RULE 1 Like everyone at a festival, children need to drink lots of water and keep hydrated and keep their energy levels up. If they dislike the taste of bottled water, mix in a little fruit juice, but don't give them juice or soda all the time. Bag

While most festivals now offer dedicated children’s events, there are still some crucial questions to ask:- Are children allowed? Some festivals are still adults-only, so confirm that children can go before booking tickets. - How far is the walk

Stay for the whole weekend and, if you feel like getting down and dirty, you can pitch-your-own in true camper style. However, most festivals now offer glamping alternatives, so you can sojourn in the boutique area in anything from a yurt, gypsy

Off The Tracks Festival June 3–5 Donington Park Farmhouse, Castle Donington, DerbyshireWychwood Festival June 3–5 Cheltenham Racecourse Eden Festival June 10–12 Raehills Meadows, Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway Blissfields Festival June 30–July 3

Each year during the month of August, the Scottish capital becomes a vibrant cultural hub as it plays host to the biggest arts festival in the world. With everything from one-man Shakespeare monologues to stand up ventriloquists and urban ballet

Larmer Tree Festival is at Larmer Tree Gardens, Tollard Royal, near Salisbury, Wiltshire Capacity 4,000 What’s the vibe Celebrating its coming of age (the first festival was in 1990), Larmer Tree is a laid-back escape-from-it-all fest

JUST SO FESTIVAL August 19–21 is Near Leek, Staffs Capacity 6,000 What’s the vibe A boutique, weekend-long festival of creativity for families. Musical interludes There’s music, dance and street theatre, plus the chance for your family to take part

Blissfields is at The Park, Vicarage Farm, Woodmancott, Winchester, Hampshire Capacity 2,200 What’s the vibe Awarded 2007 Best Small Festival accolade, this year’s theme promises to be a sci-fi-tastic “Out Of This World” experience

THE FESTIVAL SEASON is well and truly upon us. You may have got your rocks off with Primal Scream at Camp Bestival while your kids enjoyed the delights of The Zingzillas (who've been doing the rock circuit from Legoland and Glastonbury

The Snowman Sound Book by Raymond Briggs (Puffin, £6.99)So powerful were Briggs’ illustrations and so evocative was the music in the animated film that it is easy to forget that this classic children’s story is told only in pictures. Here, Briggs’ magical tale of a boy who builds...