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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Starting from scratch, advice please for camping with 3 and 4 yr olds.

52 replies

ImFree2doasiwant · 04/07/2020 23:22

Hello,

I really love camping, did a lot in my youth, but am early 40s, single, with 2 small children. I'd love to start getting a decent camping kit together, but need to start pretty much from scratch. I have a small tent which would do for a start, but am kern to get something bigger and more suitable. I have NOTHING else.

I'd be grateful for advice on
Bed/bedding for the kids
Food storage
Cooking gear
Wet weather!

What is the bare minimum? I don't have a huge budget. I think we could have some great times camping but don't want to miss anything. Being 40 something and having small children us altogether different to my past camping experiences

OP posts:
ComeBy · 08/07/2020 19:30

Bed/bedding for the kids - have you got one of those jigsaw foam mats? If so that will make a great mat to put down on the tent floor. Then maybe an extra foam roll out mat for them to sleep on. The bottom layer of a sleeping bag adds extra padding. the main thing is to keep them protected from the cold ground. They inevitably roll of blow up beds, and roll put foam mats are much quicker and easier to set up and pack up.Vests and cosy pyjamas, and socks.
Food storage plastic crates with tight fitting lids are fine. Will you take a cool box?
Cooking gear you would be able to manage with one of the little 'suitcase stoves' as you presumably won't want to spend ages cooking. Put it on a small foldlng table like this www.decathlon.co.uk/folding-coffee-table-mh100-id_8387455.html unless you are taking a bigger table. ( And do not let your kids sit on stools like this to eat, they always fall off www.decathlon.co.uk/folding-seat-id_8504370.html )
Cook pasta (maybe take the chilled stuffed tortellini as it cooks so quickly) have with pesto or add tinned sweetcorn, or a jar or stir-through sauce.
Frying pan wraps: put a tortilla wrap in a frying pan, top with grated cheese, (take ready grated in a sandwich bag), maybe a spoon of salsa or a slice of ham (which could be tinned) , put another tortilla on top. Dry dry till heated through, flip and heat the other side, cut in 4 and serve.
The microwave pouches of rice (v cheap in Aldi and Lidl) can be emptied into a pan and heated v quickly with a little water, serve with a tin of M&S chicken in white sauce, or tinned meatballs in tomato sauce, or whatever you like.
Straight To Wok noodles are handy. Stir fry some stuff, add these ready cooked noodles, add a sachet of stir fry sauce.
Take satsumas, a cucumber, they'll be fine.

Wet weather All in one waterproof overalls are good, and wellies for the if the grass is dewey in the mornings. If v hot, just pants and then dry them off - better than wet clothes. Take a bucket or trug to dump wet macs etc in to stop the whole tent getting wet. Sit under the porch looking out playing I Spy. Read stories, in the tent, take toys maybe even a portable DVD player . tablet. Go out for a drive. Pray, sell your soul to the devil, etc.

ComeBy · 08/07/2020 19:32

Can you stand up ion your tent?

winewolfhowls · 08/07/2020 19:40

Aldi have the pop up style washing up bowls this week.

My tips, sorry if they have already been said but I take my kids alone too and this helps
Picnic for when you arrive. They sit in car or cheap pop up tent while you put up the proper tent yourself.
Don't worry about bedtime, they will be up hours later than usual just go with the flow.
I second using the IKEA bags idea
Take a few pegs and string to peg out wet waterproofs
Puddle suits or waterproof trousers for mornings, dew everywhere even if it's dry.
Pick a site with a chippy van, it's a rest from cooking and washing up
Pick a site with a play area so the kids find others to entertain them, might cost more than a basic site but worth it.
Keep your valuables and a spare set of clothes in car just in case of tent food or disasters.
Use hamman towels, they dry fast
If it's forecast dry and warm, take a small paddling pool and some bubble bath. It's play and fun at the same time.
Don't use bubble wands, bubble solution damages tents
Get the kids helping out with set jobs for every time, like going to the tap for water
Take chocolate coins or small choc and you can have a treasure hunt around site.
Folding stools are good to sit on and also for kids to reach sinks that can sometimes be a bit high or far back in toilet blocks
Remember to have a light that clips up on ceiling in case of middle of the night wees or panics
Bin bags for dirty clothes
Wellies and crocs for feet, we hardly use trainers on site
Have different types of peg for different ground, delta pegs are excellent
Gas suitcase stoves are easy, kids are happy with pasta and stir in sauce. Try anything posh from a campfire cooking book and it will just stress you out.
Almond milk doesn't have to be stored in cold (until you open it) so handy to have for cereal and brews in the morning, also those just add hot water porridge pots
Take a small simple kite for the site, good for kids to make friends with
Remember coins in case showers use them
Don't leave your car on charging stuff, often see a family with a flat battery!
Go to the charity shop for cheap new to you books, help them settle at night
Put a picnic rug or tarp in the non sleeping compartment of your tent, to keep dirt off but a rug makes it warmer on your feet when getting dressed,or moving around.also shoes off in tent rule.
IKEA has cheap cutlery and pans so you can have a set of cooking stuff just for camping, especially stuff like a sharp knife, tin opener, wooden spoon. Otherwise I always forget something.

ImFree2doasiwant · 08/07/2020 19:43

I'm not sure I can stand up in the tent. I do have a cool box and freezer packs. I have a really large set of the foam jigsaw mat things, as we have quarry tiles which are FREEZING and in the play room. So I could make 2 layers each I think for under each childs bed.

We have excellent wet weather gear and multiple wellies as we have horses so outside a lot.

I'm going to investigate tents now.

OP posts:
winewolfhowls · 08/07/2020 19:49

Oh and only go for three nights max, after that I feel everything is grubby and I've had enough!
Toothbrush covers
Rice pudding!
Join the camping and caravan club if you want generally more naice sites and less rowdy behaviour.

winewolfhowls · 08/07/2020 19:51

Look at either the vango beta or outwell earth for reputable and easy pitch. Plus everyone says good things about the decathlon tents. Air tents are too heavy and very expensive in my opinion for a few days away here to there.

ComeBy · 08/07/2020 19:57

Have a look at Obelink tents - a really reliable make from the Netherlands - good prices, but £13 shipping (they come v quickly)
www.obelink.co.uk/tents/tunnel-tents/

Or this www.millets.co.uk/tents-camping/351960-eurohike-rydal-500-5-person-tent-blue.html

Or for lots more space this www.millets.co.uk/all/350646-vango-icarus-500-deluxe-family-tent-herbal-green.html

Look up The Cross Camping Method of putting up a tunnel tent on your own, on YouTube.

ComeBy · 08/07/2020 20:00

If you are in the SE look at sites like Welsummer or Nethergong - they have big family sized bathrooms, and Nethergong has a polytunnel that you can sit in when it rains.

Avoid the big commercial sites where everyone camps in rows on set pitches.

ImFree2doasiwant · 08/07/2020 20:05

Is it best to have separate bedrooms? The 5 man tents seem to have 1 big bedroom. Plenty of space for me and 2 smalls for now, but maybe not in a couple of years.

OP posts:
winewolfhowls · 08/07/2020 23:11

5 man tents are often taller and a bit harder to put up by yourself if you're short like me, but on the upside they have more living room and better in the rain.

With two littles I would say get one big bedroom tunnel tent, by the time they are old enough to want their own room you would be buying a bigger tent anyway.

ComeBy · 08/07/2020 23:35

Some have a fabric wall that you can have down or rolled up. I think the Icarus of the tents linked had that. With small kids I would say have them in one space with you .

IAmReportingYouForBBQing · 09/07/2020 16:47

If you are looking at a new tent look for one with black out bedrooms. Makes a HUGE difference to what time the kids wake up.

I also have a kitchen box with everything I need in it so I can just pop it in the car and then away when we get home. It started in a really useful box with nesting kettle and two pans, iron griddle, stove, kitchen utensils, knives, scissors, Bin bags, tea towels, sponges, fairy, plastic dining set and cutlery, a proper mug for the adults, tea/coffee sugar and a kettle. Over time I added other bits like a small washing like, pegs, duct tape, hot chocolate, skewers, loo roll, baby wipes and midge repellant .

Then for we have a smaller box each with a vac packed sleeping bag in (saves LOADS of space), an assortment of suitable clothing vac packed, any devices , cards, colouring etc and another airtight vac packed emergency bag of clothing that we will leave in the car. We stack the boxes and tent in the boot and then pack our inflatable mattresses, watersports stuff like BAs and inflatable canoe around them to fill any gaps.

Really useful boxes can be used as tables, stools etc so multi purpose and easy to store at home

ImFree2doasiwant · 09/07/2020 17:13

Black out bedrooms sound like the most essential part I think.

OP posts:
Herbie0987 · 11/07/2020 12:48

If you only have a cool box, as said before take prepared frozen food and they will keep the cool box cold, even freeze the milk as it will slowly defrost as you use it. Good idea to have a practice in the garden.

BrieAndChilli · 11/07/2020 21:30

I’d probably make one of your bedrooms the sleeping area, will be nice and cosy for the 3 of you and then the other bedroom can be a ‘play’ area, have the kids books/toys in there, some blankets etc. That way they aren’t continually in and out of the bed and mucking it up and dragging grass and mud in.

BrieAndChilli · 11/07/2020 21:35

Although we had a similar tent for years and years and took the kids camping for years in it and they always slept in the other bedroom for us no problem. Never had them wander off or had anyone come in the tent.
They have also all camped with beavers/cubs/scouts with no problems

A couple of years ago we ‘upgraded’ to a lovely large 8man tent (won some vouchers on mumsnet so could afford to buy a better bigger tent!!)
It has 2 large bedrooms - one at each end which can both be split into 2 smaller rooms, the rooms are blackout which helps with the early morning sun.
Lots of pockets for keeping stuff tidy.
Large middle lounge and it’s a completely sewn in ground sheet which helps keep the bugs out!!
We also got a porch which we use as the kitchen area/storing chairs and muddy wellies etc which also helps keep the main tent cleaner.

Digestive28 · 11/07/2020 21:39

Let them stay up late then have iPad or magazines for the morning to keep them quieter. They will snack so much, camping makes you hungry. Hats and winter coats even when summer just in case, ours sleep in onesies. And the cheap camping chairs someone else mentioned from Asda for kids with animals on have been a firm favourite.

OatyMcOatface · 12/07/2020 08:11

I am not a single parent but I always have to take the kids camping by myself as DH is unable to go. They are currently 6&8 but been doing this since 4&6.
I have a coleman 5 person tent (mosedale model). It has a blackout bedroom with a removable divider and is super easy to pitch solo, especially if the kids are obedient enough to stay at the corners and hold on to them. I use self inflating mattresses from lidl and ancient sleeping bags from when me and DH were kids. A friend of mine always brings normal bedlinen and has a mini vacuum compressor thing that plugs into her car lighter, she just packs her bedding in those vacuum storage bags and sucks out the air to make them go to tiny size.
I don't have ehu, I just use a normal cool box (and bring frozen packs of bread, sausages and bacon so the contents stay cold for longer) and cook simple meals on a gas ring. I do bring a power bank for charging a tablet, as in the evening or if its pouring we might watch a film. Biggest advice is lots of snacks and a ready to go picnic for first meal on arrival to eat before or after putting up tent.

Iggly · 12/07/2020 08:27

How long will you be camping for? That’s the deciding factor in terms of how much specialist stuff.

We use a 5 man tent, one bedroom for four of us. It’s incredibly snug but the kids like the security.

We have air beds - you can buy rechargeable pumps. Our tent is a poled tent and I can do it alone. Watch YouTube videos and practice in the garden!

Bedding - we have our own duvets or envelope sleeping bags which can be opened like duvets. Bring pillows from home

Extra blankets in case of a cold night

Camp chairs

Stove - we’ve got a proper one ring gas stove for camping which is sturdy.

Tables - I’ve got three tables. One for sitting at, one for cooking and one for storage.

Crocs or sliders for walking about especially first thing when the grass is wet.

Plastic boxes to store things in both for transport and when you’re there. Eg we have a box for cutlery, for plates, for food.

A decent cool box.

Board games etc for the kids.

Torches, fairy lights

A massive picnic rug. Handy to have one pegged out outside your tent entrance. We can then take our shoes off outside the tent before getting in.

Clothes pegs for hanging up bits and pieces

A washing up bowl - ours isn’t a fancy folding one as we can store stuff inside it for transporting things.

First aid kid

Iggly · 12/07/2020 08:27

Oh and a portable phone charger!

ImFree2doasiwant · 12/07/2020 12:32

Thanks all for the really helpful replies!

@Iggly I don't think we'll be going for long to start, I think it's more likely that we'd go for a few nights more often, to get the hang of it.

I've just looked at the Coleman tent mentioned by @OatyMcOatface and I like the look of that, not too expensive, and an extension available for it we decide we really enjoy it and want to do more.

We live half an hour from the coast where my parents live, so I think I will have a garden/local field practice, then take them for a couple of nights in the tent we've got to a site near the coast. I don't want to buy too much in case we all hate it!

If we get on with that ok, I'll start building a kit.

OP posts:
BiddyPop · 15/07/2020 12:10

I have taken DD on my own (a bit older, but still not totally independent).

We have a single ring suitcase stove, and I use firepits when available or I have a tiny charcoal BBQ to cook on as well. Anytime I boil the kettle (on fire or BBQ when possible, not getting in the way of other things cooking), I take what water I need and put the remainder into a flask for later. And if I have a BBQ, I will cook the food and then put the kettle on it while we eat to get the water at least warm and reduce the need for gas use.

Make food easy. Bring a sauce, think of 1 pot dinners. Bring a roll of tin foil and cook in foil parcels (can do that on BBQ/open fire to extend beyond just BBQ-ing meat), or to make lids for pots or cover leftovers etc. Buy a rotisserie chicken one night and some fresh crusty bread, and salad, that's dinner. A dinner of beans and an egg fried on tin-foil or a small pan in the outdoors can be so exciting. Have a packet or tin of soup to make something hot and comforting if necessary. And hot chocolate (Lidl's one to be made on water, I tend to make it in a large jug, and add cold milk to both cool and make it a bit nicer, it's always VERY much welcomed by Cubs!) is great in the evening before bedtime.

Have snacks organised for when you get back to the tent in afternoons, DCs are tired/hungry and have the potential to get cranky but you need time to cook dinner. So buy them while you're out or have them prepared before you go (carrot or pepper sticks, chunks of apple or other fruit, chunks of cheese, breadsticks, crisps etc) and a drink as well. And have a favourite or new book each so they will have some quiet time while you get organised.

I always, having learned my lesson on an early camp as Cubs Leader (I hadn't camped in almost 20 years so had forgotten stuff), have a full change of clothes for each person, from the skin out, in the car, and a towel. If it pours, especially when striking camp, you can then change before heading off, rather than facing a soggy drive home (and possibly very grumpy passengers). Just remember not to bury them under everything else (I put the pouch for this under the front passenger seat, from the front).

And don't get cold and damp in the evenings before bed. Have a pair of dry socks for sleeping, that do NOT come out of the bedroom - only put them on at bedtime so they stay dry. Wearing a wooly hat to sleep in is great to stay warm. Try to put your base layer on (whether that's thermals, or just underwear and a tshirt you'll sleep in) at least an hour before bed to warm up, and only change outer layer before actually getting into bed so you don't get cold. I tend to put a thermal top and long johns on after dinner, and then put my outer layer back on (top and a hoodie, and long trousers and warm socks with shoes to replace flip flops of daytime, or Cub Uniform) before sitting with Cubs (or with wine and DD if on family trip) or doing a campfire - I only need to remove the top layers later and pull on PJ's/tracksuit that I'll sleep in over the thermals, and my sleeping socks. (And have my hot water bottle hot too).

I only got a tent carpet this year (yet to test) but had a picnic blanket with foil backing under my bedding in the past, or foam tiles like you'd have in a playroom - to insulate against the heat loss into the ground/prevent cold rising up into you.

I find a mat, or even a sheet of flat cardboard, at the door of the tent (inside) really really handy against mud and dust. Stand on that to put shoes/boots on and off, and keep to socks/bare feet inside tent otherwise.

Another Cub leader also swears by those blue Ikea bags as individual luggage for DCs - they are wide open at the top so much easier to find things in for themselves, easy to just throw everything back into when needing to tidy tent, and generally easy to squash when packing car.

summersolstice43 · 15/07/2020 12:25

Ive camped for many years, just me and my daughter since she was tiny and absolutely loved it. No reason not to do it on your own if you're confident enough to do it, go for it.

Asda have a great sale on Camping equipment at the minute too and Decathalon have cheap camping stuff. Take your own bedding and extra fleeces / throws / blankets, blow up airbeds and pump or the roll out mats depending on the space you have.

Mallet, spare pegs, dustpan and brush to brush up the leaves, grass etc that will get brought in and cleaning wipes are also very useful.

summersolstice43 · 15/07/2020 12:29

I also take solar lights, the stake type ones for the gardens, they can charge during the day then light up the outside of the tent at night which is handy if you need to go pee and helps find your way back to your own tent.

ilovebagpuss · 15/07/2020 15:24

Few things I have learned to be of use
Start with a few nights and if you can afford it pay for the extra night so you can pack away without a time limit on the day you leave. I hated the morning rush to get off site.
Warmth is key layers and warm socks
When they were small those all in one waterproofs were great to loose them out in the morning.
Crocs are fab to have by the door
Quick grab breakfast for when you can’t face firing up the gas or it’s wet= juice carton and frube etc then camp fry up the next day or bacon butty.
Mine liked the head torch as they grew to read in bed
Cheapy door mat inside the tent
When you can afford it the bigger space inside the better for longer trips
Get them helping a bit if safe. I take a pre made up jar of pancake mix and take an egg and milk they can help with that one.
The best chairs you can afford
You can buy a pack of glow sticks to have one hanging up each night if kids get scared.
Have fun it’s great and when it goes wrong it can be funny and make fab memories too.