In the last 20 years, music festivals have changed beyond all recognition. No longer are they the exclusive domain of boozed-up students and tripped-out hippies. Today many festivals are designed with families in mind and it’s easy to understand why. Many of us who went to festivals in the boom years of the 90s and early 2000s now have kids of our own and want the chance to relive our youth – but in a much more family-friendly way.

The key is picking the right festival. Some are far from suitable for children. It’s doubtful you’d want to take young people into the rock bedlam that is an event like Reading or Leeds for example. Lots of festivals advertise themselves as being family-friendly and this usually means they are a bit more compact, have lots of activities and attractions for kids and are generally a bit more mellow than the mega rock gigs.

On stage that means a combination of acts designed to appeal to everyone – re-formed 80s pop bands, 90s indie veterans and promising newcomers rubbing shoulders with stars of kids’ TV like Mr Tumble, Katy Ashworth and Mr Bloom from CBeebies. Family-friendly festivals often have a dedicated section for young people where you’ll find fairground rides, craft workshops, book readings and entertainment. The range and variety will depend on the size of the event but most have enough to keep even the most easily distracted kids occupied for a while.

Family camping sections where loud music and partying aren’t allowed late at night are essential if you’ve got youngsters with you and the best family festivals all have these. Toilet and washing facilities tend to be a bit more acceptable here as well but even at festivals like this don’t expect five-star luxury (unless you’re prepared to pay a bit extra for VIP loos)

The major thing to consider is whether your kids are likely to enjoy themselves. If they don’t enjoy big crowds or loud music then you might as well forget it, because even the most family-friendly festival is going to have both of those.  If you’ve never done it before, taking children to a music festival might seem like a daunting thought, but as long as you’re well-prepared it can be a great weekend for the whole family.

Here are our top tips for a great, hassle-free weekend

PACK WELL

Make a list, check it twice and then check it again. Forgetting something essential is even more of a pain in the neck at a festival than it is on a normal camping trip. You’ll need all the camping essentials – tent, sleeping bag/mats, torches, a stove (if allowed) – but don’t weigh yourself down with tonnes of kit. Remember you’ll probably have to carry your gear from the car park to the campsite and back.

Vitally important though are the basic necessities like toiletries/medicines, antibacterial spray, sunscreen, after-sun, insect repellent and loo roll. Portable chargers for your mobile devices are also handy, especially if you’re sharing the fun on social media. Also, bring lots of extra clothes that allow for the various weather conditions you’re likely to encounter. This is Britain so that means waterproofs and sunhats.

TOP TIP: Don't bring more than you need and never leave things you can't afford to lose in your tent. Keep valuables, like money, phones and cameras on your person.

BASE CAMP

Your tent will obviously be your base for the weekend. To give yourself a bit of territory around the tent, put up a windbreak. If you don't create some sort of barrier, there’s a fair chance you’ll open your tent in the morning and find someone else has pitched virtually on top of you. If you are with a group, set up your tents in a circle with the openings facing the centre to create a little communal space where you can meet up to have a drink or a barbecue. Be considerate though and don’t take up masses of room.

If the main festival arena is some distance from the campsite you might want to set up a temporary base there. This can be as simple as a blanket and some camping chairs – but you can also add a beach shade or umbrella to protect the youngsters from the sun’s rays (or the rain!).

TOP TIP: Getting to know the people who have pitched their tents near yours is a good idea as they’re likely to keep an eye out on your stuff and help out when it comes to packing away.

ON THE MOVE

Another investment that is worth thinking about when you’re planning your festival trip is a small cart. At festivals where you can’t bring your car onto the site at all, they are useful for moving gear from your vehicle to the camping field. But where they really come into their own is for transporting youngsters around the site. Early on they’ll be full of energy but as the day progresses it’s more than likely they’ll start to run out of steam.

TOP TIP: Fill the trolley with cushions and blankets and you’ll have an instant portable bed where they can snuggle up while you watch the headliners.

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

Taking your own food and drink (especially alcohol) into the arena is often not allowed, which is understandable as the festival needs to make money from the bars and food concessions, but it can make it an expensive business. The best option, if you can get away with it, is to pack a rucksack full of rolls, snacks and drinks every morning. Tempting as the food stalls are, they are not cheap. Feeding a family of four could easily set you back £25 to £30 per meal and that quickly adds up over a weekend.

TOP TIP: Prepare meals back at the tent – it’s a bit of hassle and means you have to make sure you time it right so you don’t miss anything, but it will make a big difference to the amount of money you spend over a weekend.

STAY SAFE

It goes without saying that keeping their children safe is the number one priority for parents at a festival. Keep your eyes on your kids all the time, as obvious as that sounds. Youngsters can disappear in the blink of an eye in a big crowd and it can be difficult to pick them out of the throng. Try and dress your kids in something distinctive so they stand out when you scan your eyes across the sea of bodies.

As soon as you arrive at the festival, spend a few minutes telling your children what to do if they get lost. Point out festival staff and tell them to approach them if they go missing. The stage areas always have festival staff and security around them. For older kids, suggest a meeting point that they should head to if you get split up - a landmark like a big top or ferris wheel is ideal.

The other thing to consider is ear protection. It’s fine for you and I when they turn it the amps up to 11 but small people’s ears are more sensitive, so it is definitely worth investing in a pair of colourful ear protectors.

TOP TIP: Write your mobile number on the inside of your kids’ wristband or on a custom made ID bracelet so you can be contacted if they do go astray.

PLAN AHEAD

One problem with festivals is that there’s usually so much going on that it’s easy to miss something you’d really enjoy so, without wanting to get too hung-up about things, get a programme and a running order and plan your weekend. At festivals like Wychwood, where everything is close together, it’s easy to get from one attraction to another in a couple of minutes. But at bigger events like Camp Bestival it will take a lot longer to get from one end of the site to the other, so remember to build that into your schedule. Try to have a wander around first as well so you know where everything is.

TOP TIP: Arrive early for the best choice of pitches and erect your tent close to landmarks you'll remember and be able to see above all the other tents. Put up a flag or banner by your tent to help you find it again when stumbling home in the dark. Choose a spot as far away from the toilets as you can.

IN GOOD HEALTH

The NHS has put together some advice on how to stay fit and healthy at a festival.

ALCOHOL
Drink sensibly and stick within the recommended limits. Men shouldn't regularly drink more than three to four units a day. For women, it's two to three units. Drink plenty of water to help prevent a nasty hangover.

MEDICATION
First aiders are not allowed to hand out medication except over-the-counter remedies such as paracetamol. If you're on any medication, bring your supply with you. Keep it on you or get it stored safely in the medical centre. If you're asthmatic, don't forget your inhaler and spare cartridges. Have a pack of plasters and some disinfectant for minor grazes and cuts, and medication for headaches and stomach upsets.

MEDICAL CENTRE
Find out where the site's medical centres are when you arrive. If you have an existing medical condition, make yourself known to the medical staff on your arrival.

PERSONAL HYGIENE
Reduce your risk of picking up the germs that cause sickness and diarrhoea by washing your hands before you eat and after you go to the toilet. Bring wet wipes and antibacterial hand gel and carry them with you all the time. If you get a cut, wash it with clean water.

FOOT HEALTH
Music festivals can be hard on your feet. It's important to keep them clean and dry to prevent problems such as blisters, fungal infections or trench foot. Trench foot typically develops after prolonged exposure to the wet and cold. Bring waterproof wellingtons and dry socks to change into.

EARS
The music around the sound stages can be equivalent to the noise made by pneumatic drill. Wear earplugs when you're close to loud speakers.

SUN PROTECTION
It doesn't take much sun to get severely burned or have sunstroke when you're outside all day at a festival so use a sun cream with a minimum factor of 15. If you do get burned, apply after-sun to soothe the affected area. Wear a wide-brimmed that protects your neck and ears, and cover your back and shoulders, even if you're wearing sunscreen.

WATER
Drink plenty of water. Have a bottle of water with you at all times. The combination of heat, dancing and alcohol can quickly dehydrate you.

TOP FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVALS 2015

Here's our rundown of the top festivals for visiting with your children this summer



CAMP BESTIVAL
Lulworth Castle, Dorset
30 July to 2 August 2015
Headliners Underworld, Kaiser Chiefs, Clean Bandit
www.campbestival.net
Camp Bestival (baby sister to the award-winning Bestival event) takes place at Lulworth Castle, against the backdrop of Dorset’s dramatic Jurassic coastline and is the brainchild of Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank. It has become the daddy of all family festivals, winning the Family Festival of The Year award for 2013. The main stage has an eclectic line-up as always and kids’ activities are a hugely important part of the Camp Bestival experience. In previous years, while you waited in the queue for a hot showers you can enjoy tea and toast.

LATITUDE
Southwold, Suffolk
16-19 July
Headliners alt-J, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Portishead
www.latitudefestival.co.uk
Latitude celebrates its 10th anniversary this year It was voted Family Festival of the Year at the 2012 UK Festival Awards. It’s a bit more refined (some would say posher) than other festivals and the music on offer reflects the more mature tastes of the audience. As well as four stages of music, there is theatre, art, comedy, cabaret, poetry, politics, dance and literature.

SOMERSAULT
Castle Hill, North Devon
23-27 July 2015
www.somersaultfestival.com
Headliners Laura Marling, Bombay Bicycle Club, Passenger
A five-day summer camp of music, adventure and outdoor living in the heart of the West Country, located at the beautiful Castle Hill estate just half an hour from the North Devon coast. There’s a full programme of activities and wild wellbeing including a eclectic selection of things aimed kids.

FESTIVAL NO 6
Portmeirion, North Wales
3-6 September 2015
Headliners Belle & Sebastian, Grace Jones
www.festivalnumber6.com
It only arrived in 2012, but Festival Number 6 has already established itself. Set in the magical village of Portmeirion, in North Wales, it is billed as a festival unlike any other in a place like no other. It features a combination of top music acts, DJs, comedy,and a truly unique location. Festival No 6 is also a family-friendly event, with a designated family camping area and the Mischief Meadow, designed to inspire younger festival-goers

END OF THE ROAD
North Dorset
4-6 September 2015
Headliners Sufjan Stevens, Tame Impala, War On Drugs
www.endoftheroadfestival.com
This small, friendly bash in Dorset has become the event that officially marks the end of festival season, hence the name.  It combines good music with art, comedy, cinema, games area, an enchanted forest and a healing field. There is a dedicated family camping area close to toilets, water and showers, as well as children's entertainment.

DEER SHED FESTIVAL
Topcliffe, North Yorks
24-26 July
Headliners John Grant, Billy Bragg, The Unthanks
www.deershedfestival.com
Deer Shed always has a good line-up, that differs from the usual suspects. It was nominated as best family festival in 2011 and its ethos is to provide great music and entertainment along with facilities and welcoming atmosphere for kids. And even if you don’t have children, it should be a great weekend of music.

BELLADRUM
Beauly, Inverness
6-8 August
Headliners Kaiser Chiefs, The Proclaimers
www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk
Belladrum takes place deep in the heart of the Inverness-shire countryside and is a popular choice for families looking for a hassle-free festival experience. Family and quiet camping is available and anyone found to be breaching the rules will be moved on immediately. Organisers reckon there are around 2,000 youngsters on site every year.

CORNBURY
The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire
10-12 July
Headliners Razorlight, Tom Jones, Lulu
www.cornburyfestival.com
The Cornbury Festival describes itself as “a dynamic summer festival disguised as a country fayre” tailor-made for the whole family. Attractions include an eclectic mix of music across several stages, a children’s area with a complete programme of workshops daily, a range of arts and crafts stalls, roaming entertainers, a fairground, a therapy and massage zone and a farmer’s market selling local produce.

WILDERNESS
Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
6-9 August
Headliners Bjork, Ben Howard
www.wildernessfestival.com
As the name might suggest, Wilderness is billed as a celebration of the arts and the outdoors and as well as a interesting line-up of bands there is lots to do to take advantage of the surroundings.  Fly-fishing, foraging, wild swimming, woodland walks are all part of the experience here, as well as the more traditional festival activities