Once the summer holidays hit, it can be hard to keep thinking up fun plans and adventures to keep the kids occupied as well as the parents.
On the Jennifer Zamparelli Show, Jen chats to the organiser of Kaleidoscope Music & Arts Festival, Sorcha O'Reilly, about tips and tricks to keep in mind when bringing children to festivals.
The spectacular family festival is back again this year in Wicklow's picturesque Blessington from 24-26 June, and is just one festival parents can bring their kids along to.
Calling it a "beautiful, gentle" festival, Sorcha explains that Kaleidoscope is the first camping festival created specifically for families.
"It's very much the little sister to Electric Picnic so it is that full music and arts festive experience, you have that great juxtaposition of the main stage music act and the intimate art experience, but in the case of Kaleidoscope the programme is created specifically with that family unit experiencing it together in mind."
With everything from creative writing and animation workshops to comedy groups, there's plenty of activities to keep everyone occupied.
So what would her tips be for bringing children to a festival?
Plenty of sunscreen, hats and reusable water bottles are her first go-tos, as well as gentle child-suitable medication in the event of boo-boos. Pack for all weathers as you would for a normal festival, and either bring a tent.
It's one thing to pack enough to keep the family well looked after once at the festival, but how do you stop the smallies from doing a runner and getting lost? Sorcha has all the tips.
"They do wander off. It's not that they're lost, it's just that they've wandered off." She says that for Kaleidoscope they've partnered with Phone Watch to construct two large meeting points on the festival grounds, so having a designated meeting point that all family members can easily find is a good starting point.
To listen back to her full chat with Jen for more tips and tricks for doing festivals as a family, click here.
