The reputation of Solfest’s Workshop and Kids’ Arena is almost legendary, and this year is definitely going to be our best yet as we bring you more crafts, games, stories, songs, entertainment, dressing-up and facilities than you can shake a whittled stick at!

If you’re a parent who’s never been to a festival before, or if you used to love festivals before the kids came along, then there are some good reasons why we think you should give Solfest a try…

Solfest has great facilities for families. The natural amphitheatre of the Main Stage and Drystone Stage ensure that you can get a fabulous view of the bands you want to see without having to risk being crushed in a marquee. Stand at the back and enjoy the whole panorama, or dance around at the front with your kids on your shoulders. It’s up to you.

Our Workshops and Kids’ Arena has designated Kids’ toilets to prevent lengthy queues with little ones who ‘just can’t wait’. They are roomy enough to allow a parent to supervise if necessary and we do our best to keep them especially clean and tidy.

We offer a separate family campsite so you don’t have to worry about late-night revellers keeping your children awake at night or your children keeping late-night revellers awake during the day! If you do have a problem in the campsite and can’t, or don’t want to, leave your tent; just ring or text our Steward’s Hotline and somebody will try to deal with your problem straight away.

Just because it’s your turn to babysit it doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on all the charms of the festival. Return to your tent; light yourself a fire (fire wood provided) and simply relax.

We can’t guarantee that Solfest will be mud free, but we’re confident that our festival site is one of the best in the country when it comes to planning and management should the ‘brown stuff’ put in an appearance.

Solfest has an approved child protection policy including a well-tested Lost/Found Children’s procedure. We also provide free-of-charge wristbands to write your mobile number on so you can be quickly re-united with your wandering little-one.

We divide activities on our website into two categories, ‘Workshops’ and  ‘Kids’ but most of our activities are suitable for children and adults to enjoy together  (except perhaps for the chair-o-planes as your adult bum might get stuck!) We think that the activities below will mainly appeal to children (and/or their parents) but you don’t have to drag a child with you to try something new for yourself.

• The fantastic leeds based Ladybird will be bringing all manner of crafts and hands on activities so parents can enjoy getting creative with their kids. in addition to this there will be a great programme of performance workshops featuring everything from kids yoga to a Bollywood dance-off, and the opportunity for older kids to get theatrical and make a play in a day or develop and play out their own piece of walkabout theatre to the rest of the festival. the ladybird transforms in the evening into a fantastic family friendly cabaret venue to premier our brand new under the sea family cabaret, which has been developed this winter with huge amounts of care and fun, and is definitely the perfect place for parents to take their kids so the whole family can enjoy itself when the kids dont want to go to bed like its a school night.

• Ruffled Feathers will be attending and bringing their very high quality puppet and mask making workshops, using recycled materials and collected scrap. they will also be featuring the dog show and introducing us to their new giant puppet, name to be revealed shortly.

• Buzzy Beats return with their kids open jamming space, including a great programme of workshops and some performances for kids in the afternoon. kids love (but sleeping adults hate) the buzzy beats drum kit, which im surprised is still looking so sparkly after several years of popular thwacking and banging at Solfest, and it is sure to be another hugely popular attraction in the kids area this year.

• Pirate Tabithas travelling circus return with their fantastic themed circus workshops.

• The Association of Radical Midwives return with their heated info-yurt and onsite midwifery services.

• JEM Training - in the woods (Mere Mountains) a family bushcraft/backwoods skills workshops. Check the board outside the workshop for times and to sign up. Workshops include: fire-starting (flint and steel), whittling skills, whittling 'camp kitchen' stuff, making whistles/kazoos, cordage, bracelets/woodland bling and anything else we get carried away with!

• Kite Displays & Teddy Parachute Drop SmileFactor10 have teamed up with kite enthusiasts from across the north of England to bring kites (officially) back to Solfest. Huge display kites will fill the skies behind the festival, and brave teddies of all shapes and sizes will be able to parachute for just £1.00 per drop. Every teddy that takes part will receive a signed certificate of his or her daring achievement. Kids, don't forget your cuddly toy. Please note: In the interest of safety, public kite flying will NOT be allowed anywhere inside the main festival arena or camping areas. Thank you for your co-operation.

Solfest believes that all children at the festival should be able to have an equally magical time so all of our workshops and activities are free for ticket holders!!

The Kids Arena is not a creche so children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

Related Tags: Children | Kids | Families | Babies | Child Atcivities | Activities For Children | Summer Holiday Activities | Solfest And Children | Kids At Solfest | Family Workshops | Free Activities | Free Things To Do | Things To Do At Solfest | Solfest Activities | Babies Get In Free | Free For Under 5's | Under 5 Go Free | Face Painting | Baby Singing