Your Family Festival Survival Guide

Pack Like You’re Planning a Military Operation – Here’s the essential list:

• High SPF sun cream as you’re outdoors for hours
• Ear defenders/protection for babies/young children – non-negotiable!
• Power banks for phone charging
• Backup snacks for hunger emergencies
• Reusable water bottles plus spares
• Layers and waterproofs – pack for all possibilities
• Plenty of spare socks (wet feet = miserable children)
• Torch for night time
• Emergency supplies: basic first aid items if desired (though our medics are fully equipped)

On First Arrival at Site:

• Write Contact Numbers on Wristbands: Before you do anything else, grab a permanent marker and write your mobile number on each child’s wristband. If they get separated from you, stewards and other festival-goers can help reunite you. Wristbands available at the arena entrances and Kids Area and Enchanted Garden Info Caravans and Family Welfare Point.
• Unaccompanied Wristbands: If you have children aged 10-12 who you’re happy to let explore independently, head to any wristband exchange to get their Authorised Unaccompanied Wristbands. These are like training wheels for festival freedom.

Daily On-Site Routine:

• The Morning Photo Ritual: it’s a great idea to photograph the kids every morning…when little ones inevitably wander off, you’ll have proof of exactly what they’re wearing to show stewards instead of frantically describing “um, they had clothes on?”
• Charging Strategy: Power packs will also be on sale or you can bring your own but it’s a great stress relief knowing everyone has a charged phone to get hold of each other.

Choose Your Family Campsite Spot Strategically

Our Family Campsite is designed with families in mind, but the location within it still matters! Here’s what works:

Landmark Navigation: Decorate your campsite with something recognisable so the whole family can find their way back! Remember the campsite changes as it fills up so  “next to the big red tent” may not be enough!

The Festival Community: Chat with neighbouring families – great friendships can blossom from festival families looking out for each other.

The Sacred Meeting Point: Choose somewhere central and unmissable. The colourful entrance to our Enchanted Garden in the Family Campsite has been countless families’ meeting spot over the years, and you can’t miss the Helterskelter in the Kids Area!

Festival Hacks

Snacks: Our food traders offer an amazing variety, but smart parents pack backup snacks so nobody gets hangry!

Hydration: Make good use of the free water points located throughout the arena. Seasoned festival families bring reusable bottles plus spares.

Festival Wisdom for Kids Of All Ages

The Under-10s: These little ones need constant supervision by an adult (not just an older sibling) but they’re also your ticket to experiencing Latitude’s creative corners! Our family areas are packed with activities that captivate children while secretly entertaining adults, too.

The 10-12 Sweet Spot: Perfect Festival Independence They can explore our workshops and activities independently while still wanting to share the experience with you. Those unaccompanied wristbands from our wristband exchange are like training wheels for festival freedom.

Teenagers: This age group works best with clear communication and agreed check-in points and times.

Weather

Dress for Every Possibility: In my years at Latitude, I’ve seen every weather combination imaginable! The families who thrive are those who prepare for sunshine, rain, and everything in between.

Essential Sun Protection: I cannot stress this enough! Pack high SPF sun cream and reapply throughout the day. Long festival days in open fields can be deceiving – even on cloudy days, UV rays are still doing their work!

The Family Community

Parents at Latitude are extraordinary. I’ve watched beautiful connections form as families support each other through the festival experience. Don’t hesitate to connect; it’s joyful seeing these natural communities develop. Even families with babies and toddlers are catered for in the Kids Area and Enchanted Garden, with everything from baby sling adjustment to baby bath time.

When Things Don’t Go to Plan

Lost wristbands happen – our welfare team are absolute legends.

Meltdowns are completely normal – our quiet spaces are designed for regrouping.

Festival tiredness is real – pace yourselves and embrace the slower moments.

Lost Property works! So many items get handed in, from the valuable to the sentimental, so do check. If something is found within the Kids Area or Enchanted Garden, we’ll keep it that day by the Info Caravan in each area so stop by.

Latitude Support Network:

Festival stewards are here to help you – Don’t be worried about asking for help in any situation, whether it’s asking for directions or to report something or someone you’re worried about. They’re trained to assist families and know the site inside out.

Medical support is comprehensive – There are medics at the festival who are fully equipped to deal with all situations, so you don’t need to bring a first aid kit. That said, many families bring a small kit with essentials such as plasters, just for those minor scrapes and bumps that happen during festival adventures.

During the festival I’m generally based around the Kids Area Information Caravan with my colleague & all-round girl wonder, Chloe. We love meeting Latitude families, and are happy to answer your questions to come along and say hello!

The Family Campsite

Our dedicated Family Campsite isn’t just about convenience of dedicated facilities – it’s also about community. Plus, the Enchanted Garden is located here, with a full programme of activities, workshops and live shows starting at 9am so make the most of your mornings.

Latitude with kids is about creating magical moments that happen when you leave behind your normal routine and do something extraordinary together. I’ve programmed activities for thousands of families, and the best experiences always come from embracing the unexpected.

Your children won’t remember every detail, and they probably won’t remember the headliners, but they’ll remember how the festival made them feel. Magic, wonder, creativity, and connection – that’s what we aim for.

The most successful festival families aren’t the ones with the perfect plan – they’re the ones who remain curious, flexible, and open to the beautiful chaos that makes Latitude special.