dirtgirl's top tips for family festival fun at The Lost Lands

dirtgirl is a gumboot wearing, planet-loving girl – oh, and she’s also a rockstar who loves to sing and dance almost as much as she loves getting grubby (almost!). The star of ABC Kids hit show, Get Grubby TV (GGTV), dirtgirl celebrates life outside, set to music the whole family can dig – and she’s bringing it to The Lost Lands next month. Ahead of the festival, dirtgirl shares her top tips for family festival fun.
Reduce, re-use, rock on!!
Single use sucks! Taking reusable stuff to The Lost Lands is second nature! The festival is aiming to be a single use plastic free event .And I couldn’t be happier. The motto is LEAVE NO TRACE So pack that reusable straw, seek out some reusable bamboo cutlery and bring along a bag in case you find something cool to buy at a market stall (or a band shirt!!). If you love hot drinks bring your reusable cup. I never leave home without my trusty refillable water bottle – and this year The Lost Lands will have water stations with filtered cool water! Now that rocks!
The best time ever – whatever the weather!
When it comes to weather, be prepared. A lot of festivals I’ve been to are either super sunny or supper soggy! So check the weather forecast before leaving home and then bring weather friendly stuff. It’s all about comfort and I’m all about comfort. There are some things that I always take. Even if it’s overcast, I slap on my eco sunscreen. In my backpack you will find eco bug-off, paw-paw cream and… my hat and a funky raincoat are also a festival must! Of course, I never forget my gumboots. My everyday boogie boots are a festival goers necessity.
Navigate like a true Nature Detective!
Before you go, explain to your kids that there will be a lot of people and make a contingency plan in case they really get lost at The Lost Lands. First thing when you get to the festival – get familiar! Make a meeting spot or find where lost kids get found. Equip the whole fam with a map each, make sure the littlest ones know their name and find a safe place to pop a contact phone number. (Don’t forget to tell the kids where the number is written) You can even take a pic of your kid each morning – that’ll give you an up-to-date record not to mention awesome assets for the photo album!!
Eyes and Ears… listen to the music of the artists before the festival and bring ear muffs!
Little ears are super sensitive – if you think it’s loud, then it’s turned up to 11 for the wee folk -and not in a good way. Ear muffs rock! Testing 1, 2, 3! Wearing them around at home to get the love happening is a great idea. Pack sunnies. Funky sunnies don’t just make you look great – if you need sunnies to lower the glare and stop the squint factor, the little people in your gang probably need them too.
Home away from home
Set yourself up a cosy base camp. Plan for comfort and fun. This will help ground the wee ones who are adjusting to the big sensory overload of a festival! It also means you’ll be happy to head back and have some down time during the day. Being out all day and night is a great way to end up in melt down mode for anyone. Instead, have your own zen zone where you’re all happy to hang and keep the whole family chilled & happy for the duration of the festival! You may also like to decorate your world… stand out, so your family can spot their tent in the crowd! Beside, it’s a festival – the perfect place for flags and fabric bunting!
Extra tip! This year The Lost Lands have super cool cardboard tents – they are sooo cool, water resistant (yes, you heard right!) and they can be recycled when you move out on the last day! So you’ll take away awesome memories and leave no trace!
The Lost Lands comes alive on November 3 & 4 at Werribee Park & Mansion, Werribee. Tickets are available through thelostlands.com.au and are on sale now.