Wed. Dec 4th, 2024

Nikon Coolpix AW120 Digital Camera

camera

Whatever the festival weather, this camera will cope: waterproof*, shockproof and freeze proof! With 16 megapixel, build in Wifi, 5 x optical zoom the Nikon AW120 is available in black, orange or camouflage.*waterproof to 18m deep, shockproof to a 2m drop and freeze-proof to a temperature of -10°C. £279. For a range of tough and action cameras visit www.jessops.com

 Spork & Tarpspork2

To save carrying lots of cutlery (and reduce the washing up!) try lightweight titanium Spork. A cross between a spoon and a fork, this handy piece of camping kit weighs just 12.5g. www.terra-nova.co.uk/cooking-hydration/all-cooking-hydration/titanium-spork/

For the adventurous family, the Terra Nova Adventure Tarp 1 is a simple and lightweight shelter which can provide protection from rain or give shade in the hottest part of the day. Made from tried and tested Terra Nova Adventure fabric this versatile shelter is just 13oz when packed and has multiple set-up options. www.terra-nova.co.uk/tarps-bivis-bothies/all-tarps/adventure-tarp-1/

Practical help for family days out!

skip

Perfect for trips out with little ones, the new Skip Hop Grab & Go Wet/Dry Bag has two handy sections to keep leaks and odours contained, and wet and dry clothes separate. The large zippered pocket is ideal for wet items or dirty nappies with its waterproof PEVA lining, while the mesh zippered pocket is handy for dry, clean items. A must-have travel item. www.maguari.com

Blissfields Festival

Paul and Mel Bliss the organisers of Blissfields Festival list their “top five essentials”. The festival has run for 14 years, while their two children (now late teens) have grown up, so they’re real pros at looking after wee ones at events. www.blissfields.co.uk 4th & 5th July 2014

Wet Wipes – Sorry, everybody will say this, but you simply cannot live without them. A true essential. Baby Carrier – Have your hands back!!! Glo Sticks – Endless child entertainment after dark and back up emergency lighting. Fairy Lights (with a battery pack) – Your little ones can wear these on their back, or like a scarf so you can always keep an eye on them, even in the dark. Disposable Camera – Let the children document their own unique festival experience without the worries of losing an expensive camera or phone.

 Light My Way

Owl night light 1

Lindams Light My Way Owl Nightlight is perfect for youngsters at a family festival This portable, cord free and comforting night light that provides a soft glow at bedtime. Batteries are included and last up to 120 hours, ideal for camping! £9.99 www.lindam.com

Pocket Wellies

pink-pocket

This is the ultimate summer festival gear for rain prone UK. Perfect for any outdoor event, festival or day trip. Feetz are made from lightweight plastic with hardy rubber soles and fit securely over normal shoes keeping footwear dry and feet happy. Much lighter to wear or carry than regular wellies so easy to pack lite. Thoroughly recommend

Available in 4 colours: blue, yellow, pink and white, Feetz are available in size XS (2-4) to L (UK 8-10), from: www.feetz.co.uk , £9.99

  Nokia 105 – Best for battery life

phone

A Carphone Warehouse exclusive, the Nokia 100 has a standby battery life of 35 days – you won’t have to worry about running out of juice over the weekend. The Nokia 100 won’t break the bank and is priced at £0.99 on Pay as You Go, with £20 top-up, making it the perfect phone to take a music festival – simply top up and you’re ready for the weekend. The handset is so small and light that you’ll barely notice it tucked away in your pocket. It’s also dust and splash proof so will easily survive anything the weekend throws at you. The Nokia 100 also comes with a powerful torch making it super helpful if you lose your tent in the dark.www.carphonewarehouse.com/phone/nokia/nokia-105/ppay?colourCode=BLACK&gift=undefined&giftType=undefined

 The Ultimate Festival App – Festival Ready

Festival Ready is the ideal app for all your festival needs this summer as it provides you with everything you’ll need in one place. Featuring a selection of useful and innovative tools for the modern adventurer, this app includes 3D navigation, live weather, a packing checklist, a torch and a ticker display for getting your messages of love out to your favourite bands. Available from both the App Store and the Google Play Store, this free app is ideal for festival goers looking to have everything they need in one easy to reach location.

 Griffin Survivor Case – Best for being dropped in puddles

phonecover

Griffin ‘Survivor’ cases have been proven against the US Department of Defence standard testing protocols, meaning that this case leaves the others in the dust. Griffin’s Survivor case is built from the inside out to protect devices from extreme conditions – dirt, sand, rain, heavy bass lines and over-excited festival goers. This phone will survive being dropped in a puddle, stood on by wellies, having drinks split on it – the works. This case can take whatever the festival throws at it. Priced from £29.99 at Carphone Warehouse www.carphonewarehouse.com/phone-accessories/iphone5-accessories/iphone5-cases-all/buy/griffin-iphone5-survivor-black

 Crocs™

crocs

12803-430_SIDE_Rain_Boot_Kids_Sea_BlueA fab range of kids festival footwear Crocs™ brilliant if you’re planning to go a family festival this summer. The Crocs™ rain boot collection are incredibly light and comfortable and will keep little ones feet mud-free and protected from the rain no matter what the British summer throws our way. Kids Handle It Rain Boot £19.99 and comes in blue, pink, yellow  Purple and red Crocband Jaunt™ Kids  £22.99 comes in blue, pink, yellow

 

 

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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