Children & Families

Greenbelt is an inter-generational festival, and we enjoy the company of plenty of children (and their parents and carers) onsite. From babies to grandparents, toddlers to teenagers and children to carers. And the best thing of all? Often we see all of these groups hanging out together, enjoying the festival across the generations. 

So why not bring your family this year? Whatever its makeup or size, you’ll find a warm welcome and plenty to do.

F is for freedom

Our beautiful Boughton House site allows for buckets of discovery and independence, freedom and a really ‘earthed’ experience for children – things they might not always encounter in their everyday lives. And it’s wonderful.

From traffic-free campsites to the open grassland and wooded glades. From ancient trees to wildlife-a-plenty (geese, swans, herons and buzzards), Boughton is a small piece of paradise.

Our beautiful Boughton House site allows for buckets of discovery and independence, freedom and a really ‘earthed’ experience for children – things they might not always encounter in their everyday lives. And it’s wonderful.

From traffic-free campsites to the open grassland and wooded glades. From ancient trees to wildlife-a-plenty (geese, swans, herons and buzzards), Boughton is a small piece of paradise.

For mums, dads and miracle workers

There are lots of children and families at Greenbelt and we’ve got a great children’s team of volunteers onsite to help and support you to make the most of the festival. From ‘buddies’ for children with additional needs, to our Parents’ Support Venues (see below), we’re here to make Greenbelt the best it can be for festivalgoers of all ages.

Greenbelt also takes accessibility seriously. We go the extra mile to support all those with additional access needs to experience the festival to the max. You can read more about how we do this on our Access webpages here.

There are lots of children and families at Greenbelt and we’ve got a great children’s team of volunteers onsite to help and support you to make the most of the festival. From ‘buddies’ for children with additional needs, to our Parents’ Support Venues (see below), we’re here to make Greenbelt the best it can be for festivalgoers of all ages.

Greenbelt also takes accessibility seriously. We go the extra mile to support all those with additional access needs to experience the festival to the max. You can read more about how we do this on our Access webpages here.

Our venues

Make & Create: for a rolling programming of all-day led workshops and DIY crafting activity. Some children never leave Make & Create. Quite literally.

Ta-Dah!: for all-age performances (comedy, music, magic and more), plus all-age workshops, and the Late Night Village for older children each evening.

The Lawn: a space to let off steam, have a kick-around or join in the rolling programme of organised team games and physical activities all weekend.

Play Tent: does what it says on the tin – it’s a tent rammed full of toys and ride-ons for younger children and toddlers.

Parent’s Support Venue: two dedicated spaces for baby-bathing and feeding, heating food or generally taking the weight off! One in the family programming area in the festival village and one out in the Campsite Hub.

The Kindred 24-Hour Cafe: out in the Campsite Hub – for those who can’t sleep or wake early.

Early Curfew camping: a designated quiet area of the campsite for those who need to hit the sack at a sensible time in relative peace and quiet.

Plus, we also have great all-age shows in The Playhouse theatre venue, all-age workshops in the Village Hall, and walkabout and outdoor performance, too. And remember – the site itself is the biggest and best venue (you could say ‘playground’) you can imagine.

Make & Create: for a rolling programming of all-day led workshops and DIY crafting activity. Some children never leave Make & Create. Quite literally.

Ta-Dah!: for all-age performances (comedy, music, magic and more), plus all-age workshops, and the Late Night Village for older children each evening.

The Lawn: a space to let off steam, have a kick-around or join in the rolling programme of organised team games and physical activities all weekend.

Play Tent: does what it says on the tin – it’s a tent rammed full of toys and ride-ons for younger children and toddlers.

Parent’s Support Venue: two dedicated spaces for baby-bathing and feeding, heating food or generally taking the weight off! One in the family programming area in the festival village and one out in the Campsite Hub.

The Kindred 24-Hour Cafe: out in the Campsite Hub – for those who can’t sleep or wake early.

Early Curfew camping: a designated quiet area of the campsite for those who need to hit the sack at a sensible time in relative peace and quiet.

Plus, we also have great all-age shows in The Playhouse theatre venue, all-age workshops in the Village Hall, and walkabout and outdoor performance, too. And remember – the site itself is the biggest and best venue (you could say ‘playground’) you can imagine.

Programme highlights so far...

Performances (in the Ta Dah! venue)

  • Circus Kaos’ Circus Workshop
  • Same Same But Different with Murgatroyds Marvelous Mayhem, Flea Circus and Puppet Show
  • Orly Phillps’ Have a Go Trapeze and Trapeze Show
  • Sohan Kailey’s Bhangra, Bollywood, and Bhangra Tots
  • Arthur Juggler’s Circus Show
  • Glamba’s Junk Drumming
  • Lucy Lost It’s Family Show
  • Fischy Music
  • Homecoming String Band Ceilidh
  • Tracy Vacher’s ‘Sing Off’
  • Tatty Bumpkin’s Kid’s Yoga
  • Paul Cookson’s Family Twist
  • Shlomo’s BeatBox Adventure for Kids
  • Jeremy Felix’s Magic Show
  • Helter Skelter Arts’ Fire Show Performance
  • Ariel Dempsey’s LED Hula and Cyr Wheel
  • Natural Causes‘ Instant Songs
  • Matt Pang’s outdoor performance of Loaded

Participation Workshops (in the Village Hall)
Including …

  • Laughter Yoga
  • Tai Chi
  • Soca Carnival and Mento Dance
  • Belly Dancing
  • Lindyhop and Charleston Dance
  • Singing – Folk Singing, Wake Up Singing, Sing, Share, Heal
  • Ukulele

Crafting (in the Make & Create venue)

  • Clay modelling
  • Painting
  • Textiles and sewing – with Darn It and Sew Far Sew Good
  • Collage
  • Drawing
  • Gel Printing
  • Macrame
  • Sumigashi Marbling
  • Lantern making
  • Paper Beads
  • Cuddly Science
  • DIY Activities – including Curty Creates, Darn It Workshops and Spare Room Arts

Plus

  • Withies (in the Orchard)

Performances (in the Ta Dah! venue)

  • Circus Kaos’ Circus Workshop
  • Same Same But Different with Murgatroyds Marvelous Mayhem, Flea Circus and Puppet Show
  • Orly Phillps’ Have a Go Trapeze and Trapeze Show
  • Sohan Kailey’s Bhangra, Bollywood, and Bhangra Tots
  • Arthur Juggler’s Circus Show
  • Glamba’s Junk Drumming
  • Lucy Lost It’s Family Show
  • Fischy Music
  • Homecoming String Band Ceilidh
  • Tracy Vacher’s ‘Sing Off’
  • Tatty Bumpkin’s Kid’s Yoga
  • Paul Cookson’s Family Twist
  • Shlomo’s BeatBox Adventure for Kids
  • Jeremy Felix’s Magic Show
  • Helter Skelter Arts’ Fire Show Performance
  • Ariel Dempsey’s LED Hula and Cyr Wheel
  • Natural Causes‘ Instant Songs
  • Matt Pang’s outdoor performance of Loaded

Participation Workshops (in the Village Hall)
Including …

  • Laughter Yoga
  • Tai Chi
  • Soca Carnival and Mento Dance
  • Belly Dancing
  • Lindyhop and Charleston Dance
  • Singing – Folk Singing, Wake Up Singing, Sing, Share, Heal
  • Ukulele

Crafting (in the Make & Create venue)

  • Clay modelling
  • Painting
  • Textiles and sewing – with Darn It and Sew Far Sew Good
  • Collage
  • Drawing
  • Gel Printing
  • Macrame
  • Sumigashi Marbling
  • Lantern making
  • Paper Beads
  • Cuddly Science
  • DIY Activities – including Curty Creates, Darn It Workshops and Spare Room Arts

Plus

  • Withies (in the Orchard)

Later nights for older children

Each evening there’s the opportunity for older children (8 to 11s) to sign up to go to The Late Night Village – a fast-moving session of fun and games also featuring one of the day’s top family performers.

Each evening there’s the opportunity for older children (8 to 11s) to sign up to go to The Late Night Village – a fast-moving session of fun and games also featuring one of the day’s top family performers.

Get stuck in

Out in the Camspite Hub you’ll find the Village Hall, home to great all-age fun and participatory workshops across the weekend, including…

  • Laughter Yoga
  • Tai Chi
  • Soca Carnival and Mento Dance
  • Belly Dancing
  • Lindyhop and Charleston Dance
  • Singing – Folk Singing, Wake Up Singing, Sing, Share, Heal
  • Ukulele

Out in the Camspite Hub you’ll find the Village Hall, home to great all-age fun and participatory workshops across the weekend, including…

  • Laughter Yoga
  • Tai Chi
  • Soca Carnival and Mento Dance
  • Belly Dancing
  • Lindyhop and Charleston Dance
  • Singing – Folk Singing, Wake Up Singing, Sing, Share, Heal
  • Ukulele

Craft to your heart's content

Led workshops (and DIY activities) in the Make & Create venue all weekend, including… 

  • Clay modelling
  • Painting
  • Textiles and sewing – with Darn It and Sew Far Sew Good
  • Collage
  • Drawing
  • Gel Printing
  • Macrame
  • Sumigashi Marbling
  • Lantern making
  • Paper Beads
  • Cuddly Science
  • DIY Activities – including Curty Creates, Darn It Workshops and Spare Room Arts

Led workshops (and DIY activities) in the Make & Create venue all weekend, including… 

  • Clay modelling
  • Painting
  • Textiles and sewing – with Darn It and Sew Far Sew Good
  • Collage
  • Drawing
  • Gel Printing
  • Macrame
  • Sumigashi Marbling
  • Lantern making
  • Paper Beads
  • Cuddly Science
  • DIY Activities – including Curty Creates, Darn It Workshops and Spare Room Arts

And...

There’s always loads of outdoor sports and games on The Lawn (this year, back in its former location on the great West Lawn, close to the Children and Families venues and Canopy music venue) – with everything from ultimate frisbee to Quidditch.

And there’s a Skate Park in the Glade Arena, with the most helpful and encouraging crew on hand. So bring your deck or borrow one of theirs and show us your tricks in the half-pipe.

There’s always loads of outdoor sports and games on The Lawn (this year, back in its former location on the great West Lawn, close to the Children and Families venues and Canopy music venue) – with everything from ultimate frisbee to Quidditch.

And there’s a Skate Park in the Glade Arena, with the most helpful and encouraging crew on hand. So bring your deck or borrow one of theirs and show us your tricks in the half-pipe.

This wide-ranging programme will gradually feed through onto our website listings and will all be detailed in the Guide and App onsite.