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The Ultimate Packing List for First-Time Family Festival Camping

a woman standing in front of a blue tent, Family festival camping

Are you planning your first family festival camping trip? If so, you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the things you need to bring. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! The Ultimate Packing List for First-Time Family Festival Camping is here to help you make sure you don’t forget anything important. This comprehensive list covers all the essentials you need to make your camping trip a success, from camping gear and clothing to food and entertainment. With this list, you can rest assured that you’ll have everything you need for a fun and safe camping experience. So, let’s get started!

Packing for a family camping trip to a festival can be a daunting task, but with the right preparation and packing list, you can ensure that your trip is a success. Here is a comprehensive list of items to bring for a first-time family festival camping trip:

Tents and Sleeping Bags for family festival camping:


-Tent: Choose a tent that is large enough to accommodate your family and all of your gear. I usually opt for a tent designed two more people than we’re taking so you don’t feel cramped up. Make sure to check the weather forecast and choose a tent that is waterproof and windproof. My top tip would be to opt for a black out tent too, especially if the first rays of sunlight usually wake you up in the morning.
-Sleeping bags: Choose sleeping bags that are rated for the temperature you will be camping in. Temperatures can plummet overnight and so it’s best to be cosy. Think about wether you’d like a “mummy” shape or a square ended bag and I also love having a hood to keep the top of my head warm too.
-Ground cover: Bring a tarp or ground cover to protect your tent from the elements.

– Air beds are a great one for comfort and of course don’t forget a battery powered pump with extra batteries for a quick and easy set up. I also like to have a mat underneath my air bed which acts as another layer of insulation between myself and the ground to stay cosy.

a little girl sitting in a chair in a field.

Food and Cooking Supplies:


-Cooler: Bring a cooler to keep food and drinks cold. Freeze items like milk instead of packing ice blocks and these should stay cool for at least a whole day.
-Cooking supplies: Bring a camping stove, fuel, pots, pans, utensils, and plates. We usually prepare a breakfast first thing and also like to have a pot noodle style snack kid afternoon as we get ready for evening activities.
-Food: Bring non-perishable food items such as canned goods, dried fruits, and nuts to snack on when you feel peckish. Pot noodles, porridge pots and soups which require an addition of water are quick and easy meals to prepare.

Entertainment:


-Games: Bring along games, cards, and other activities to keep everyone entertained. Arlo loves to have a bag of Lego bricks which he likes to share with anyone he meets and acts as a great bonding activity. Dobble is a fun one to share too. If you’re creative then pack some art supplies as there’s bound to be some inspiration for drawing or even a watercolour.
-Music: Bring a portable speaker or radio to listen to music – but of course be mindful of other campers after dark. Family camping at festivals is very different to teenage music festivals and the atmosphere is community led and very considerate to others.

Safety and Comfort:


-First aid kit: Bring a first aid kit in case of any minor injuries. Plasters, blister patches, antiseptic cream and tweezers always come in handy.
-Torch: Bring a portable torch or headlamp for nighttime and also a lantern for the tent too. I always flick on a set of solar powered fairy lights when we leave for the evening as they light the way home.
-Bug spray: Bring bug spray to keep away pesky insects, you are after all sleeping in a field.
-Clothing: as well as all your best glitter and rainbow outfits, fancy dress costumes and glow sticks you need to bring layers of comfortable clothing to stay warm and dry. I sleep in fleece lined tracksuits and a couple of hoodies and I love to have thick woolly socks to keep my toes warm too. A waterproof coat is I’m afraid a U.K. festival essential.

– bin bags are not just useful for your rubbish but also to pop in any wet clothes or laundry.

– most festivals have shower facilities available, sometimes for an extra charge so your usual toiletries will be useful. Having a flannel is great if you just need a quick wash. I also like to use my towel ti make sure my tent is dry when packing down.

a group of people sitting outside of a tent.

Packing Tips for family festival camping:


-Pack light: Bring only the essentials. If you’re driving then have a bag of “set up essentials” ready and take that from the car first. Your tent pegs, mallet, snacks and boredom busters for kids need to be within easy reach. It’s also great to have a trolley – although most festivals I have been to recently have trolley hire and also often have gold buggy style taxis available to hire to take your from car to pitch.
-organisation: Pack items in separate bags or containers to make them easier to find. I put outfits in large freezer bags to keep everything together and waterproof too.
– Don’t worry too much about forgetting things, you can usually find essentials available to purchase on site, and festival go-ers are the most friendly people so will be able ti help too.

With the right preparation and packing list, you can ensure that your family camping trip to a festival is a success. Have a great time and stay safe!

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