Idiots guide to camping

[LittleMissBossyBoots]

Where do you do your cooking? Is it ok to use a gas camping cooker inside the tent (big 8 person type)?

Prepared to be hungry (well we always are) - we never have cooked breakfast at home but away we have egg or bacon sarnies in the morning as we are starving!
The quicker something cooks the less gas you use, worth remembering. I think we got quick cook pasta before.
Get a good cool box, lots of sites have a communal freezer for your ice blocks (remember to label them) - if you change them regularly stuff stays cold.

I went on a site last year that had a communal microwave which was good for heating tinned things (but need to remember microwaveable dishes!).

And take hats to sleep in - even when it's warm you can still get cold!

On a scale of 'not the best idea' to 'holy shit you can't be serious' where does getting one of these for 3 year old DS sit?

Don't put the barbaque in the tent to keep you warm or you could die from carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you are going to camp frequently then I'd recommend an ICEY tek. They are a brilliant cool box. There are threads about them on here. But they really do keep things cold for 2 weeks plus, you just keep adding in ice every couple of days.

On a scale of 'not the best idea' to 'holy shit you can't be serious' where does getting one of these for 3 year old DS sit?

Well the fact that it's from a shop called 'Pets at home' might give you some clue OP. I take it you're joking??!?!?!

just wanted to make sure everyone saw this:
Don't bring BBQs inside after use either. There was an awful incident of carbon monoxide poisoning. BBQ continue to give off poisonous gas for hours after they are out.

Little Miss, that stake thing would be fine if you were near a river but other wise use a couple of windbreaks to close off an area for him to run in or pitch near the playground if the campsite has one.

Evening camping tip: make sure inner tent is zipped up before it goes cool to keep the heat of the day in. Sheets / duvet can feel a bit damp if inner tent left open in evening too.

Electricity isn't cheating, it's heaven.

Take loads of layers. I'm always freezing on the first night, but acclimatise quickly.

Take a bucket for nighttime wees.