Some contributors to this thread claim that if folk festivals don't cater to kids at some level in an effort to build a future audience, the audience for such festivals will disappear.

My rejoinder: My own experience indicates that this is false. For many years American old time music festivals did not have kid facilities or activities aimed at kids, but we took them to the festivals anyway. In spite of that lack our kids are now skilled, knowledgeable participants in the old time music scene.

As far as I can tell, if kids are going to get interested in the MUSIC it won't be because of Giggles the balloon man or the water slide or the electronic games tent. It'll be because of the music and the musicians. The more non-musical distractions you offer them, the less incentive to experience the music/musicians.