So, seeing next year we will be a family of 6 [gulp] it looks like camping could become our holiday of choice, so what would be the ultimate shopping list?

[misdee]

we would need everything from tent to cook stuff.

obviously would wait till end of season sale.

is it hard camping with a baby?

how do you find good sites?

i havent been camping since i was a child.

[PollyPentapeptide]

tent
foldy chair thingies
sleeping bags
airbeds or camp mats
slop bucket
small gas cooker with at least two rings (beans in one, soup in the other )
water carrier
stand for cooker
fold out table for eating and buttering toast
at least 2 cool boxes
really good torches
cutlery, plates, cups, wine glasses, bowls

[PollyPentapeptide]

oh yes and camping with baby is a nightmare!!

re: good sites - where do you live and how far to travel

We did a camp site about 40 minute drive away for our first trip just in case it was shit and we got flooded or something and needed to come home. It still felt like a holiday though!

[GrapefruitMoon]

Have not been brave enough to go since we had dc2! (And only managed one 1 night trip with dd!)

Try Freecycle for camping stuff. You might even get a tent there... though a good plan might be to borrow a tent + equipment for your first camping trip to make sure you don't hate it/find it too hard - or go to one of those campsites where it is all set up for you already.

Are you planning to stay in the UK or go further afield?

[GrapefruitMoon]

Places like Aldi/Lidl/Wilkinsons have camping bits and pieces regularly as well...

[WingsofaAngel]

Descent tent.
Disposable BBQ are good if you haven't got much room in the car.
Corkscrew.
Nappy sacks for dirty laundry.
Wind up torches.

[GrapefruitMoon]

Argos have some tents on special offer at the moment - don't know what the quality is like though...

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3409237/Trail/C%24cip%3D1500011159.Garden%2C%2BDIY%2Band%2 Bleisure%3EC%24cip%3D1500011160.Camping%2Band%2Bcaravanning.htm

[WingsofaAngel]

Did I miss a conception announcement

[misdee]

lol wingsofanangel, yes, am due november.

i loved camping a sa child, dh liked it as well.

i remember some awful sites, and some great ones, but i know a lot of sites we went to as children no longer allow tents on, its all caravans.

we are in herts, so wouldnt want to go too far at first.

i do remember air beds always going down though lol.

and having to wee i na bucket at night or go across dark site with a torch to the toilet/shower blocks.

and the noise o nthe tent i nthe middle of the night when it starts raining just a little bit, its really loud lol.

[jamila169]

do not forget, teaspoons teatowels and 3 multipurpose pans - ones that can do duty as salad bowl/washing up bowl/frying pan

[GrapefruitMoon]

I'm in Herts too - think a friend goes to some place near Milton Keynes with a lake

[misdee]

billing aquadrome?

my parents went there a few times with their caravan.

[misdee]

we are ok for holidays this year, but am planning ahead for next year.

camping rates are so much cheaper than other holidays arent they.

[WingsofaAngel]

Congratulations Misdee.

We've just come back from three nights away in the caravan.
The noise seems to die down by 10 ish most nights.
Never been camping with a baby so not sure on that front. But if you talking about next year then baby will be 6 months or so when you go.

[GrapefruitMoon]

Yes think that's it Misdee

[WingsofaAngel]

It is so much cheaper we have booked a week away in Devon in August 4 adults 2 children £265.00