First timer & with a 3yo

[Strangerthings22]

DH loved camping as a boy. Not been since but is very excited to introduce DD3 to camping. I’m keen in theory (understand they will likely love it, I will probably love it) but aware I have never camped (prefer to glamp/be in a hotel) and DH not been in about 25 years!
However.
Keen to embrace, but completely unclear about what’s needed. We have bought an air tent. That’s it.
DH helpfully telling me to chill out and all we need are sleeping bags and some “kit to cook with”. I am not totally convinced having read some of the posts here.
I am fully committed to doing this but would prefer to be prepared on arrival.
We are booked to go at the end of the month to a fairly back to basics (but young family oriented) campsite.
We have nothings aside from our tent so far.

Would you be able to advise what’s needed?

I am hoping that it’s the first trip of many but aware that it may not be so do not want to spend a fortune.
SIMS keep coming up - but good ones are £200+! Stoves are a mindfield.

thank you x

You need sleeping bags and sims or air bed. Unless you're planning on camping a lot I'd just get cheap ish sims for now. You can get blow up child's beds from places like Argos that might suit your DD for now.

We started out with very basic kit.

Once you've got sleeping covered you need flip flops for the shower and bags to carry your clothes in.

Plates, bowls, crockery & cutlery.

Something to sit on.

Something to keep DD entertained with.

Something to keep your food cool.

And a basic cooker and some pots.

Anything else is a luxury and can be added when you've tried camping and want to go again.

FB Marketplace is a good place to look for kit. The amount of people we meet who've easily spent £1k on their kit and you just know they're never going to use it again.

You definitely need a decent mattress - either an air bed or SIM. You’ll be cold and uncomfortable without one. Personally I go for a SIM (at least 7cm).
For your 3yo, I’d get a child’s air bed with slightly raised sides.
Sleeping bags aren’t so essential. Many (including myself) people use the blankets, duvets and pillows off their bed at home. Sleeping bags are more useful if you’re short of space in the car and during colder months.
For the cooking set-up, a single-ring gas stove and camping kettle will be sufficient. It’s surprising what you can cook on it with a little bit of thought and imagination. You could take a disposable bbq too, but check what’s allowed at your campsite. A little table to put your stove on would be a bonus.
Camping chairs are essential and you don’t need to pay much for them, but try before you buy as some are really uncomfortable.
You’ll also need some kind of lighting for the inevitable toilet trip in the middle of the night. Hand-held torches would be fine, but head torches make life so much easier.
It’s worth choosing a campsite with a little onsite shop or a village store within walking distance. It would mean that you could buy fresh bread, milk, fruit, veg, meat and wouldn’t need to take a cool box. A lot can be said for having a decent family pub within walking distance too, if something goes wrong with the cooking or if you just don’t feel like washing up pots and pans.

Forgot to mention that several campsites have fire pits and fire lighting kits for hire.

Dustpan and brush, to try to stem the tide of grass walked into the tent.
Those quick drying towels..
Bottle opener/corkscrew.
I took DD when she was 3, she LOVED it.

Thank you - that’s all helpful and enough to get me going. THANK YOU

Oh I forgot the dustpan & brush although I did see one family with a Dyson a couple of years back...