Camping for a whole week! What non essentials do I need?

[Mrsmulder]

We are on the verge of booking a camping trip for 7 nights. I have never done more than 2 before so am stressing about my comfort! I need to be warm so am thinking about buying a gas heater. We will also probably go for electric pitch. We have the essentials and a decent size tent but I am thinking of maybe taking a slow cooker for food. Is that possible? And also what other luxury items do you think are worth paying for? We are saving by staying in a tent rather than a caravan and plan to camp quite a bit over the summer so have a bit of spare cash for more camping stuff

Now me personally, I also take a potty if it's a busy site. If I can't stick my arse out the tent to pee in the night then I go in a potty. (Also gone in a jug before). Depends how close to the lavs you are. But also useful for smaller children who can't take themselves alone. Until they knock it over

Will never ever understand why people camp
So my only suggestion would be lots and lots of alcohol

Loads of wine!!!! You'll be fine!!!! Guck loads ... You know what that was meant to say !!!!

Ha ha, nocapes because caravan is £600 + and camping is £180. Don't worry I will have the car full of wine and probably forget the tent!

Yeah with a 4 and 2 year old I will definitely take a potty and maybe use it myself if I have had too much wine

No gas or electric heaters. None!!!

Wear lots of thin layers, thick socks and keep bedrooms zipped up during the day/evening so they stay a bit warmer.

I really can't stress too much about no heaters.

Compact fridges are great but can be pricey depending on size. And unless you have a trailer you will struggle to get it all in your car.

Puffa / Ski jacket plus hat, scarf and gloves for sitting out.

Slippers for inside the tent.

Sturdy storage units

Plastic buckets - the flexible trug variety. Brilliant for shoes, dry goods storage and a bin, if necessary. Really, don't use a gas heater in the tent. We have a portable kitchen table with the cooker fixed up under the awning outside, with a windbreak to help. If you are really concerned about the cold, you can buy a small, electric heater and run it off the hook up - just turn it off before bed. I also recommend battery candles off ebay and battery fairy lights from ikea in a jam jar - no fuss, practically waterproof and gives a good amount of light.

If you like wine, buy it in box format with a siphon. It save messing around with corks and does not matter if you knock it over. Plus, you can freeze it, use it as an ice pack for milk etc. on the way down, then enjoy chilled white wine once the tent is up.

I have never tried a slow cooker on a campsite, although I have reheated stews and curries from home.

As the children are so little.... Do they have puddle suits? All in ones?

I'd recommend them. It will be dewy in May. They will go outside and get wet. And you will run out of clothes.

And by me saying that hopefully we will have a freak heatwave.

Yes they have waterproof dungarees and jackets. I am also hoping for a freak heatwave!

I have an electric heater - it's lovely and not dangerous (I thought!)

My kids have onesies and sleeping bags with duvets on top

welly boots are a must for damp mornings

and wine for cold evenings

What is the matter with an electric heater?

Apart from the fact that they must be a terrible waste of electricity, in a tent - basically paying to heat the sky?

We camped with friends who had an electric heater, and their tent was toasty warm. They only used it to make sure warm when went to bed and then back on when got up early. (We now have a 'tin tent' so heating plumbed in)
Hot water bottles
A caffetierre is worth packing for decent coffee, (and Baileys!) :)
A collapsible crate for holding all the washing up.
Glo-sticks for the kids
Phone numbers of local takeaway places that deliver to campsites.

You can use a picnic rug as a "carpet" to add extra insulation.
I take flip flops to shower in.
We have a cool box that plugs into the car or the tent hook up.

yes it heats our tent up nicely! lovely and warm

I also pack the opposite of nice coffee - Kenco 3 in 1

but it's faff free

I have a fridge - keeps the wine and cider bacon cool

Crocs for shower

Bunting and fairy lights

Yes to coffee sticks you can often pick up packs in poundshops

I always take a feather duvet rather than sleeping bags, and on last camping trip I managed to sneak my hammock and stand into an already tightly packed car! It was lovely and I was able to hide from DD and get a bit of peace and quiet in there

Paper plates and paper cups