We're virgins - what do we need?!

[FusionChefGeoff]

Bought a fuck off blow up tent 6 berth for us and 2 small DC - now hoping to fill it by spending some Xmas money but haven't got a clue what we will need!

Hoping to take it to Bestival but also 3/4 night UK breaks at first - possibly up to a week once we get more confident!

Stove - 2 burner? Grill necessary?? Table thingy to create a 'kitchen'?
Gas? Size / type?
Blow up beds 2 x doubles or get singles for kids (4 and 2 now but will obviously get bigger!)
Sheets / sleeping bags - just bog std or anything to think about?
Got a table and 4 stool and a couple of camping chairs
Pots / pans / cups / plastic glasses Any particular advice on these?
Lights - what type and how many??
Torches?

God, I'm getting a bit overwhelmed thinking about it all

Has anyone got a tried and tested packing list they could copy paste that might give me a steer on what we might need?

Hope to 'see' a lot more of you all on this board this year!

Umbrellas, wellies, cagoules, buckets for bailing water out of tent, waterproof mascara, spare clothes.☔️

Just kidding... have fun

So stupid sleeping bag question - I like the look of these
www.mountainwarehouse.com/camping/sleeping-bags/3-4-season-sleeping-bags/microlite-1400-sleeping-bag-p13096.aspx/orange

They zip together - should I get 1 left and 1 right to make that happen?

They look lovely. Yes re the L and R, although we don't zip ours together any more, due to the draught you get down the gap. But get the pair anyway.

Of course if it's hot you just leave a bit of the zip undone.

Alpkit are a good site for sleeping mats, we have their Dozer mats. Personally find two singles easier to pack than doubles and give you flexibility if one of you has to sleep in with a child etc. The thing is, a self inflating mat and a sleeping bag, plus a pillow or cushion, gives you everything you need for sleeping, packed compactly, no extra foil or blankets or duvets etc.

So for sleeping I reckon I'll go with single dream catcher SIMS x 2 for adults plus sleeping bags then 2 x decathlon foil backed mats for kids plus sleeping bags. We can add the camp beds after the trial run if we think we need them / can fit them in...

I'd never even heard of a SIM until a couple of days ago - are they really better than a blow up air bed??

I much prefer a SIM to a blow up bed. But I have always hated blow ups. It is a matter of personal choice, but fact that SIMS, and foam mats, offer better insulation.

Self inflating mats were developed because airbeds are too cold (big tank of cold night air under you) and foam roll mats are not very comfortable except for kids/hardcore outdoor types. So you get enough cushioning but the insulation as well.

If you've ever slept on ordinary foam (like in a caravan), it's quite comfortable but really bulky to take camping. The self inflating mat is a layer of foam but packs down much smaller.