The UK hosts thousands of music events, gigs and festivals each year, meaning there’s something for everyone to enjoy, including families looking to share new experiences with their children.
To find out more, online ticket seller Skiddle spoke to one parent who is a big advocate for taking children to music events. Cassie Cooper, 42, from Darlington, has been taking her three children to festivals and gigs since they were little, and now that they’re teenagers, she can clearly see the positive impact it’s had on them in terms of development and creativity.
Skiddle asked her a series of questions to find out what inspired her to start taking her kids to concerts, her experiences and her advice for parents who might be thinking about taking their children to an upcoming music event.
Firstly, what was your motivation for introducing your children to music concerts and festivals?
“Initially, I was looking for something that we could do as a family and to occupy my three children. I wanted us to be able to do something together that was a little bit different to the usual days out, but still fun for all of us and inspiring too. Since introducing them, we’ve been to everything from local music gigs, to high profile festivals and headline tours. We all love it and it’s allowed us to create some fantastic memories over the years.”
Did you and your partner experience live music whilst you were growing up? Did that influence your decision with your children?
“Growing up, myself and my partner went to lots of music events, festivals and gigs, so we both wanted our kids to experience that too as part of their childhood. We have so many happy memories of attending these gigs back in our youth, which did help to influence our decision to take the kids to see live musical acts and let them experience it for themselves.
I wanted to introduce the kids to a brand new environment that they weren’t used to, that could open doors to new interests and experiences that they would be keen on doing. And whilst it was something we could do as a family, music concerts and festivals have a cultural impact and give us a greater sense of community, which I wanted my children to experience.”
Have you noticed any lasting impact on their confidence, creativity or interests since attending a live music event?
“Each one of my children love watching live music and have developed their own musical tastes, which I think is fantastic. I have three, creative, confident young people who have been impacted positively by their early experiences with music events. They’re all teenagers now, so I’m pretty sure they’ll be keen on attending festivals with their friends in the future as they become more independent.
I have seen the lasting benefits that attending music events has had on my children, and I think it’s so important that families are able to gain access to events in music or the arts, where cost isn’t a barrier and is affordable to attend.”
How do you choose a music event and work out whether it’s suitable for your children?
“Obviously you have to look at the suitability of music events and whether it’s safe to take your kids. Currently, my youngest is 13 years old and my oldest is 18, so we still have to be mindful of the act we’re off to see, such as explicit language in the lyrics to how rowdy the audience might be. We have been to plenty of concerts and festivals that are geared towards families, or have an area that is more suited to families with children, which definitely puts a parents mind at ease.”
Did you have any initial hesitations or concerns about taking your children to a live music event?
“I did have a few reservations about attending a music event with three young children, but my mind was quickly put to rest once we attended a couple of events together. I initially thought that the gig would be full of drunk people, bouncing around in the crowds pushing each other, which would be less than ideal for a young family. However, all the gigs we’ve attended as a family have been great and we’ve not had any negative experiences. Yes, you still see people going a little wild in the crowd, however I found that you can all be at the same event and enjoy how you want to, thanks to the different zones at the venue.”
What’s been your most memorable concert experience together as a family?
“Over the years we’ve amassed some incredible memories and it’s lovely to hear my children reminisce about the gigs and festivals we’ve attended together as a family. Making memories and enjoying our family time is exactly why we wanted to attend music concerts in the first place, so I think we’ve definitely achieved that. One memory that really really stands out is all of the family singing together at a music festival, just enjoying the music without a care in the world. After the act ended, we went for a wild swim together. It was a very unique experience but something we still talk about and remember so fondly.”
What advice would you give to other parents thinking about taking their kids to a gig or festival for the first time?
Do your research – I highly recommend researching the event before you purchase tickets to ensure it’s suitable for children. Naturally some events are not suitable for families and young children, however most ticket vendors and event promoters will provide all the information you need to make an informed decision, such as minimum age requirements or explicit language.
Prepare for the weather – If you’re attending open air concerts or festivals, it pays to be prepared for all weather conditions, especially with the unpredictable UK weather. It’s worth packing lightweight jackets in a rucksack that you can rely on if you experience a sudden downpour. These are a godsend to prevent your little ones from getting soaked, allowing you all to stay dry and continue to enjoy the music.
Take food and drink with you – Food at festivals can be very expensive, and with a hungry family to feed, costs can seriously rack up. Consider taking your lunch with you to keep your costs down at day festivals and at events where taking your own food and drink is permitted. If you’re camping at a festival, take canned and basic foods that you can cook on a camping stove, so you don’t need to constantly rely on food vendors at the event.
Have an exit plan – It’s worth having an exit plan when you’re ready to leave the venue with your family. Knowing exactly where you’re going will make it so much easier for you, especially if you have young children with you. If necessary, leave the venue a few minutes before the end of the set to get ahead of the huge crowds that head towards the exit at the same time. Many large venues have arena maps on their websites too, so it’s worth checking those out to find out where the nearest exit is in relation to where you’re sitting or standing at the gig.
Get advice from forums and social media – Take advantage of the wide range of music and parenting forums that are available to read online. There’s plenty of parents out there who take their children to gigs and festivals, so it’s always worth reading their advice and experience to pick up some valuable tips and get some extra reassurance.
Don’t overthink it too much – It’s great to be prepared, however try not to overthink attending an event with the kids. If you find the right event for your family, prepare for the conditions and have an exit plan, chances are you’ll be just fine. Try to relax and make those precious memories with your family.
Jamie Scahill, Director at Skiddle also provides his expert insights on how families can enjoy music events safely:
Check out reviews of the venues beforehand – When planning to take your child to a concert, start by choosing a venue with a strong reputation for safety and accessibility, especially for families. A good venue will have on-site first aid, clear signage to navigate around, easily accessible exits and family-friendly facilities such as designated toilets or quieter areas. Smaller or outdoor venues can also be a great choice, as they tend to feel less crowded and easier to navigate with children, helping to reduce stress for both you and your child.
Provide emergency contact details – If you’re separated from your children at any point during the event, write your contact details (name, phone number) on a wristband, card or lanyard and discreetly attach it to your child’s clothing. This will make it quick and easy for venue staff or security to reunite you with each other.
Establish a Meeting Point – As soon as you arrive, ensure you agree on a visible, central meeting point in case someone in your party gets separated and has no other way of getting in contact. Ideally, choose somewhere quiet and staff-monitored such as a merch stand or first aid tent. It’s worth making sure that your child knows what security staff look like too before the event starts.
Choose your seats wisely – Opt for seated areas or accessible viewing zones where possible. Being slightly removed from the main crowd can help kids feel safer and let you manage the experience more easily. If it’s a standing event, aim for a spot near the back or side.
Consider packing family essentials – It’s worth taking noise-cancelling headphones or ear defenders for younger children, particularly those who have never experienced very loud environments before. Also consider packing snacks, water, wet wipes or any comfort items they may require. Just remember to check out the venue’s bag policy in advance to avoid delays at entry.
