How to do Glastonbury Festival with Kids!

I’ve read mixed opinions about whether Glastonbury is appropriate for children, ranging from people saying it’s as great for kids as it is for adults to one extreme view I came across today, claiming that the environment is so dangerous for children that their safety is at risk, and that parents are irresponsible, suggesting all kids under 16 should be banned!

This year marked my 19th Glastonbury Festival. I’ve been attending since I was young enough to get in for free as a child myself. There hasn’t been a festival that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed, and I’ve always eagerly awaited the next one. My kids have never missed a festival yet in their lifetime, and this was their fourth. I have absolutely no doubt that they have just as much fun as I do, as is evident from the joy on their faces and the fact that they’ve been asking about it constantly for the last year.

However, with that said, taking children to Glastonbury and ensuring they have a good time while keeping them safe—while still enjoying yourself as a parent—requires making some adjustments to the way I’ve approached Glastonbury in the past. I hope any parents considering going with kids, or who might have had a negative experience before, will read this guide and find some helpful tips:

Make Use of the Kids’ Facilities #

The family campsites at Glastonbury are a fantastic safe space for children, and I’ve never encountered a rowdy neighbor in all the years I’ve camped there.

My favorite is Cockmill Meadow as it is more centrally located and close to Kidzfield, where you’ll probably be starting most of your days.

I haven’t camped at the Wicket Ground Family Campsite, but friends who have love the open space up there. It’s probably ideal if you’re the type to camp out at the Pyramid during the afternoons, though it’s a little far from the theatrical side of the festival for my liking.

For the last two years, however, we’ve splurged on the tipis. The fact that the tent is already pitched, spacious, has tons of open space surrounding it, is fenced in, and has showers is well worth the money, in my opinion. The main reason, though, is that I’ve become part of a large crew who always camps nearby, so I can still get out to see my friends more easily in the evenings. The sound from the Stonebridge Bar was intense at 6 am on Saturday, but the kids slept through it like it was a lullaby.

Probably the best perk of the Tipi Field is being able to watch bands on The Park from the doorway of the tent while sipping on your own cold beer and the kids play gleefully in the long grass between you and the masses behind the security fence.

The two kids’ areas at Glastonbury—Kidzfield and Green Kids—are truly amazing. Packed with rides and shows, the kids would be happy to spend the whole day there, and it’s always difficult to tear them away when it’s time to hit the festival proper.

Outside of the designated kids’ areas, the Circus, Theatre, and Cabaret Fields offer plenty to entertain both children and adults, with lots of outdoor theatrics during the day that are always fun to check out.

If any of your children have sensory or additional needs, you may be able to apply for access passes, which grant access to sensory spaces and some nifty cut-throughs to avoid the crowds.

Find Bands That Both Parents and Kids Can Enjoy #

Even on the main stages, there are always some acts that are just as enthralling for children as they are for adults.

The kids loved Dexys, The Mary Wallopers, and Skindred, but their highlight was sitting on our shoulders and bopping their toy axes and swords to Heilung!

Avoid the Crowds #

I’ve seen a lot of complaints about crowds at Glastonbury this year, but with careful planning, you can avoid most of the chaos. I’m not sure that this year was particularly worse than past years, especially compared to those with higher attendance in the late ‘90s when the site was much smaller.

Even before I had kids, I started taking steps to avoid the more congested areas after getting caught in a few crowd compressions in my younger days. Since my children were born, I’ve managed to avoid these areas completely.

Anticipate which artists or areas are likely to be busy and then go the opposite way. For example, if there’s a big act on the Pyramid Stage, accept that you’ll be watching from the back, and instead of navigating through the markets, head towards Car Henge and up through Kidney Mead and Big Ground. If you’re coming from the other side, go up the back of Woodsies and through the woods.

When the band finishes, don’t rush off right away. It only takes about 10 minutes for the crowds to disperse, and then you can follow in a gentler wave.

And don’t bother trying to take your kids to the SE Corner or Arcadia after the headliners—it’s really not suitable for little ones at that time.

Go with Friends #

If you can, camp with friends who have kids. It’s ideal, but even if you have reliable friends without kids, having some help—even for a little while—can be invaluable.

Work in Shifts #

If you’re a couple, take turns. Let your partner run off to meet friends at Bicep while you do something chill or take the kids back to bed.

If you have a group of friends with a manageable number of kids, one or two of you can stay back at the camp and let the rest of the crew run wild.

Don’t Get (Too) Smashed #

This one goes without saying, but you need to stay in control. Stay away from the drugs, parents!

Consider a Proper Off-Road Buggy #

For kids up to around 7 or 8, a great outdoor buggy is the only realistic way to cart them around. You might be able to get the kids on their feet around town for a few hours during the day, but if you’re determined to make the most of your festival, you’re going to need decent wheels.

Festival trolleys are okay, and I’ve seen some great canopies people have built, but I’d only recommend them for smaller festivals with shorter distances, as they’re tough to pull and don’t handle rough or muddy ground well.

The best options are bike trailers with running kits (like Hamax, Burley, and Thule/Chariot). The larger wheels are perfect for uneven ground, and they handle mud surprisingly well. The best part is that the suspension smooths the ride, so younger children will drop right off to sleep around 9 pm. With the right ear protection, you can roll them to whatever headliner tickles your fancy while they stay soundly asleep—ahhh.

Send the Kids Packing #

I confess—we always send the kids off to the grandparents on Saturday afternoon so we can get at least two proper nights in, while the kids still get five full days of the festival they enjoy. I know it’s kind of cheating, and I wouldn’t hesitate to bring them for the long haul if I didn’t have other options, but Mum and Dad need a chance to let their hair down too!

I’m well aware that my children have been lucky so far, having never seen a muddy year at Glastonbury. I think back to some of those mud baths and wonder how I would cope, but hey, maybe climate change has fixed that problem for us.