The Ultimate Family Festival Camping Checklist

Sunshine Festival

Whether this is your first family festival or your fifteenth, a little preparation makes all the difference. Here’s our practical checklist to help you relax, enjoy the music and make the most of your August Bank Holiday weekend.

Camping Essentials 

  • Tent (plus pegs and mallet)
  • Groundsheet

  • Tent repair tape

  • Camping chairs

  • Folding table

  • Windbreak (optional)

  • Gazebo or shelter

  • Sleeping bags

  • Pillows

  • Air beds or camp beds

  • Air pump

  • Blankets for chilly evenings

  • Extra tent pegs

Clothing

  • Waterproof coat
  • Warm jumper or fleece

  • T-shirts

  • ☐ Shorts
  • Trousers

  • Plenty of socks

  • Underwear

  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • Wellies (just in case!)

  • Flip-flops for showers

  • Sun hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Pyjamas

  • Fancy dress outfits

  • Towels – Add in an extra

Children

  • Favourite teddy or comfort toy
  • Blanket
  • Pushchair or buggy (if needed)
  • Baby wipes
  • Nappies
  • Spare clothes
  • Night light or torch
  • Small backpack
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Ear defenders for younger children
  • Games and colouring books

Food & Drink

  • Tea & coffee
  • Milk
  • Breakfast supplies
  • Snacks
  • Picnic food
  • Camping stove (where permitted)
  • Gas canisters
  • Cooking utensils
  • Plates and bowls
  • Cups
  • Cutlery
  • Bottle opener
  • Washing-up bowl
  • Washing-up liquid
  • Bin bags
  • Paper towel
  • Resealable bags
  • Containers with lids
  • Cooler boxes
  • Cardboard or storage boxes
  • Plenty of drinking water
  • Squash

Camping Equipment

  • Torches
  • Head torches
  • Spare batteries
  • Power banks
  • Phone charger
  • Duct tape
  • Cable ties
  • Multi-tool
  • Washing line and pegs

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Soap – closable soap dish or liquid soap
  • Shampoo
  • Towels
  • Deodorant
  • Hairbrush
  • Toilet roll
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Insect repellent
  • If you have Refresh wristbands don’t forget your hairdryer and straighteners

First Aid

  • Prescription medication
  • Pain relief
  • Plasters
  • Antiseptic wipes
  • Allergy medication
  • Bite cream
  • Blister plasters
  • After sun
  • Electrolytes
  • Tweezers

Festival Essentials

  • Festival tickets printed
  • Photo ID
  • Cash and bank card
  • Mobile phone
  • Downloaded festival map
  • Emergency contact details
  • Meeting point agreed with family and children
  • Arena chairs or rugs
  • Refillable water bottle

Make Life Easier

✔ Pack clothes into separate bags for each day.

✔ Bring a laundry bag

✔ Freeze bottles of water before you leave—they’ll help keep food cool and become drinking water later.

✔ Keep waterproofs somewhere easy to reach.

✔ Label children’s jumpers.

✔ Bring a small torch for everyone.

✔ Pack more socks than you think you’ll need!

Remember. At Sunshine you can park next to your tent, which is ideal for storing your valuables and keeping your tent under control.

Most Important of All…

Slow down.

Watch your children dance.

Discover a new favourite band.

Meet new friends.

Sit around the campfire.

Enjoy one last family adventure before school starts again.

That’s what Sunshine Festival is all about.

Have an amazing weekend—we can’t wait to welcome you!