacks, jumpers, wipes… and yes, a few cans of beer
We had a second-hand Out'n'About double buggy that cost £50 and was worth every penny. The three large wheels handled rough festival terrain brilliantly.
Tent hacks that make all the difference
Modern blackout tents are fantastic for keeping children asleep longer during bright summer mornings. If your tent doesn’t have blackout bedrooms, pack a dark sheet or blanket that can be fixed between the inner and outer tent layers. Keeping sleep spaces dark for as long as possible really helps.
My other non-negotiable is a blanket for underneath the airbed. Cold from the ground will make the air bed feel freezing. Insulating beneath makes a huge difference and creates a much cosier night’s sleep.
A reliable power bank
A very worthwhile investment. For phones, lights, tablets, or emergency charging, a good power bank saves stress. We use a compact Anker power bank and it’s been excellent and has lasted us years.
My controversial parenting tip: bring the screens
I know screens at a festival might seem like a controversial move…but hear me out.
Festivals are exhausting for children. Late nights, broken sleep, overstimulation, endless excitement - it’s a lot. Sometimes they need familiar downtime.
We often head back to camp around teatime to reset:
- eat something familiar
- put on warmer clothes
- read books
- have a nap
- or watch something calm downloaded onto a tablet
And I’m completely fine with that. Rest is important and a quiet hour can make the whole evening magical again.
Pack familiar food
Festival food is one of life’s great pleasures. We love exploring amazing food stalls with the children and letting them try flavours from around the world. But if you’ve got a fussy eater, pack backups.
We always bring:
- apples
- bread
- dried fruit
- rice cakes
- simple snacks that keep well without refrigeration
My eldest will happily eat anything. My youngest is much pickier. Without backup snacks, she’d happily survive on chips, pancakes and doughnuts for an entire weekend. Tempting, but probably not ideal.
Toilets: prepare for unpredictability
Night-time toilet trips across a dark field are nobody’s idea of fun, so bring a portable potty or some kind of night-time solution. It makes life so much easier.
For daytime toilets:
- pack flushable wipes
- pack hand sanitiser
- lower your (and their) expectations
- keep fibre-rich snacks handy
Some children won’t bat an eyelid at compost loos or long-drops. Others will find festival toilets deeply upsetting. Both reactions are normal. And if they need to use a potty back at the tent, that’s fine too. Try not to stress too much.
Most importantly: let go of routine
Your normal rhythms will disappear. Bedtimes will be later. Sleep will be patchy. Everyone (children and adults) may have moments of tired tears and overwhelm and that’s okay.
Take it slowly. Don’t over-plan. Don’t expect too much of them, or yourself.
You may spend half your festival in the kids’ field, on fairground rides, or sitting listening to Andy talk about dinosaurs. And you know what? That’s brilliant.
The aftermath
When you get home all dusty and exhausted and surrounded by piles of washing, give yourself a massive pat on the back.
You did it!
And chances are, your kids will already be asking “When are we going again?”
Let us know your tips or thoughts on festivals with kids - we'd love to hear from you.