Surviving a family festival

I have just realised that it is less than two weeks until I am taking my children, a friend and her daughter to Penn Festival - their first festival and no husband in tow to help. I am starting to plan now. As a family we have been to Camp Bestival twice and learnt a lot with regards to surviving a family festival.

Here are my top tips....

MAKE A LIST - then check it again. And again. This list could, and probably should, include the following:

• Tent and associated paraphernalia e.g. blow up beds, cosy bedding, tent pegs, mallet. Don't go crazy with the tent size as you will only sleep in it and have breakfast then you'll be on site hopefully enjoying yourself until midnight.
• Simple, single portable small stove for a morning cuppa. And mugs, tea bags, UHT milk and sugar...
• Bunting and fairy lights - clearly not a necessity but it makes it look all pretty and stuff. Lights on pushchairs at night are fab too, as is a fish on a pole outside your tent.

• A garden trug - to lug stuff in and to wash in. I cannot be bothered to queue for showers however 'posh' they claim to be.
• A sturdy three wheeler pushchair / radio flyer wagon if you have money to burn / garden trolley - essential for trips from the car to the campsite and onto the site itself. My two children have outgrown the Phil & Teds but I'm still planning to use it for lugging food, picnic blankets etc around the venue site. They can also rest in it and hitch a ride back to camp when we stay up late.
• Ear defenders for the kiddies - safety first and all that. Glow sticks and bubble blowers for the mini ravers. And cider for mum.

• A bag of things to do for the kiddies when you want to sit and watch a band e.g. pens, paper, magazines, a selection tray of nibbles - it's amazing how long that one keeps them quiet.
• Waterproofs, wellies and brollies for the possibility of rain. But it won't rain. Hopefully.
• Loads of dried foods and fruit for snacking and keeping food purchasing costs down.
• Water bottles to refill on site.
• Wet wipes, old towels, anti-bacterial hand gel and a spare loo roll to keep on your person.
• Camera, phone - but the keep the usage down, money and your tickets!

All in all just think what you would take camping and on a day out then try and thin it out a bit.

There is loads of tip top advice at www.festivalkidz.com and if you're thinking Penn Fest may float your boat check them out at www.pennfestival.com

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