Greenroom for Children’s Artists
Family-friendly festivals often feature performers who cater to kids – or are kids themselves. These young entertainers bring joy and wonder to audiences, but they also have unique needs backstage. Creating a supportive, kid-friendly greenroom environment ensures that children’s artists can relax, recharge, and deliver magical performances on stage. Seasoned festival producers around the world have learned that a happy children’s performer means a happy crowd.
Creating a Kid-Friendly Greenroom Environment
A greenroom tailored for children’s artists should be a calm oasis amid the festival buzz. Young performers can be easily overstimulated by noise and crowds, so quiet spaces are essential. Ideally, set up the greenroom away from loud stages or use soundproofing in indoor venues. Fill the area with child-friendly comforts – think soft furnishings like bean bags or floor cushions, and a selection of age-appropriate toys, books, or games. These give kids a way to unwind or play off any pre-show jitters. For example, the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival ensures their young dancers and actors have a dedicated quiet room with colouring books and crafts to keep them occupied during downtime (a practice also seen in family stages at major festivals).
Importantly, stock the greenroom with healthy snacks and drinks. Children burn a lot of energy performing and need regular nourishment to stay focused and upbeat. Provide plenty of water, juice, cut fruit, veggies, whole-grain crackers, or yogurt – avoiding excessive sugary treats that could lead to energy spikes and crashes. Keeping kids hydrated and fed helps maintain their concentration and mood; as one youth theatre director advises, performers should come “rested, fed, and hydrated” to avoid zoning out from hunger or thirst (www.backofhouse.art). Some festivals partner with health-focused brands to supply nutritious refreshments – for instance, Lollapalooza’s Kidzapalooza family area is presented by a kefir company that offers probiotic smoothies on-site (www.lollapalooza.com), aligning snacks with a wholesome theme. While your event might not have a sponsor, a modest budget for healthy treats goes a long way. Even at small local festivals, organisers can request donations of fruit from community farms or include snack packs in the artists’ hospitality rider. The goal is to keep young performers comfortable and energised in a space that feels safe and welcoming.
Short, Predictable Sets with Recovery Time
Scheduling is another crucial consideration when working with children’s artists. Unlike adult performers who might do hour-long jam sessions, kids have shorter attention spans and get fatigued faster. Plan short set durations – often 20 to 30 minutes is plenty for a children’s act. This matches the reality that younger kids (especially under 8 years old) can only perform continuously for a limited time before needing a break. In fact, in some regions child labour regulations cap the continuous performance time for young children (for example, the UK allows a maximum of 30 minutes for performers under age 5) (munchkinmodels.co.uk). Brief shows not only help the child performers stay fresh, but also suit the audience’s attention span – a win-win for family entertainment.
Equally important is building predictability and rest into the schedule. Stick to your published set times – consistency helps kids (and their parents) mentally prepare and keeps their routine stable. Try to schedule performances at family-friendly hours (late morning or afternoon) rather than late at night, as young artists may have bedtimes or simply function better earlier in the day. Between sets or appearances, ensure ample recovery time. Seasoned festival producers recommend at least 1 to 2 hours between a child’s performances on the same day, giving them time to rest, have a snack, and cool down. For example, if a children’s magician has shows at 11am and 2pm, that gap allows them to recharge (and maybe take a short nap if needed) before the next crowd. At large events like Singapore’s Children’s Arts Fest, festival organisers deliberately space out youth ensemble performances so each group can debrief, hydrate, and reset for a few hours before returning for an encore. It’s also wise to avoid last-minute schedule changes when kids are involved – sudden delays or timing shifts can upset their sense of stability. Keeping the program on schedule and predictable will reduce anxiety for young performers. As one veteran children’s festival planner in Australia noted, “the more a child knows what to expect, the more confidently they perform.”
Another aspect is limiting the number of shows per day for each act. While an adult musician might handle three sets in a day across different stages, a child singer or clown should probably do just one or two quality performances. Respecting these limits prevents burnout. It can be tempting at a busy family festival to ask a popular act to repeat several times, but remember that even enthusiastic kids have physical and emotional limits. Quality over quantity is the rule here. By pacing the schedule to the child’s endurance, you’ll get their best effort each time.
Accommodating Parents and Guardians
Nearly all children’s artists will have a parent, guardian, or dedicated chaperone accompanying them. In many jurisdictions and for ethical reasons, children must be supervised at all times while at the event (wtm.ltd). Festival organisers should plan not just for the young performers, but also for the adults responsible for them. A smart strategy is to provide a separate seating or lounge area for parents/guardians next to the children’s greenroom. This area could be partitioned or adjacent – allowing parents to be close at hand without overcrowding the kids’ space. Comfortable chairs, a coffee/tea station, and perhaps some phone charging points for the parents go a long way to making them feel welcome. Remember, these adults are partners in the performance – a relaxed parent can help keep a child performer calm and show-ready.
Having a parents’ lounge also keeps guardians from hovering directly over the children’s play area, which helps the kids unwind more freely. At the same time, it offers peace of mind since parents are right nearby. For instance, Canada’s International Children’s Festival of the Arts sets up a “guardian corner” with refreshments in the backstage area, so caregivers can chat and observe from a slight distance while their young performers play or warm up. By meeting the needs of parents, you also implicitly support the kids – if a guardian is anxious or uncomfortable, the child may pick up on that. Happy parents often mean happier little performers.
Beyond creature comforts, consider the logistical role of guardians. They often handle wardrobe changes, moral support, and last-minute needs for their kids. Ensure that backstage access credentials account for guardians: provide the necessary extra passes or wristbands so they can accompany their child everywhere without hassle. If your festival issues artist lanyards, give one to the parent or assign a special “Under-16 performer guardian” badge. Clear communication is key too – brief the parents or chaperones on the show schedule, the greenroom location, and exactly where they can and cannot go. Many festivals hold a quick orientation for parents of child performers upon arrival, covering safety protocols and who to contact in the crew for any issues.
In terms of stage time, if the child is very young (such as a toddler dance troupe or a grade-school choir), arrange for the guardian to be side-stage or in a wing where the child can see them while performing. Simply knowing that mum or dad, or their trusted chaperone is nearby can boost a child’s confidence under the lights. Some events even reserve a small section in front of the stage for performers’ families – separate from the general audience – so they can watch proudly without jostling in the crowd. For example, at a family festival in Mexico City, organisers set aside a “parents’ pit” for the relatives of the kids’ mariachi band performing, ensuring those children saw familiar faces cheering them on. These thoughtful touches not only make families feel valued but can significantly improve a child’s on-stage comfort level.
Short and Safe Routes to the Stage
The journey from the greenroom to the performance area might seem trivial, but for children it’s crucial to get it right. Keep routes to the stage short, direct, and secure. Ideally, the kids’ greenroom should be located as close as possible to the children’s stage or performance space to minimise walking distance. Long or complicated walks through a crowded festival site can exhaust or overwhelm young performers (not to mention increase the chance of distractions or separation). A direct path – whether it’s a roped-off walkway or a golf cart ride for larger venues – helps get kids to the stage efficiently and without stress.
Safety along these routes is paramount. Backstage corridors and stage wings can be hazardous even for adults, filled with cables, equipment, and hectic crew activity. For a child, these areas must be child-proofed and supervised. Do a thorough risk assessment of the path: tape down or cover any loose wires that could trip little feet, ensure lighting is adequate if they’re moving around dusk or evening, and restrict vehicle traffic or heavy gear movements during the kids’ transit times. Many top festivals engage professional safety officers to plan and vet these logistics (www.britsafe.in); even if your event is smaller, take a page from that playbook – walk the route in advance and imagine it from a child’s eye level. Are there loud generators or pyrotechnics nearby that could scare them? Is there a secure hand-holding escort (like a stage manager or volunteer) to guide them from greenroom to stage and back? These considerations can prevent accidents and meltdowns.
It’s wise to arrange for a dedicated crew member or volunteer to be in charge of child performer movements. This “artist escort” ensures that each kid or group gets to stage on time and safely, and back to the greenroom or to their parents afterward. For example, the producers of Kidtopia Festival in Sydney assign a specific stage runner to every youth act, so that no child is ever wandering the grounds alone. Younger children might even need two people – one to lead and one to follow – especially if moving through any public areas. Holding areas near the stage can help too: a small tent or curtained-off corner right backstage where kids can wait for their cue without straying onto the stage early. Keeping this holding spot quiet and focused (perhaps having a staffer engage the kids in a quick game or breathing exercise) can channel any last-minute nerves.
Also plan for emergencies or unexpected needs during transit. Have water on hand near the stage entrance in case a child needs a final sip. Make sure communication devices (walkie-talkies or phones) connect the stage manager, greenroom attendant, and security – so if a guardian or child needs something, help can be dispatched immediately. The key is to remove obstacles, both physical and logistical, between the child and their performance. When the route is easy and safe, children arrive on stage calm and ready to shine.
Nurturing Happy Young Performers
Ultimately, all these efforts – from a thoughtfully stocked greenroom to a well-timed schedule and safe staging – serve one purpose: to keep children’s artists happy, healthy, and inspired to do their best. Experienced festival organisers know that when a performer feels cared for, they repay that care in the quality of their performance. This is doubly true for kids, who tend to wear their emotions on their sleeves. A frustrated or exhausted child backstage can quickly turn into a teary meltdown, whereas a content, well-rested child is more likely to go out and delight the audience.
There are plenty of success stories that highlight this principle. At Camp Bestival in the UK (one of Europe’s renowned family-friendly festivals), the festival organisers create a mini “performer playtime” before each day’s shows, where all the kids’ acts gather for a short, fun activity – be it a group warm-up dance or a bubble-blowing session. This not only puts the young artists at ease seeing their peers, but also injects a sense of play into the day, reminding everyone that performing is about joy. The result? Performers who step on stage smiling, relaxed, and ready to create magic. Similarly, at India’s Bal Utsav children’s festival, organisers invite local child performers a day early for a closed rehearsal and get-to-know-you party with games. They found that giving kids time to acclimatise to the venue and make friends with staff and fellow performers dramatically cut down on stage fright during the actual event.
It’s also important to acknowledge and accommodate the emotional needs of child artists. Festivals that excel with young talent often have a mentor or child-wrangler on the team – someone with education or childcare experience who can connect with kids on their level. This person can help diffuse nerves with a joke, or comfort an upset child who’s missing home, etc. For example, the producer of New Zealand Kids in Music Festival noted that having a former preschool teacher volunteer backstage was a “game changer” for how smoothly the kids’ shows ran. The teacher-turned-volunteer intuitively created sing-along circles and storytime in the greenroom, turning waiting periods into positive, calming experiences.
Additionally, celebrate the wins and efforts of the young performers. After a set, festival crew can give a simple applause, high-fives, or a little souvenir (like a badge or certificate of participation) to recognise the child’s contribution. These gestures boost the child’s confidence and sense of accomplishment. Many festivals do this through formal means: at the Vancouver International Children’s Festival, every youth performer receives a thank-you package with a festival T-shirt and a personalised thank-you card signed by the festival director. It’s a small cost for an enduring morale boost that makes the kids proud and eager to perform again.
Remember that for some children, performing at your festival could be a formative life experience – the moment they fell in love with the stage. By nurturing them with care and professionalism, you’re not only ensuring a great show for your audience today, you might also be helping to spark the career of a future star. (Glastonbury Festival’s longtime Kidzfield producer, Tony “Mr Tony” Cordy, has noted that kids who once played in the Kidzfield have gone on to play big stages at the festival (www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk) – a testament to how positive early experiences can encourage young talent to grow.)
Finally, never forget the core magic of family events. As Mr Tony famously said about working with children at festivals, “We have got to remember that we are here to have fun… the children teach us that.” (www.bbc.co.uk) When children’s artists are well cared for, their genuine fun and enthusiasm becomes infectious. They will pour their hearts into singing, dancing, storytelling or whatever their art may be, and audiences – young and old – will feel that joy. By investing in the well-being of your smallest stars, you ensure they can deliver the biggest smiles, creating a truly memorable family-friendly festival experience.
Key Takeaways
- Design a child-friendly greenroom: Provide a quiet, secure backstage area stocked with toys, books, and comfy seating, plus healthy snacks and drinks to keep young performers nourished and happy.
- Adapt scheduling to kids’ needs: Plan short performance sets (e.g. 20–30 minutes) and stick to consistent times. Allow plenty of breaks and recovery time between sets, and favour daytime slots so children are alert.
- Include parents/guardians: Accommodate the caretakers with a nearby seating area or lounge. Ensure each child performer has an adult supervisor at all times (wtm.ltd) and keep parents in the loop on schedules and access.
- Prioritise safety and logistics: Locate the kids’ greenroom close to the stage and establish short, safe routes for them to get to and from performances. Remove hazards, supervise movements, and escort children to prevent mishaps.
- Foster a positive experience: Go the extra mile to make performing fun and stress-free – engage kids with play, celebrate their achievements, and provide emotional support. Happy children’s artists will deliver magical performances that elevate your festival’s atmosphere.
27th September 2025