What To Take To A Festival With Kids – The Survival Guide
You may have been to Reading 15 times or watched countless sunrises at the Stone Circle but doing festivals with little ones in tow is a whole different ball game. If you’re unsure as to what to take to a festival when you’re taking the whole family or are just after some helpful tips on doing festival season with your mini me’s, scroll on for our top 9 tips.
From what to pack for every weather eventuality to the kids’ wagon that’s our secret weapon, here’s what to take to a festival with kids…
What To Take To A Festival With Kids, From Transport To Clothes
1. DO YOUR RESEARCH
If you’re a seasoned professional when it comes to festivals, be aware that they are not all created equal when it comes to families. Do your research before you snap up tickets to ensure the festival in mind has the right facilities and vibes for you and your little ones, whether that’s the food options, a children’s stage or a specific camping area for families.
We would recommend the latter as a must so you are staying in an area with like-minded people that are more about early nights round camp rather than stumbling in at 5am after a night at Shangri-La.
Top 3 Family Friendly Festivals In The UK
www.campbestival.net | www.inittogetherfestival.com | www.wildernessfestival.com
2. BE PREPARED FOR ALL WEATHER
Let’s be honest, this isn’t Coachella, and if you are heading to any UK festival this year, make sure you pack the right gear. That’s especially important with little ones who can get cold or sunburnt much quicker.
Waterproofs and wellies are a must for downpours, whilst SPF and a sunhat shouldn’t be overlooked if you’re lucky enough to get a scorcher. Layers are key when it comes to little ones and look for lightweight but durable and warm fabrics as the likelihood of you carrying around everything for the whole family all day is high.
We love brands such as Liewood for waterproofs – they are roomy and last for ages so you’ll get plenty of wear our of them post-festival season; Kidly for cute, colourful wellies; and the RS No.9 Carnaby for the proverbial band T-shirt in mini sizes.
3. MAKE SURE THE FIRST AID KIT IS FULLY STOCKED
Not to be a party pooper but make sure you have all the medicines and remedies for every eventuality. Plasters, anti-bacterial wipes, sachets of Calpol, paracetamol for the grown-ups, upset tummy medicines and hayfever tablets are just some of the essentials. It’s also worth bringing bug spray and remedies to soothe mosquito bites and tic removers – you are camping in a field remember – and familiarise yourself with the symptoms of Lyme Disease.
It’s also worth nothing on day one, where the First Aid Tent is for the festival should you need to seek medical assistance and pack a pair of ear defenders for little ones to protect them from the mammoth speakers.
4. INVEST IN TRANSPORT
The average Glastonbury reveller walks approximately six miles per day and over 30 miles over the course of the entire event. Now, you’re not going to be doing that much moving about with kids, but it does still take its toll on little legs.
Consider getting some festival-friendly transport to take the weight off their feet (and your shoulders) with one of Wonderfold’s strollers. They come in multiple sizes and colours, as well as accessories like rain covers, but our favourite has to be the mini Volkswagen van design – adorable.
Check out the full range at WonderFold l Quad Stroller Wagon l Unfold Adventures
5. INVITE YOUR FRIENDS
An extra pair of hands when it comes to looking after little ones is never a bad thing and no more so than at a festival. Find safety and plenty of fun in numbers by inviting another family along. There will be other children there to keep yours entertained and extra adults should you want to sneak of to catch your favourite band.
6. BE VIGILANT IN THE CROWDS
Remember, if they can walk, they can just as easily get lost. First things, first: agree a meeting spot with the whole family. Even if your child is too young to really understand drilling a meeting spot into them – “the ice cream fan”, “the tower of colourful flags” will help them to say it should they become separated from you.
You can also buy them a smart watch with GPS so you can locate them through your phone or pop a mini tracker into their pocket every morning. Make sure you are immediately contactable should someone find missing littles ones by clearly writing your mobile number on their wristband as soon as you get inside the festival gates.
You may have been to Reading 15 times or watched countless sunrises at the Stone Circle but doing festivals with little ones in tow is a whole different ball game.
7. TAKE FOOD & PLENTY OF WATER
Whilst food options have come a long way at festivals in recent years, children can be fussy when and wherever they like. Ensure you pack plenty of non-perishable food, more snacks than you think you’ll ever need and lightweight reusable water bottles to stay hydrated. The collapsible ones (available from Amazon) are ideal for popping in your rucksack each day.
8. SAY GOODBYE TO ROUTINE
Even if you’re a bedtime by 7pm every night kind of parent, a festival is the one time to let routine go out the window. Embrace late nights and memory making, afternoon snoozes and long lie-ins (*crosses fingers) and go with the flow. Chances are they probably will still wake at the crack of dawn but it’s nothing a strong coffee can’t sort out.
9. BRING THE MAGIC & HAVE FUN
Cautionary advice aside, you are meant to have fun. Bring the magic in the form of fairy wings and glitter face paint, let your imaginations run wild and make lasting memories you and your little ones will treasure forever.
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