Camping with the family - what do I need to get?

[bluebear]

I'm counting down the days til our first camping holiday with the kids and we haven't even got a tent yet!

Tent aside - what gadgets are necessities and which are nice 'extras' and what is to be avoided?
I've done a lot of camping, with my dad and siblings when I was a youth ( paraffin tilley lamps that were always a bit scarey ), and then with friends in life before kids (kit was tent, sleeping bag, trangier, cool box), but not sure what I should be yearning after for our family trips.
The children are 4 and 2 yrs...
Am wondering about tent heaters, cookers, chairs???

We got one of these picnic tables with 4 seats that fold out - a great buy. Other than that, I'd say a very powerful torch or latern, and something comfy to sleep on - perhaps a self-inflating lilo? Oh - and very warm jammies!

A box of wine for when they're in bed.

the phone number of a nearby hotel!

We've got a Picasso and are now contemplating a trailer

I'd add:

Rigid coolbox
Foldable crates to keep stuff from migrating round tent
More wine!

s'alright we've got a big boot.

So, Wine.....and some other stuff...I think I've got the idea

Another question - do I need to book the sites months ahead now I'm stuck with school holiday times...I don't think I used to pre-book a pitch, but not such a problem when you don't have excited little people in tow.

Sallystrawberry - I bought one of those crates from Tesco last week - dd managed to break it before it even got through the hallway (a personal best for her - she's broken the last 4 within a few days of purchase, it's a special skill she has)

Someone has said that those pop-up basket things are good - to keep things stored away around the tent (and dd-proof hopefully)

these are reduced in ikea which will be very handy for laundry and bits and bobs. fold away nicely so wont take up much room. i can fit 3 washing machine loads in mine.

We took one of those little plastic greenhouses for storage last year, it was fab. We also use the hanging things with loads of pockets to put matches, bottle opener, little things in.

Did anyone mention a bucket for the midnight wee? I used dd's potty last year and used to fill it each morning. It was rather precarious getting it from inside to outside the tent.

Oh hurray Misdee - a reason to visit IKEA - I've been aching to go and dream about furniture but didn't want to tell dh (as I know that we can't afford any for some time), but now I can go with a purpose

Earplugs.

I had trouble getting up off it too. Buckets are a much more sensible height.

I took our old nappy bucket for midnight wees - it has a lid. Much better than an ordinary bucket - less likely to spill if it gets knocked over, contains the wee smell a bit, and less embarrassing carrying it to the sluice in the morning.

Wee wee bucket essential (especially when 7 months pregnant).
Clothes line and pegs if going somewhere near water.
Wellies and raincoats if camping in UK
Sarongs much better than towels (less space to pack and get dry quickly. One for showers, one for beach.)
Flask (for tea or keeping milk cold/fresh)
Wine. Oh yes.