Taking children to a festival is one of the great joys of parenthood – all that colour, music and magic seen through young eyes for the very first time. It can also, if you are underprepared, be one of the great trials. The difference between a brilliant weekend and a chaotic ordeal almost always comes down to what you pack. Here are the ten things we would never leave home without.
LittleLife Ladybird Child iD Bracelet
Every parent’s quiet anxiety at a festival is the moment they glance down and realise their child is gone. It takes about three seconds at a busy site. The LittleLife Ladybird iD Bracelet is a simple answer to that fear. A soft neoprene strap slides easily onto little wrists, and a discreet pocket holds two waterproof iD cards – one for contact details, one for medical information.
At just 3g it is completely weightless. The ladybird design means children actually want to wear it. At £4.99 it is arguably the best value item on this entire list. Suitable from age one.
Write your mobile number, campsite field number and a nearby landmark on the card. If the worst happens, festival stewards know exactly what to do.
Buy the LittleLife Ladybird iD Bracelet at littlelife.com
LittleLife Turtle Toddler Backpack with Rein
The turtle backpack from LittleLife does two jobs at once. The 2-litre zipped compartment is perfectly sized for a toddler’s snacks, spare socks and a small toy, giving little ones a sense of ownership over their own kit. The safety rein clips on when you need it and unclips when you don’t, so it never feels restrictive.
Adjustable shoulder straps with a chest clip keep the pack secure even when a small person is marching in the wrong direction. Made from recycled plastic bottles and a Silver winner at the Mother and Baby Awards 2023. Suitable for ages 1 to 3. £19.99.
Pack a juice carton, a banana and a small toy in the backpack. Toddlers are far more cooperative when they are in charge of their own provisions.
Buy the LittleLife Turtle Backpack with Rein at littlelife.com
Petzl TIKKID Head Torch
Festival sites after dark are full of guy ropes, puddles and tent pegs at ankle height. The Petzl TIKKID is designed for children aged three and over, with a 20-lumen output that protects sensitive young eyes. A single large button keeps it simple even for small fingers.
Three lighting modes cover every situation: a low beam for reading in the tent, a brighter setting for getting around the site, and a white strobe for visibility from a distance. The headband releases under tension for safety and the battery compartment is locked with a flat-head screw. A phosphorescent patch on the lamp glows in the dark so it can be found if dropped. Auto shut-off kicks in after one hour. Available in blue or pink with a five-year guarantee.
Slip the TIKKID into a Petzl NOCTILIGHT case (sold separately) and it becomes a soft lantern, which is perfect for inside the tent at bedtime.
Buy the Petzl TIKKID at petzl.com
AeroPress and Travel Coffee Mug
There is a version of festival parenting that begins at 5.30am when a small person decides it is morning. There is another version that begins at 5.30am with a good cup of coffee in your hands. The AeroPress produces a rich, smooth brew with none of the bitterness you get from a standard camping setup.
Pair it with the AeroPress Travel Coffee Mug: double-wall, vacuum-insulated stainless steel that keeps hot drinks hot through the inevitable first wander of the day. The wide base lets you brew directly into the mug, the splash-resistant lid survives the chaos of a busy tent and it is dishwasher safe at home. Available in black, cream, pink, green, red and blue.
Pre-grind your coffee at home and pack it in a zip-lock bag with the paper filters. Brew time from boiled water to cup is under two minutes.
Buy the AeroPress Travel Coffee Mug at aeropress.com
Campingaz Camp and Trek CV Connect Stove
The Campingaz Camp and Trek CV Connect is easy and safe to use. The Easy Clic Connect and Dual-Lock system means the gas canister clicks into place and locks – you cannot turn the gas knob until the stove is standing safely and the connection is confirmed. Red and green indicators make the status clear at a glance.
The 2kW burner with built-in piezo ignition brings a litre of water to a boil in under four minutes with no matches or lighter needed. The low centre of gravity keeps things stable with larger pots and the 15cm cooking surface handles family-sized pans. It covers breakfast, hot chocolate for the children and an emergency pasta dinner on the second night when you have spent too much at the food stalls.
Bring a CV 470 Plus cartridge for extended burn time – up to two hours 48 minutes from a single canister, which is usually enough for a full weekend.
Buy the Campingaz Camp and Trek CV Connect at campingaz.co.uk
LittleLife Arc 2 Lightweight Travel Cot
For toddlers who are past the baby stage but still need their own sleep space, the LittleLife Arc 2 is hard to beat. It weighs just 2.5kg and packs into a small rucksack, so it takes up almost no room in the boot. Colour-coded poles mean it goes up in a couple of minutes, and the breathable mesh sides keep things cool in a warm tent while also working as a mosquito net if you are travelling abroad. There is a zip door at the front as well as a top opening, which makes getting a sleeping child in and out much easier than bending over a traditional travel cot. A foam mattress is included. Suitable from birth to around three years.
Buy the LittleLife Arc 2 Travel Cot at littlelife.com
Outwell Trelew Kids Camping Chair
Small children at a campsite or festival need somewhere to sit that is actually theirs, and the Outwell Trelew Kids chair does exactly that. It folds open in seconds from its carry bag, has a steel frame with hard-wearing polyester fabric, and holds up to 50kg so it will last well beyond the toddler years. The striped summer design means children tend to love it on sight, which helps considerably when you are trying to get everyone settled after a long day. It weighs just under 2kg and folds flat, so it slips easily into the back of the car alongside everything else.
Buy the Outwell Trelew Kids Chair on Amazon.
WonderFold W4 Luxe Stroller Wagon
If there is one item on this list that will make the biggest difference to your weekend, it is this. The WonderFold W4 Luxe seats up to four children in raised, reclining seats, each with a five-point safety harness. All-terrain wheels with suspension handle muddy grass and gravel without any effort, and the adjustable handlebar works for adults of any height.
The cargo basket under the seats carries everything that did not fit in the turtle backpack. Once the children are old enough to walk, remove the seats and it becomes a proper gear wagon. Available from WonderFold UK and on Amazon.
If four seats is more than you need, the WonderFold W2 Luxe is the two-seat version – more compact and easier to fit in the car.
Buy the WonderFold W4 Luxe at wonderfoldwagon.co.uk
Coleman Event Shelter Pro 3.65m
Every experienced festival family agrees on this: a separate shelter changes everything. The tent is for sleeping. The shelter is for everything else – nappy changes, wet kit, toddler meltdowns, meals, afternoon naps and card games while the rain comes down.
The Coleman Event Shelter Pro at 3.65m covers six to eight people, with solid waterproofing and a UV-Guard canopy for the sunny days. The steel frame is sturdy, setup is quick, and adding optional side panels turns it into an enclosed windproof room. Available at Halfords, Millets, Go Outdoors and Amazon.
Bring a small rug or foam play mat for inside the shelter. A dry surface where small children can sit and play makes the whole campsite feel more manageable.
Find the Coleman Event Shelter Pro on Amazon UK
Children’s first aid kit
A compact children’s first aid kit is non-negotiable. Include children’s paracetamol and ibuprofen, antihistamine for stings and allergies, plasters in assorted sizes, blister pads, antiseptic wipes and rehydration sachets. Festival medical teams are good but very busy. Being able to deal with minor scrapes, headaches and upset stomachs yourself keeps the day moving. Lifesystems and St. John Ambulance both do good kits.
Ear defenders
Main stage volumes regularly go above 100 decibels, which is well above safe levels for young ears. A decent pair of ear defenders means children can enjoy headline acts without any long-term risk. They do not muffle sound the way you might expect – children can still hear music, conversation and you clearly, just at a safer level. Alpine Muffy Baby, Peltor Optime and BabyBanz all make good versions for children.
A good children’s sleeping bag
Even in summer, UK festival nights can get cold. A children’s sleeping bag rated to 5 degrees or lower makes the difference between a child who sleeps and one who does not. Look for mummy-style bags for children under seven as they are warmer around the shoulders. Vango, Outwell and Mountain Warehouse all make solid options at reasonable prices.
Quick packing checklist
- LittleLife Ladybird iD Bracelet (£4.99)
- LittleLife Turtle Backpack with Rein (£19.99)
- Petzl TIKKID Head Torch
- AeroPress and Travel Coffee Mug
- Campingaz Camp and Trek CV Connect Stove
- WonderFold W4 Luxe Stroller Wagon
- Coleman Event Shelter Pro 3.65m
- Children’s first aid kit
- Ear defenders (one pair per child)
- Children’s sleeping bag rated to 5 degrees
- Wellies and waterproofs
- Reusable water bottles
