Plan and create your very own festival with this 10 step Preparation List (printable version here)

Tentshare, the  eco friendly way of sharing camping gear is encouraging people to dust off their bed sheets, count their tent pegs and create a mini festival in your own garden.

How to keep your kids happy and yourselves entertained by creating the perfect (socially distanced) festival… without leaving home!

This checklist will give you everything you need to think about to make a brilliant festival camp indoors or in the garden, with no need to buy anything!

The coronavirus has limited a lot of what we can do, but it hasn’t dampened our enthusiasm for family festival-going here at Tentshare! So, we’re here to guide you through 10 simple steps for you and your little campers to get festival-ready and plan the perfect, socially distanced,festival.

It’s most important at this time to remember to stay safe and well at all times.

STEP 1: CHOOSE A LOCATION

Both house and garden have advantages and both will feel like you are a million miles away once you are ‘under canvas’. If the night gets cold (check the weather before you commit), consider keeping your festival camp indoors. If you are braving the elements, go to the Tentshare blog (www.tentshare.co.uk/blog) and find out our top 8 tips for keeping warm and staying warm. Indoor camping is also a great idea if you don’t have a tent, or your tent is too large for your garden.

STEP 2: CHOOSE YOUR ‘TENT’

Hint: your tent doesn’t need to be a tent!

Whether you are inside or outside you want to keep the joy of camping alive. If your camping trip is indoors, and you don’t have (or don’t want to use) a real tent, then some large blankets and tables or chairs can make an amazing makeshift den. Turn off your main lights and plan to use only torch light and fairy lights. String fairy lights around the camp for that extra bit of festival magic!

A good way to keep the children occupied would be to ask them to design their den/camp. This will work for all ages as the camp/festival can be as complicated or as simple as you like.

STEP 3: PACK YOUR  BAGS

Definitely one to get the kids involved in!

Remember, this is a real festival adventure, you and your kids need to plan and pack all the gear! Games and activities, cosy socks, warm blankets, and a few delicious drinks and snacks. Print out the checklist provided so that your little campers can help plan what you need. Don’t forget to choose a theme for the night so you can dress up, make masks really get into the full festival spirit. Are you going to wild animals, beautiful butterflies or monsters from mars?!

We have taken the decision not to encourage washing and tooth cleaning outside under these particular circumstances.

STEP 4: SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS

Technically part of STEP 3 (plan your checklist), but a very important one!

The key to any good camping trip is knowing what you will sleep on, sleep in, and sleep under. Even if your camp is in the living room, the magic of an airbed and the warmth of a sleeping bag can make all the difference.

STEP 5: GO FOR IT

Why not go the full festival? Create your poster, design your line up list, make your own logo? This is a fun way to for children to learn and improve their literacy, art, design and technology skills to name a few. You are covering lots of the national curriculum and having great fun! Take a look under the crafts section of the tentshare website to find lots of fun eco friendly craft ideas.

STEP 6: BE SOCIAL

Being socially distanced doesn’t mean you can’t be social!

Meet up virtually with friends and family from their very own camps and all join in with the festival fun together. Meet other like-minded families, chat, laugh, and enjoy the atmosphere. Why not download the (free) Zoom app onto your laptop or mobile device. Once downloaded, make sure that Zoom is working properly and test your microphone and webcam ready for the big day.

STEP 7: CURATE YOUR VERY OWN LINE UP

Is comedy your thing or rave music, perhaps you would prefer classical and the children fancy some pop? Whatever your cultural taste, you are in charge. There are a wealth of performances and live streams available online, the world is your oyster.  Is your festival a music, movie or yoga themed festival? Indulge your passions, use the internet to make it YOUR perfect weekend of culture and fun!

STEP 8: GET CREATIVE

Have you always wanted to learn a new skill or investigate an interesting topic?  This is your chance.  Find a tutorial about your chosen interest, plan it into your festival and prepare to begin a new learning journey

Check out the recipes, crafts, tips and hacks on tentshare’s Tentival page (link).

STEP 9: GET THE TECH READY

Charge up your batteries, download your set list and get ready to enjoy a day of virtual festival performances.

Please make sure that electronic equipment is being used safely and responsibly and kept away from all liquids.

STEP 10: COME AND JOIN THE FESTIVAL

Get settled in your camp, switch on your laptop or other device, invite your friends and all enjoy the weekend!

Woohoo! You’re in. Let the festival fun begin!!

Post any pictures on Instagram and use #tentival2021