Michigan Family Travel

Festival days have a way of starting with everyone excited and ending with someone cold, hungry, tired or carrying three things they didn’t bring from home.

You don’t need to pack for every possible scenario. You do need enough to keep the family comfortable while you’re away from the car.

Whether you’re headed to an art fair, county fair, food festival, holiday market or small-town celebration, start with these festival-day essentials.

Want to skip straight to the packing? We gathered our favorite festival-day essentials for families in one place, from portable chargers and water bottles to rain gear, picnic blankets and the things you’ll be glad you left in the car.

Shop Festival Day Essentials →

1. Start With a Comfortable Bag

Choose a backpack or tote that leaves your hands free and doesn’t become uncomfortable after a few hours. Pack only what you expect to carry into the festival and leave backup supplies in the car.

A few zippered pouches can keep sunscreen, chargers and other small items from disappearing at the bottom.

2. Bring Water

Pack a reusable water bottle for each person if the event allows outside drinks.

For longer days, keep additional water in the car. An insulated bottle is especially useful during summer festivals when you’ll be carrying it for hours.

3. Pack Real Snacks

Festival food is part of the fun. It doesn’t have to be the only thing everyone eats.

Pack easy snacks such as granola bars, crackers, fruit, nuts or pretzels. Having something familiar on hand can buy you time when food lines are long or someone suddenly announces they’re starving.

4. Plan for the Weather

Michigan festival weather can change over the course of a day.

Sunscreen and sunglasses may be important in the afternoon, while a sweatshirt or light jacket becomes useful after sunset. A compact rain jacket or poncho takes up little room and can save the day when rain moves in.

5. Keep Your Phone Alive

Your phone may hold your tickets, parking location, event schedule, photos and the number you need to call when your teenager wanders off.

Pack a fully charged portable power bank and charging cable.

6. Think About Tired Kids

If the festival permits them, a compact stroller or wagon can be useful long after kids have technically outgrown needing one.

It carries sweatshirts, water bottles, purchases and tired children. Just check the event’s rules first because stroller and wagon policies vary.

7. Bring a Tiny First-Aid Kit

You don’t need the medicine cabinet.

A few adhesive bandages, blister bandages, antiseptic wipes and any medications your family normally carries are enough for most days.

8. Keep a Backup Kit in the Car

The best thing you pack might be the thing you don’t carry.

Leave extra water, sweatshirts, socks, shoes, a change of clothes, towels and a few snacks in the car. You can always walk back for them.

The goal isn’t to bring everything you own. Pack what keeps everyone comfortable, leave the backups in the car and save some room for whatever the kids convince you to carry home.

Pack the Bag, Then Go

A little preparation goes a long way when you’re spending the day at a festival. Stock the car, pack the essentials and spend less time worrying about what you forgot.

Shop Our Festival Day Essentials →

Before You Go: Check the festival’s rules for outside food and drinks, bags, coolers, chairs, strollers and wagons before packing.