Campers can you advise me please

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I haven't been camping since I was a kid, but we always used to go and enjoyed it.
We've but the bullet and brought the Vango Lismore airbeam, it's a 6 man and I love it !

I would like some tips off people.

What do we sleep on air beds or sims?

Do we need sleeping bags or will duvets be okay ? We only plan to go in the summer months.

Are the inflatable sofas any good or are we better off with actual chairs ?

What about kids. We have two under 2, would they be too cold in travel cots ?

How big is a standard pitch ? Our tent is 7x4 but we also have a van, would we even have any outside space after this ?

What do we need for electricity ? Is it just one of those extension leads with a trip box attached to it ?

What do people do about keeping food cold ? Or do you just buy as you go ?

Thanks !

Personally I don't like duvets as they come off me and I wind up cold but people do use them. I prefer sleeping bags.

You can buy cool boxes that help keep food cold.

https://uk.bestreviews.guide/camping-coolers?origin=google&googleparams[matchtype]=e&googleeparams[network]=g&googleparams[device]=m&googleeparams[creative]=704739308610&googleparams[keyword]=best%20cool%20box&googleeparams[adposition]=&googleparams[adgroupid]=167807237641&googleeparams[campaignid]=21429788298&bs=&googleparams[feeditemid]=&googleeparams[targetid]=kwd-8009694461&googleparams[loccinterestms]=&googleeparams[locphysicallms]=1006699&googleparams[devicemodel]=&googleeparams[target]=&dest=0&sysid=0%7C357&gaddsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAADpOwZYDX0lXAeVNS85T7505RR6a8&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI17Pl45DvhwMV1JRQBh3-iCk1EAAYAyAAEgKZ3DD_BwE

Sorry about the stupidly long link!

No problem thank you !
Do what do you do with a cooler box, fill it with ice ?

It's a long time since I went camping OP but when I did we had ice blocks in the cooler box and you could freeze them over night at the campsite shop.

You get ice packs, and most campsites will have a freezer for ice packs so you can swap them in and out of the cool box as required. If you're getting electric hookup you can also get electric cool boxes, but hookup is more expensive and not really necessary unless you have specific needs (eg I get hookup for my wheelchair now, but never used to). You can take a big powerbank for your phone and use them minimally.
You can get baby/ toddler sleeping bags with arms, like normal baby sleeping bags but thicker because it's colder.
Sims are usually warmer because with air beds the cold air circulated up from the ground, but in terms of comfort it's a personal thing. If you use sleeping bags, get sheet sleeping bags too. They provide an extra layer, but more importantly, they line the sleeping bag and can be laundered, whereas sleeping bags can't except in an emergency and they are never the same afterwards. Think of them like a duvet cover.
I've never used an inflatable sofa, but camping chairs are more flexible because you can easily move them inside and outside the tent depending on if it's raining. Some campsites may have a picnic bench, otherwise you will need a table or a piece of chipboard to put your stove on.

Also with cooler box,freeze pints of milk, bottles of water, and maybe a chilli or spaghetti bol in there too, will keep cold for longer. Altho you can buy very expensive coolers that keep things cold for days. Or if you're going for an electric pitch you can take a plug in cooler/mini fridge. I just did the ice block basic one tho.

You BOUGHT it, not brought it. Buying and bringing are two different things

Sorry, mum !!

I use an electric cool box

@WeregoingtoIbiza do they have to plug into a car charger though ?

Mine has both. I plug it into the car for on the journey and then plug it into a socket off the electric hook up in the tent.

Take a puncture repair kit with you. You wouldn't be the first to find you have a deflating pole on an airbeam.

Personally I much prefer SIMs, and I find airbeds cold. If you want to go with duvets then buy a cheap one to put under you so you sleep in a duvet sandwich.

Some sites have parking away from the pitch so you won't necessarily have your van right next to you, just check before you book if thats important.

Electricity wise you need one of these to plug in and feed into your tent https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15988666/eurohike-mobile-mains-kit-15m-15988666

Coolbox wise I think a decent passive one is fine. I've heard good things about this one https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/mp/coleman/coleman-performance-30qt/_/R-p-cb1c82b6-91b4-4079-8482-7623fe965f71?mc=cb1c82b6-91b4-4079-8482-7623fe965f71_c5.c1&c=black_blue&utm_term=f92a6059-b7ce-4875-985b-b8f78b852d0e&srsltid=AfmBOoo6pMI-lj1sfhscSvXSunUzLU0bnZC95nrZTGYjpKF5SQPR6IdI9bQ but I've got one of these that has lasted years https://www.coolboxesuk.com/collections/icey-tek-cube-boxes/products/icey-tek-25-litre-cube

Two sets of ice blocks, one to freeze on site and swap them over. Also freeze milk in pints and things precooked like curry or spaghetti bolognese for the first couple of meals. If you put things in cold they will stay cold but the box will not cool them down.

With regards to the kids there are some really good guides out there, I've never camped with such little ones but you could look at Ramble Family who do regularly

You can get a pitch with EHU for the cool box if you want an electric one. We just take an Eski, fill it with ice and it stays frozen for a few days top up as needed. Most campsites have an on site shop with ice.

We camp ALOT - all year round!! We have added to and adjusted our kit over the years, but would definitely say having the right stuff can make a massive difference between an enjoyable holiday you'll want to repeat and a massive faff you'd rather forget!!
Our must haves are:

• Always go for electric hook up - yes, it's a bit more expensive (£10 ish pernight) BUT you'll never be stuck for charging your phone, you can have a plug in cool box so no worry about food / milk going off, you can have an electric kettle rather than waiting ages for the gas one and can have plug in lights rather than worrying about running out of batteries for lanterns / torches. Some people even take small air fryers!!
• We have an airbed with a built in electric pump - gets to about 2foot high so easy to get on and off. We take a mattress topper, but as PP said, an extra duvet would be just as comfy and keep out the cold. We also have a duvet rather than sleeping bags - easier to kick off when its warm in the morning - and the tent does heat up super quick once the suns up! And extra blankies for when it's colder / over your legs in the evening
• Foldable camp chairs are better than inflatable - easier to move around and sturdier for sitting on to eat at table etc. Amazon do some really brilliant telescopic stools too which are useful for all sorts! telescopic stool
• Folding tables are a must - preferably more than one, so you can have somewhere to eat and a space to put things on in your tent / outside to put your stove on etc
• We also have storage unit which we use for food, plates, cups, cutlery etc so they are always at hand and tidy rather than always rummaging through boxes and bags. I've seen some people also use these especially for kids clothing and toys
• A small pop up storage tent for shoes, umbrellas etc is useful to have in your porch area storage tent

I know it sounds a lot - and you do have to be super organised with packing the car especially when fitting in all the stuff for the kids (and the kids!) as well, but it definitely makes a difference if you are prepared!! Hope that helps - Have Fun!!!

Im probably the opposite to most of the campers on here as I take the bare minimum with me. Small tent, good SIM and sleeping bag, chair, table, trangia stove and fuel, water container, bit of cutlery, a plate and mug. Add clothes, kindle, wine as basic food and that’s plenty. The more stuff you have, the more space you need both at home for storage and in the car for transporting.

I was fascinated a few weeks ago when a couple pitched up next to me with a sleeping tent, a kitchen tent, full size bbq and gas bottle, dining table and chairs and a tablecloth. It was like watching a magician pulling handkerchiefs out of their sleeve.

In the dying days of family camping trips I actually bought a fishing chair / bed.
It wasn't small but folded up small enough. It was the most comfortable thing you can sleep on in a tent- besides a proper bed!
We also had a small 30l fridge and cool bag for food.

So I can recommend both if you have enough space in the car.

It might have been us next to you! 😆
But you are right - it does need quite a bit of storage and car space.
On the flip side, we have also done an 8 week camping trip around Europe on a motorbike, with pretty much the kit you describe - best fun ever!!