Dipping my toe in camping - can we do this?

[SheWoreYellow]

We have a small 3 berth tent which we’ve used in the garden. This seems to be all of the faff and none of the good bits of camping so I was thinking of taking middle child to a campsite. A small, one in the middle of nowhere.

So. We have bits of kit:
tent light
Gas stove
Sleeping mats that you blow up
sleeping bags

Child is 12 and we can put the tent up together.

I’m wondering if we will look completely stupid in our tiny tent.

If I think through what we will eat etc, is there anything major I’ve missed in terms of logistics and kit? We’d only go for a night so are happy to not have to shower or anything.

You won't look stupid. Most campsites will have showers so no need to skip if you don't want to! Take something easy to cook in the evening like baked beans and sausages. You could have fried egg or bacon sandwich in the morning. You can heat water or milk for hot drinks in a pan as well. A couple of 2 litre water bottles would be handy. Folding chairs and a little table plus a candle will make sitting out in the evening nicer. If possible find a site which does camp fires so you can toast marshmallows. Have fun!

You’ll definitely want camping chairs, even for just one night.

You definitely won’t look stupid.

Torch each for walking to the toilets.

Check the facilities at your chosen site. Does it have a washing up sink? Or will you need to wash up at sink? ( tbh for one night you could bring your washing up home with you).

would you want to take a cool box?

If you only have a small tent without a porch area, then put all chairs etc in the car overnight otherwise they'll be wet in the morning.

Take almost exactly twice as much food as you think you might need.

Enjoy! Camping's honestly not as complicated as people like to make out.

I think it normally takes more than one night to adjust to camping. Maybe sleep in the tent in the garden first? Take blankets. Pillows. Travel games to play at night. Head torches. Flip flops or sliders or similar so you can pop to the loo without having to hunt out all your shoes and socks. No you won’t look silly in a small tent.

Ps you defo won't look stupid, there will be all sorts on site, from enormous 8 berth palaces lit up like the Blackpool Iluminations right down to one man who's hiking and has carried his tiny sliver of a tent in his backpack.

Thanks all!

Really good points everyone, thanks!
I had especially not considered sitting down or washing up!

Camping is great fun, we’ve just been away with a 6month old, a 3yr old and a 10yr old. How big is the tent? Three birth could be a 5 man or something larger. Remember if you have a pod each it can get colder.

Think especially about footwear - either flip flops or shoes for different weathers. Some people use crocs. It’s good to have something you can get on quickly in the night for a wee and I like flip flops for the showers too.

What are you planning on doing - exploring the area, games on a beach, local town etc? Think through how you’ll pass the time.

I always take two washing up bowls, one for washing up in and one for putting the clean stuff in once it’s been washed.

Id always recommend camping with friends too. It shares the load and it’s always more enjoyable and feels easier.

We've been camping for 15 years and only just bought chairs. Just sit on a carrier bag!

Check temperatures before you go as it can dip on an evening so a blanket for when you are sitting out.
Hot water bottles can be nice too.
Have fun.

You def won't look silly!! But yes, torches, blankets, something to sit on, food or the facility to heat water for coffee/tea or milk for hot chocolate even for one night would be essential in my book as well as toilet facilities on site. I would buy fish and chips for one night 😊
Your child might enjoy using binoculars if you have them for night sky watching and bird watching in daytime.

Its all about having a good time, remember the important things in life aren't things.
Just make do and you will love it, Bog Roll, Wet wipes, Torch, Waterproof coat, Wellies the rest is optional

Our son is well known for Basic camping, he has spent many a night out with no tent, when it was raining he slept under a trailer.
Just take the basics and some games its the quality time so many people are missing out on

our first time was in a 3man tent ( the air bed leaked= bum on floor) fairy lights for inside the tent, kettle for stove, hot choc sachets, most sites should have washing up sinks, showers and loos. extra blankets and furry socks
large waterproof bag to stuff tent in if its wet when your packing up

Another camping newbie here and reading with interest. Can I ask a really silly question: what happens when it rains in terms of cooking?? You can't use a gas stove inside a tent, but presumably it just splutters out outside a tent.. I can't cope without a morning cup of coffee!

@Snailsaresweet i used a massive golf umbrella! When we had a tent we had a big one with an area for the kitchen and did boil water on the little stove although it’s not recommended due to possible build up of gas and fire risk. You just have to evaluate for yourself at the time x

@blobby10 Thank you - my tent is too small to have a separate area, but I can definitely include an umbrella in my packing!!

Take blankets to put on floor underneath air beds to keep the cold off the air beds

I'd highly recommend your winter knitted hats. I always find about 3am my head feels cold. And if you don't want the expense or space needed to bring camping chairs a picnic blanket will do pretty well. We took this one camping with us last week and it was great- very cosy! We actually used it as a tent carpet as its soft and fleecy on top.
www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-Picnic-Blanket-Waterproof-Backing/dp/B07WHLQWTV/ref=asc_df_B07WHLQWTV/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=427924160347&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1713960688506088339&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006668&hvtargid=pla-909346548182&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=99626483676&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=427924160347&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1713960688506088339&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006668&hvtargid=pla-909346548182
A lantern is useful too. Basically a torch but one you can stand up easier in the tent to play games etc on the evening.
Hot chocolate or the bits to make hot chocolate. If it's just one night you could get away with this ready made in a flask.

@Snailsaresweet forgot to add- if you have the space then a windbreak is also invaluable! It gives you shelter for your stove but also a bit of privacy when you are exiting the tent first thing in the morning 😁😁