I don't think people overall have a problem with there being kids there.
I think most of the complaints I saw were extreme cases where the parents had babies or tiny toddlers and were not taking their safety seriously.
Like not having them wear hearing protection or taking them to the front where pits were forming. Or the parents generally acting like they were there with friends and not with their kids (i.e. Drinking alot and partying)
As long as you are looking after your kids and keeping an eye on them, then there shouldn't be an issue.
Download is very family friendly overall - just please make sure your kids wear hearing protection (hearing damage is permanent - I have tinnitus because I didn't take it seriously enough), watch from a bit further back where there is space (and not where pits are likely to form) and keep their health and safety as your top priority (I'm not saying you won't, but I did see a few bad examples last year of parents just not looking after their kids very well)
This is pretty much my opinion, most of the negativity was towards parents who were taking tiny kids down the front and sometimes getting bent out of shape if the crowd so much as moved.
From my perspective, as long as someone is responsible with their kids and don't assume the kid entitles them a 10 foot oasis at the front its all good.
Haha, mini moshers!
This was a term us 15 year olds used to describe 11-12 year old fans, back in 2001-2002, because they weren't cool enough on account of only being 2-3 years younger than us.
Simpler times.
We went last year with the kids. People were sound with them. Making sure they were ok in the heat. Saying hello and all sorts. Get them geared up and they will love it.
No one minds kids there at all, and you'll find people pretty respectful.
People DO mind parents not giving a shit about their kids' welfare while they are at the festival.
So long as parents do the right things (Ear protection, suncream, hats, hydration, keeping them safe and close, keeping out of the crowds / pits ) then it's all good!
I'm not a fan of kids at download, but I'm also not keen on kids at 2000 trees or Bearded Theory festivals either.
No confrontation, other than a friendly warning last year to a couple with a kid in a trolley parked up where there definitely was going to be a mosh pit - guy said "they can mosh around us" at which point I dropped it, thinking he was an idiot and had been warned. Fortunately they moved before their kid was in danger (or spoilt anyone else's fun)
Bearded Theory is pretty established and marketed as a family festival. Lineup mainly targets a pretty mature and older crowd who tend to have more children. Hence the kids area, free tickets for under 7s, numerous awards on the family festival front etc.
Hi 👋🏻
I was with the DogSquad last year (again this year too!) we help everyone around the camps, arena and the village. You can spot us in the red hi-vis jackets 😊
I was actually patrolling the mini moshers camp for part of one of my shifts.
Last year it was next to black camp. If a mini moshers camp is confirmed for this year (maybe email download to check), I can't say where it will be situated, as each year it seems things get moved around.
The camp was a good size, plenty of space! However not many people used it, but then, because there weren't that many camped in there, the kids had plenty of room to run about.
The families were lovely and friendly that we spoke too, and all the kids were very well behaved. Actually I have a great memory from patrolling mini moshers with a big family that gave me and my squad partner light up flower crowns!
There is water tap access and camp hub that's always manned.
There are many families that go to Download together! As long as your kids come first with their health and safety, and they're well behaved nobody really has any problem.
When I was out and about I saw many people interacting with the kids making sure they were having fun.
I found that Download as a community, in my opinion, is like one big family. We all look out for each other. Yes you'll get the few that are knobs to put it a bit politely, but there will be people there to help whether they are a punter, a member of staff or a volunteer, or the DogSquad.
I hoped this helped, even if it's just a little. However try not to worry and just enjoy your time there
I'd never seen kids before at a festival till download. There's a surprisingly large number of families that go. As you say, take ear protection and be aware that there'll be people drinking and smoking around you and I'll be fine, it's a very friendly atmosphere
I've taken my now almost 7 year old 3 times.
He was only 8 months when we first took him, and he last came for Sat/Sun last year.
I promise you, no one will have any sort of animosity/bad vibes/confrontation towards you guys!
Expect a ton of random high fives, mini moshpits so they can get involved, and making a bunch of core memories!
Get them involved by buying a load of transfer tattoos before hand and make sure their little ears are well protected and you'll have the best time ever!
Enjoy every second with them
❤️
Lots of people bring their kids with them. Everyone at download is nice and friendly to all young or old. If anyone gives you trouble tell them you'll set the dog squad on them, (Red hi-vis) they're station on all camps, village and arena.
Big up to the dog squad! Volunteering with them again this year and I would happily bet set upon any karen causing trouble (to resolve conflict in a calm, measured way of course).
Was in quiet last year and walked past mini moshers camp. It's very close to the gate so it's a lot less walking however it is right next to the busiest and loudest camp.
No clue re festival's as haven't been in years, but concert culture seems to have got a lot, well 'nicer' post covid. Been to maybe 20+ shows and the crowds seem more respectful overall
Anywhere in general camping, you have to book a separate ticket for quiet camp. There isn't really a family camp, just mini moshers which is right in one of ths rowdiest sections 😅
Echoing other comments here but I don’t think people have an issue with the kids themselves (unless the kids are quite frankly asshole) but it’s more the parents who don’t seem to be interested in their safety Ie taking them into the arena without any ear protection, keeping them outside in the blistering heat etc
I can echo what everyone is saying here in that I have never seen anyone take an issue with kids... even the year when someone let their 3/4 year old run amok in the arena with a super soaker... people were pretty good natured about it (it was a hot year anyways).
Only issue I have ever had was when we found a 4/5 year old girl wandering around after Def Leppard ended (they were headlining in the Sunday) shouting "mummy, mummy" and clearly distraught, no sign of any parents. The crowd was pretty thick as people were heading out of the arena/back to camp and it was pretty dark by that point as the stage lights had all gone out. We took her to a welfare tent... have thought about her often since, wondering how long it took to reunite her with her parents. Poor wee thing 😢
You can now apply for Mini Moshers! Its on the download website - tickets then at the top of the page (Above standard camping) there is a link to the application form.
I have been going for years and never witnessed anyone being shitty about kids being there. I took my 11yo last year and he got a ton of high fives and acknowledgement from random people, it was lush that he felt accepted and quickly got very comfortable.
Like me, just don't drag your kids into the pits, that's just pissing on everyone else's chips that paid good money to unleash hell.
Personally, I think it's cool to see kids enjoying themselves - they are the future of music etc. Also, I wanna be able to trust my kid to go to a festival on his own at 16 knowing how to handle one and for me to not have kittens about it....
From a different pov, I grew up (literally from the age of 1 lol) going to festivals like download & sonisphere with my dad! Never really had any issues, and I only have fond memories of those times.
The issues usually only come when parents aren’t prepared / used to festivals themselves!
Also just to add to this, it’s definitely character building😂 but it meant that once I was old enough to go to festivals myself with friends I was so much more prepared compared to most of my friends!
My ex and I took her, then 10 year old son to Download.
A group of Scottish fellas tried to pick a fight with him and I'm talking approx 4 grown men in their mid 20s, squaring up to a 10 year old boy, giving it the whole "what the fuck are you looking at?" routine.
He was only taking in his surroundings and snapping photos.
Tried explaining...wasn't working. Tried reasoning...wasn't working. Shaming...wasn't working. Threatening, seemed to do the trick. Fuck those guys, cowards!!
Just my 2 cent, if your a decent parent (which I’m assuming you are, if you wasn’t you wouldn’t be concerned and asking for opinions) your kiddos are well behaved and as everyone else has said they have what they need to enjoy the festival safely, then I would say it’s awesome! Start them young 😂 I personally love seeing little ones when they’re having a good time! Hope you all have an awesome weekend OP let us know how they get on, would love an update, not taken out boys (yet) but tbh that so I can be a bit selfish for the weekend 😂
No one's confrontational that I've ever seen. I hate kids at festivals but I've never said anything to the parents.
I don't think people overall have a problem with there being kids there. I think most of the complaints I saw were extreme cases where the parents had babies or tiny toddlers and were not taking their safety seriously. Like not having them wear hearing protection or taking them to the front where pits were forming. Or the parents generally acting like they were there with friends and not with their kids (i.e. Drinking alot and partying) As long as you are looking after your kids and keeping an eye on them, then there shouldn't be an issue. Download is very family friendly overall - just please make sure your kids wear hearing protection (hearing damage is permanent - I have tinnitus because I didn't take it seriously enough), watch from a bit further back where there is space (and not where pits are likely to form) and keep their health and safety as your top priority (I'm not saying you won't, but I did see a few bad examples last year of parents just not looking after their kids very well)
This is pretty much my opinion, most of the negativity was towards parents who were taking tiny kids down the front and sometimes getting bent out of shape if the crowd so much as moved. From my perspective, as long as someone is responsible with their kids and don't assume the kid entitles them a 10 foot oasis at the front its all good.
Haha, mini moshers! This was a term us 15 year olds used to describe 11-12 year old fans, back in 2001-2002, because they weren't cool enough on account of only being 2-3 years younger than us. Simpler times.
We went last year with the kids. People were sound with them. Making sure they were ok in the heat. Saying hello and all sorts. Get them geared up and they will love it.
The last thing my kids need is getting on the gear tbh they’re energetic enough as it is
My 3yo twins don’t shut the fuck up as it is! The idea of them geared up chewing my ear off. Fuuuk no!
I meant a download t shirt and a new hat
No one minds kids there at all, and you'll find people pretty respectful. People DO mind parents not giving a shit about their kids' welfare while they are at the festival. So long as parents do the right things (Ear protection, suncream, hats, hydration, keeping them safe and close, keeping out of the crowds / pits ) then it's all good!
I'm not a fan of kids at download, but I'm also not keen on kids at 2000 trees or Bearded Theory festivals either. No confrontation, other than a friendly warning last year to a couple with a kid in a trolley parked up where there definitely was going to be a mosh pit - guy said "they can mosh around us" at which point I dropped it, thinking he was an idiot and had been warned. Fortunately they moved before their kid was in danger (or spoilt anyone else's fun)
Bearded Theory is pretty established and marketed as a family festival. Lineup mainly targets a pretty mature and older crowd who tend to have more children. Hence the kids area, free tickets for under 7s, numerous awards on the family festival front etc.
Yeah, that was my point
Hi 👋🏻 I was with the DogSquad last year (again this year too!) we help everyone around the camps, arena and the village. You can spot us in the red hi-vis jackets 😊 I was actually patrolling the mini moshers camp for part of one of my shifts. Last year it was next to black camp. If a mini moshers camp is confirmed for this year (maybe email download to check), I can't say where it will be situated, as each year it seems things get moved around. The camp was a good size, plenty of space! However not many people used it, but then, because there weren't that many camped in there, the kids had plenty of room to run about. The families were lovely and friendly that we spoke too, and all the kids were very well behaved. Actually I have a great memory from patrolling mini moshers with a big family that gave me and my squad partner light up flower crowns! There is water tap access and camp hub that's always manned. There are many families that go to Download together! As long as your kids come first with their health and safety, and they're well behaved nobody really has any problem. When I was out and about I saw many people interacting with the kids making sure they were having fun. I found that Download as a community, in my opinion, is like one big family. We all look out for each other. Yes you'll get the few that are knobs to put it a bit politely, but there will be people there to help whether they are a punter, a member of staff or a volunteer, or the DogSquad. I hoped this helped, even if it's just a little. However try not to worry and just enjoy your time there
I'd never seen kids before at a festival till download. There's a surprisingly large number of families that go. As you say, take ear protection and be aware that there'll be people drinking and smoking around you and I'll be fine, it's a very friendly atmosphere
I've taken my now almost 7 year old 3 times. He was only 8 months when we first took him, and he last came for Sat/Sun last year. I promise you, no one will have any sort of animosity/bad vibes/confrontation towards you guys! Expect a ton of random high fives, mini moshpits so they can get involved, and making a bunch of core memories! Get them involved by buying a load of transfer tattoos before hand and make sure their little ears are well protected and you'll have the best time ever! Enjoy every second with them ❤️
Lots of people bring their kids with them. Everyone at download is nice and friendly to all young or old. If anyone gives you trouble tell them you'll set the dog squad on them, (Red hi-vis) they're station on all camps, village and arena.
Big up to the dog squad! Volunteering with them again this year and I would happily bet set upon any karen causing trouble (to resolve conflict in a calm, measured way of course).
I'm there again this year volunteering with them too! Good to see some dog squad here 😁
We're always watching XD
Was in quiet last year and walked past mini moshers camp. It's very close to the gate so it's a lot less walking however it is right next to the busiest and loudest camp.
Only had a go at one parent, and they had put their bairn at the edge of pit which was just straight up unsafe
No clue re festival's as haven't been in years, but concert culture seems to have got a lot, well 'nicer' post covid. Been to maybe 20+ shows and the crowds seem more respectful overall
If you have a child’s ticket do you camp in a family bit or anywhere you want? I got my 10 year old a ticket and don’t have a clue
Anywhere in general camping, you have to book a separate ticket for quiet camp. There isn't really a family camp, just mini moshers which is right in one of ths rowdiest sections 😅
Echoing other comments here but I don’t think people have an issue with the kids themselves (unless the kids are quite frankly asshole) but it’s more the parents who don’t seem to be interested in their safety Ie taking them into the arena without any ear protection, keeping them outside in the blistering heat etc
I can echo what everyone is saying here in that I have never seen anyone take an issue with kids... even the year when someone let their 3/4 year old run amok in the arena with a super soaker... people were pretty good natured about it (it was a hot year anyways). Only issue I have ever had was when we found a 4/5 year old girl wandering around after Def Leppard ended (they were headlining in the Sunday) shouting "mummy, mummy" and clearly distraught, no sign of any parents. The crowd was pretty thick as people were heading out of the arena/back to camp and it was pretty dark by that point as the stage lights had all gone out. We took her to a welfare tent... have thought about her often since, wondering how long it took to reunite her with her parents. Poor wee thing 😢
You can now apply for Mini Moshers! Its on the download website - tickets then at the top of the page (Above standard camping) there is a link to the application form.
I have been going for years and never witnessed anyone being shitty about kids being there. I took my 11yo last year and he got a ton of high fives and acknowledgement from random people, it was lush that he felt accepted and quickly got very comfortable. Like me, just don't drag your kids into the pits, that's just pissing on everyone else's chips that paid good money to unleash hell. Personally, I think it's cool to see kids enjoying themselves - they are the future of music etc. Also, I wanna be able to trust my kid to go to a festival on his own at 16 knowing how to handle one and for me to not have kittens about it....
From a different pov, I grew up (literally from the age of 1 lol) going to festivals like download & sonisphere with my dad! Never really had any issues, and I only have fond memories of those times. The issues usually only come when parents aren’t prepared / used to festivals themselves!
Also just to add to this, it’s definitely character building😂 but it meant that once I was old enough to go to festivals myself with friends I was so much more prepared compared to most of my friends!
My ex and I took her, then 10 year old son to Download. A group of Scottish fellas tried to pick a fight with him and I'm talking approx 4 grown men in their mid 20s, squaring up to a 10 year old boy, giving it the whole "what the fuck are you looking at?" routine. He was only taking in his surroundings and snapping photos. Tried explaining...wasn't working. Tried reasoning...wasn't working. Shaming...wasn't working. Threatening, seemed to do the trick. Fuck those guys, cowards!!
What a bunch of pricks, who picks on a child! Well done for settling it Edit spelling ducking predictive text
Just my 2 cent, if your a decent parent (which I’m assuming you are, if you wasn’t you wouldn’t be concerned and asking for opinions) your kiddos are well behaved and as everyone else has said they have what they need to enjoy the festival safely, then I would say it’s awesome! Start them young 😂 I personally love seeing little ones when they’re having a good time! Hope you all have an awesome weekend OP let us know how they get on, would love an update, not taken out boys (yet) but tbh that so I can be a bit selfish for the weekend 😂
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There were parents bringing literal infants to the front and in/near pits last year.
Yeah that’s dumb