We're backpackers normally but now have 2DD, what do we need for family camping?

[LeslieWinkle]

We're hoping to take advantage of sales at the end of the summer camping season ready for camping next summer. DH and I normally went backpacking each summer but have missed 2 summers whilst we had our 2 DDs, next summer will be our first 'family camp' - what do you think we will need?

We will be selling our backpacking tent in favour of something massive like the Vango Amazon 600. I like the idea of buying a big tent that we hopefully won't grow out of. I want 3 bedrooms and lots of living space, any suggestions on the tent front?

When we go next year we will have a 12mo and a 2.4yo, is there anything that you can recommend that will make life easier? I'd really like to buy things in the sales this year, it will spread the cost nicely for us.

I know this might not be affordable but we've found a trailer tent absolutely great for family camping. We bought it second hand and kept it about 12 years - just sold it recently. You can usually view second hand ones at dealers. Sometimes they've hardly been used.

Sandripples - We had one when I was a kid and it was great but I'm no sure I can drive with a trailer on the thought terrifies me!

Oh dear. I hate to break it to you but you will end up with enough stuff to fill about 25 backpacks. Have you got a big car ?

Look out for cookers/pans, sleeping bags/mats, coldbox, chairs, table, lights/torches, travel cot.

Also grab some warm fleecy pyjamas for the DDs over the winter (DS's have snowmen on them!) then they will never be cold.

Green - I'm sure you're right! I was thinking of getting the biggest roof box we can find!

We have the Vango Amazon 800 and it really is terrific. Brilliant for bad weather as you can put table, chairs everthing inside and still see out. I'd say you need pretty much what you have at home. We started off with DH's single-man's camping stuff and it's gradually grown and grown. I'd suggest a cooker style hob (rather than a gas cannister with a bracket on the top) as they are much safer with little ones around. Also we have a sort of shelf unit which we put the cooker on, again for safety. We have a fold up table and chairs, blow-up mattresses and then various wind-up torches, lanterns etc. Have seen suggestions of glow sticks inside jam jars as a safe night-light for children, but not tried it as my children are a bit older.

Top tip for the tent - make sure you can all get in one bedroom (or get a tent with zip together bedrooms) for wile your dc are young. There's nothing worse than having to get out of your sleeping bag, zip out of your bedroom, shuffle across the tent and unzip dc's bedroom before you can find out what the problem is if they wake in the night.

Get a good tent with steel poles, not the bendy ones. The steel ones withstand bad weather far better.

Get a carpet for your tent - yes really! It makes it much warmer and playing on the floor is almost comfortable!