Top festivals for little ones

With so many music festivals to choose from this year we thought we'd try to help by suggesting our favourites.  Remember the list is based not just on their line up but also how well they cater for under 5's!

Make sure you check out our post on top tips to enjoying festivals with little ones which has been put together by our friends at Boutique Babysitting.  And remember you'll enjoy festivals even more if your fully equipped so check out our festival survival kit!

Camp Bestival

28 / 29 / 30 / 31 July

Dorset

www.campbestival.net

Camp Bestival is a fantastic choice this year – not only does it have a great line up including Primal Scream, Blondie and The Wonder Stuff, it offers some of the best kids activities anywhere – so whether it’s dressing up, the English National Ballet or the Insect Circus your little ones will be fully entertained!

Green Man Festival

19 / 20 /21  August

Brecon Beacons

www.greenman.net

Certainly more laid back and gentler than the monster sized Glastonbury or Reading it offers a diverse quality line up including Laura Marling, Fleet Foxes and the excellent Iron & Wine – it’s like ‘Later with Jools’ in a beautiful setting!   All the fab kids stuff happens in Einsteins Garden (it evens has its own twitter feed (http://twitter.com/#!/einsteinsgarden)

Wilderness

12 / 13 / 14 August

Oxfordshire

www.wildernessfestival.com/

Definitely on a different vibe Wilderness promises ‘a place of freedom, inspiration and rejuvenation. It is a festival of pioneering performances, fireside banquets and theatrical spectaculars - a summer weekend that opens the mind and revitalizes the soul’.  But don’t assume the bands won’t be all that! It’s a very well crafted line up including Guillemots, Daniel Johnston and a ear watering pairing of Antony & the Johnsons with the fab Heritage Orchestra.  There’s probably less planned activities, more a fantastic spirit, storytelling and exploring

Harvest

9 / 10 / 11/ 12 September

Oxfordshire

http://alexjamespresentsharvest.com/

For those who want great food and music this is a must – where else can you mix the wonder chef  Tom Kerridge with  listening to KT Tunstall or dropping on the man himself, Gilles Peterson!  A real plus is that ‘family’ is a key part of the festival – so expect kids cooking lessons, craft making and The Fantastic Mr Fox!

Big Chill

4 / 5 / 6 / 7 August

Nr Malvern

http://bigchill.net/festival

If it’s a killer line up then look no further – Chemical Brothers, Kanye West, Jessie J and Wild Beasts, at Big Chill there’s something for all tastes  - and it doesn’t get better than Norman ‘rare groove’ Jay.  In past years The Kid’s Zone is where to head with your little ones.  On offer are workshops, puppet shows and storytelling to name a few!  Plus Club Mum area that offers soft play areas and somewhere just to chill.

Apple Cart Festival

7th August

Victoria Park, London

http://theapplecartfestival.com/

This one day festival is a new edition to the festival calendar and offers a fantastic mix of bands, DJ’s art, comedy and magic!  It’s definitely been put together with ‘family’ in mind – in addition to art activities, performances and magicians there’s Little Pips Play Area  for under 5’s with a quiet area (which is great if you prefer to breastfeed or nappy change away from the masses).  On yes, the line up!  Badly Drawn Boy, Gilles Peterson (on local soil), Magic Numbers, Saint Etienne and drum roll please…..Soul 2 Soul.  Plus it's only a rattles throw away from our Stoke Newington store!

Larmer Tree festival

13 /14 / 15 /16 / 17 July

Nr Sailsbury

www.larmertreefestival.co.uk/

Described as the ‘best kept secret’, Larmer Tree conjures up all that’s great about festivals – a wide variety of bands mixed with engaging workshops, gripping theatre, Mark Kermode’s Film Club, spellbinding spoken word, fascinating street theatre as well as Secret Garden therapies.  For kids there’s too much to mention with countless shows & activities, while for the under 5’s there’s baby music, baby yoga, playsong plus a baby changing tent! Beware – this festival always sells out!





Others to explore:

Cornbury Festival

1 / 2 / 3 July

Oxfordshire

http://www.cornburyfestival.com/

Wychwood Festival

3 / 4 / 5  June

Cheltenham

http://www.wychwoodfestival.com/

Truck Festival

22 / 23 / 24 July

Oxfordshire

http://www.thisistruck.com



If you've any great festival tips or ideas we'd love to hear you comments.

Thanks