We are off to Camp Bestival this year and in a bid to get organised I have started planning what to pack. A small mountain has erupted in my sitting room – much to the delight of the boys – but less to me and my husband who are wondering how we will fit it all in the car and then transport it across country fields to the camping area. I had not realised how much stuff is involved with a camping trip. We have an enormous family tent, (which I hope we can erect!), sleeping bags, air-beds… the list goes on. Never has a camper van or boutique camp site seemed so appealing. So, for anyone else heading to Camp Bestival or one of the other family-friendly summer festivals, here’s my festival packing checklist.
- Tickets and directions
- Fancy dress outfits – essential for Camp Bestival
- Layers of cool clothes for the day and warm stuff for the night as it gets chilly
- Sunglasses, sun hat and plenty of sun cream. Even if it’s slightly sunny slap on heaps of suncream as you’ll be outside all day
- Camping gear: tent, air-beds, sleeping bags, lantern, torches, a ‘My Carry Potty’ (essential for night time emergencies!)
- Lots of plastic bags – pack everything in them; they keep it all dry
- Bin liners are great too: I know it’s un-glam but they’re useful to sit on – and they fit in your pocket!
- Wellies and a lightweight waterproof coat (also un-glam but better to be warm and dry than fashionable)
- Loo roll
- Headache pills for the mornings after / Calpol incase the kids get sick
- Mobile and extra power pack – charge it up before you leave.
- Ear protectors for little ones. Ear Defenders do a funky range for £14.99 to protect little ears from damage
- Soap/baby wipes – long queues for showers might leave you 3 days unwashed so pack baby wipes and facial wipes for a quick spruce up in the tent
- Hand sanitiser – keep hands clean on the move
- Picnic blanket
- Child carrier – Little Trekkers have a good selection of top brands
- This Radio flyer wagon is great for transporting kids in style around the festival and for lugging heavy stuff from the car to camping area. Many festival-goers customise theirs with canopies and battery powered fairy lights, which all adds to the fun for minis.
- Breakfast bars, crunch bars, dry snacks. Keep some handy for when you or the kids are tired and need a sugar-boost to get you back to the tent!
- If you wear glasses pack a second pair or contact lenses just in case yours get lost, dropped or broken in busy crowds!
- Trusty day bag to carry essentials
- Lots of cash. Queues for the ATMs are long and dull with kids in tow
- A camper van. You can hire stunning retro Volkswagon camper vans from O’Conners CampersAs a festival newbie I’m bound to have forgotten something essential! Please do share your tips and list with us below.
