Now we know which festivals are your favourites, but what do our writers think?
Here are some of our Festival Kidz writers, their favourite festivals and the new festival they are each trying this year!
Please note all opinions stated below are those of our writers, who are all volunteers, and do not necessarily represent those of Festival Kidz!
Ellie Allen
Favourite
“The Big Feastival – for the vast range of facilities and activities for kids of all ages. This mixed with fab headliners on stage for the adults, plus of course the food and drink available is so brilliant it’s hard to choose where to go first.”
New this year
“I’m hoping to go to Boardmasters this year for a festival quite different to any I’ve ever been to. The emphasis is on surfing, skateboarding and bmx stunts (my boys will love this), and it looks like there’s plenty of interactive stuff too to get the kids involved. Line up looks fab and I love Cornwall. Hope the sun shines!”
Naomi Jones
Favourite
“My favourites are always the smaller ones. This is because I still have 3 children under 10 and they’re difficult to keep track of at the large festivals! My current favourite is Blissfields – the perfect little boutique festival – the music is always excellent and it’s small enough that my children don’t get lost, but not too small to party! Shambala is our children’s favourite because ‘there’s so much to do and we love all the art in the trees!’ I love all its green initiatives – this year it’s going fully vegetarian which will be an interesting challenge. Our family couldn’t imagine a year without it. ”
New this year
“I’m looking forward to Bearded Theory, especially because they have this amazing initiative of an Ofsted registered school on site. I’m always defending taking children to festivals as I believe it is an educational experience anyway, and it is wonderful to see festival organisers take this to heart and show parents that education doesn’t have to take place only in a classroom.”
Lisa Mills
Favourite
“End of the Road by a mile for me. The curators can always be trusted to garner an absolutely amazing line-up. I get into new bands every year as a result of their line-up, even if I don’t go. It’s a beautiful setting with peacocks roaming around and so easy to get around with children. The children’s area is full of amazing, quirky activities and the crowd are a laid back, friendly, check-shirted bunch. Think beards before they were a ‘thing’! The children are also very excited to go back to Cornbury for the Disco Shed and amazing kids’ activities, while us grown-ups are looking forward to seeing Bryan Ferry.”
New this year
“This year I’m looking forward to trying out Wood – I like the idea of a very small festival where the children are free to roam and have been wanting to try a more folky festival for some time. The music looks good and it sounds like a lovely environment for the very young.”
Catherine Prescott
Favourite
“Beautiful Days and Bearded Theory as they are like smaller versions of Glastonbury in the nineties. Also they have entertainment for the whole family. I would enjoy them with or without children.”
New this year
“This year we’re going to Camp Bestival as there is an incredible amount of entertainment and activities for the littlies and my daughter loves Jess Glynn. Forgotten Fields has been recommended, and Medieval Festival for the jousting, archery, magic and pretty frocks.”
Lisa Rabone
Favourite
“I love Deer Shed as it’s small yet perfectly formed. Great music line up, interesting theatre from Edinburgh festival and lots of intetesting science stuff for kiddos. Sunday morning rave is brilliant.”
Sarah Ryman
Favourite
“Blissfields for variety of music and fun plus total ease due to small scale. Shambala always wins for craziness and Elderflower Fields for the huge range of activities for kids with safety and freedom to roam plus easy going vibe with no crowds or idiots.”
New this year
“We’re going to give BoomTown a go this year as it sounds completely creative and I want to see for myself how ‘child friendly’ it really is. In August we’ll be returning to Beautiful Days for the first time in 10 years to enjoy it with the kids for the first time. We’re also thinking about checking out Englands Medieval Festival as it sounds like something totally different (and I do like a spot of fancy dress!)”
Kirsty Sharrock
Favourite
“Last year I think our favourite was Wilderness, definitely the poshest festival I’ve been to and there was a huge range of high quality activities, entertainment and food. I loved the setting with the lake to swim in and the late night entertainment tucked away so it didn’t disturb those who wanted to sleep. My (then) 2 year old was devastated when we had to leave.”
New this year
“This year I’m really looking forward to Deer Shed. I’m a scientist in real life so pleased to see a festival with lots of science activities as well as a good music line up. My Husband is a big film fan so this years Movie theme is a draw for him.”
So now you’ve heard from the Festival Kidz team, which festivals are you looking forward to this year?