Where The Sheep Sleep is a radically inclusive space — but it’s not a free-for-all. As a parent, you are fully responsible for your child’s well-being, safety, and experience at all times. Many families have had positive, even life-changing experiences bringing their children to Burns. Kids can enjoy the creative, community-focused atmosphere—as long as there is proper preparation, supervision, and flexibility. While attending a burn with children is different than without, it can be just as magical. As with all burns, preparation and self reliance are key. Radical self-reliance applies to parenting too. Make sure you’re giving your kids the support, structure, and love they need — so they can thrive in this magical playground. 

This short guide will give you some tips and tools to do so, the most important being:

• Lower Your Expectations – Kids will change your burn. That’s not a loss—it’s a transformation. Plan less, take it slow, wander More, let curiosity guide you. 
• Ask for Help – Don’t be afraid to connect with other parents or volunteers.
• Give them moments to shine – Involve them in the principles, pick up a volunteer shift together, let them think about what they want to gift, work on outfits together etc. 
• Educate –  You are raising the next generation of burners! Talk with them about the 10 Principles in age-appropriate ways: Radical Inclusion, Consent, Participation, and Communal Effort are all beautiful lessons for young minds.
• Set boundaries Burns are full of new experiences — from artistic nudity to bold self-expression — that may be surprising or confusing for children. Create space for open conversations, and let them ask questions without shame or fear. At the same time, clear boundaries are essential. Make sure your child knows what’s okay and what’s not, where they can and can’t go, and how to recognize when something feels wrong or unsafe.

• Children should never be left unattended — not in tents, not at camp, and certainly not wandering around the playa or event grounds.
• It’s not okay for both parents or guardians to be checked out (e.g., drunk, on substances, or sleeping) while children are unattended.
• Make sure your child always knows where their safe adults are and how to find them. Designate a known spot to meet if you get separated.
• Water Safety: Be mindful of the lakes on the terrain which are not safe for swimming. The beach off the terrain is safe but accompany your kids and use life vests where needed. 
• While gifts are a beautiful part of Burner culture — and candy is often handed out with joy — it’s important to help kids understand that not everything that looks fun is safe to eat. This is both to avoid accidental ingestion of something dangerous and to protect their tummies from sugar overload.

• Burning Man is sex-positive and body-positive — nudity, adult themes, and open expressions of sexuality are part of the culture. Have a talk with your child before the event about radical inclusion and radical self-expression. 
• Some spaces are clearly marked 18+ or not suitable for minors. Respect those boundaries. If in doubt, ask.

Help your child navigate what’s appropriate for them — and be aware that other Burners are not responsible for managing what your child sees or hears.

• Burn culture is communal — if someone sees a child who seems lost or unsafe, they’ll likely help, but it’s still your job to prevent that situation.
• if your child is repeatedly seen unsupervised or in unsafe situations, Rangers or the event leads may intervene.

• D for Kids: Wristbands or tags with your name and phone number.
• Quiet Camp Zones: Stay away from sound camps marked on the map.
• Ear-protection: protect the sensitive ears of the little lambs with noise canceling headphones for a baby and ear plugs for the older kids. 
• Hydration: There are water points so make sure your kid has a water bottle to fill up. 
• Sun Protection: Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses.
• Clothing: Dress in layers for varying temperatures. Bring warm clothes for cool evenings.
• First Aid Kit: Include basics like plasters, antiseptic, fever meds, and prescriptions.

• Entertainment: Books, quiet toys, crafts, and games. Bonus if the toys can be shared.
• Snacks and meals: Keep familiar, healthy snacks and meals on hand. 
• Lighting: Headlamps, bike lights, and fun lights so your child is visible, especially at night.
• Stroller/Bolderkar: Off-road wheels if possible, the terrain can get muddy and bumpy. 
• Baby monitor: for the relaxing moment outside of your tent while the little ones are asleep, it can be nice to have a listening ear to what is going on in the tent. Keep in mind you don’t wander off too far and stay sober, you want to be there for your child when it wakes up. 

Bonus: Suggested Gear

• Water guns and spray bottles
• Daytime shade (pop-up tent, parasol)
• Extra shoes (it gets dusty and/or wet)
• A small child-safe burner backpack for them to carry their essentials
• A bike or other wheels for your kid to zoom around on 

• If your child is lost: Report this to the nearest rangers and/or the Info Hub. Give a clear description of your child’s features and outfit. Of course ask around/call out to find your child, try to be specific, so don’t say “I am looking for my kid” but say “I am looking for my little person, about this age and wearing this outfit” this will help people around you to look. 
• If you find a lost child: Call out for the rangers, if no ranger is close by walk the child to the info hub. The rangers and event leads will help the child find its parents. 

In the What Where When guide every activity that is 18+ will be clearly marked so you can pick out appropriate activities. There are multiple family friendly camps that offer kid friendly activities. Check the WWW guide or go around the camps to find when and where family-friendly events are planned—or start your own! 

Many families have had positive, even life-changing experiences bringing their children to Burns. Kids will enjoy the creative, community-focused atmosphere as long as there is proper preparation, supervision, and flexibility. While attending a burn with children is different than without, it can be just as magical. As with all burns, preparation and self reliance are key. Radical self-reliance applies to parenting too. Make sure you’re giving your kids the support, structure, and love they need  so they can thrive in this magical playground. At the sheep you will find multiple family oriented camps and lots of activities for kids, also we encourage you to create your own with your kids to share!

Lower your expectations, kids will change your burn, and that’s okay. It’s not a loss, but a different, often richer experience.Plan less, slow down, and let curiosity lead the way. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from other parents or volunteers. Give your kids moments to shine and be part of the experience. Involve them in activities, volunteering, gifting, and creative expression. You’re raising the next generation of burners so make sure to teach them the principles. Explain values like inclusion, consent, participation, and communal effort. Create space for open conversations during the event about what they see and feel. Set clear boundaries so they know what’s safe and appropriate.

No! Children should never be left unattended, anywhere on the terrain. Not in tents, camps, or wandering the grounds alone. At least one parent/guardian must always stay sober and responsible. Both parents/guardians being checked out is not acceptable. Make sure your child knows where their safe adults are. Agree on a clear meeting point in case you get separated. Be mindful of water: the swimming lake, beach area and pools are not supervised. So you always need to supervise and use life vests. Teach kids not to eat everything they are gifted. This prevents danger and avoids too much sugar. 

Burn culture is communal, and most burners warmly include kids. They often involve them in art, activities and gifting and appreciate the huge amount of joy kids bring into the event. If a child seems lost or unsafe, others will help by bringing them to InfoHub or a nearby Ranger. But preventing those situations is always your responsibility. Stay aware and keep your child within safe reach. Make sure they know how to find you quickly. Repeated unsafe or unsupervised situations are not acceptable, Rangers or event leads may step in if needed. 

Lost children should be reported immediately to the nearest Rangers or Info Hub. Give a clear description of their age, features, and clothing. Call out and ask around while being as specific as possible. Avoid vague descriptions like “I’m looking for my kid.” Instead, describe what they look like and what they’re wearing. For Example: “I am looking for a brown haired boy, 5 years old, wearing a unicorn onesie”. This helps others assist you more effectively. If you find a lost child, stay with them and reassure them. Call for Rangers or bring them to the Info Hub if none are nearby. Rangers and event leads will support reunification with parents. The rangers or Info Hub volunteers will contact the event leads and locat authorities if needed, we have safety protocols for these situations. Also professional EHBO is always on site for medical attention if needed.