Festival Camping with kids for first time. Any advice?
Discussion
I'm going on my first ever camping trip (never even went as a kid) to the Deer Shed Festival for kids next month (https://deershedfestival.com/).
Any advice on what to take? There's four of us, a five-year and three-year old.
I'm going on one of the packages that provides the tent but I'll need to take the rest.
Has anyone who's been camping before, thought to themselves, "Damn I wish I'd bought XXXX with me." I don't want to get there and see all the experienced parents having brought all there stuff that provides a little bit of extra comfort/enjoyment and thought to myself "I really wish I had that with me right now."
Any links to other sites that provide advice would be much appreciated as well. Thanks
Any advice on what to take? There's four of us, a five-year and three-year old.
I'm going on one of the packages that provides the tent but I'll need to take the rest.
Has anyone who's been camping before, thought to themselves, "Damn I wish I'd bought XXXX with me." I don't want to get there and see all the experienced parents having brought all there stuff that provides a little bit of extra comfort/enjoyment and thought to myself "I really wish I had that with me right now."
Any links to other sites that provide advice would be much appreciated as well. Thanks
Hi,
We went to the deer shed last year and had a really good time. At the time we went we had only been camping once before. The first time we were totally unprepared. This time we were a little better but still roughing compared to the other camper around us.
Folding chairs are great for the adults.
We didn't take any cooking equipment and lived off pasties, crisps, fruit and breakfast bars and had a the odd bought hot dinner. A gas cooker would have been nice and some bacon but we just didnt have the space.
Our first trip (Hardwick live) we used two double blow up airbeds and double duvets. These just too up too much space in our boot (E63 630i) so we purchased 4 cheap but decent make sleeping bags from millets (they always have a sale on) for about £10-£15 each.
As said above, wet wipes are very useful.
A plastic backed blanket was great for the kids to use and also for us to sit down on in the arena area. The weather was really good when we were there so that made it easier.
Depending on when you are arrive will dictate how close you can park to the campsite. I arrived about 10am to set up the tent and had a space 50yds from the camp. Kids were still in school so after pitching the tent i drove home to pack the rest of the stuff. By the time we got back we were parked about 0.75km away from the camp. Having two kids under 7 it was left to my wife and I to carry the bootful of stuff. You can hire trolleys or if its going to be regular then i advise buying your own.
Hope this helps and enjoy. We will deffo go again but sadly not this year as we are already booked on something else.
We went to the deer shed last year and had a really good time. At the time we went we had only been camping once before. The first time we were totally unprepared. This time we were a little better but still roughing compared to the other camper around us.
Folding chairs are great for the adults.
We didn't take any cooking equipment and lived off pasties, crisps, fruit and breakfast bars and had a the odd bought hot dinner. A gas cooker would have been nice and some bacon but we just didnt have the space.
Our first trip (Hardwick live) we used two double blow up airbeds and double duvets. These just too up too much space in our boot (E63 630i) so we purchased 4 cheap but decent make sleeping bags from millets (they always have a sale on) for about £10-£15 each.
As said above, wet wipes are very useful.
A plastic backed blanket was great for the kids to use and also for us to sit down on in the arena area. The weather was really good when we were there so that made it easier.
Depending on when you are arrive will dictate how close you can park to the campsite. I arrived about 10am to set up the tent and had a space 50yds from the camp. Kids were still in school so after pitching the tent i drove home to pack the rest of the stuff. By the time we got back we were parked about 0.75km away from the camp. Having two kids under 7 it was left to my wife and I to carry the bootful of stuff. You can hire trolleys or if its going to be regular then i advise buying your own.
Hope this helps and enjoy. We will deffo go again but sadly not this year as we are already booked on something else.
one more thing, when you gain access to the arena they give you bracelets for the kids with your mobile number on.
These are a great idea. We lost one of our daughters (4) as she was playing hide and seek with her sister behind our tent. She got disorientated and wandered off in the wrong direction. Her big sister came and told us she cant find her and within 5 mins my phone was ringing and it was from another festival goer who had found her wandering.
Its the best place for kids, everyone has a family with them.
That was my point, either take an old phone with great battery or take a power bank.
These are a great idea. We lost one of our daughters (4) as she was playing hide and seek with her sister behind our tent. She got disorientated and wandered off in the wrong direction. Her big sister came and told us she cant find her and within 5 mins my phone was ringing and it was from another festival goer who had found her wandering.
Its the best place for kids, everyone has a family with them.
That was my point, either take an old phone with great battery or take a power bank.
Me and the Mrs took our two (18 and 3) camping to Dubfest at Alnwick Castle last weekend. We had a basic tent and provisions. Our more seasoned friends had everything including a proper BBQ, blow up sofa bed, wood burner and gazebo. It took them ages to pack up the van on the Sunday. Our more simplistic approach was to let the drunk 18 year old have his side of the tent while the Mrs, 3 year old and I squeezed up in the other side. All we needed was a football, some camping chairs, warm bedding and a blow up mattress. The little one was fine. I'd not overthink it to be honest.
Please bear in mind that festival camping and normal camping are very different. You are going to have to carry everything you take and parking can often be a long way from your tent. When we go camping we fill a large car and trailer with all the stuff we now consider essential, I wouldn't want to move all that stuff more than a couple of metres.
If they have trolleys for hire make sure you've got them booked in advance - they sell out.
If travelling light, which you'll likely have to do, things I'd still want:
Decent camping chairs - sitting on the floor gets very tiresome very quickly for both adults and kids
A decent multi-tool with bottle opener, corkscrew and very shap knife
A large unusual flag or bunting to put on the tent - trying to find your tent in a sea of similar tents will be a pain Solar powered fairy light are brilliant
A power bank for electronics - whilst i'm sure you won't be on the phone the whole time, parents and kids being able to contact each other or being able to use the torch function after 3 days will be handy
wet wipes
comfy warm clothes for the evenings - it will get cold. We'll all happily sit round in onesies and woolly socks
sandals or flip flops for showering
Large quality airbeds and a manual pump - doubt you'll have access to power at a festival. Plus a repair kit. Cheap airbeds fail regularly.
Camping stove plus all the cutlery you're need. Tea, coffee, milk etc
head torches make life so much easier in the tent
Cool box for food and drink
Proper pillows - I hate camping pillows
Decent quality ear plugs - the bloke in the next tent snooring away will sound like he lying next to you if you don't
Eye mask - at 5am it's like someone's shining a torch in you face, at least with an eye mask you'll get a normal nights sleep
A decent length of cord to make a washing line if clothes or towels need drying out.
Have fun.
If they have trolleys for hire make sure you've got them booked in advance - they sell out.
If travelling light, which you'll likely have to do, things I'd still want:
Decent camping chairs - sitting on the floor gets very tiresome very quickly for both adults and kids
A decent multi-tool with bottle opener, corkscrew and very shap knife
A large unusual flag or bunting to put on the tent - trying to find your tent in a sea of similar tents will be a pain Solar powered fairy light are brilliant
A power bank for electronics - whilst i'm sure you won't be on the phone the whole time, parents and kids being able to contact each other or being able to use the torch function after 3 days will be handy
wet wipes
comfy warm clothes for the evenings - it will get cold. We'll all happily sit round in onesies and woolly socks
sandals or flip flops for showering
Large quality airbeds and a manual pump - doubt you'll have access to power at a festival. Plus a repair kit. Cheap airbeds fail regularly.
Camping stove plus all the cutlery you're need. Tea, coffee, milk etc
head torches make life so much easier in the tent
Cool box for food and drink
Proper pillows - I hate camping pillows
Decent quality ear plugs - the bloke in the next tent snooring away will sound like he lying next to you if you don't
Eye mask - at 5am it's like someone's shining a torch in you face, at least with an eye mask you'll get a normal nights sleep
A decent length of cord to make a washing line if clothes or towels need drying out.
Have fun.
OP here, thanks for everyone's replies.
Some great advice here, thank you very much, pretty much bought everything people recommended (the "folding chairs" was a no-brainer when you think about it, we'll be sick of sitting on the floor each day).
Please one more question.
Regarding food/drink items, do you guys have any tips on what you packed, especially for kids? BBQ and large camping stoves are not allowed but I was thinking we'll end up eating out every meal anyway as we expect to be so tired. From your previous experiences, anything groceries you considered essential?
- 6 x 2litre bottles of water
- Cereal Bars
- Peanuts / Savoury snacks
anything else? Thank you
Some great advice here, thank you very much, pretty much bought everything people recommended (the "folding chairs" was a no-brainer when you think about it, we'll be sick of sitting on the floor each day).
Please one more question.
Regarding food/drink items, do you guys have any tips on what you packed, especially for kids? BBQ and large camping stoves are not allowed but I was thinking we'll end up eating out every meal anyway as we expect to be so tired. From your previous experiences, anything groceries you considered essential?
- 6 x 2litre bottles of water
- Cereal Bars
- Peanuts / Savoury snacks
anything else? Thank you
If you don't mind the weight, my breakfast at a festival consisted of tinned fruit, jelly and rice pudding. Get that down me and I was normally ready for a beer by 1030.
The ready made oat so pots are good if you can get hot water, same for the instant coffee sachets with milk powder in them.
Just don't take chocolate!
The ready made oat so pots are good if you can get hot water, same for the instant coffee sachets with milk powder in them.
Just don't take chocolate!
Don’t know about the festival you’re going to OP, but we’ve been going to Beautiful Days for the last half a dozen years or more. The first year was with our boy (15 at the time) and in a tent, the rest just us two in our motorhome.
Even so we travel as light as possible. Usual toiletries and changes of clothing (including waterproofs - it is the English summer after all) but food-wise just enough for breakfast and a late night cuppa. Festivals are usually more than amply catered for so get all your meals there, especially if you’re in a tent.
Probably the biggest other essential would be hygiene products - remember you’re tackling festival toilets and showers with little ones, they’re not pleasant (the bogs, not your kids!) at the best of times.
But perhaps most importantly is don’t worry too much and just enjoy what’s on offer. For us our tent/motorhome is only there to sleep in, the rest of the time we’re wandering round taking in what’s going on, even if that’s just sat on the grass with a beer watching the kids running around. Hope you have a great time
Even so we travel as light as possible. Usual toiletries and changes of clothing (including waterproofs - it is the English summer after all) but food-wise just enough for breakfast and a late night cuppa. Festivals are usually more than amply catered for so get all your meals there, especially if you’re in a tent.
Probably the biggest other essential would be hygiene products - remember you’re tackling festival toilets and showers with little ones, they’re not pleasant (the bogs, not your kids!) at the best of times.
But perhaps most importantly is don’t worry too much and just enjoy what’s on offer. For us our tent/motorhome is only there to sleep in, the rest of the time we’re wandering round taking in what’s going on, even if that’s just sat on the grass with a beer watching the kids running around. Hope you have a great time
Camping/festival food tips:
- Heinz beans and sausages, perfect for breakfast or supper. It's also GF, which is a big plus for me. One pan meal.
- Tilda cooked rice sachets. Just needs a splash of liquid to heat in a pan over a burner.
- chorizo. Tastier than bacon, keeps better in the cool box. Perks up rice or beans, needs no oil as it releases it's own on heating.
It's all about tasty, hot and filling, whilst keeping the faff and washing up to a minimum.
- Heinz beans and sausages, perfect for breakfast or supper. It's also GF, which is a big plus for me. One pan meal.
- Tilda cooked rice sachets. Just needs a splash of liquid to heat in a pan over a burner.
- chorizo. Tastier than bacon, keeps better in the cool box. Perks up rice or beans, needs no oil as it releases it's own on heating.
It's all about tasty, hot and filling, whilst keeping the faff and washing up to a minimum.
Friends of mine go to Deer Shed every year, keep encouraging us to go with our 4yo who is a festival veteran, having been going since 6 months old. It’s on our ‘to do’ list, line-up looks good this year.
For breakfast we take those cartons of porridge that you just need to add boiling water to. Easy to make using just a kettle, no faffing with washing up. Ditto a couple of bags of brioches, they stay fresh for the length of a festival, some yoghurts and fruit in a cool box.
I’m presuming one or both of your kids may be in a buggy? You can get some cheap neon wire to illuminate the buggy ‘Tron’ style at night, comes with a flashing controller. This really helps stopping pissed people charging through crowds in the dark and bumping into it. That or some fairy lights is a popular option.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075DBHBRJ/ref=cm_sw_r...
Plenty warm clothes, waterproofs, hats for the kids (sun for the day, woolly for night in case of cold weather) are useful, we also used to return to our tent at around 7pm to change into evening clothes and pop a hot water bottle into our son’s bed for when we returned later, just so he didn’t wake up when transitioning from warm buggy to cold bed on our return at the end of the night - a trick that never failed. I speak in the past tense because we do a lot of festivals so have upgraded to a small Eriba caravan with gas powered fridge and heater, so our beers stay cold and our bodies warm at night.
A portable loo of some description may help too - even if it’s as rudimentary as a bucket - as festival toilets can have massive queues when everyone needs to go in the morning, young bladders may not be up to it. My folks gave us a 1980s Porta Potti a few years ago, my wife loves it to death after saving us from 45min+ queues in the family camping area at Latitude 2016!
Oh, and some ear defenders come in useful too, if it’s too loud for young ears.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BQRXXPL/ref=cm_sw_r...
A stash of glow sticks always goes down a treat with kids at night too, helps light them up so you can see them and they generally love playing with them.
Enjoy it, wish I was going!
For breakfast we take those cartons of porridge that you just need to add boiling water to. Easy to make using just a kettle, no faffing with washing up. Ditto a couple of bags of brioches, they stay fresh for the length of a festival, some yoghurts and fruit in a cool box.
I’m presuming one or both of your kids may be in a buggy? You can get some cheap neon wire to illuminate the buggy ‘Tron’ style at night, comes with a flashing controller. This really helps stopping pissed people charging through crowds in the dark and bumping into it. That or some fairy lights is a popular option.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075DBHBRJ/ref=cm_sw_r...
Plenty warm clothes, waterproofs, hats for the kids (sun for the day, woolly for night in case of cold weather) are useful, we also used to return to our tent at around 7pm to change into evening clothes and pop a hot water bottle into our son’s bed for when we returned later, just so he didn’t wake up when transitioning from warm buggy to cold bed on our return at the end of the night - a trick that never failed. I speak in the past tense because we do a lot of festivals so have upgraded to a small Eriba caravan with gas powered fridge and heater, so our beers stay cold and our bodies warm at night.
A portable loo of some description may help too - even if it’s as rudimentary as a bucket - as festival toilets can have massive queues when everyone needs to go in the morning, young bladders may not be up to it. My folks gave us a 1980s Porta Potti a few years ago, my wife loves it to death after saving us from 45min+ queues in the family camping area at Latitude 2016!
Oh, and some ear defenders come in useful too, if it’s too loud for young ears.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BQRXXPL/ref=cm_sw_r...
A stash of glow sticks always goes down a treat with kids at night too, helps light them up so you can see them and they generally love playing with them.
Enjoy it, wish I was going!
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Wednesday 24th July 23:10
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Wednesday 24th July 23:16
Too late to spot this to reply (we did Latitude last weekend....on our own, our ‘kids’ have things of their own going on these days!).
Did you manage to avoid the rain?
The Midlands was hideously drenched ALL weekend.....not much you can do about that but try to stay warm enough.....welly’s help, for a festival!
Hope it went well.
In our experience, kids LOVE camping, and are pretty flexible when problems strike!
Did you manage to avoid the rain?
The Midlands was hideously drenched ALL weekend.....not much you can do about that but try to stay warm enough.....welly’s help, for a festival!
Hope it went well.
In our experience, kids LOVE camping, and are pretty flexible when problems strike!
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