Can you take your children to a music festival?

Loud music, camping, crowds, dirt and ... toddlers.

It sounds like a list of ingredients that even Mary Berry couldn’t fail to whip up into a full scale disaster bake. But in a picturesque corner of Dorset thousands of families, with babies and young children, are taking on the festival experience and winning.

Camp Bestival, the brainchild of Rob Da Bank and wife Josie, has been voted Best Family Festival on four occasions.

And when leaving the house with young children to buy a pint of milk can so often be a headache, it is difficult to see how so many thousands of sleep-deprived worry-worn parents are flocking to a festival with their demanding brood in tow.

According to recent research by the Camping and Caravanning Club children who camp at least once a year tend to do better at school and are healthier and happier.

And while academic performance is hard to judge solely from the grubby T-shirts and ice-cream smeared faces, and unlikely to be the sole reason that parents have rocked up with the baby in one arm and tent in the other, Camp Bestival kids certainly have a blast.

From bow and arrow making to mask decorating, den building to vegetable orchestra workshops, there is something for everyone of every age. And with three days worth of headline acts on the main stage together with tents full of djs, comedy, theatre and performing arts, taking the whole family to a festival starts to sound like less of a bad idea and more a stroke of genius.

Here are our top tips for catching festival fever.

1 Camp

Throw yourself wholeheartedly into the festival experience by camping on site.

Pitching your own tent, hiring one already constructed or glamping in a yurt or tipi are just a few of the options available at Camp Bestival for those prepared to brace all that the great outdoors can throw at them.

2 Don’t camp

There are no medals in this game.

If camping really isn’t your thing, don’t be put off coming to enjoy the incredible experiences and opportunites on offer. Fully aware that a night under the stars isn’t for everybody, Camp Bestival publishes a list of nearby hotels and bed and breakfasts for anyone attached to a more comfortable bed and their own shower.

3 Let the children wear what they like (within reason!)

There are not many places where you’ll pass a woodland fairy, cowboy, Fred Flinstone and giraffe in the queue for water. Anything goes at festivals, particularly this one which has an annual fancy dress theme, so don’t feel self conscious if your child (or spouse) suggests wearing their pyjamas and a tutu. They won’t be alone.

4 Get yourself a plan

Stave off any full scale melt-downs with a rough idea of what you want to see and do. Plan naps, mealtimes and opportunities to scrub off the dirt around what both the children and adults want to see and do.

5 Don’t fear the dad dancing

The saying ‘dance like nobody’s watching’ could not be more apt. Move with your children, throw some shapes and find your groove. You’ll look daft if you don’t.

6 Get wheels ... and pimp them

Suddenly your fancy camping trolley or all-terrain pushchair doesn’t look so swish unless it is decorated in all manner of festival themed paraphernalia. From woodland garlands and fairy lights to full scale mdf creations, your wheels need to look the part as much as you.

7 Take blankets and warm clothes

Yes it’s August and yes it should be sunny. But even if the days are warm the evenings are unlikely to be and children who have been busy all day can suddenly feel the cold as tiredness strikes.

Also useful for sitting on / laying on / cuddling / using as shelter from the sun / building your own den should the need arise.

8 Turn yourself into a walking vending machine

Active children = hungry children. Stock up on all manner of fruit, cheese, crackers, vegetable sticks, dried fruit and water to stave off any potential meltdowns.

9 Let them get grubby

There will be few occasions in life where you can join a forest school, whip up woodland potions, have your face painted, make real slime, paint pictures, build circuits using plasticine, make clay face models and decorate yourself in glitter all in one day.

Unless they’ve snuck off for a permanent tattoo, it will wash off.

10 Come armed with antibacterial handgel, tissues and wipes. Lots of wipes.

At some point they will put their fingers in their mouth, blow their nose, need to clean their hands, catch the drips of ice-cream, or fall over in the compost toilet. Wipes, lost of wipes.