If the idea of camping at a festival with kids in tow fills you with sleepless dread, then don’t fear... here’s what you need to know to ensure you have the best time ever...
1. Snacks!
I always bring snacks, especially for setting up the camp. It can take a while to get tents sorted, so having a packed lunch for the kids while you set up is a good way to keep them contained. There are plenty of delicious options once the festival opens, and a few food trucks around in the camping area, but I like to have a stash of bananas and cheese strings to curb any meltdowns. (Also useful for adults having altercations with a gezebo instructions.)
2. Somewhere to sit.
Kids under 7 have no respect for camping chair physics and will usually topple themselves onto the ground. It’s best to bring something else to sit on like a picnic blanket, sarong or plastic sheet. You can also use it to create some shade, wear it as a cape or wrap yourself up like a human burrito.
3. Avoid toilet dramas.
It’s understandable that most people worry about toilet dramas when camping with kids. Choose clothes that are easy to take off for the loo, especially pyjamas. Onesies and dungarees can be a bit of a nightmare. Bring a potty, and empty it into the loo morning. It will save a trip in the wee hours… also it’s useful for mums who may have had a few gins!
4. Festival trolleys.
Hire or bring a trolley, and you can fill it with everything you need for the day (coats, snacks, costume changes, cider) and turn it into a bed for the evening. The ground can be quite uneven which will scupper some buggies. Bring sheepskins to make it extra cosy and battery powered fairy lights for a little bit of magic.
5. Bedtime….let it go.
In my opinion, the best way to ensure a knackered kid who will sleep in a tent is to let them party until they drop. This is why the trolleys work so well, tiny people can conk out as they please. On the rare occasion that we make it back to the tent with everyone still awake, we do as much of our bedtime routine as we can to make it feel like bedtime, even if it’s midnight.
Article written by Emma Scott-Child.
Camp Bestival's Festival Guide - Camping with Kids!
