Top ten essentails for camping at a festival

After our first family camping trip of the year a few weeks ago, we’re all eager to go again. I just wish I could drive so we could go more often – we’re dependant on lifts as our tent plus all we need is not easy to manage on a train/bus! Still – we have a couple of festivals planned, plus one other camp over the summer.

We just upgraded our air beds to Colemen Durarest ones, we tested them out on a sleepover in our playroom{!!} and they were so much comfier than our old ones, I’m thinking they’ll make a big difference when we’re in the middle of a field! As much as I love camping, I do like a few creature comforts – and a comfy bed is one of them. Without sleep I am a very grumpy bee! These air beds are tougher than usual {essential with the whole kids/field combo} whilst being lighter – fab as we usually seem to take the whole house with us and it gets a bit heavy to carry! I also loved that they have a built in carry bag, making packing it away and carrying it so much simpler.

I’ve been busy making a few lists ahead of our next trip this week, so I thought I’d share my ten essentials for camping with you

1| Tent – kinda goes without saying really, but a good quality tent is essential. I just purchased a new one for this year, we went for an eight man tent to give us plenty of space – ours has 3/4 sleeping pods meaning the girls can have some space of their own, and everyone has room for a double air bed { I share with Beastie}. Given the unpredictable weather here in the UK, I also went for a tent with a big living space in the middle, and that we could stand up in. AFter a very wet festival last year, having plenty of space inside the tent really makes a huge difference – especially if you have a toddler with you.

2| Airbeds – if you’re like me, you need a comfy bed to fall into at the end of the day – no roll mats for me, I need a good quality airbed, fleece blankets, and a duvet!

3| Stove – whether you plan on cooking all your meals or not, everyone needs that cup of tea or coffee first thing – without having to trek across a field to buy one. We keep costs down at a festival by taking most of our own meals – I take a double ring stove that also has a grill so I can cook for the five of us.

4| Torches/lanterns – while it stays light quite late in the summer, once it’s dark and you’re in the middle of a field it will be pitch black! I love these orb lights for hanging inside the tent, and also take a few lanterns for if we’re sitting outside after dark – the kids also have mini torches each.

5| Waterproofs – even if the weather man says it’s going to be sunny I pack raincoats and wellies… you just never know! We’ve been caught out before, and there is not much worse than being wet and cold, stuck in a field and unable to get warm and dry again.

6| Loo roll – what can I say – it’s better to be prepared than to get caught out!

7| Plenty of food – if you’re away with kids, pack as much as you think you’ll need, then double it! Even if you’re planning on buying meals at a festival, take plenty of snacks – they can soon eat away at your cash as well as making you have to queue every time you hear the ‘I’m hungry’ complaint

8| First Aid Kit – accidents happen, and having a good supply of plasters, antiseptic cream, painkillers etc on hand is vital.

9| Baby wipes – with kids or without, baby wipes are a camping essential – perfect for cleaning sticky faces, hands, bodies… they’ll keep you clean and smelling fresh all weekend long.

10| Layers – it gets cold at night even in the summer, so a durable, waterproof jacket, warm socks and plenty of blankets are essential!

What are your camping essentials?