Summer comes around quickly, and so does festival season. While taking kids to festivals can be a magical experience and create memories that last a lifetime, it's not always sunshine and rainbows. Between the big crowds, changing weather, and managing the little ones, things can quickly become overwhelming.
To help with these struggles, we've put together a list of essentials, including what to pack, toilet tips, and why it's worth bringing a foldable potty with you, such as the Potette® Fold ‘N’ Go.
Festival Packing Basics
When packing for festivals, there are the essentials like toiletries, a tent and plenty of spare socks. Obviously, there are the basics like toiletries, tents, and plenty of spare pairs of socks. However, there are a few extra things to pack to make sure your time away goes as smoothly as possible, so here are a few additional packing tips.
1- Spare Clothing
It goes without saying that accidents can and do happen, especially with young children. Packing a few spare outfits means you can deal with spills, muddy clothes or any accidents quickly, so everyone can get back to enjoying the festival. Aim to pack a couple of changes of clothes per day, along with wipes and a bag for dirty clothes to make clearing up any mishaps that little bit easier.
2- Preparing for the Elements
The British weather is notoriously changeable, and when heading off to a festival it's always a good idea to pack several waterproof items of clothing such as waterproof jackets, wellies and waterproof trousers. In terms of what to look for in waterproofs, there are a few key features to consider. These include things such as breathability, to stop the buildup of sweat, as well as the weight and how easy they are to pack.
By looking for these features, you can make sure you have the right gear to hand to deal with whatever the weather throws your way.
3- Food at Festivals
The food on offer at festivals can also be a source of stress for parents. While festivals offer a wide variety of food options, including some healthier choices, most of the food available can be greasy and low in nutritional value.
To eat well and avoid breaking the bank, it's a good idea to prepare your own food in advance and store it in a cool box to keep it fresh. High-fibre foods are a good place to start as they can help with digestion.
4- Other Entertainment
Bringing some entertainment options and a variety of comforts from home can help pass the time in between sets and make your little one feel more relaxed and at home. These can include things such as pillows and blankets, as well as their favourite cuddly toys. By bringing these items with you, you can help your kids to feel more at home in the campsite, and to reduce the stress and anxiety that can come with sleeping and living in a new environment.
Dealing With Toilets at Festivals
The toilets at festivals can be a daunting place for young children, even for those who are fully potty trained. The loud noises, busy crowds, and less-than-clean conditions can turn what would normally be a straightforward process into a stressful and overwhelming experience for not only them but you as well.
Bringing a potty with you can make toilet trips much easier. It gives your child a familiar, comfortable option when festival toilets feel overwhelming, and it means you're not always relying on finding the nearest toilet block or waiting in long queues. Having a potty on hand can also help prevent last-minute dashes across the festival site, making the day less stressful for everyone.
If your child is happy using a standard toilet but needs a little extra reassurance, a Potette® Plus 2-in-1 is a great option. It folds in half for easy transport and can be used as both a toilet training seat and a standalone potty. As a toilet seat, it helps unfamiliar festival toilets feel more familiar while creating a hygienic barrier between your child and the seat. If the toilets are too busy or overwhelming, it quickly transforms into a standalone potty that can be used in a quieter spot.
If your child prefers using a potty, or you're likely to spend long periods away from the toilet facilities, a Potette® Fold 'N' Go is an ideal choice. It opens and is ready to use in seconds, so you're always prepared when your little one needs to go. Paired with Potette® liners, it also makes cleaning up quick and easy, making it especially useful when you're on the move.
Our Top Tips for Taking Kids to Festivals
Festivals with kids are all about preparation, flexibility, and packing the right gear. Here are some tips to keep things simple when taking kids to festivals.
1- Build in Regular Toilet Breaks Throughout the Day
One of the biggest problems that parents face when taking their kids to festivals is trying to get them to the toilet in time. Young children have very small bladders and so are only able to hold small amounts of urine at any one time, and so it doesn't take long for them to go from being completely fine to having an accident.
The key to avoiding accidents is to build in regular toilet breaks throughout the day. This means taking your kids to the toilet every hour or so, as well as before heading out to enjoy any activities. You should also take them as soon as they ask, to avoid them holding it in and then having an accident later on.
- Encourage a toilet trip every 1-2 hours
- Always go when: leaving your tent, before food, before heading into crowds, and at bedtime.
2- Dress For Speed, Not Style
For speedy changes in case of an accident, the best clothing choices are elastic waist trousers/shorts, leggings, and nothing with complicated buttons or zips, such as dungarees or jumpsuits.
3- Keep a Potette in Your Day Bag
Having a potty with you at a festival gives you extra flexibility throughout the day. Whether the toilet queues are too long, your child needs to go unexpectedly, or you'd simply rather avoid a busy toilet block, having a potty on hand means you're prepared wherever you are on the festival site.
The Potette® Fold ‘N’ Go potty is particularly well suited to festivals because it folds in half, making it compact enough to carry in a changing bag or backpack. It can be set up in seconds, providing a quick and convenient alternative when waiting for the toilets isn't practical. Potette® liners also make cleaning up simple. Each liner features an absorbent pad that locks away liquid to help prevent leaks and can be disposed of in the same way as a nappy. For added convenience, up to three liners can be stored inside a folded Potette, so everything you need is always close to hand and ready to set up in no time whatsoever.
4- Make Nighttime Easy
Staying in a tent may be a new experience for your little one, so if they wake up in the night, they might feel unfamiliar with their surroundings. Keep a potty ready for use in your tent and have a torch next to you to make it a more comfortable experience and to avoid those long midnight trips to the toilets.
Q&A
Q: Why bring a Potette to a festival if your child is already potty trained?
A: Because festivals can disrupt potty-trained toddlers. The busy crowds, the loud noises, the queues for the toilets at festivals, and the less-than-clean state of the toilets can all serve to throw off a confident toddler and make them hesitant to use the toilet. A foldable potty such as a Potette® Fold ‘N’ Go can be a reassuring backup in these situations, providing a familiar place for a child to do their business.
Q: What do you do if your child doesn't use the potty at all?
A: There are many times when children refuse to use the potty, whether they are in the process of being potty trained or whether they are already fully potty trained. In these situations, it's often best to simply leave them to it and wait for another time. This can be difficult for parents, as they naturally want their children to be using the potty and to be making progress. However, accidents are all part of the learning process, and they will happen from time to time. The key is to remain calm and not to put too much pressure on a child when they are resisting using the potty.
Q: Where is the best place to use a Potette at a festival?
A: Use it near your tent or in quieter areas to keep things calm and predictable. Avoid last-minute cross-site dashes and don't rely exclusively on toilets at festivals.
Q: How do I make nighttime toilet trips easier in a tent?
A: Nighttime toilet trips at home can be difficult for children at the best of times, but when you are in a tent these trips can be particularly daunting. To make things easier, it's a good idea to keep a potty in your tent; this will provide them with a familiar setting and will help to reduce any stress and anxiety. With these tips in mind, you should see that using a potty at a festival is not a problem but an opportunity. By being prepared and by packing the right gear, you can enjoy your festival experience without worry.
With a little planning and the right equipment, taking kids to festivals can be a fun and stress-free experience, and keeping a Potette Plus and liners handy can make all those toilet trips simpler, whatever the day throws your way.