Show season is here at last! That means it’s time to gear up for all the rides, live entertainment, livestock shows and delicious food and treats you can handle. Our stomachs are rumbling just thinking of it.

But… any event of this size has potential to turn into a nightmare if you don’t plan it well. With kids in tow, the chances for tears and tired legs increases, but not to worry – we’re here with an ultimate planning guide to attending a Royal Show this year!

Making a Royal Show Survival Pack

Call it a bag, call it a survival pack – don’t head out to the Royal Show until you’ve packed a backpack that contains the essentials. Here’s a checklist:

• Sunscreen (apply before you go, and you should be good with one bottle for the day)
• Cash (ATMs are sparse, and it can help speed up transactions)
• Hats and sunnies (sunscreen isn’t enough on its own)
• A change of clothes (covers a variety of eventualities)
• Ponchos (in case of rain)
• Nausea tablets (for too much sweet food or too many rides)
• Band-Aids and Dettol for those minor scrapes
• Packed lunches and snacks (you’ll probably still buy things, but this can save you tonnes)
• Hand sanitizer (the kids will be petting a lot of animals)

Your Royal Show Game Plan

• One week before the show: Head online or to your local Woolies to buy your tickets before the day arrives. This is also a good time to pick out the showbags and order them in advance. No queues for you!
• The night before the show: Pack your survival pack and take a deep breath. Tomorrow’s the big day. This may also be a good time to put together some ID bracelets for the younger troopers in your group – Royal Shows can be crowded and chaotic!
• The morning of: Over breakfast, let everyone pick one attraction each they absolutely have to see. Cross off the less interesting events, and you’ve got a schedule.
• At the end of the day: It’s not a Royal Show without show bags. Nab one as you leave from one of the smaller stalls and save yourself the hassle of carrying it around all day.

Keen to go to the show, but worried about the hit to your credit cards? Check out our top tips to save money at the show.