Lessons learned from first camping trips?

[PolkadotRosa]

Going camping next weekend, very excited, but it's all very new to us! Going with DH and our LO's (21mths & 4 yrs) taking a borrowed tent on on pitch without an electric hook up and meeting two friends and their children there.
Have got some great ideas re: what to take from threads on here but would like to be well prepared!

What do you wish you'd known/thought of before you camped, or what things do you always make sure you do?
Can't wait for our little outdoor adventure! Thanks:)

Didn't discover quite how many uses baby wipes had until a few camping trips in...
Take sealed bags of pancake making stuff (including choc chips) then all you need to add is the egg and milk. Very useful when its wet and the kids are beyond fed up!!
Have a great trip.

The DC's will wake at sparrow fart :o
You need to be prepared for a quick exit if you are not going to be the campsite pariah.
Also it is Very Unwise to allow free access to the fruit bowl which coincides with a day at a PYO farm. Small boy snugly zipped into sleeping bag

Take glowsticks! Kids love them and they're simpler than torches for littlie (just don't let them chew them..) Can be hung up as night lights too.

I've always found that packing clothes etc in the big, square reusable shopping bags in easier (easier packing at the end too!!)

Expect to get rained on at some point. If you expect it, it's somehow less annoying when it happens lol.

Check out your nearest supermarket/cafe that does breakfasts so you can escape the site early if you're all up.

And as the previous poster said - Babywipes!!

Bucket with lid.... just in case it's pouring with rain in the middle of the night! Warm fleece. Shoes the kids can get on and off easily (wellies/crocs).

A head torch for the 4 year old, he will love it! I always got glow in the dark jammies for mine too for camping.

Food you can prepare easily even in howling wind, mine was tinned beans and sausages and grated cheese, it's ok even Luke warm if that's all you can manage.

I always had a set of clothes for everyone in a plastic bag hidden in the car so if all else fails everyone can get warm and dry.

Ziplock bag filled with wet flannel and a dash of J&J baby cologne - really refreshing for a quick wash if you don't fancy the communal showers.

Earplugs and one of those eye masks they give you on planes, unless you want to wake up at the crack of dawn.

Merino long johns from TK Max ski section, they're warm, light and generally ace as PJ's for camping.

Don't overpack - camping's not about having all the mod cons of being at home, it's about getting back to nature!

Take a hot water bottle and wooly hat ( it's amazing how cold it can get at night even on the hottest day)
We are seasoned campers pre child but we are taking our 17 month old next month and I am a teeny bit nervous

Agree with probablyme I always pack for camping in ikea big blue bags. Dead easy.

And baby wipes all the way!

Wow everyone. Thank you! Great tips, very helpful. All noted and will help us enjoy our 1st camping experience even more, I'm sure.

They don't go to sleep at the usual time.

When packing your never need as many pairs of shoes as you think you do.

(I often say it but I took no less than 4 pairs for our first weekend holiday in our camper and only wore one)

We pack clothes in big banana buckets. That way they are protected from floods too. Though my other tip is to camp close enough to home that you can decamp if it gets too rough.

You can never have too much Deet

Uno cards save all days

Thermals

Hot water bottle, earplugs, fairy lights(ones with battery pack) always look pretty and your tent is easily identifiable in the dark. Clothes airer. Thermals, onesies for the kids. Have fun!

Bring colouring or activity books, or similar, because the DC wake up at about 3am and at that time, I'm pretty much brain dead, so it's easy for them to either get the books and entertain themselves, or for me to chuck some over so they keep quiet. Only way we've survived camping.

Hand warmer. I always have one hand warmer and a hot water bottle for warmth, couldn't do without them!

Don't forget the corkscrew.

Agree with packing in ziplock bags as it's easy to identify the DCs clothes rather than rummaging through your bags.

Slip on sandals for showers and easy to get in and out of tents.

A colouring book/stickers for early mornings or wet afternoons.

Baby wipes and kitchen towels are fab for wiping up mess and spills.

Plastic bags for rubbish, wet shoes, clothes etc.

Put kids to sleep in separate bits of the tent if you want some sleep and expect the first night to be pants but lots of fresh air and play subsequent nights should get some sleep!
We just came back and the nearly 3yr old went down around 8.30pm and was asleep by 9.15pm and the 7yr old at 9.30pm and asleep by 10pm much to our surprise but only in separate sides of the tent we had to sleep separately with them but they slept till 7.30am!
Took old nappy bucket with lid and was godsend for midnight wees, and potty for the toddler.
We did boiled eggs in wraps for breakfast with a smear of ketchup on the wrap, they liked that as they could hold them to eat. Also porridge in a mug, mix of hot water and milk then just leave for 5mins and stir in dried fruit eat with a spoon toddler liked this.
Quick access shoes for wet grass walks early in morning, wellies ideal.
We had fab time and can't wait to go again hope you do too.

Neighter of my DDs like being in a sleeping bag...it was warm 15-17c overnight. So all in ones PJs and sleeping on top of a blanket and sheet with sleeping bag on top open when needed.
I'm going to make sheet sleeping bags from old duvet covers for our next trip to France in August as the bags were just too warm

Crocs
Hot water bottle
Lots of snacks. Kids get super hungry camping
Warm bed socks
Sleeping mask
Ear plugs

Looking back to our first camping trip, I'd say 'Remember the tent poles'

Life is much easier camping with kids if you just all go to sleep at the same time, whatever that is. Then being up at the crack is much more OK too.

TravelJohns (I'm evangelistic about them)
Sacrificial bath mat. Forget flip flops in the shower. Crappy old bath mat's where it's at
Funnel neck fleece. For freezing cold nights, hoodies are annoying in bed. I just got a particularly alluring one from Men's M&S.

I could go on, but I'd just fill your boot with 'essentials'...