Kids at Jazzfest

[fleagle23]

Anyone have any info. on bringing kids to Jazzfest. I have been many times, but this is the first with my 2 year old. Any advice or suggestions would be most appreciated- Thanks

[ibjamn]

The kids area is back this year, with lots of entertainment for kids & kid-friendly foods. You can also bring in your own foods, water, juice for her/him.
I would also say to venture out of the kids area and expose her/him to lots of different kinds of music. :)
Jordan should chime in soon, he is the king of bringing his kids to fest!! :)
Welcome & enjoy!

[fleagle23]

thanks for the quick feedback- actually was not even of thinking about going in the kid area! : ) Its all about the exposure to the music and the experience, and forget kid friendly food she is eating crawfish and shrimp flautas : ) can not get them where i live.

[saturn]

thanks for the quick feedback- actually was not even of thinking about going in the kid area! : ) Its all about the exposure to the music and the experience, and forget kid friendly food she is eating crawfish and shrimp flautas : ) can not get them where i live.

Don't underestimate the kid's tent --- there is some great stuff going on there. I've been known to drop by there myself -- and I ain't no kid.;)

[Carolina Beadhead]

Anyone have any info. on bringing kids to Jazzfest. I have been many times, but this is the first with my 2 year old. Any advice or suggestions would be most appreciated- Thanks

Don't miss the Imagination Movers! They're opening the Acura stage on 1st Sunday, I believe. The kids love 'em!

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Anyone have any info. on bringing kids to Jazzfest. I have been many times, but this is the first with my 2 year old. Any advice or suggestions would be most appreciated- Thanks

That question depends 100% on the parents. We brought our son when he was 5 months and one year old. For myself, it did not work. fyi: I have the schedule in one hand & beer in another. Bouncing from stage to stage. I hope you get the picture. Now, if its just another day in the park, and your just spending time with the family, then it might work. Now that my son is 16 I wish he was coming this year. Once he found out you have to be 18 to get into House of Blues then he changed his mind. It was going to be, Dads thing during the day and doing what he wanted at night. So, the real question is will it work for you if you miss something. I hope this answers your question.
Happy JF, F

[Frosty]

Don't miss the Imagination Movers! They're opening the Acura stage on 1st Sunday, I believe. The kids love 'em!

Don't have the kids for Fest but we do have Ravinia tics for the Movers later this summer.

[Jordan]

I have brought my kids to fest every year of their lives (they are 6 and 4 now). There is a lot of info, but it depends a lot on you. Give me a call anytime at 917 453-3705 and I'd be happy to share my experiences with you. I leave tomorrow around noon, so try to catch me before I go, but if you can't the phone still works in NOLA.

[Kings Pointer]

Anyone have any info. on bringing kids to Jazzfest. I have been many times, but this is the first with my 2 year old. Any advice or suggestions would be most appreciated- Thanks

Someone mentioned that they bring a small tent for their child every year without a problem even though the rules state otherwise. Does anyone have an opinion or advice as to how strict they are in regards to small tents for children?

[Bill/KC]

You'll probably want to hit the grandstand at least a few times each day, to cool the kids off and get out of the sun.

[Jordan]

In case you don't get around to calling, I have 3 reccomendations for you.

The number one recommendation I'd make is to carry your child in a backpack (if you are able to) instead of a stroller. They make them with shade canopies and my kids were always happy riding high above the crowd so they could see everything. It also allowed me to hear them and talk to them. In strollers, they are at thigh level and it can be hard getting through the crowds. Anytime Nathaniel or Nola got fussy, I'd just start walking and they'd go right to sleep. I could even take the pack off and stand it up while they slept. I kept a mirror on a string tied to it so I could make eye contact and clipped on a sippy cup of water and some instrument (kazzoo, mini-tambourine, etc). I know it sounds hard, but it made fest so much easier.

The second recommendation is sunscreen sunscreen and more sunscreen. We put it on the kids before they get dressed in the morning (even over the places that will never see sun and re-apply at least twice per day.

The last recommendation is attitude. You should go in knowing that jazzfest is going to be a different experience for you this year and just like going with anyone else, you'll have to make compromises. Some of my favorite fest moments are with kids, others are without them. You didn't mention if you had another adult with you, but if you do, don't be afraid to split up some. My wife, Nancy and I would figure out which bands we "absolutely had to see up close" and the other would havve the kids for that time.

Also, don't let people scare you - it can be great.

One last thing -- you should decide if you can handle letting your daughter play at "the beach". I know it is a horse racing track and what horses do on the track, but they love it, you can listen to music while they dig, and there are usually other kids that they can dig with. My kids never get scrubbed in the bath so thoroughly as they do on days after the fest.

[stlbarb]

Anyone have any info. on bringing kids to Jazzfest. I have been many times, but this is the first with my 2 year old. Any advice or suggestions would be most appreciated- Thanks

years ago someone posted this advice. bring the kids to fest one day. get a sitter and go to fest one day as grown ups. do something with the kids for another day.

but at 2, they seem to be happy just to hang with the 'rents, playing in then sunshine and the dirt of jazzfest. the smaller the child, the smaller their opinion about what to do/where to go next. (although i've seen some very opinionated toddlers). 10-12 year olds would probably be the hardest - they want to be independent but you really can't let them too loose at fest.

bring baby earplugs/earphones stay to the back of the crowds. spend some time under the shade trees around fais do do. where one parent can stay with the kid while the other does the front row thing at another stage.

bring a big stroller for napping - hide a case of beer under the kid. ;-)

kids area does rock. great line ups in their music tent. cheap lemonade.

[fleagle23]

Jordan- i did not read this and therefore just tried calling you. i did leave a message, so maybe you will get it, but otherwise thanks to you and everyone for the great advice!
can not wait to bring my 2 year old to the fest now. it seems so feasible

[mom22ems]

I agree with everyone - it depends on what you want out of Jazzfest - whenever I go anywhere like that with my children I know it isn't going to be the same as going solo. I do feel like the memories they make are worth whatever I think I am missing.

We used to live in NOLA and took our children who were three and eleven at the time. We are heading back this year and they are both so excited. The people, the food the music are so incredible for them to experience!!!! Do not miss the kids tent - it is awesome, plus it is a nice break for the parents and you meet the greatest people there.

I plan on bringing bubbles - mainly adults had them last time and my son went nuts, a small ball, and some arm guys for him to play with in the dirt. He actually picked out some googly eye glasses to wear this weekend "for Jazzfest" he told me! It is really worth it!!

Have a great time and enjoy!!!!