tips needed for taking kids to festivals!

[belcantavinissima]

righto, just booked up to take our kids to Camp bestival in the summer- ds1 is 9, ds2 will be 5 and dd is 3 and dss is 13. what is essential to take? bear in mind we have never even been camping before (!!!) so we need to get everything as well as any extras you think we will need.

my friend said we def need to take a 3 wheeler buggy for the evenings for dd to sleep/rest in. should i try and sort out a double so ds2 can go in it too? will need to borrow one or get one mega mega cheap. (anyone know of one going begging?!) mine are used to going to bed at 7 lol! also will we be able to take the car right into the site or will we have to carry all this stuff with us? i need helpppppppp!

toilet paper and dry soap essential - also waterproofs and wellies on standby - have fun

thank you! really looking forward to it. though have never been to a festival in my life (which noone can ever believe!)- cant believe i am doing my first one at age of 32 with 4 kids in tow lol!

I went to Glastonbury in 2000 with 5 "kids" in tow...dd was 2 1/2, ds1 was 9months, and then there was DH and his two brothers LOL (Tbh, they were harder work than the two LOs!). Have since been to CAmbridge and Cropredy, both of which I'd recommend, much more laid back than Glastonbury. Be prepared for mud and lots of it! (don't take anything that will get ruined if it gets muddy, or if you do, don't be upset!) also suncream/hats etc etc. It'll either be burning hot or p*ing it down ime! At Cambridge, if you camp on the common, you can park next to your tent, although if you camp at Cherry Hinton Hall, you can't. At Cropredy you can park next to your tent also. Which Festival are you going to? A water carrier is v useful (especially the drum sort which you can pull along). HAve fun,and good luck!

which fest are you going to?

I've been to Glasto and Big Chill and defffffo prefer the Big Chill with children.

Glasto is overated imo!
Smaller site, bril family areas, warm showers, plenty of great food for kids and lots of brill things to do..

essentials:

fav breakfast,shreddies, milk, cool boxes, wipes, sun lotion, extra layers for evenings, {it gets very cold], sneeky bottles of booze, dry snacks, pillows, wheelbarrow to carry all your stuff from car to site, small gazebo to set up chill out area,
first aid kit,.......

we are going to Camp Bestival (a new festival run by Bestival (on the isle of white) in Dorset. theres only 10,000 people and loads for the kids to do eg blue coats that entertain the kids and other stuff. have a bit of a migraine so a bit spaced out and finding it difficult to concentrate and work out what i am doing sorry!

We took dd (5 then) to the Wicker Man last year (though we didn't camp).

If your kids are at all picky, I would take plenty of food/ snacks. We found very little that dd would eat, and what there was was expensive.

If there is any chance of getting a loo upgrade, I would! We spent £5 each on loo tickets for dd and I, and it was money well spent. the loos in portakabins were cleaned regularly, and there was hot water for handwashing. they had showers, too!

Hi done a few festivals but just have one ds...would def recommend three wheeler double if your 5 yr old will get in it...gives much more flexibility at nightwe just took rucksack thing and pushchair last year and ds (2) wouldn't sleep in rucksack and pushchair useless in mud!....would also take cosy toes type things and pack stuff for really cold ..hats and spares ....extra cash so can buy food when want as getting back to own tent to cook can be a pain...tubs of fruit purees popular quick pud as are noodle/sauce things and deff cereal can usually get fresh milk ......bubble wands of various descriptions seem to be popular with all ages but not cheap to buy there so would either take own or at least take huge bottle of solution to keep them topped up......would also recommend at least one favourite toy per child and some books/felt pens and paper so can do stuff in your tent if want a break ...enjoy....off to big chill this year if weather ok....so tip 1 dont go if raining!!

!

Definitely go for a double buggy, if you can. A 3-wheeler is a good idea. Believe me, a bog-standard Maclaren is as much good as a chocolate teapot when the heavens open

You do park on-site (but haven't been to Bestival, btw) but it can be a long walk to camping areas. So think about what you bring crefully.

Wellies
Wet weather gear++ (Millets do great all-in-ones for kids)
Warm clothes for evenings (unless in middle of heatwave!)
Baby wipes
A potty might be a good idea for nights?
Food (festival food pricey)

Prepare yourself for the toilets