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???

My PIL although they take their caravan take a small cheap 2 man for the kids to play in and to chuck all the toys in at night to stop the rabbits playing with them and keep them out of the caravan or in your case the main tent.

I have seen quite a lot of people set up with a 2.5m gazebo in front of the tent, it would more than double the living space and be high enough to stand up in, space for table and chairs, safer for cooking in. You can get a basic one for £15 or pay more and get one with sides.

I sell packs of 3 safety night lights, thay look like real tea lights but are actually bulbs, very romantic once the kids are in bed or a reasuring but safe light for kids, sory for the plug .