Camp Bestival is a highlight of our summer. It’s not easy to find a holiday which suits all generations of a family. Because Camp Bestival is a holiday not just a festival. You can arrive on the Thursday lunchtime and depart on a Monday morning..definitely a mini break if not a full blown holiday.

And when you go on holiday..you need to PACK.

Packing is an important part of the lead up to Camp Bestival because there’s a bit of a walk from the car park to the camping or glamping areas so you don’t want to take too much BUT there are things you need to take. Things which will make your time more comfortable, things to fill your belly ( bacon ) and things to numb the pain if your child won’t sleep.. ( wine ) but today we are starting off this three part post with:

Things to pack which will save you money:

Festivals can get expensive. Your child will want or even NEED everything that they see other children with. You will be hungry all the time, being outside does that to you ( it’s not just me ..is it? ) and you know ..there’s the bubbles so let’s start there.

1. Bubbles – big shiny bubbles are everywhere at CB and your child will want to be a part of it. Of course bubble guns and bubble mixtures are more expensive at festivals than say off Amazon or in your local supermarket. Plan ahead. Buy the best bubble wands and guns you can find within your budget and take back ups of mixture. Then pack some extra mixture ..just in case. Don’t worry about lugging it all from the car – this is what I consider an essential item. It will save you oodles of pounds and a good chunk of your sanity.

2. Face Paint – every child is wandering around with glitter tattoos and funky face designs. Don’t be the poor fool who pays £5 to have a princess design for this to be angrily smudged off and a lion demanded within seconds – I actually saw this happen last year. I think I saw tears form in the mothers eye. Buy
some good quality face paints, a pack of wipes and doodle away.

3. Fancy Dress and/or an animal like onesie:

Fancy Dress because it’s just fun. There is a theme each year with this being CB Goes Wild. But any fancy dress will go down well at this festival. Izzy loved running around in her tinkerbell dress last year and her furry bear onesie. On the onesie topic .. There are so many onesies. Bright ones, furry ones..rather snug ones hmmm. Take a onesie (at least for the kids).

4. Snacks:

Now I’m not saying don’t buy food there because the food at CB is extremely awesome and actually one of my very favourite parts of the festival but take snacks. Things like cereal bars, crackers, boxes of raisins, fruit etc for your children and also for you because you do a lot of walking and you get really hungry. Save your money for actual meals, ice cream and Jamjar cocktails ( obviously for you and not for the kids ).

Camp Bestival Grub:

5. Batteries/ rechargeable power packs for cameras, phones and torches:

Just because it’s sensible. OR you could be even more sensible and just take new batteries in your devices. If like me you don’t like to be phone less then buy a power pack before you go as if you have to charge while you are there ( in standard camping at least) you will need to pay and also queue to charge your phone. Just take back ups. Simple.

And that’s that for part 1. Next week I’ll be focussing on what you need in your tent. Any questions please comment or drop me an email.