What have I forgotten?! Please check my list!

[DexterMama]

DP, DS (20mo) and I (and DPs extended family) are going camping for the first time this weekend. I'm actually meeting them later off the train as I have to work so it's safe to say I'm nervous about packing not enough/too much and if I'm forgetting anything totally obvious or something I wouldn't have thought of.

I have googled extensively and read lots of good articles but if any of you veteran campers have any good tips or things to bring, especially food for toddler DS, then I'd be so grateful.

Here's my list-

CAMPING PACKING LIST

FOOD
Snacks for DS (crisps, cake bars, fruit rolls, bananas)
Brioches
Instant porridge
Almond milk
Tea bags

STUFF
Baby wipes X 4 packs
Phone charger
Toothbrushes & paste
Sun cream
Toiletries
Toilet paper
Kitchen roll
Picnic blanket
Blankets
Spare carrier bags
Water bottles
First aid kit
Bucket and spade
Baby carrier
Nappies
Camping lights
Head torch
Tent
Sleeping mats
Pillows
Yoga mats
Camping chairs

CLOTHES
Trousers X 4
Rompers X 2
Short sleeved tops X 4
Long sleeved tops X 4
Shorts X 2
Grey hoody and jumper
Pyjamas X 3
Sleeping Bag
Socks X 5
Towels X 3
Muslins
Swimming costume

Bin bags and dustpan and brush....gin

Not an essential, but a small paddling pool was a life saver for me when the DCs were under two. If you are going past the supermarket at some point, just get a cheap one from there. Blow it up, plonk all the toys in and take the shoes off. Voila: a mud-free play section.

It also works well for the beach to keep the sand out.

Hot water bottle
Maybe flask might be useful

@TheABC Good one. At festivals, we used this to bath the kids in too.

Sleeping bags
PLastic bags to hang up with your stuff in, un the shower.
S hooks / butchers hooks to hang stuff over the shower door (never enough hooks)
Flip flops or crocs to wear into shower
Mugs

How did you get on, Dextermama?

We got on pretty well @Shouldbedoing thank you!

Didn't feel like I'd 'forgotten' anything (thanks to all the great suggestions here!) but next time I would definitely make sure we bought our own cooking stuff rather than sharing amongst a group. Only because you're then reliant on them waking up at a similar time to use the cooker, bowls, spoons etc so it's probably easier to be self sufficient in that regard.

The campsite was okay (parkfarm in East Sussex) but very busy and noisy at night so not that toddler friendly. However the loos and showers were clean as was the site.

It did get cold at night and DS just wanted to snuggle in with me rather than the Kampa bed (typical!) so I ended up on the floor and him on my mattress not so comfy at 6months pregnant! He slept okay though luckily and didn't rise too early.

Would also possibly splash out on a blackout sleeping compartment next time. SIL had one and it was really dark even in day time and that would've helped when putting DS down before the sun had set.

I can totally see why people get in to camping and i finally get the appeal of camper vans too.

Also! Really glad we didn't bother with the buggy, the carrier was sufficient for us (well for DP.. he did all the carrying!) but then DS is very active and prefers to walk.

Also we only bought one toy which was his little train tracks and 2 trains and that was actually used quite a lot and him and his cousin played pretty nicely on that for a little while

We went to Hastings on sat which was nice but was much better at about 3ish when the tide went out and the kids could splash in the shallows.