What are the basic things I need for camping? First trip coming up!

[PiperG]

I'm sure this topic has been done to death, so apologies in advance, but wanted to find out what are the absolute essential, basic things we need for camping. We have never been as a family before, and are going off to Vendee for a week in August - kids are 4 and 2.5. We have a tent, and blow up air beds, but that's about it. Also some horrible polyester-y sleeping bags, so am thinking will stick to duvets etc (or is that a terrible idea??). What else do we need - think we can borrow a stove ... and will eating on a picnic rug for a week get very tiring - do we need to invest in chairs/table?

I would want a couple of chairs for grown ups and maybe one of those picnic tables with built in seats that fold down into a carry case. The supermarkets in France will stock most stuff as will Decathlon stores so don't worry if you forget somthting.

There are loads of list threads on here but start simple and add the stuff you like the look of/feel you need.

Obvious stuff like torch, pillows and a pack of cards, and a cool box

touch, pillows, sleeping bags, extra blankets, kettle, stove, matches, extra gas if you need it, chairs, footballs, games for kids, pegs for washing, washing powder, cool box, ice packs, table, string for washig line, pots/pans, plates/bowls, knife forks and spoons. Wine

something to sit on (have used car seats in past for kids), something to cook on, eat from and sleep on and under.

Small tables make things easier.

Lamps are a must, as is a warm jumper and waterproofs.

A fleecy top. Even though you might think they look horrid, you'll be glad when it gets cool.

We are off for our fist camp soon, here is what we have so far...
Large tent,
Inflatable matresses, (I flatly refuse to sleep on the ground)
Folding table,
Electric coolbox, (will be power available)
Gazebo as our tent is not HUGE, am planning to put it next to the entrance to the tent to provide sitting/cooking room.
Single ring stove,
BBQ,
Pans,
crockery and cutlery,
Valium,
Beer,
pear cider.
Obviously we will have all the usual sundries on top.
A question I have is:
How the hell do you transport all the stuff you need? Im going to have to take a trailer!!

Valium??

0h, and we gave in and bought a roof box!

MisSalLaneous, have you been camping???

Something to pee in in the middle of the night

Ah, but Saggy, I only camp at tiny sites, and all that fresh air knocks us all out anyway! I take it you're (half?)joking anyway?

You don't need vallium! Where's your Girl Guide spirit, woman? (round my way, we call that wine )

YY to a warm jumper; and socks, even if you wear summery shoes in teh day of an evening you will want socks to keep snug.

I don't have girl guide spirit. I was sacked from the brownies because I got annoyed as I was so little that I wasn't allowed to do my cooking badge as i couldn't see over the top of the cooker, and because brown owl made her daughter sizer even though I was older than her!

Sixer!

we're setting off for France soon too!

Have you got all your 'driving in France' stuff - headlight deflectors, warning triangle, fire extinguisher, documentation etc.? That was the bit we weren't so aware of.

We ummed and ahhed about buying camping chairs too, but they weren't that expensive (ours were £5 each) and we've been glad of them - nice to sit and drink your coffee in a proper chair after sleeping on the ground.

Personally can't live without foam earplugs and/or an ipod. If you have noisy tent neighbours you'll be so glad you packed them...

THANK YOU everyone! Most helpful. Driving in France stuff, yes, becstarlitsea, had not thought of that ... and will make sure we pack the Valium and the pear cider, Saggyoldclothcatpuss
OOh getting excited now!

Small brush to brush out the tent floor.
Will your pitch have a socket? In which case a small kettle is handy, and a fridge box.

Also utensils and bowls etc that pack away easily.

Have a nice time!

oh and mosquito repellant somewhere handy, we were swarmed with them when we got to the site at 10pm.