Why Family Transportation Logistics Matter
Heading to a festival with young children in tow can be daunting. The journey from home to festival gates – dealing with parking, shuttles, and hauling car-seats or strollers – often feels like half the stress of the event itself. Smart festival organisers recognise that smoothing out these car-seat logistics greatly improves the experience for families. By planning family-friendly parking, transport, and storage solutions, festivals can transform arrivals and departures from an ordeal into a welcoming first impression. Around the world, leading family-oriented festivals have pioneered creative approaches to make “getting there” easier, knowing that happy parents and calm kids set the stage for a successful event.
Family-Only Parking Close to Gates
Providing family-only parking areas near the festival entrance or family camping zones is a game-changer. This means designating parking spots exclusively for vehicles carrying parents with young kids, ideally within a short walk of the gates or family campground entrance. Being closer reduces the distance parents have to carry babies, gear, and tired toddlers. It’s similar to “parent and child” parking at shopping centres – a simple accommodation that shows families they’re valued.
Case in point: At massive events like Glastonbury Festival in the UK, family camping areas are positioned near specific gates, and families are directed to use the nearest car parks. For example, the Wicket Ground family campsite at Glastonbury sits by Gate A, and the festival advises parents to park in the Pink Car Park adjacent to that gate for easiest access (glastonburytips.com). This thoughtful layout spares parents from trekking across huge fields with buggies and bags. Similarly, New Zealand’s Splore Festival offers a family camping zone located closer to the car parks (www.splore.net), ensuring mums and dads don’t face an endurance test just to reach their tent.
To implement family parking, plan it into your site layout early. If your venue has multiple lots, allocate one closest section for families. Mark it clearly as “Family Parking” and enforce it – have staff check for at least one child, car-seat or stroller per vehicle to prevent misuse. Many festivals simply trust attendees to self-select, but a gentle verification at the gate (like spotting car-seats or kids) can maintain the zone’s integrity. For smaller community festivals, even reserving a row of spots by the entrance for families can help. The Big Family Festival in Scotland, for example, placed its limited parking within the park as near to the event area as possible, and provided disabled parking even closer with steward assistance for those who needed it (thebigfamilyfest.co.uk) (thebigfamilyfest.co.uk). Prioritising families in a similar way – right after accessibility needs – creates a welcoming atmosphere from the start.
There’s also a safety aspect: with excited children hopping out of cars, close-in family parking keeps them away from busy roadways and long walks through traffic. Use signage like “Families with Kids – 5 minute walk” to direct cars at junctions leading to your site. Steward the family lot with a few extra volunteers who can lend a hand unloading strollers or guide parents to the gate. A smiling volunteer who offers to grab a heavy diaper bag from the boot while parents unbuckle the little ones makes a wonderful first impression. Some festivals even give out welcome packs or kids’ goodie bags right in the family parking area as an extra touch.
From a planning perspective, consider selling or requiring passes for family parking in advance to control capacity. This can be a free add-on for those who purchase family tickets, or a small fee that you cap at a limited number. Knowing how many family vehicles to expect helps you reserve an adequate section. Communicate clearly on your website and ticketing page about how to obtain family parking and where it’s located. If parents need a special hang-tag or print-at-home pass, let them know well ahead. Many will gladly pay a little extra or reserve early for the convenience and peace of mind of a near-the-gate spot.
Finally, coordinate with local authorities if your festival is along public roads. Work with police on traffic flows so that cars heading to the family lot don’t get diverted too early into general parking. (On that note, also avoid routing families through extremely rough terrain – no parent wants their sleeping toddler jostled awake on a bumpy backroad!) At one major festival in California, organisers realized families were ending up in far-off lots due to one-size-fits-all traffic routing. In response, they created a separate traffic loop for vehicles with a “Family Parking” pass, guiding them closer to the entrance. The following year, feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive – the shorter walk and easy stroller route were huge hits.
Stroller-Friendly Shuttles with Secure Storage
Large festival sites or remote parking lots often mean shuttling attendees in. To support families, it’s crucial to run stroller-friendly shuttles that can comfortably accommodate parents with young children, plus all their gear. A standard coach packed with partiers may feel intimidating (or unsafe) for a mum with a baby and pram. Festival organisers can bridge that gap by providing shuttles or transit options designed with families in mind.
What makes a shuttle stroller-friendly? First, low-floor or kneeling buses are ideal, since parents can roll strollers on board without heavy lifting. If only standard buses are available, ensure staff or volunteers are present to assist in folding strollers and lifting them aboard. Some festivals deploy larger vehicles or trailers specifically for luggage and strollers. For example, Boom Festival in Portugal operates an Inclusive Shuttle service on-site (www.boomfestival.org) to help families (and those with mobility needs) move between areas. This shuttle is designed to be easily accessible, and the family camping (including a caravan park for families) is placed conveniently next to the shuttle stop (www.boomfestival.org). The result is that parents with prams or wagons can hop on and off near key locations instead of pushing little ones for miles in the heat.
For city-based festivals that rely on park-and-ride systems, consider dedicating one shuttle every so often as a “Family Shuttle.” This could mean it runs slightly slower, has priority seating for those with children, and clearly labeled space for strollers. Train your shuttle drivers to be patient with loading and unloading strollers – a few extra minutes to secure a buggy is far better than an accident or a parent left behind. Also, equip shuttles with some basic safety options: even if local laws don’t require car-seats on buses, make sure there’s a safe place for infants (e.g. allow parents to hold them, and drive gently). In some cases, festivals have retrofitted shuttle vans with a couple of car-seats or booster seats so that families who prefer that option can use it.
If your festival grounds are enormous (think hundreds of acres), you might also use golf carts or mini-trams as on-site shuttles. Many US festivals like Bonnaroo in Tennessee have internal shuttles; Bonnaroo’s “FamilyRoo” campground has the advantage of being in a relatively central location (support.bonnaroo.com), but staff in that area still use golf carts to help ferry families when needed. Offering an on-demand ride to a family weighed down with toddler gear prevents meltdowns (from both kids and parents!). Even smaller-scale events can implement this: perhaps a couple of decorated golf carts dubbed the “Kid Express” doing loops from the far end of the parking field to the entrance, so that anyone with small children and gear can catch a quick lift.
Secure storage on shuttles is another consideration. Long-distance festival buses (from city to site) often have undercarriage luggage compartments – ensure parents know they can stash strollers or car-seats there. If using school buses or coaches without such space, think about allocating a portion of seats (like the back row) to store folded strollers during the trip. Have bungee cords or straps available so items can be tied down and won’t roll around. One practical tip learned from a festival in Australia: they kept a large plastic bin on the shuttle where parents could toss smaller items (diaper bags, toys) so those didn’t get lost underfoot. The bin was unloaded at the info tent each trip for easy retrieval. Little measures like this show families that you’ve thought about their needs.
When families are coming to the festival via shuttle, also plan for the other end of the journey: the drop-off point. Make sure the shuttle drop-off at the festival has an easy, ramp-accessible path into the venue. Nothing frustrates a parent more than being let off on a roadside or mud patch and having to navigate a fence or ditch with a pram. Create a smooth transition from shuttle to entrance – even if that means building a temporary ramp or platform. At the very least, station volunteers at the shuttle stop to assist with unloading and to direct families to the nearest family entry gate.
Lastly, advertise these family-friendly shuttle features in advance. If your festival provides free or low-cost transport that caters to those with young kids, shout about it on social media and your website travel page. For instance, the Family Fest in Dorset, UK explicitly promotes their stroller-accessible shuttle bus service from town to the festival site (www.ffdorset.co.uk), encouraging families to take advantage of a stress-free ride. If parents know that they can easily get on a bus with a buggy and be dropped close to the action, they’ll be more likely to leave the car at home or park further away to avoid traffic. That can help reduce your overall traffic congestion too – a win-win for sustainability and convenience.
Car-Seat Checks and Temporary Storage Tags
One innovative service a family-friendly festival can offer is a car-seat check-in and storage facility. Many parents face a dilemma: they need a car-seat to travel with their infant or toddler, but once at the festival, that bulky seat becomes a burden. Parents arriving by taxi, rideshare, or shuttle especially have this problem – they can’t leave the car-seat in a vehicle, and carrying it around the festival all day is impractical. By providing a secure storage option for car-seats (and even strollers), you remove a huge layer of stress.
Set up a “Car-Seat Cloakroom” at or near the main entrance, staffed by trustworthy attendants. This works exactly like a coat check at a club: the parent hand over the car-seat, the staff tag it with a number, and give the parent a matching claim ticket or wristband. When it’s time to leave, the parent returns the tag to retrieve their seat. Use durable, brightly coloured tags that won’t get lost in a diaper bag during the day. It’s a good idea to attach one part of the tag firmly to the car-seat (some use a zip-tie or a luggage tag) and hand the stub to the parent. Also record a name and phone number in a logbook or digital system as backup, in case the ticket is misplaced.
This service can be offered for free as a courtesy (which really delights attendees) or for a nominal fee to cover costs. If charging, keep it reasonable – remember, your goal is to encourage its use so parents aren’t lugging seats around (which can also become a safety hazard if left unattended somewhere in the grounds). Some festivals partner with a sponsor (like a baby gear brand, local parenting magazine, or even a car-seat manufacturer) to run the tent, covering expenses in exchange for some promotion. For example, a “Mother’s Choice Car-Seat Storage” tent with a banner not only provides a useful service but also gives the sponsor goodwill with families.
Beyond storage, consider offering car-seat safety checks as an added value. This involves having certified Child Passenger Safety technicians or trained volunteers at the car-seat tent at certain times, to quickly inspect and advise parents on proper installation. It might sound above and beyond, but it’s a great tie-in with community engagement – perhaps your festival charity partners or local police can run a 10-minute safety demo as parents pick up their seats. Even if you can’t manage official safety inspections, simply having a shaded area at exit where parents can comfortably refit car-seats into their vehicles (and maybe a staff member to help buckle or entertain the child for a moment) makes departure smoother. Parents will remember that the festival didn’t just entertain them, but actively cared about their journey home.
Temporary stroller storage can be handled similarly. Some families might bring a stroller to the gate but not want to push it on muddy or crowded festival grounds (especially at music festivals where they’ll be standing at stages). Offering a “stroller parking” near the entrance or at certain key areas (like the kids’ area or a large family tent) can be extremely popular. Tag the strollers and keep them in a secure pen. Many theme parks do this routinely at rides – festivals can copy the idea. If space allows, have a tent or fenced area where folded strollers and wagons can be left under watch. This frees parents to carry their child in a carrier or let them walk safely within the festival, then reclaim the wheels for the trip back to the car.
One lesson from a past festival failure: a well-meaning event once allowed parents to leave strollers by the stage unfenced, which led to a mix-up and a missing buggy, plus some opportunistic theft. The organisers learned that if you invite people to leave items, you must actively secure them. After that incident, they introduced the tagged storage system and had no issues in subsequent years. The takeaway is clear – security and organisation are key. Use high-visibility tags, log items in/out, and have the storage staffed all day (with any overnight items locked up).
Finally, don’t forget to plan for peak times. At the end of the festival day, there may be a rush of parents picking up strollers and car-seats. Avoid a chaotic queue by having an efficient retrieval system: perhaps texting a number or scanning a QR code to alert staff you’re on the way, so they can pre-fetch your item. Absent high-tech solutions, just ensure enough attendants are on hand during closing hours, and maybe set up a separate line for stroller returns vs. car-seat returns if it gets crowded. Friendly, calm staff are crucial here – parents may be tired and kids likely cranky at day’s end, so a smooth pickup will leave a lasting positive impression.
Publish Clear Maps and Drop-Off Info
A family’s journey to a festival often involves a patchwork of directions: driving to the site, finding the right gate, or coordinating a drop-off with a relative or taxi. To reduce confusion and anxiety, festival organisers should publish detailed maps and arrival instructions well in advance, with special emphasis on family logistics. Clear communication is as important as the on-site setup itself.
Start by creating an easy-to-read festival parking map highlighting the family parking area, drop-off zones, shuttle pickup points, and pedestrian paths from each to the gates. Use recognisable icons (a stroller symbol for family parking, a baby icon for drop-off, etc.) so at a glance parents spot the facilities meant for them. If possible, produce a version of the map specifically for families: for instance, label the route from “Family Parking Lot” to “Family Entrance Gate” and note approximate walking times or distances. Many festivals include these in their info packs or websites. For example, major city events like Lollapalooza (Chicago) publish detailed maps that clearly mark ride-share drop-off zones and family service areas, even if they lack on-site parking. Emulate this level of clarity in your maps.
Drop-off and pick-up zones are critical to get right. If your festival has a drop-off area for vehicles (like rideshares, taxis, or parents just dropping one parent and kids while the other goes to park), make this area very obvious on maps and with roadside signage. Indicate the route drivers should take to reach the drop-off, and ensure it’s not too far from an entrance. Moreton Kids Festival in Australia, for instance, provides a clearly designated drop-off/pick-up bay right by the park entrance (www.moretonkidsfestival.com.au) (www.moretonkidsfestival.com.au), with instructions that no parking is allowed there (to keep it flowing smoothly). They communicate that “time is of the essence” in the drop-off bay and urge courtesy, preparing attendees for a quick in-and-out (www.moretonkidsfestival.com.au). This kind of guidance, shared beforehand, means drivers know what to expect and won’t cause jams by lingering.
If your festival is in an urban environment with no easily controlled drop-off lot, work with what you have. Perhaps coordinate with a nearby school or shopping centre to use their driveway as a temporary family drop-off point, or arrange a curbside zone with city officials. Publish the exact GPS address or What3Words location of the drop-off spot so that anyone using satnav can find it without hassle (Family Fest Dorset provides a What3Words address for their site entrance to prevent confusion (www.ffdorset.co.uk)). The more precision, the better – families don’t want to be circling around unfamiliar roads with restless kids in the backseat.
In your arrival instructions, also mention the best times for families to arrive if applicable. Suggest that families come earlier in the day to avoid peak entry rush, or offer a separate early entry window for those with young children so they can get settled with less crowd. Some family-centric festivals do this informally, opening gates 30 minutes early for parents with small kids, which can be a relief for those worrying about long queues or overheating children in line.
Lastly, distribute these maps and instructions through all channels: on the festival website, via email to ticket-holders, on social media, and even through a link in the ticketing app or PDF. A step-by-step “Getting There for Families” guide in blog form can walk newcomers through the process (“Step 1: Show your Family Parking Pass to the marshals and follow the signs to the Green Lot,” etc.). The key is to eliminate ambiguity. When parents know exactly where to go and what to do upon arrival, a huge portion of their travel stress evaporates.
Remember, getting there should not feel like a bigger adventure than the festival itself. If you communicate clearly and often about the family-friendly options – and then deliver on them with good signage and staffing on the ground – your attendees will feel taken care of from driveway to gate.
Key Takeaways
- Reserve Close Parking for Families: Designate family-only parking spots near entrances or family campgrounds. Shorter walks mean happier parents and safer kids (glastonburytips.com). Enforce it with signage and staff, and consider pre-selling family parking passes to manage capacity.
- Family-Friendly Shuttles: Provide shuttles or transport options that accommodate strollers and gear. Use low-floor buses or assistance to load prams. Clearly mark “Family Shuttles” and train drivers to be patient. On-site inclusive shuttles (like Boom Festival’s) or even golf carts can help families move around easily (www.boomfestival.org) (www.boomfestival.org).
- Car-Seat & Stroller Storage: Offer a secure “cloakroom” for car-seats and strollers at the gate. Tag items with matching tickets so parents can enjoy the festival unburdened. This especially helps those arriving by taxi or bus. Having this service shows you care about the little details and safety.
- Clear Drop-Off Zones: Establish a well-marked drop-off/pick-up area close to the entrance for easy child drop-offs. Publish maps and instructions highlighting this zone (www.moretonkidsfestival.com.au). Encourage quick goodbyes to avoid congestion, and have staff present to guide vehicles and families.
- Comprehensive Communication: Publish family-specific arrival info in advance. Use maps with icons for family facilities, step-by-step guides, and tips on the best arrival times. Clarity reduces stress – when parents know exactly where to go and what to do, their festival experience starts on a positive note.
- Staff and Volunteer Support: Station friendly staff in family parking and shuttle areas. A helping hand with luggage or a warm welcome goes a long way. Train teams on assisting parents (like handling strollers or distracted kids) so the logistics run smoothly with an empathetic touch.
- Test and Iterate: Walk the journey in a parent’s shoes during planning. Do a site visit with a stroller or heavy bags to spot pain points. Continuously gather feedback from families (what worked, what didn’t) and refine your parking, shuttle, and storage plans each year. Learning from both successes and missteps will keep your festival truly family-friendly at every step.
27th September 2025