How to get ready for festival season



Glastonbury might not be on this year, but that doesn’t matter – there are plenty of other awesome festivals to fill the void!

The UK’s festival calendar is jam-packed, with new events springing up each year. There are festivals celebrating everything from music, theatre and comedy, to dance, literature, food and drink. There really is something for everyone – families included.

So, you’ve dusted off your backpack, dug out your wellies and set up your festival WhatsApp group, which is already pinging away. But here are some final tips from Team GP to help your festival experience be one you won’t forget (for all the right reasons)...

Upgrade your gear


Think back to your last festival: remember how your decade-old tent leaked and left a puddle in the awning? Or how you had to botch a big tear in the side with some gaffer tape? These are sure signs that your tent needs upgrading! There are plenty of affordable tents out there that will keep you comfortable and dry after a day of dancing, workshops or theatre-watching. If you’re camping with the family, then take a look at our handy guide to family tent buying for some great tips.

Keep your energy up


The combination of long, fun-filled days, late nights and being on your feet all day, walking between stages or venues, is sure to sap your energy. You don’t want to crash watching your fave band or live comedian, so pack some energising drinks and snacks. These might include electrolyte and mineral-rich drinks like coconut water and sports drinks, which will replenish lost vitamins, while snacks might be fruit and nut treats such as Nakd or Goodness Knows bars. Don’t forget the kiddies and take plenty of their favourite foods to avoid meltdowns. Bring along some reusable water bottles too, which will save you queueing for drinks and helps to save the planet at the same time!

Stay in charge


Many festivals now offer free charging stations, but you have to queue for hours for the privilege. That’s why it’s much easier to pack your own GP PowerBank, giving you the freedom to charge your phone anywhere, anytime – be it back at the tent, whilst laughing your socks off at your favourite comedian, or when you’re queuing to buy grilled cheese sandwiches for your hungry brood. Pack a lightweight,portable PowerBank to carry around during the day and a heavyweight one (that can charge two devices at the same time) for overnight charging.

...and don’t forget to recharge yourself


Drinks loaded with electrolytes and regular snacks will only go some way in keeping those energy levels topped up. It might be difficult to pry yourself (and the kids) away from all the fun, but taking some time out mid-afternoon will recharge everyone’s  batteries ahead of the evening’s fun. Create your own chillout playlist to listen to back at the tent (boosting your smartphone with a PowerBank at the same time), download a favourite movie for the kids in advance or simply lounge with friends or family on a SnugBoyair lounger – the hottest new festival accessory.

Don’t always believe the weatherman


The forecast may be showing sunshine for the entire weekend, but things can change at the drop of a welly, so be sure to pack some ‘proofs for everyone! Pick a lightweight mac that won’t take up too much room in your backpack, or opt for a hooded poncho that covers your entire outfit. The same goes for bringing lots of layers – it can get chilly during the evenings no matter how hot it is in the day, so a couple of jumpers are certainly worth their weight.  Finally, to save sore feet, pack a range of footwear – wellies, sandals and a pair of trainers – and choose the comfiest, most supportive pair to arrive in. That walk from the car park can be surprisingly long and crowded...

And finally, don’t forget…

As well as all the basics and items mentioned such as a PowerBank, don’t forget to pack these essentials:


  • Sun protection – hat, sunglasses and plenty of sun cream
  • Toilet roll
  • Eye mask and earplugs
  • First aid kit (including paracetamol)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Deodorant and dry shampoo


Festival newbie? For even more camping essentials, check out our full guide here. And if you’re a regular festival-goer already and have a few tips of your own, we’d love to hear them - just drop us a tweet or Facebook message!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 4 benefits of walking every day – and how to stick at it

Image
Did you know that dog owners walk 79% further than non-dog owners? Great news for those with a canine companion...not so great for the rest of us who don’t have a beloved pooch to pry us out of our homes when it’s cold and wet outside. Dog or no dog, walking is a great way to get fit and lead a healthier lifestyle. Nature is free, not to mention the environmental advantages of walking instead of driving or catching the bus. Sure, walking outside isn’t so appealing in the winter months. But spring is just around the corner and soon, those lighter, warmer evenings will be tempting you to step outside and make the most of the great outdoors. There are lots of reasons to try and incorporate more walking into your day-to-day life. Here are four key benefits of walking every day for starters: 1.Reach your 150 minutes Walking can count towards the NHS’ recommended 150 minutes of exercise minimum per week, for people aged 19-64. A leisurely stroll through the park w
Read more

Time for a digital detox? 6 tips to help you reconnect

Image
  We all know when we’re using our smartphones too much. You put it down, only to pick it up again. There might not even be a notification on the lock screen. If that sounds like you, don’t worry... you’re not alone. Lots of people find it difficult to unplug from the world, even for a short while. In fact, the average person in the UK checks their phone every 12 minutes throughout the day! To mark the USA’s National Day of Unplugging on March 1-2, we’re inspiring our UK readers to join those on the other side of the pond by taking a ‘digital detox’. So, here are some ways you and your family (particularly if you have teens or tweens in the house!) can reconnect and enjoy some time away from your devices: 1.   List what you love Sit down with your family and write a list of all the things you enjoy doing in life – running, meditating, reading – but currently aren’t making enough time to do. Hopefully you’ll get to the end of the list and realise that if
Read more

Geocaching: everything you need to know about the world’s largest treasure hunt!

Image
Blending technology with exploration, geocaching is an exciting outdoor activity that’s become extremely popular in recent years. If you’re yet to try it, here’s a brief explanation of what it is, followed by some final tips before you set off on your big adventure... What exactly is geocaching? Geocaching is essentially a modern version of an age-old recreational activity known as ‘letterboxing’ – with the addition of tech. People hide boxes, called ‘caches,’ in different locations and others hunt for them using GPS. Each cache is recorded on the official free geocaching app and contains a log book to sign and date once you’ve located it. Many of the boxes contain small knick-knacks for trading, too. Once you’ve placed the box back in its original position, you can later record your find on the app and share your adventures on social media – fellow geocachers will be keen to read about your experience! Geocaching in numbers There are around three million geo
Read more