9 Family Friendly Festivals To Take The Kids To This Summer
Let’s face it, festivals have a bit of a bad rep, known for being crowded with teenagers running loose with a tinny in tow, and definitely not places for little kids to be wandering around. Thankfully, parents prayers have been answered with more and more family friendly festivals popping up across the UK, incorporating magical woodland paradises for the kiddies imaginations to run wild. From Alice in Wonderland treasure trails to discovering the wonderful world of science, we’ve created a list of our favourite kid friendly festivals to explore this summer…
Wilderness Festival
When you’re looking for a kid-friendly festival, the main worry is the activities on offer. If there’s not enough to keep your child entertained for an hour, then how on earth are you going to keep them bemused for a four day stint. Which is where Wilderness Festival comes to the rescue. The festival is jam-packed with weird and wonderful activities to keep your little ones laughing all weekend long.
Tucked away in the heart of Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, Wilderness Festival is surrounded by, well, the wilderness, 5,000 acres worth to be exact. Yes, the festival is showcasing some great acts including Robyn, Tom Odell, and Bombay Bicycle Club, but the festival has even more magic waiting to be unveiled. From the family theatre tent with Tootle & Nibs, to the woodland tribe area that’s just waiting to be climbed. Get in the magical spirit and explore what Mother Nature has to offer…
Wilderness Festival runs August 1st – 4th
Where: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, OX7 3HL
Website: www.wildernessfestival.com
Latitude
Tucked away in the East of England, you’ll find the fairyland that is Latitude Festival. Acres upon acres of rolling fields surround you as you make your way to the little ol’ county of Suffolk. You’ll be fully immersed in the world of the arts as Latitude Festival is known for its wide range of festive activities and goings-on in theatre, comedy, dance and more.
Having won Best Family Festival at the UK Festival Awards 2018, it’s only natural we included this little childhood paradise. Kids can let their imaginations run wild as they enter the enchanted garden scattered with craft corners and circus activities. For the older kiddies, there’s an area dedicated for teens who want to have their own space filled with everything from music, digital, fashion, tech, media and music workshops.
Latitude Festival runs July 18th – 21st
Where: Henman Park, Suffolk, NR34 8AQ
Port Eliot Festival
Let out your inner child as you enter Cornwall’s very own Narnia. Nuzzled down south-west in the beautiful seaside village of St Germans, you’ll find an other-worldly festival ready to be explored. Port Eliot invites you to drink, dance, dress up, get lost, and let go of the mundane for a weekend.
Wander on up into the woods where you’ll find the dedicated children’s area, providing a haven for adventure. Explore the bizarrely glorious world of Alice in Wonderland as you embark on a treasure hunt filled with mad characters along the way or, jump on board the canoe train as you paddle along the river in Canadian canoes.
Port Eliot Festival runs July 25th – 28th
Where: St Germans, Saltash, Cornwal, PL12 5ND
Website: www.porteliotfestival.com
Just So Festival
Wanting to create a spellbinding weekend of family fun is Just So Festival. The festival provides goers with a magical experience where art, music and literature come together and entwine with the stunning landscape. It’ll be a weekend of family fun and adventure as you explore the hidden area. From the spellbound forest showcasing some of the finest theatre and film classics, to the garden of delight, providing a safe haven for both animals and humans.
As the sun begins to set and night falls, the fire garden will come to life, illuminating the festival with an incredible installation of metal and fire.
Just So runs August 16th – 18th
Where: Rode Hall Estate, Scholar Green, Cheshire, ST7 3QT
Website: www.justsofestival.org.uk
Shambala Festival
Combining mischief and mayhem with a mountain load of music comes Shambala Festival. Locked away in a secret location, you’ll find an incredibly family-friendly environment, with a wild side. Shambala has a dedicated playtopia just for the kiddies to become fully immersed in all things circus-related.
From tutu making workshops to human chess boards, funky woodcrafting to ballet karaoke, there’s a little slice of heaven for all, no matter your personality.
Shambala Festival runs August 22nd – 25th
Where: Secret Location In Northamptonshire
Website: www.shambalafestival.org
Deer Festival
Venture up north and relive your yonder days at the Deer Shed Festival. Master the art of the Rubik’s cube (we’re all struggling to complete one in the office currently!), relive your retro gaming days, or learn the skill of a furby organ (yes, a music furby organ!) with Look Mum No Computer in the science tent.
Or explore the remarkable world of art through immersive theatre, walkabout performances and art installations. If you’re more of a sporty type, channel your inner Hulk with KAPOW wrestling or test your broom flying skills with a game of quidditch. There’s also chill out zones for when you need to calm the hyperactive kids. They can chill out (sort of) while taking part in an interactive Mamma Mia or Mary Poppins screening.
Deer Shed Festival runs July 26th – 28th
Where: Baldersby Park, Top Cliffe, North Yorkshire, YO7 3BZ
Website: www.deershedfestival.com
Green Man Festival
Whether you’re travelling to a festival for the music, the experience or the kiddie area, Green Man Festival combines the best of the bunch. This year’s line up includes Four Tet (live), Father John Misty, Eels and more. Explore the hidden art installations and interactive exhibitions in fortune falls, or unveil your inner brainiac in Einstein’s garden, the first UK festival science engagement area.
Your kiddies can enjoy a galaxy of fun in the little folk area, where they can participate in creative workshops and let their imaginations loose as they come astronauts for the day. On the Sunday afternoon, they’ll be able to join in the action during the Little Folk Parade.
Green Man Festival runs August 15th – 18th
Where: Brecon Beacons, Wales
Website: www.greenman.com
Standon Calling
Take a trip up to Herdfordshire this summer for the fabulous Standon Calling festival. This year, you’ll be joined by entertainment pioneers Dick and Dom, legendary Mr Bloom and his band, and special jurassic guests How To Train Your Dinosaur.
Your little one fancy themselves a bit of a singer or dancer? Imajica Theatre will help them reach for the stars as they learn valuable vocal and dance skills. Or if they’re more into rap and graffiti, kids can take part in TAF workshops. Let’s just hope they don’t want to spray paint their bedroom by the end of the weekend…
Standon Calling runs from July 25th to 28th
Where: Standon, Herdfordshire, SG11 1EE
Website: www.standon-calling.com
Kendal Calling
Let out your wild side as you venture over to Kendal Calling. The ‘kids calling’ area allows little ones can explore the extensive range of craft workshops, story-telling corners and be amongst their favourite CBeebies presenter, Alex Winters. Dig for dinosaur bones and discover Neolithic cave art as the kiddies take part in the prehistoric adventures. Even the under three’s have their own area to crawl, hop or fly through the weekend.
Kids can even channel their inner musician through the percussion making and music workshops held throughout the weekend, and learn the art of fire dancing getting them ready for a real campfire party in years to come.
Kendal Calling runs July 25th – 28th
Where: Lowther, Penrith CA10 2HH
Website: www.kendalcalling.co.uk
