1st timer, need some advice please

[Piscesmumma1978]

We have a 6 person bell tent and know a great camp site with toilets, showers, washing up, restaurants etc.

I want to go on my own with 4 dc. 2 are older teen and 2 younger.

Any advice please? We have just bought the tent so need to buy other bits and bobs.

There will be electric.

I’ve never camped before so welcome and tips etc x

Practice putting up and taking down the tent beforehand make sure everyone has a clear job to do.

it is always colder at night then expected, pack warm socks and an extra blanket.

take some travel games incase of bad weather.

keep any medication/ first aid kits easily accessible in the car.

Thank you, there are some things there that I hadn’t thought about x

We take a fleece blanket each. Small to pack and you can cover yourself up in the evenings when the temperature drops.

A good cool box and a something to boil a kettle in the morning. We take a portaloo so there no midnight dashes! Some good camping chairs, and like PP said, some blankets for the evening. A fire pit is great if your campsite allows. Lots of battery packs for devices, as power points will be limited. We've got a cheap outside rug to stop some of the debris and mud coming into the tent. Easy food for quick snacks too.

Sleeping bag, sleep pad / roll mat (lots of people recommend SIMs). Mine has a reflective layer to keep heat in, but you can use an emergency blanket under your mat to keep costs down. Stove and pan. Would avoid taking too much stuff. Lots of layers. I don’t think camping chairs are worth it but everyone camps differently. We’re more backpackers so the joy is in part the challenge of taking as little as possible. That’s not to say we don’t have nice things/comfort, eg we take inflatable pillows and a mokka pot because life is too short for bad coffee.
I can recommend some things but they were pricey at the time I got them (3-4 years ago) and are now insane. MSR PocketRocket stove and Thermarest NeoAir.

Enjoy!

There will be electric

You've bought the Electric Hook Up thingy haven't you do that you can plug in and go?

Don't forget some pegs, useful for pegging out tea towels/swimming gear.

Take woolly hats.

Thank you all. I have booked our first camping trip!

I’ll make a note of your ideas x

If summer time, take eye masks as it can be very bright in bell tents in daylight. Waterproofs and wellies or waterproof shoes for dewy mornings/evenings, warm stuff to wear/cover with, waterproof mat for outside, a line and pegs to hang wet stuff to dry outside, torch, a book, games/ball for kids, get them to help, good luck!

Read up on carbon monoxide poisoning.

Take a proper pillow, tin opener and hot chocolate powder.

If summer time, take eye masks as it can be very bright in bell tents in daylight.

We're lucky enough to have blackout bedrooms on our tent. Tis bliss

Roll Mat
Airbed
Pump
Sleeping bag liner
Sleeping bag
Fleece blanket
Hat (to sleep in)
Good camping lights
Torch
Power bank to charge your phone

Something to keep the mosquitoes and midges away eg Citronella burner. Insect bite cream, just in case

I've got 4 camping lists I keep on my phone.

Camping General
Camping Me
Camping Food
And Dog Travel list.

It means that I can add things on for next time when I'm there.

Luckily the DC are old enough to park for themselves.

The first thing I usually pack is books but I'm not sure how much time for reading you're going to get?

We take a Mat to take your shoes off outside and a crate or something to put the shoes into in the porch bit of our tent.

use lidded boxes to keep ants out!

depending on the site you might need ear plugs

Excellent advise.

Me and my wife had a simular holiday last year. There's one thing I would recommend buying, and that is vacuum bags. We were struggling so much with all of our stuff when we were trying to leave on our last day. Besides that I would recommend taking a power bank with you, could be really usefull.
Have fun on your holiday!

Think through your day and what you will need for each thing.

Folding table / stove / pan / utensils?

Bowl for dirty crockery, I like a folding washing up bowl with handles. Sponge, detergent.

Camping chairs, table.

Torches and lanterns

Flip flops for the showers

Wellies are good for little ones for the Dewey grass in the mornings

Pack some butchers / S hooks in your wash bag to hang over shower doors, often far too few hooks. Big plastic bags for your clothes etc: showers often in small spaces and dry stuff gets wet.

Do a practice pack of the car!!

I have one of these tents - since it's so big it's super cold (but feels nicer than being cooped up!).

So take thermals for everyone to sleep in.
Also camping chairs

Unless you’re camping at the height of summer (and sometimes even then!) it can be so much colder at night than you imagine. Take plenty of blankets & clothing layers.