Festival season is here! Outdoor concerts, all day festivals, and neighborhood block parties can all be loads of fun and offer new experiences. But you might have concerns about how to navigate them: Does my child need ear plugs? How can I reduce the stress of crowds? Should I even let my kid go to a festival? Let’s talk about all that.
Should my kid even be going to a concert or festival?
Many music and community festivals are designed to be family-friendly, and there are all-ages concerts offered year-round as well. Festivals and venues that clearly embrace having children or teens there are more likely to foster a safe, positive atmospheres for kids.
What events are a fit for your family is best answered by you: You know your child’s decision-making skills, boundaries and tolerance for crowds and new situations. Aside from noise and health considerations, which we’ll cover below, you might start by thinking about:
- For younger children: Events that might be easier to navigate the crowds and enjoy with children, like low-key, music on the square style shows or neighborhood festivals.
- For older children and teens: How your kids do with late nights or being out all day and are bright lights, music, and new faces are exhilarating or too much for them.
- For teens: Any concerns you have and communicating with your teens on possible boundaries about transportation, timing and behavior.
- For parents: Arranging whatever level of chaperoning or parent participation your children might need. Also think about if you really want to go along to see that pop star or not! It could be fun, and it also might not be your jam, which is OK.
Festival safety: How loud is too loud?
Everyone should wear hearing protection around loud noise, especially children and babies. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommends very little unprotected exposure to sounds over 85 decibels (dB). Most rock concerts are about 90dB-120dB, and the sound at the Taylor Swift Eras show in Seattle generated seismic activity equivalent to a 2.3-magnitude earthquake. It’s not just concerts: Seahawks games can get equally loud.
- Use ear protection like noise-canceling earmuffs, sometimes called ear defenders, or foam ear plugs which all do a good job of reducing noise. Have them ahead of time and most importantly, use them.
- Use ear protection at outdoor events too. Outdoor festivals tend to have slightly lower volume or decibels than indoor concerts, but not always – it can still get really loud outdoors at concerts or sporting events.
- Limit the length of time you listen to loud music or are exposed to loud noise. Take some breaks away from the speakers or in quieter spaces.
Festival safety: drugs and alcohol
With many big crowds whether sporting events, concerts or street fairs, there can be more access to alcohol and sometimes people who are intoxicated. When thinking about specific events like festivals, don’t ignore the potential for kids encountering alcohol or drugs. Talk to them about it.
- Have an age-appropriate conversation about drug and alcohol use before the event. It can be awkward, but an informal, short talk can build trust and make your position clear.
- Set expectations about behavior, especially with teenagers, and let them know that you care about their health and safety.
- Talk to your child about strategies for avoiding pressure to drink and avoiding substance misuse, even if you don’t think they will want to try them.
- Notice how your child is reacting and care for their needs. For a young child that may have never been in a larger mixed crowd before where people might be drinking, it could be a little frightening.
What else do I need for a great festival experience (aside from my wristband)?
- Stay hydrated and take heat seriously. Heat-related illness is serious, particularly in children.
- Reapply sunscreen. Even though you’re not at the beach, re-apply water-resistant sunscreen frequently, at least every two hours.
- This being Seattle, you also might want an emergency rain poncho along with your sun hat!
- Have a meet-up spot. Know ahead of time what you will do if you are accidentally separated or if you plan on splitting up for a while. Mobile phones don’t always work reliably at crowded events or in emergencies.
- Plan to leave if you need to. Young kids can get overstimulated by exciting events so plan for some breaks throughout the day and know you might not always make it to the encore with kids in tow.
- Have fun and boogie down with your kids!
More from Dr. Block and Kaiser Permanente in Seattle’s Child:
- What to know about the HPV vaccine
- My child stutters, lisps or skips words: Should I worry?
- Is your child lonely? How to help
- Temper tantrums: survival guide for parents
- Parent burnout: It’s not just you. Tips for coping
Find those summer festival and events in our Things to Do section
