Family-friendly Events and Festivals

By Melanie Carr #8, Escapees RV Club Vice President

Festival season is here, and these events are excellent learning opportunities for children. While attending festivals with children can be overwhelming for some, many of these events are family-friendly and offer activities to keep them happy and entertained. Here are five events that will take place between summer and fall of 2018. Even if the events are not on your travel route, you might find that they are worth adding to your must-do list for 2019.

Joshua Tree Music Festival

Joshua Tree, California • May 17–20/October 4–7, 2018
www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com

Located in the desert, this biannual event offers attendees a wide range of experiences, including live music, arts and a robust schedule of activities for children through their “Kidsville.” RV parking options with hook-ups or dry-camping are available. A few BLM (Bureau of Land Management) options are available in the surrounding the area that you can review on www.campendium.com . Children 10 and under are free.

Strawberry Music Festival

Groveland, California • May 24–28, 2018
Tuolumne, California • August 30–September 3, 2018
www.strawberrymusic.com

This music festival takes place in two unique locations in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It offers musical performances, activities for children, workshops and more. Full-hookup and partial-hookup options are available for RVers. Children six and under are free.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Washington, D.C. • June 27– July 1/July 4–8, 2018
www.festival.si.edu

This event provides a fantastic opportunity for roadschoolers to learn about communities from around the world. There are opportunities to learn about other cultures through music, dance, crafts, food and other living traditions. For 2018, this event will highlight the cultures of Africa, Armenia and Catalonia. And, the best part—it’s free!

Arizona Taco Festival

Scottsdale, Arizona • October 2018 (exact dates TBD)
www.aztacofestival.com

This is a fantastic festival for foodies. Once inside, you will find taco-topia, 50 restaurants serving tacos. There are other fun activities such as eating contests and live music. There is a kids’ zone featuring seven to 10 attractions, including a bungee trampoline, bounce houses, slides and more. Children can enjoy kids’ food vendors with treats such as ice cream and shaved-ice. Children age 12 and under are free.

Brick Fest Live

Houston, Texas • October 20 & 21, 2018
www.events.brickfestlive.com

Lego lovers rejoice! Here you will find hands-on activities and attractions designed to inspire, educate and entertain. Notable attractions include a Lego mini-golf course, inspiration stations, a speedway to build a custom Lego derby car, shopping for unique and rare Lego sets and much more.

This event is held at several locations throughout the U.S. Visit the website for more information.

Your tips for RVing with children could appear in a future “Camping Kids” column. Send your tips for organization, storage, safety, socialization or other aspects of traveling with children to melaniecarr@escapees.com .