Top 10 essential items to pack as a day visitor to a family festival
We are seasoned veterans of going to festivals and were lucky enough to attend Camp Bestival last weekend.
Prior to this visit we have always camped onsite, but this year, due to work commitments, we drove in everyday.
Visiting a festival as a camper allows you to take all the paraphernalia you need to the 3-4 days you are onsite, but when visiting for a day, you need to pack wisely as you don’t want to be carting everything but the kitchen sink along with you.
10 items to pack as a day visitor to a family festival
1. Toilet Roll
Any seasoned festival goer will tell you to take a toilet roll with you. Festival toilets are not for the faint hearted, especially towards the end of the weekend and can run out of toilet roll at a moments notice, so I would always advise you to take your own.
2. Wet Wipes
Festivals can be messy affairs, dropping food / drink down you, kids getting filthy or just to wipe your hands after using a festival toilet.
3. Hand Santiser
Great for sanitising your hands after the toilet, or eating. This is even more important post COVID.
4. Snacks
Festival food is delicious, but often expensive and can be tricky if you have a fussy eater. I would always advise taking snacks to keep you going through the day.
5. Refillable Drinks Bottle
Keeping your fluids up is essential, especially if it’s hot. Most festivals offer free water refills, so take a refillable bottle with you to ensure you keep hydrated.
6. Picnic Blanket
Taking a picnic blanket with you, gives you the option of being able to sit down, relax and enjoy the music and shows, even if the ground is a little damp under foot.
7. Backpack vs Trolley
If you have older children, I would advise taking a backpack and encouraging them to carry anything they want to bring with them. Bubble wands, ribbons and glo sticks are much cheaper to buy and take with you and by carrying their own, it keeps your bag free for essentials.
Trolley’s are great if you are taking young children with you, as they can be converted into a day bed, if your little one gets tired and carry much more. They can be cumbersome and heavy to drag behind you though, particularly in hilly locations.
8. Waterproof jacket
British weather is changeable, so taking a waterproof jacket / mac is essential. Not only will it protect you from the rain, but also add a layer in the evening to help keep you warm as the sun goes down.
Money & ID
This year, most vendors at Camp Bestival were taking card payments only, but it is important that you check your venue before you travel. Some festivals require ID to get in and if you are lucky enough to look under 25, you will be asked for it when buying drinks. You can guarantee that if you have kids with you, they will demand a souvenir of some sort.
10. Power Bank
If you a taking a mobile phone with you, I would advise you to take a power bank and cable with you. I always find I use more battery at a festival, as I like to take photo’s and videos, plus it can double up as a torch on the way back to the car park.
It does seem like a lot, but you will be paying through the nose if you need to buy essentials on site. If you have room for an eleventh item, I would also take a small first aid kit with you too.
What would you add to this list?
Kira
Toilet roll! Yes!! I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been the toilet out on a day trip and there been none!