First camping experience!

[foodiefreckle]

It's my hubby's b-day this weekend so, seeing as he's been trying to persuade me to go for the last 10 years, I thought I would finally give in and give it a go.

I'm a bit nervous! We've chosen a site with good facilities, family bathrooms (we have two young girls), showers etc. Even a little hut with shared fridge etc.

I'm at a total loss at how to prepare though! Hubby has done it many times before and I'm trusting him to bring the necessary cookware etc.

I guess I'm just after tips for a first timer! We're only going for 2 nights - thought I'd break myself in gently!

I've always hated the idea of it as my hair needs washing at least every other day, and sadly, thanks to a mahoosive forehead, can't get away with just tying it back -_- so in actual fact sadly, I guess it's safe to say that vanity has been the main culprit in holding me back!

Any tips/reassurances, greatly received _

Do a dummy run of cooking in the garden first, just take the basics, hot dogs go down well and are easy to warm up, just do basic food If you have a fridge and microwave just buy ready meals, its no fun cooking all the time you are meant to be on holiday.
In the past we have used kids packets of precooked pasta just warm it up with the sauce, cheap easy and filling

Blankets under your beds are really good against the cold, which it will be at night. I generally takes hats for us to sleep in and as much bedding as I can squeeze in.

Yes to hats, consider hot water bottles too. Duvets if you can fit them in the car and sleep in lots of layers. The nights are chilly at this time of year but the days are warm.

As it's your husbands birthday I'd have a pub meal/ takeaway one night and something your kids are likely to eat the other. Pasts and sauce or hot dogs are easy with salad bits. Wine helps.

Above all relax and enjoy being outdoors, your kids will love it.

Have you got blow up beds for the adults?they need a camping mat underneath or the cold just comes up from the ground. kids fine on just camping mats. Take duvets and pillows.
Egg and bacon for breakfast, great start to the day. Sandwiches for lunch. Fresh tortellini and pesto and veg for dinner.

Think through everything you need to cook it and put it in a plastic box. I think cooking outside is the best but.
Really warm clothes for the evening.
I only camp where you can have a fire, but if not the primus becomes a focus!

theres a helpful camping group if you have any questions

www.facebook.com/groups/undercanvas/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

Thanks everyone! I've bought burgers and hotdogs, taking beans, eggs and bacon for a one pot style breakfast. We'll be out for most of the day Sunday at a local attraction.
I had imagined taking duvets, Husband seems to think that just the sleeping bags will be enough? 😕 Was planning on at least taking fleecy blankets for the girls and although it's going to be a warm weekend, taking their thick coats and jumpers just in case.

Would you all recommend a camping toilet? They have great facilities but it's across the field and wondering about if the girls need to go in the night. Would a loo be overkill though considering the facilities already available?

Loo is overkill, esp if you end up this being your only camping trip. Some decent head torches will be useful and make sure you have them in reach when you sleep.
Depending on age of children they get hungry before we can be arsed to cook breakfast so something to keep them going - croissants, waffles, cereal bars. Just gives you a chance to faff cooking without whining children

Sleeping bags will be fine but take pillows

Get a loo!!! Best thing I took when we went camping. It made life so much easier in the morning/at night. Mine were 5 and 7 but I used it just as much as they did 😳😂

It is a Kampa Khazi and quite large though but it'll definitely be coming again this year!

Sleeping bags will be fine so long as they are decent ones, you need "three season" bags. Absolutely must take pillows - we forgot them once and was at tesco the next morning buying new ones!!

Saying that i don't other with sleeping bags. We prefer our duvet. So i sleep on a self inflating matress - these are great but £££ so not worth investing if its a one ofc trip. I put a matress cover on it and voila its like better than my bed at home!

Enjoy

You don't need a loo. They take up too much space. There are trees to go behind!

Flip flops to wear to the showers, a decent hoodie for the chilly evenings and to throw on in the morning, more blankets than you think you'll need, a decent wash bag (one that can be hung up is best).

Just noticed the date, so this is too late. Hope you're having a great time. What fab weather for you!

Misty, we go today (for tonight and tomorrow!) So your message was great, thank you!

I think we're sorted. Hubby has most of it which is reassuring. Gonna grab the loo on route as it'll come in handy anyway for when we renovate the bathroom! And the law of sod has meant AF started yesterday 😖 Also need to nip to the supermarket so will grab some croissants etc - great idea.

Wish me luck! Ha!

Don't forget the corkscrew.

I wouldn't bother with the loo - they are gross to empty. Tree's for midnight pees.

Bathmat / small sacrificial towel for using the showers - it keeps your feet dry, warm and clean as you come out of the shower.

Couple of large shopping bags for keeping things dry in the shower (one for clean other for dirty).

Get a Buff/thick headband, @foodiefreckle ! I too am overly blessed in the forehead department so when I go camping and need to tie my hair back, a hairband disguises it a bit 😁

Corkscrew, matches, hats as it's still very cold at night!
Bin bag, electric hook up, flip flops and fold up chairs

Duvets as well as sleeping bags it’s cold at night!
Ear plugs
Hot water bottles
Forget the loo
Bucket
Big trug perfect for keeping all your dirty washing up in and carting it to the washing spots
Crocs or flip flops
Sturdy boxes with lids for packing then can be used as make shift tables
Torches
Battery run Fairy lights for making your tent pretty
You can just wash your fringe and use dry shampoo for the rest?
Warm pyjamas
A couple of games- cards, milky, kupp game

Interested to know How you enjoyed your trip OP?

Would guess op +the whole fam have been washed away....