Five years ago we bought a cheap four berth to see if we likes caravanning. We did and have just upgraded to one with more space and a fixed bed. Really looking forward to our three weeks in Cornwall now!
The Caravan Club s a good way to start off. All the main sites are spotlessly clean and well equipped so you get no nasty surprises when you first start out. You'll usually find someone offers to help if you look unsure about what you're doing too.
We use the dreaded plastic crockery and glasses because we don't like the thought of breaking something on the grass or gravel and leaving a bit behind to get stuck in a child's foot or similar.
If you have children a porch awning is a great place to put bikes, wellies, a picnic table and keep the inside of the caravan mud and food free.
DVDs and board games are great for rainy days but TBH children often go out anyway. Walkie-talkies are a great way to keep track of the children too.
You need a basket or washing up bowl to take your pots up to the washing up area if,like me, you'd prefer a good supply of hot water and a bit more space to wash up after a large meal.
A few fleece blankets are good if you get a chilly night and need an extra layer on top. They are also good to put under you when sitting outside socialising in the evenings as fabric seats let a lot of heat out downwards.
Use carrier bags as bins and send a family member to throw it away before you go to bed so you don't smell the contents all night.
Buy something to coil your electricity hook up cable on or it will become a horrendous tangle in your locker.
Clean the kitchen and bathroom areas just before you leave while you still have power and water.
Practice reversing the caravan in an empty car park before you arrive on your first site.
Take a decent torch for finding the toilet block at night.