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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

taking teens to a festival

13 replies

Chompiemompie · 14/04/2023 09:20

in a moment of madness or pure inspiration i have offered to take my teen and her 3 pals to a 4 day festival as their 16th birthday gift. my best pal is coming too.

its an age since i did festivals so i am on the lookout for any tips - things i should bring, thing to remember and tips for clothing! i want to go full on sequin but my teen is being a bit saffron to my Edwina......

any useful tips and advice................

OP posts:
Strugglingtodomybest · 14/04/2023 12:34

I used to just give mine some cash to last them the day and send them off. Now they're older (16 & 18) they go by themselves though.

My number one tip is to take wet wipes!

Can't comment on clothes as I don't do the whole dressing up thing, I have a need to be warm and comfortable as a first priority.

Strugglingtodomybest · 14/04/2023 12:36

Where are you going btw? I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time! My boys love the silent discos!

Original poster
Chompiemompie · 14/04/2023 12:37

its a smaller scottish festival to get them started on festival going - Mugstock. i am doing Connect later that month but thats with pals so no teens to mind!

OP posts:
fruitbrewhaha · 14/04/2023 12:43

I take my kids to festivals and they are younger. We do sequins. But take plenty of clothes for if it’s cold and wet. Boots, wellies for wet cowboy for dry, festivals get very dusty so I do t like wearing sandals.

sunscreen.

Are there showers? Take towels.

You may find it’s cash free so you’ll need cards or phone to pay for everything. So get all the girls to bring a bank card.

Powerbanks to charge phones. Loads of them

Moredarkchocolateplease · 14/04/2023 12:57

Don't go?!

I took mine and friends to a day of the festival in Southsea last summer.

It was awful. Over priced food, toilets were worse than the toilets at a running festival I do, no share, few seating options...

It was my only festival experience and I'd never do it again!!

Original poster
Chompiemompie · 14/04/2023 13:03

i have a spreadsheet of everything i need to gather. A bell tent for the gals is secured and enough mats / sleeping bags for them. i have my own tent as does my pal. we have camping chairs for the oldies... We have a fair but of kit gathered and i am making up packs for the gals with wipes, sunscreen, sanitiser, torch, water, gum, batteries etc.

@moredarkchocolateplease - that sounds grim! sadly / gladly - this seems to be a highlight for the teens - hyper about it!

OP posts:
Moredarkchocolateplease · 14/04/2023 13:07

@Chompiemompie yes mine were too. Sigh. Thankfully DD also agrees that it wasn't all that and doesn't want me to escort her again! I'm happy to do gigs just not all day in the blazing sunshine.

I do hope you have a good time though.

tatteddear · 14/04/2023 13:10

Buy one of those wheeled open trolleys to carry everything to and from the car park is my advice.
And get posh shower passes if they have them-Usually £50 for the weekend-well worth it.

wonderstuff · 14/04/2023 13:11

I took dd14 and ds12 to latitude last year, had a ball. We let them do their own thing and met up at regular intervals. Agree re cards, but on part of the site it was cash only because no signal, so make sure you know the situation! Clothes for all weathers. We got posh loo access which was wasted on dh & ds, but invaluable for me, i got my period and they had they only sanitary bins on site. Make sure you take loo roll.

misssunshine4040 · 14/04/2023 13:36

Chompiemompie · 14/04/2023 13:03

i have a spreadsheet of everything i need to gather. A bell tent for the gals is secured and enough mats / sleeping bags for them. i have my own tent as does my pal. we have camping chairs for the oldies... We have a fair but of kit gathered and i am making up packs for the gals with wipes, sunscreen, sanitiser, torch, water, gum, batteries etc.

@moredarkchocolateplease - that sounds grim! sadly / gladly - this seems to be a highlight for the teens - hyper about it!

You sound like an amazing mum!! I hope you have the best time.
.

waterrat · 14/04/2023 16:44

I take my younger children and don't see them for dust (also small fest) so Im sure yours will absolutely love the freedom etc.

drill it into them that they may have no phone signal and battery - and explain what 'meeting points' are (unfamiliar to their generation! ) for if they can't find each other - we used to go as teens to big festivals with no phones and you just had ways of making sure you found each other when you inevitably got lost.

again maybe more key for younger kids but do try to take enough food to eat at least breakfast at the tent or its mega expensive and often kids don't want the sort of food you get

Strugglingtodomybest · 14/04/2023 17:34

It sounds like you have it all under control. Enjoy!

ClosedAuraOpenMind · 14/04/2023 17:42

myself and best friend have been going to festivals for 30 yrs, last year we talk our DDs, who were 8,11 and 12
take loads of snacks, and also took some noodle pots for easy food to do quickly
and face jewels, glitter and glow in the dark body paint for at night (and lots of wipes for taking it all off)
but are they old enough to have phones? I'd downloaded what three words on to my DDs phone and taught her how to use it in case she got lost

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