Festival First timer

[Festivibe]

Well I’m not a festival first timer as went to many in my youth BUT this is the first time I’ve gone with my child AND as a single parent.

My son is 8 and super excited - I am super nervous!

We’re off to Camp Bestival and I don’t have a clue where to start in terms of what I need. Any tips, pointers advice to make it easier for me as I’m shitting it. (Yes I do have a borrowed tent!)

Anyone?!

Do a trial run of putting up tent before you go, because that is usually the most stressful part for us!

Depending on how much space you have in car (assuming you are driving)

If you have plastic storage containers, use them for your clothes. One for you and one for DS. If your tent gets wet inside, your clothes will still be dry.

Loads of layers, I really rate wearing leggings and a long sleeve top under or as your pj's, it gets cold at night regardless of how sunny the day is. A hoody is good for sleeping too.

Eye masks, it will be very bright very early

Solar fairy lights can often be fed along the inside, nice amount of light to just take the edge off the darkness going to bed.

An airbed each, side by side, is more comfortable than a double. The smallest person ends up being bounced off by bigger person moving around on a double. A sleeping bag each and maybe fleece blankets. We bring pillows, but if you don't have space, bring a pillow case and stuff it with spare clothes

we have a camping toilet to avoid trips to loos during the night.

A small basin is handy for having a quick wash in your tent, and for bringing dishes to wash area

Any specific festival questions, ask away, we go to a couple each summer.

Introduce yourself to your neighbours. It’s a festival – everyone’s there for a good time. Plus they might be able to lend you something you have forgotten.

Practice pitching the tent before you go.

Attach something distinctive to the outside of your tent so you can recognise it when you’re heading back to it late after a long day. Or if you don’t want to do that, pitch next to or near some other distinctive tent/landmark.

If your tent has guy ropes, put coloured tape or pegs on them so you and your neighbours don’t trip over them in the dark.

Whatever you do stay clear of the toilets and anything down wind of the toilets. Steer clear of the security towers and lights unless you like the constant noise of a generator and bright light shinning through your tent all night. Also avoid the bottom of a hill or slope, unless you fancy sleeping in a puddle all weekend.

Don’t put a lock on your tent - whilst it might seem like a good idea it simply highlights to any would be thieves that you have something worth stealing inside. A knife will cut through the side of any tent so your also wasting your time and you'll be cursing yourself when you get back to your tent in the early hours and you can't find the key. Just don’t take anything with you that you are not prepared to lose.

Take a head torch. You might look like a miner but trust me you’ll be glad you’ve got your hands free when your scrabbling around trying to find things.

Take ear plugs and maybe even an eye mask if the morning sun wakes you up.

Take lots of plastic bags. You really can never have enough at a festival. They’re handy for rubbish, wet clothes, dirty clothes, muddy wellies. Everything.

Baby wipes are your best friend. And so is toilet roll. Make sure you pack plenty. And if you are worried about messy hair, take a hat or headband and hide it away.

It’s also worth packing bottled water for brushing your teeth.

Take a folding chair. You’ll want one to sit in first thing in the morning and last thing at night, especially when the grass is damp.

Food is super expensive so stock up on breakfast bars, dried fruit, nuts, oranges and anything else that comes wrapped and doesn’t need to be kept cool.

Instant porridge pots are a lifesaver when it comes to actually wanting to feel full and be ready for the day.

For clothes anything goes at festivals and whatever you do wear is bound to get filthy, so don’t wear anything expensive. Keep it simple and comfortable. Pack a thick jumper and socks - even if the forecast is good, it will get nippy once the sun has gone down.

Write your mobile number on your son’s arm, and tell him where to go if you get separated.
If they’re doing them this year, buy the guide lanyard and festival book. It all the lineups in the different areas.
Take a back pack and ask your son to take one too to avoid having to trek back to the tent every couple of hours.
Your son might wake early regardless of how late he went to bed so bring plenty of quiet things for him to do in the morning.
Make sure your water bottles are insulated!

Come and join the Camp Bestival Facebook Group, you will find lots of top CB specific tips, I think there is a single parent spin off group, not single so can’t help you there, it’s a very friendly group.

Invest in a festival trolley for porting things from car to campsite and back again. And everything FivemoreMinutes said above is spot on.

Take loo roll and hand sanitiser!

A nerf gun, they have a massive nerf gun fight, large bubble wand, Diablo, just thinking what my DC wanted when they were your DS age, you will save a fortune buying to take with you rather than pay extortionate CB prices.

Colouring book and pencils/pens for mornings in the tent, kids tend to get together and create their own entertainment but if he wakes up early he'll want something to do. Baby wipes and plenty of snacks are your best friends at festivals. Don't worry too much about clothes - they tend to stay in the same stuff as it gets filthy anyway!

Don't wear a jumpsuit! You don't want to take down EVERYTHING in a festival portaloo. Ditto long hems, long trousers etc.
Skirts / shorts are your friend here. Definitely write your mobile number on child's upper arm.
Add a flag thingy to your tent, the bendy fibre glass poles things so you can find it from far away.
Messy tents deter thieves.
Extra suncream.
Blanket that's rollable but waterproof underneath.
Wraps and easy fillings (cheese strings, nasty plastic cheese slices, squeezable fillings / primula etc) makes an instant meal for him and you without queuing or paying £55 for a sandwich.
Ditto a pot noodle or two.
If you're taking a cold box thingy, put in some frozen milk 1pints and you can have cereal at least twice before it defrosts. Also, eat dry cereal!!
Lastly, something to put water in - don't underestimate how much you'll use, take a big container (or a few empty pop bottles) to save the tap trips.

Get a wagon / radio flyer. You won't regret it.

These are amazing tips thanks!

@AnnieJ1985 yes to toilet as I don’t want to leave my son alone at night if I need to go. What one should I get? Has anyone tried TravelJohns?

All these tips are great, we’re doing a festival with kids 5 and 7 for the first time this year too and I also feel a bit anxious, I’m not really prepared as we unexpectedly won tickets! I also really do think it’s going to be great!

i bought TravelJohns for Latitude while pregnant and now would not camp without them. Fantastic for middle of the night or first thing in the morning panics

Echo porridge pots and head torch.

we always take packets of biscuits and crackers, haribo, apples, wet wipes and layers/hats. Normally I would say ponchos, but not so much with this weather.

have loads of fun!

Best advice would be to get onto the Facebook page. Lots of very specific information plus you can camp with single parents or meet up or do a nerf gun fight.

Been to camp bestival many times and Be very wary of where you camp. There is a massive hill. Also I wouldn’t do a Retro wagon. Take a backpack

make friends with your neighbours. Listen to the playlist of the festival before you go to hear a little bit of all the artists.

camping wise, take a small stove. See if there are transfer to and from the car to the campsite. They were golf carts, I’m not sure if they are Still going.

There are some activities that need to be booked. They either release slots for the whole weekend or on the day early. Make sure you know what you’d like and get things sorted.

also I would only do one meal out a day. It takes ages to come and is a little overpriced.

If anything jumps to mind I’ll add