Taking Children

[KenAdams]

What do people think about taking children to Glasto? Good idea or bad idea? I've got a 14 year old girl and an 11 year old son.

[al_coholic]

Its not really a problem, the only 2 questions for me would be, are their bands playing that they like and are ou prepared to let them go off on their own.

[crimsonking]

There must be some kind of pen or corale or something you can put them in so you can enjoy the festival.

[Niblet]

You have to weigh up the reason for going, do you want to go for yourself are do you want to go and let the kids rule the weekend, if I was taking kids it would be 95% geared around what they wanted to do with a modicum of selfishness on my behalf.

Will you be going on your own, with partner or in a group so that you could have a night were you don't have to be 100% responsible?

[SJC]

i have never seen kids more happy than at glastonbury. there is absolutely tons for them to do (plus i get my face painted every year in the kids field and i will be 25 at the start of june )

your son will get in free but your daughter would need her own ticket, as it's only 12 and unders that get in free when accompanied with an adult.

Edited March 14, 2009 by SJC

[lme]

I've taken my 3 youngest for the past 2 years (they were 11, 8 and 6 the first year). If your kids are reasonably confident, they will have a ball. We do a mix of kids field / green fields / bands, though at 11 and 14, I expect yours will want to take themselves off & do their own thing for a fair amount of the time anyway. My 13yo certainly does. As long as she has money & a mobile phone, she's quite happy.

Don't think I've missed out on anything I'd want to do by taking the girls (& they've found stuff I might otherwise have missed). However, I'm not massively interested in standing by the main stage all day & don't particularly want to do the all night stuff (though I might get dragged to Trash City by my 13yo this year if she can't find anyone else to go with.)

[jollynolly]

There is a brilliant write up on taking kids to Glasto on the Glasto Earth site in the INFO bit. I literally tells you everything you need to know.

As for my experience, do it, I took my 4 from when the youngest was 5. Head to the circus. I will show you a whole new side of Glasto.

Edited March 14, 2009 by jollynolly

[Addicted_Adele]

I took my 4 children (6, 11, 11 and 14 at the time) for the first time last year and we all had an amazing time, needless to say we are all looking forward to this year alot! When people suggested that the eldest would be fine doing his own thing I was nervous but Glasto is like a different world and when we returned home my son was a different kid, very grown up and responsible and has remained that way ever since...Glasto is indeed a life changing experience for many reasons!

I'd also like to add that the people here gave some wonderful advice to us last year and it really helped I will try and find the original thread for you!

/index.php?showtopic=100696&hl=">http://www.efestivals.co.uk/forums/index.p...=100696&hl=

Edited March 14, 2009 by Addicted_Adele

[talullah]

Take them...its a really positive experience for them...its such a lovely place..I took 3 last year and we're taking 5 this year aged from 12 to 18..we had fun with them, and on our own...didnt feel tied down or that we missed out on anything.

[denzilbrown]

What do people think about taking children to Glasto? Good idea or bad idea? I've got a 14 year old girl and an 11 year old son.

[grumpyhack]

My daughters started going when they were about 14 and they've been going ever since. But I'm not sure about pre-teens (I've no experience of the Kids Field).

It in part depends on how mature and confident they are. I'd certainly walk them round a few times at the start to make sure they get a sense of the geography and key landmarks.

I'd also agree a few very precise meeting points at the main stages - like the oak tree at the top corner overlooking the Pyramid or the sound desk/disabled viewing point in front of the Jazz World. Finding someone in the crowd can be hard. You can miss someone just twenty feet away from you.

Another thing you could do is keep in touch by mobile phone (if you can get a signal). Our group agree to switch our phones on (and listen to them) every hour on the hour.

[strudders]

Yep took my 14 yo and her brother 21.

She absolutely loved it and is very jealous I am going solo this year.

I first went when I was 14 too, however I did go with two school mates!

[DaftCat]

We're taking our daughter who'll be 3 in June. I think it'll be a great experience for us all because there is so much to do for children. It'll be interesting for me to see Glasto from a different perspective too, having never been with a young un before. The Kidz field looks great and I'm happy to miss a lot of bands to do whatever she wants

[airds]

In 2007 we first took the kids when they were 10 & 13 year old they loved it

we went to the kids field for about 20 mins, but they prefer the rest of glasto really..... the field just below the acoustic field (where the dance stage is), is excellent entertainment for kids, loads of people doing silly things, great place to sit around and kick back.

BTW our kids have never really explored by themselves, and I cant see the 15 year old exploring this year (mainly because there is only me in our family who has any sort of sense of direction ), but they still loved every minute

[sjhande]

Took the 10 yo and 13 yo last year. They experienced the fest differently and that related to the type of kids they are. My daughter (13) got totally into it and wanted to see and do everything. My 10 yo son never really got over his introduction as he came into the mud of Friday evening (before it dried out) and seeing a very drunk aggressive guy running round desperate for someone to kick the sh1t out of. He kind of got used to the crowds - but always had to keep one eye on him all w/e. He's said since he doesn't want to go back.

Being smaller (obviously) they don't get to get up close at the big stages - and so we spread ourselves about the festival more than we would otherwise - which I reckon was a good thing.Spent more time at the performance tents that I would have done if they hadn't been there that's for sure. Did anyone else see the French guy with the ping pong balls last year? What was THAT about...

[JackmyJack]

im 14 and iv been going for 7 years (since i was 7) and iv not had a problem at all, my house is litteraly at the main entrance of the festival, so if you wana have a cup of tea please knock

[Funkfarley]

im 14 and iv been going for 7 years (since i was 7) and iv not had a problem at all, my house is litteraly at the main entrance of the festival, so if you wana have a cup of tea please knock

[Messy]

Thought this thread would be about kidnapping little kiddies..

Disappointed.

[Funkfarley]

Thought this thread would be about kidnapping little kiddies..

Disappointed.

[JackmyJack]

So, as what would be considered by some as "Still a kid"...what is your view on the festival and what kinda stuff do you get up to whilst there?

[Funkfarley]

Thought this thread would be about kidnapping little kiddies..

Disappointed.

[Funkfarley]

well, i would normaly just go off with my friends, well thats what i did last year, only because i know my way around

then i would go get some cider ( they dont even check how old u r)

lol

then i would go home sleep then go back the next day

[whatmidlifecrisis?]

They'll love it. Confidence is key - theirs and yours. It is safe and friendly - we used to meet up every few hours or for some pre-arranged big acts. Don't worry about mobiles - when their money runs out they have an uncanny knack of seeking you out.... ;-)

[JackmyJack]

yeah, just make sure they dont come accross any druggys..

they're scary!!

[YouWhat]

Hmm....Myself i would never take my own children to any festival,but thats my choice, and before i get any stupid replys about life experience for them, they get that every day of there lives,plus i would not remove them from schooling to attend Glastonbury. Its a personal choice,and up to the parents