Ok, novice camper going camping next weekend with 4yo and 8 mo. Tell me everything I need to know/take/how to survive!

[Bumperlicioso]

We are going camping for 2 nights next weekend. As well as us four there will be my dad and 2 teen bro's, another family with 2 similar aged kids with whom we have camped once before and another couple and little one who we don't know.

Dh and I have camped once or twice alone then we took 2 yo dd1 with my dad and the other family. But now we are 4 with a just crawling, weaning (mostly blw) baby.

What do I need to take/know, especially in terms of things like food? I don't even have a cool box. I should get one right? Are they expensive? What are easy camping/baby friendly foods? How do I manage a kamikaze crawling baby, nappies, toilet trips? We are going to Britchcombe farm (after a recommendation on here). It's family friendly but basic I think.

I am not a natural camper and share with dd1 a phobia of spiders and daddy long legs (is it too early for them yet?). Reassure me and please help me come up with a list!

We have a travel tent like thing (borrowed) for dd2, a crap sleeper at the best of times. Two foam mats, 3 sims (Lidl - thanks again MNetters!). Sleeping bags for dh and I but not dd1 (essential?). Dd1 is nearly 4 and dd2 8 months and trouble

Worst comes to worst we are only an hour from home...

You need something to keep dd1 warm - are you taking her duvet?

I don't camp but I gather it is vital not to forget your washing up bowl and yes you need a cool box!

cook evening meals before you go and freeze them, then take them out on day you leave. Yes buy a cool box.
I also had a all in one rainsuit for dd2 when she was smaller, so she could crawl about without getting too wet in the mornings/if it had rained.
CHange nappies in the tent and get a bucket for night time wee's.
I would get dd1 a sleeping bag but also take a quilt, it gets very cold at night.

I take cool box, sleeping bags and self inflating mats (not airbeds as they retain very cold air!), a box to store essential food in (pot noodles, supanoodles etc) that are quick and easy to cook as a snack. (can also double up as a washing bowl). Your DD1 needs a sleeping bag and a mat same as the adults as it is cold lying on the ground, or at least something comfy and warm to lie on and a duvet. Warm clothes, spare clothes, bat and ball, kite, cards, colouring books and normal books. Am sure it will be fine. People do manage. Keep the tent zipped shut or the flysheets down as this will deter spiders etc.

Thanks all. Best get a cool box and sleeping bag then. We are taking two cars because both are tiny and now we have two kids but going to stuff them full of bedding and blankets. Waterproof all in one a good idea, though loath to buy one that will fit for such little time.

Can't believe no-one has mentioned wine on the essentials list yet...

If you don't want to shell out for an all-in-one then go for some waterproof trousers in a bigger size. DS was in a rolled-up pair of age 2-3 trousers at 8 months & will be wearing them for the 3rd summer this year (he's 2 now). We also had some of the outdoor fleece all-in-ones in a bigger size which went on over the top of vest, sleepsuit and walk-in sleeper for cooler camps, and then doubled as outdoor wear a bit later in the year.

Some sort of trug is a good idea for washing little ones, as a lot of sites only have showers. Having said that, for a weekend I'd just let them get grubby!

Cool box / bag is v useful, but you won't necessarily need one per family - do any of the others going have one?

You will survive any creepy crawly encounters, and you'll have a fab time.

At 8 months I put ds in fleecy warm sleepsuit and grobag type sleeping bag then used the cosy toes thing from the pushchair to sleep in..

dd1 will definately need something - and would recommend thermals (Primark had some a couple of weekends ago) under pjs - and hats for both of them - you can out them on them once asleep if they wont go with them on..

best thing (from mnet) get them ready for bed about tea-time so don't get cold getting ready - ds looks like michelin man with his thermals/pjs and trousers sweatshirts on top.....but much easier to do then than tired and grumpy and cold - not a good combo...

we will be at Britchcombe as well - 1 green/1 blue/1 beige (ish) tents. kids= 7,6,5,5,2 - 1 boy rest all girls!

have a pair of waterproof dungarees that could be made to fit your dd if shes tallish...

Thanks for all the tips.

Great 3rdnparty, my dad has booked one of the tipis! So you won't be able to miss us with that plus tents, about 5 little ones and two red head teenagers!

Thanks for the offer of dungarees, but I managed to get an all in one for dd2, it was £15 and for aged 12m. Got a half price cool box too and a reduced sleeping bag for dd2.

Any other things I might not think of? Wine is a given! My dad will no doubt bring Perudo . Hopefully the other children around will mean I dont have to take too much to amuse dd1.

We'll be there from Saturday btw.

The tipis looked fab we got a nose round them when we went last year... v cool..