The Green Parent

By The Green Parent

06th March 2024

Check out this guide to the best family festivals and gatherings happening across the UK. From tiny camps to bombastic music extravaganzas we’ve packed it in here. Plus 8 things not to leave home without!

The Green Parent

By The Green Parent

06th March 2024

The Green Parent

By The Green Parent

06th March 2024

We’ve packed everything you need to plan an epic family adventure.

Download the Green Parent Family Festival Guide by clicking on the link below!

For this year’s best events for families, get your hands on a copy of issue 119 of The Green Parent, out in May. Preorder your copy here.

8 FAMILY FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS - DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM!

What to bring

Tent
Obviously! If you’re thinking about bringing your lovely canvas bell tent, do remember you’ve got to get it from your car to the campsite and back again so bring a trolley or sturdy buggy if you need to. A mallet is also useful.

Mattresses and bedding
Think sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and roll mats. Nothing is worse than feeling like you can’t get a good night’s sleep and it can be surprisingly cold in the middle of the night. It’s also a good idea to keep spare blankets and a set of dry clothes for everyone in the car, just in case.

Torches/lights
Bring torches to help avoid tripping over other people’s guy ropes and seeing what you are doing inside the tent. Solar fairy lights are also helpful for spotting your tent at night.

Clothing
Pack clothing for all eventualities, even if the forecast is great! It is possible to have an amazing festival experience in the wet, provided you’re properly equipped, so make sure you bring wellies and raincoats as well as flip-flops and sun cream.

Fancy dress
Bring some fun clothing to get dressed up in, or some eco glitter. Anything to add a bit of sparkle to the event!

Food & drink
It’s not a bad idea to bring some snacks and drinks to keep the kids happy back at camp. If you plan to cook consider the environment in what you pack, and check for fire bans in case of exceptionally dry weather.

Cups, mugs and water bottles
Bring a drinking bottle and fill it up with water from taps, which should be found on site. Using your own coffee cup for your hot drink will help reduce waste.

Extras
Pack sun cream, ear defenders for any kids not keen on loud music, and a potty if you have small children.

With thanks to into-the-trees.co.uk for handy info!

5 THINGS TO REMEMBER FOR FAMILY FESTIVALS

Here’s a festival manifesto for you!

· LEAVE NOTHING BUT MEMORIES Leave the site tidy and take your tent and all your belongings home!

· CONSIDER YOUR TRAVEL Use public transport or car share wherever possible!

· ONLY BRING WHAT YOU NEED Consider your use of resources. Team up with other festival going families and share wagons, torches, mallets, etc.

· MAKE ECO CONSCIOUS CHOICES Keep your environmental impact in mind when at a festival. Search out people doing great things while you’re there and learn more about making a positive impact.

· PROTECT WILDLIFE Choose plastic free, reuse as much as possible and throw your rubbish in the bin.

​Image Credit: south.elderflowerfields.co.uk, taking place from 24-27 May in the Ashdown Forest.

Show me last year's festival guide!

GET MORE FAMILY FESTIVAL IDEAS...

​For five tips for festival first-timers - check out this list from a seasoned pro!

Check out this story of working a summer of festivals with a baby in tow.

Discover your own pocket herbal for festival mishaps!

From encouraging creativity to building confidence, read more about the benefits of festivals for children.

For festivals, camps or just a couple of nights in a tent this summer, try our 24 tips for a relaxed family camping trip!

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