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Booked our first ever festival- help- where do I start?!

19 replies

Justgivemeasoddingname · 14/01/2019 09:20

I need a festival guru.
There are 5 of us, dh and 3 kids from 5-13. We've only camped once before as a family on a campsite and once wild.
Where do I start? What do I need? I just keep thinking baby wipes Grin
We've got the tent, blow up mattresses and each child has a sleeping bag. When we camped, dh and I took our full bedding, duvet and all it was lush.

How do we do this? Do we just have to accept we'll be minging after day 2? What are your tips?
Lists would be most welcome!!!

OP posts:
Sitranced · 14/01/2019 10:15

Which festival is it? I've done a lot in my time.
First thing is to check the FAQs on the website of whichever festival it is you are going to. This should tell you how to get there, whats on site (food, atms, showers) and what you need to bring.
Be prepared that you'll be carrying everything from your car to where you'll be camped. If its a big one you could be walking for ages so I would suggest using rucksacks or trolleys.
Don't take anything that you are not prepared to loose - thieves are at every festival.

Igottastartthinkingbee · 14/01/2019 10:17

Just a tip for camping from me! Get the kids some sort of mat or blanket to go underneath their sleeping bags. It’ll make a big difference to how warm they are! Even in summer it can get very cold at night if you’re in a tent.

EveryDayIsLikeMonday · 14/01/2019 13:20

Lots of layers for night time - more than you think you'll need. Plenty of snacks, as festival food is expensive. Colouring books, glow in the dark toys etc so the kids have something to do when they're bored of all the music! Wellies, waterproofs and waterproof mat to sit on. Wet wipes, toilet roll and anti bac gel. A bucket for night time emergencies!
Lots more tips here: www.festivalkidz.com/advice/festival-survival-guide/

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sparkly72 · 14/01/2019 13:37

A box to Chuck dirty wet boots/shoes in just outside tent.
Flip flops sliders for putting on to potter around tent.
We had a trailer thing- great for getting stuff from car park to tent spot- it's usually quite a walk. Also great for taking stuff around festival with you. We put fold up camping chairs, blankets, food and drinks in ours.
Fairy lights Star
Baby wipes
Bucket for night times wees!
Torch
Noise deafening headphones if anyone a bit sensitive
Hot water bottles, double layers of socks pjs etc night time can be cold!
Waterproofs
Take your own glitter, face paints etc to save a fortune

ratspeaker · 14/01/2019 13:38

As has been said above check out FAQs on festival website. Many have bans on anything in glass containers, aerosols and camping stoves with gas bottles.
Some are limiting the size of bag you can take into arena, rather like at gig venues, so double check

Wet wipes, great for wiping hands, a quick wipe to the armpits etc.
Keep set of spare clothes in a black bag, to avoid mud, tent leaks etc.
Black bags also do for emergency water proofs, or put oneon under a jumper to retain heat. Can also be used to sit on if its wet.
Hats, gloves, extra socks.
I have a camping chair to sit on between acts and to keep me out the mud.
I have a teeny keyring torch which is very very useful and doesnt take up much room.

slappinthebass · 14/01/2019 13:39

Festivals with kids pro here. 4 kids and we've gone with small babies, toddlers, preschoolers and tweens. It depends how far you have to carry your stuff or if you can park close to campsite or in a family/campervan site as to what stuff you bring. Personally I hate inflatable camping matts and would recommend SIMS instead. Much lighter to carry too. If you can't do that, get some cheap foam roll-matts, to place UNDER the air beds, I've used fleece blankets and foil blankets in the past too. Otherwise there is no insulation from the cold ground. If it's a spring festival, take a couple of hot water bottles. If not you should be fine with onesies and warm socks.

Novelty onesies are perfect festival attire for kids, they can change into them early evening as fancy dress and then if they fall asleep when out in the evening you can just put them straight in bed. Take lots of spare thick socks because they WILL run around on the dewy grass Angry.

Bright clothes for the 5 year old so you are less likely to lose sight of them. Adorn them in glow sticks and flashy things at night; and also light yourself up so they can find you more easily if they lose sight of you. Think sensible footwear and have fun with your clothes.

Buy some face paints for the older kids, they can sell face paints to adults and make themselves spending money.

Take as much food as you can carry as the food will be extortionate. We usually cook breakfast at the tent, make a packed lunch and buy the evening meal.

I don't think I've ever been to a festival without showers, but I usually only take one the whole festival. Queues are always long in the morning and short in the evening so bare that in mind. Take anti-bac hand ge

Assuming it's a music festival, don't spend long planning what bands you'll see, it's unlikely you'll manage it without someone being miserable. Go with the flow and you'll be less disappointed. It's more about the atmosphere than the line up.

BloddersMum · 14/01/2019 13:46

Making notes...

First weekend festival with a child in tow. Think it will have a much different vibe to the Phoenix festival in 94 ConfusedGrin

GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat · 14/01/2019 16:07

Which festival?

I find those thin, cheap fleece blankets (Ikea, Primark etc) a godsend on cold nights in conjunction with a sleeping bag. Even summer nights can get very cold if there's no cloud cover. I use them inside and on top of my sleeping bag plus gloves, knitted hat and bedsocks! The extra layers trap the heat and they're very light to carry (mine go in a big blue Ikea bag along with other sundries).

I see you're sorted with duvet and blow up mattress Grin
The walk from the carpark to campsite is definitely a drawback at bigger festivals. A sturdy trolley with big wheels is the way forward particularly if it's muddy. Even a small amount of rain creates ridiculous mud if it rest of the weekend doesn't remain dry. Try and time your arrival/unloading/pitching tent for a window of good weather (keep an eye on the hourly forecast). If possible arrive early for a good pitch/before impending rain! The car park is usually on grass and it will quickly get churned up ditto the walkways to and around the campsite if rain happens. You can be smugly in your tent by then having a brew!

I'm usually working so I have stuff like a tiny torch (99p ebay - came with lithium batteries, replacements available from Poundland) clipped to my lanyard or waist bag, antibac gel, metal water bottle on a caribiner. Poundland is quite handy for small bits and pieces like that for the kids. Those flat drinks pouches with a caribiner are useful and take up no room when empty. Check whether the festival allows you to take your own drinks into the arena. Water points are freely available, I use the small squirty squash things (Robinsons? Aldi sell a bargain copy at the tills) to perk up the often over chlorinated festival water.

Poundland/B&M also great for glowsticks, battery powered lights and solar tent lights.

Clashfinder (website) is handy if it's a bigger festival. You can print off loads of copies of the line up timings (and laminate if you're me Grin) to save money on ££ programmes. Kids can highlight their own. A3 works better for a tent copy as the type is really small! The line up only gets confirmed fairly close to the festival date.
Will the kids have phones? Smartphones are great for festival apps but they'll eat data and battery and regularly get lost/stolen. Cheap "festival mobiles" are probably the way forward for teens if you separate.

Earplugs are very handy (essential?) in the campsites at night.

I've never really done the whole cooking thing as we get a limited amount of catered food. I top up with snacks - crisps, cereal bars, Belvita biscuits, pot noodles, cupasoup, latte sachets, fruit, biscuits, sweets, porridge pots There's often an overpriced supermarket on the festival site or a shuttle bus to a nearby town/out of town superstore if you need to pick up supplies. I seem to recall it's not easy to leave the public car park once the festival is in full swing. That or you lose your parking space and may find yourself directed to a really distant car park on your return! It's handy to keep extra non-perishable food and drink in the car for later on in the festival week.

GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat · 14/01/2019 16:33

Yes fleecy onesies for the kids are fab! Waterproofs essential unless the week is going to be bone dry. Golf umbrellas are useful for sun and rain protection but some of the larger festivals ban umbrellas from the arena. Don't forget suncream, sunhats and water intake if it's a sunny one. Festival welfare normally have suncream if you've left yours back at the tent.

Brief your kids thoroughly on what to do if separated/ who to approach for help. Writing your phone number in permanent marker on younger kids arms is quite common. Festival welfare is excellent and will re-unite lost and found adults and kids. Know where they're located and brief your group.

Showers can be a right pain at festivals. I've started taking small trug-buckets along (stackable and double up as a packing recepticle). I use one for tent washes along with some boiling water to take the edge off if it's a cold festival! Much quicker and easier than faffing with long shower queues (generators often break = freezing/ out of order showers. Pro tip: check the temperature/ pressure before you undress!) or babywipes (although they def have their uses!). Trugs can be used for washing up too.
Agree with PP if you can come back to the campsite during the afternoon or early evening (I always struggle as the festival is so enticing!) the shower queue should be massively shorter.

I'm not really knowledgeable about tent toilets but I've heard families with kids swear by a simple bucket with seat/lid (think they're widely available) for middle of the night wees Grin

Plan your first night meal. BBQs are good if your festival allows them (usually need to be off the ground if they do) plus next morning breakfast. Our meat usually lasts in a cool box for the next day's BBQ lunch/ dinner too. The overnight temperature acts like a fridge especially in conjunction with a sealed coolbox. During the festival store your drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic) well under the groundsheet, keeps them cool throughout the day!

Glitter, uv paints, glowsticks and marshmallows can be bought in advance to avoid festival mark up Smile

Glass is never allowed (entrance checks can be quite thorough) so decant spirits into plastic bottles or buy wine boxes/ cans/ minikegs/ pouches etc Grin

GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat · 14/01/2019 17:03

Clothes pegs! Handy for pegging things to the tent poles (fairy lights, tent flag, drying clothes). You can buy camping clothes lines for about £1 too).
Plastic backed picnic rugs are useful. I use mine as indoor tent carpet and outside the tent for lolling about in the shade. I have a mini one for taking into the arena if the ground is wet. At least they're lightweight in packing terms Grin

Do you have camping chairs and a folding table? The table comes into its own if the weather's dreadful and you end up huddled inside playing cards etc til it passes Grin

I'd just accept that you're going to end up taking a lot of stuff Grin
Take the tent and other core items (don't forget tickets/ID) on your first trip from the car park. Make a return trip once the tent is up and you've had a rest Smile

I tend not to pack full waterproofs unless the weather's going to be abysmal. I always pack my wellies but make do with a poncho (packs down small in my waist bag/small daypack) and a folding umbrella for light showers.
I layer up fleeces/jacket/scarf/gloves/hat/ for the evening and put my poncho over if it starts to rain. Some people prefer cagoules/ heavy waterproof coat/waterproof trousers but I survive without. Waterproof all-in-ones look great for little ones. Leggings or spandex Grin are handy as they dry quickly and can be layered up/kept as a lightweight back up in your bag. Avoid jeans.
Even for a scorching festival I still take my wellies and leave them in the car just in case Wink

GahWhatever · 14/01/2019 17:12

The tone of the festival makes a big difference:
Are you in a family camping area, can you drop off kit from your car, are there showers, are you allowed to cook at your tent or is it literally a field you can put sleeping tents only in?

My advice, for a not v experienced camper, would be to enable heating of water (kettle) and single ring stove) to enable hot drinks, cuppa soups, pot noodles/rice, but otherwise only take foods which you can eat cold and most importantly don't need refrigerating. Loads of stuff: crackers, some cheese spreads, pepperami sausages, crisps, cake, cereal bars, UHT milk, juice boxes, water bottles, apples etc.
Wellies and crocs. Warm beds, rainproof coats. Everything else is a bonus but I'd say that PP who recommended onesies might not be thinking of festival blue water toilets: a onesie not ideal in those circumstances!

Lampshadylady · 14/01/2019 17:15

@bloddersmum I was there too! When there was the mini riot!

BloddersMum · 14/01/2019 18:20

@lampshadylady I actually manged to miss that bit Wink

Great tips on this thread, thanks everyone!

AntsDeck · 14/01/2019 19:03

My DC bought Festakits from Amazon - had loads of stuff in them. DC said that there were things in them that even they hadn't thought of 

Justgivemeasoddingname · 16/01/2019 09:09

All excellent advice thank you all very much.
Festival is Belladrum in the Highlands, Elbow and Jess Glynne headlining.
I'll now read guidelines on the website thoroughly!!
Any more advice greatfully received!

OP posts:
Sitranced · 16/01/2019 11:57

Belladrum is a great festival, really lovely people and always good fun.

spreadingchestnuttree · 16/01/2019 12:03

Get there early so you can get a good tent pitch. We camped in a family field which was great but latecomers found the family field full and had to camp in the main camping field.

We had showers every morning. All pretty civilised really Smile

GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat · 16/01/2019 14:18

Sounds good! The capacity is only 20,000 daily so not on the scale of Glastonbury Grin

It's extremely family friendly so if you've forgotten anything I'm sure you'll be covered. They have a fancy dress theme, parades and prizes - this year the theme's sci fi!

Based on location the major concern is probably the weather Grin
Keep a dry outfit for everyone (incl. socks and underwear!) in the car for emergencies/ the journey home. If it's going to be damp pack far more socks than you think you could ever need.

Also forgot to say pack a portable charger for your phone/s. Anker is a good brand.

These links have some good info:

here

children

festival info

As well as the essential FAQ section.

Have fun!

Jessicalora13 · 02/03/2023 01:08

Hi there, know its a few yrs later, but I stumbled across your post when researching Belladrum as my 2 kids and I are going for the 1st time. Did it all meet your expectations? I have only ever done wild camping, so this is all new to me. Did you bring a trolley with you or just rucksacks? Did you use a camping stove?
Thanks in advance
Jess

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