Newbie, could I camp with my 7yr old?

[MyLifeNow20]

I am looking at something to do with my DD7 as a little holiday for us.
I would love to go to centre parcs and did think of Butlins with her but its so expensive and the thought of everything being crowded in the holidays puts me off.
I have only camped a couple of times, I have no equipment either.
Would it be too stressful?!

No I took Dd to latitude at 4 just the two of us. She helped me put the tent up and a mum nearby helped with a tricky but as it was a bit windy. Obviously didn't want to leave her to pee at night so bought a sheewee and a fluids bag, which was undignified but worked a treat. Festival showers were small and tricky but normal campsite ones will be better.

As an alternative have a look at premier inns in London (unless you live there obvs) we go during Kids week (actually it's all of August) when kids go free to theatre shows and literally make that our weeks holiday, with a show everyday and with trips to Hyde Park Lido and other touristy spots, if you travel by train lots of venues are 241, at least on greater anglia.

Can you camp with friends? DH and I are pretty seasoned campers but always enjoy it more when friends come and their children - it’s easier to share cooking, washing up etc if there’s a few of you.

Re equipment id look on fb marketplace as there are often people who bought lots of stuff and only used it once.

You can. Many campsite have glamping facilities. Shepherd cottages, yurts, etc that you can stay in so no need to buy equipment or set up tents.

You could go to a campsite where the tent is already set up and you can hire equipment:
Lepe Beach
Paultons
The Croft

There are plenty of tents on ebay at the moment, very often there are some with loads of other equipment too - tables, chairs, stove etc. (unfortunately there are loads of 'only used once' tents on sale for hundreds of pounds, there is no point wasting lots of money on what might be a one-off. My tent cost me a tenner at a car boot sale and we've picked up plenty more stuff over the years)

Can you borrow some kit to see how you get on?

7 is the perfect age for camping, so exciting!

Camping should be fine, one or two nights close to home to start with to find your feet.

If you know anyone that goes camping, it's always worth asking if you can borrow gear to try things out first. Most campers will still have the tent before the one they use now up in loft/garage/shed. Or, as above there are loads on eBay/Marketplace, and the Aldi gear is very reasonable and the quality is fine.

I have a 4 berth tent with 2 double bedrooms and can just about put it up on my own. With a child to hold the poles while you peg it would be fine.
This is a bit of a bargain www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15980738/eurohike-sendero-4-family-tent-15980738
Take an airbed each and your duvets and pillows from home.
A deckchair and table are useful but not essential, some campsites have picnic benches on the plots.
Go to a site that has washing up sinks.
These stoves are great for boiling water for a cuppa or one pot meals, I'm sure you can get them for about a tenner www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15895048/campingaz-camp-bistro-2-portable-gas-stove-15895048
Just do a couple of nights fairly close to home to get started, somewhere that you can eat out, get chippy tea or use disposable BBQs for cooking on.