Complete camping virgin needs a master class on the basics.

[MustTidyUpMustTidyUp]

I have a tent. That is it. Want enough stuff to go camping with DH and DCs (6,4,2) for a couple of nights, locally, to start with whilst we find our camping feet.
What do I need? (On a budget ie as cheap as poss)
I assume something to sleep on and in and something to cook on and eat off?
Any recommendations?
TIA

Yes there might be dog wee, but not in (possibly adult) human-style quantities.

And yes, DS does like to explore hedges etc around the tent. It's what being in the great outdoors is supposed to be about and he's too small to go exploring further afield on his own.

Well we just use a nappy bucket that works well.
You might want to go to dog free camp sites because of dog poo/piss though Quen as I always see dog owners out and about with their dogs peeing in the hedges/around trees etc, especially if your little one likes to crawl in hedges.

One more to add ( have been sorting camping stuff out ) - those supermarket wine bags with six compartments are quite handy for holding cups, cutlery and utensils.

mock crocks! I know they are the shoe style forgot but they really come into their own for camping and you can buy kiddy sizes in the £1 shops nowadays.

So handy for slipping on in order to nip to the loo with little people at 5 am, also great for wearing in the shower if the hygiene standards are less than you'd like etc. I'd never go camping without a pair for everyone in the party.

A picnic blanket with a waterproof underside - so many uses as the grass in the UK is always damp even in a heatwave. A total necessity with kids.

My preference is always to take a gilly or kelly kettle in order to guarantee my am coffee supply no matter what! Originally designed to ensure Cornish and Irish fishermen still got their cuppa in the fiercest storm they can handle anything the average camping hol can throw at em.

They don't require gas canisters and can be fueled with moss/twigs/your rubbish so incur no additional expense. I like the idea of an open fire but find my trusty gillie kettle a much safer option with young children/dogs as the the fire is enclosed, (which also means they never fall foul of the fashion for banning open fires some campsites embrace).

Don't get too stressed about food prep would be my biggest tip. I've yet to have a camping trip where we didn't give in to the urge for fish and chips or a local greasy spoon cafe brekkie at least once during our break, (usually after a day the beach or when we wake up to find it's raining cats and dogs) It is after all supposed to be a HOLIDAY!

Most of us can live on a diet of good bread, cheese or peanut butter, fruit (and wine ) for a few days without coming to any great harm. I only ever fret about taking a very,very few items specific to my son's special diet as he is dairy intolerant - otherwise in the UK you are never more than a brisk walk from a shop, or a short drive to a mainstream supermarket.

Online supermarkets will deliver to campsites if you want - a good tip is to get a bread/fruit delivery for the morning after you arrive to save lugging it with you to the site

Do pack a halfway decent small first aid kit including calpol and your favourite remedy for bug bites/stings.

For camping stuff, Mountain Warehouse is a great place to go - they have everything you need and are reasonably priced.

We always take fairy lights....not exactly essential I know but look so cosy and pretty when it's going dusk,we have a set in the DDs room inside the tent and some around the entrance as well. Solar ones are not great we use battery ones.

Hello there. I'm new to this so please be gentle with me! I'm here 'cos I get lots of enquiries from people about camping with small children for the first time. What equipment to buy is the most obvious question. You can go camping with very little equipment or you can go camping with half the shop!! It's up to you.

Please contact me if I can be of any help. I love to help ;-))