Camping Virgin - what must I take to have a successful time...?

[idealism]

3 Days camping trip planned for UK in the summer hols. Have tent, sleeping bags, mats/ blow up mattresses. Just bought some plastic plates and cups, but surely I need more. Am happy to beg, borrow or adapt things, but what do I need to make the trip go well. DS is 5 and DD is 8. Can't believe I've got to my age and never been for longer than a night before!

Board games and a pack of cards? I'm planning on going for our first time for a night or two as well, so I shall keep checking back! Something to sit on like those fold up chairs would be handy too. A gas cooker thing and fold up saucepans (got ours from poundland!), water carrier and washing up bowl.

Definitely table and chairs, they make a huge difference, and plenty of lanterns/torches etc (and spare batteries for them). Pack of cards, books for everyone, and radio for when it rains. Football/swing ball etc for when it doesn't and you want to chill in the evening. And don't forget the corkscrew

Since you've camped before, albeit overnight, you'll probably know the basics.

I'd say make sure you've got enough warm and dry clothes, especially for the children. Take a hot water bottle, even in summer, just in case as nights can be surprisingly cold. It takes up no packing space, and can make such a difference.

Head torch for late night reading / toilet runs.

Marshmallows.

How will you cook?

Adsa have some good single burner stoves for £9 if you need a cooker

great stuff, keep it coming!
Will check out poundland. was thinking chairs may be a waste of money, but will go on your tips and get some.

I don't know about you but I hate sitting on the floor, so chairs are a must for sitting reading while DP kicks a ball about with the kids ;) or for enjoying some late evening relaxtion and eating etc.

I have a fair few bits from poundland, enamel plates and cups etc, they do those disposable bbqs as well that I'm thinking of picking up to take alongside our little stove.

My main worry is having nowhere to charge my phone - how will I cope!!! Lol

You can get solar rechargers for phones etc - just need a spot of sun though.

asda have 2 fold up chairs for £10

Asda and the poundshop for all your basic camping needs

Cool box?
Wellies

Thanks Beamur, I didn't know that!

Thanks Beamur, I didn't know that!

Marking my place because we are going for the first time in August.

I'm useless wilthout a strong cup of coffee in the morning so I take a stove top extresso pot.

Tea towels are also important - for some reason I always forget to pack more than one, I suppose because at home everything goes in the dishwasher.

On the same subject, washing up liquid and sponge. I never forget these as they are in my camping box.

Also in the box are - rubber mallet, matches, spare batteries and torches, washing line, dog lead, hair brush, sugar lumps, mosquito repellant burners, chess game, ...