Festivals aren’t just about music and mud anymore. Across the UK, more and more family-friendly festivals are popping up – offering everything from woodland adventures and circus skills to live music, storytelling, and delicious food. Whether you’ve got toddlers, teens, or something in between, there’s a UK festival this summer that’s perfect for your tribe.
And if you want to level up the experience? Take a campervan. With your own warm, dry base, comfy beds, and everything from snacks to spare socks to hand, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one. Bhode Vans offers family-focused layouts like the Bhode NOMAD – ideal for festival season with five belted seats, room to sleep six (with a pop-top), and loads of built-in comfort.
Can You Take Kids to Festivals?
Absolutely. UK festivals are becoming increasingly family-centric, with many offering kid-specific
programming, relaxed camping zones, and dedicated children’s areas.
Top Tip: Always check the festival’s website for age-specific activities and amenities before you
book.
Quick Festival Prep Guide for Families
- Pick the Right Festival: Choose ones with a reputation for family-friendliness (we’velisted our favourites below).
- Pack Smart: Think all-weather clothing, sun protection, ear defenders for kids, reusablebottles, snacks, and layers.
- Plan Your Route & Parking: If you’re going in a campervan, make sure your van passis booked early – they go fast.
- Bring the Comforts: A campervan gives you a safe, warm, private base. It’s especiallygreat for nap breaks, snacks, or escaping sudden downpours.
What to Expect at Family Festivals
- Entertainment: Live music, theatre shows, storytelling, comedy, and roamingperformers.
- Workshops: From circus skills and den building to craft tents, forest school, and baby yoga.
- Facilities: Family loos, baby change, feeding tents, and quieter chill-out areas.
Top UK Family-Friendly Festivals for 2025
Elderflower Fields (Sussex – 23–26 May)
Nature-based fun in a beautiful forest setting. Packed with creative workshops, forest school, dance-offs, music, and sporty adventures.
● Tickets: Adults from £203 / Children from £101
● Campervan Pass: £101
The Big Retreat (Pembrokeshire – 23–26 May)
Part wellbeing, part music, all good vibes. Plenty of kids’ play spaces, nature trails, and yoga alongside headline music acts.
- Tickets: Adults from £199 / Youth from £70
- Campervan Pass: From £85
Wychwood Festival (Cheltenham – 30 May–1 June)
Big-name music meets kids’ literature, craft tents, and over 100 workshops for all ages. Great entry-level festival.
● Tickets: Adults from £169 / Kids from £84
● Campervan Pass: £75
2000 Trees (Gloucestershire – 9–12 July)
A small but mighty rock/indie festival with forest stages, chilled family camping and loads of forest-based kids’ activities.
● Tickets: Adults £283 / Teens £137 / Children £20
● Campervan Pass: £95
Deer Shed Festival (Yorkshire – 25–28 July)
A thoughtful cultural festival packed with kid-led creativity, top music, science tents, and parent-friendly facilities.
- Tickets: Adults £308 / Teens £190 / Child £28
- Campervan Pass: From £46
Camp Bestival (Dorset – 31 July–3 Aug)
The ultimate family festival with DJs, skate ramps, silent discos, circus shows, and wall-to-wall fun.
Tickets: Adults from £232 / Child £113
Campervan Pass: From £132
Why Hire or Travel in a Campervan?
- Avoid mud and midnight toilet trips
- Lock away valuables securely
- Create a calming base for little ones
- Cook your own meals
- Stay warm and dry no matter the weather
Check out Bhode Vans for family-ready campervans like the Bhode NOMAD –
designed with comfort and convenience in mind.
Final Tips
- Download festival apps for maps and schedules
- Use a pull-along trolley for gear and tired toddlers
- Pack fairy lights – they’re fun and double up as helpful night-time markers
- Keep a stash of snacks, wipes, and suncream handy at all times
