Seasoned campers: what do we need for a REALLY comfortable and happy week camping in the UK.

[flowergirl24]

We’ve got a (large) tent. Three small kids who are excited for Friday when we head to a non-electric campsite in Wales.

If you are a regular/experienced camper, please can you share what we need to be comfortable for this trip?

We’ve got sleeping bags and two double air beds. Our test in the garden wasn’t great for me as I woke up with two DC’s heads pressed tightly up against me!

to book an air bnb or hotel

Helpful 🙄

My response too!

Have you not seen this post is in the ‘camping’ section?? Why bother replying, honestly.

Each individual needs their own air bed. Or if space is an issue the kids will genuinely be fine on a roll mat.

lots of ice packs for your cool box (assuming you can freeze them somewhere on rotation).

kettle for gas burner.

emergency snacks.

a big power bank for your phone.

i am on the edge of my seat for your response!

whereas yours is a good nugget of advice 😆

I’m not a regular camper but have been recently. For me, with small kids, a light source is important if we need to get up in the night. Comfortable sleeping mat/airbed. Power bank for any emergency charge needs. Cool box, somewhere dry to be able to sit if it rains.

I would take extra quilts or blankets , whenever I've camped I've been quite cold at night even if it's been hot during the daytime. Take loads of extra snack food for late night snacking because you get hungrier with all the fresh air and exercise, well I did 😊

😂 You are probably right!

But, honestly, I’m looking for some little nuggets of wisdom from those who have gone before me; isn’t that in some ways the joy of mumsnet? You know, like take x or don’t do this or that. I’m trying to make the best of it.

Blankets to go on top of the air beds to stop the cold from the ground;
pyjamas;
flip flops for shower;
huge bag for life to carry towel, wash bag, clothes to shower;
solar lights;
battery packs;
hot water bottles
clothes Horse to hang damp clothes on:
dust pan and brush
Bbq

must admit you are very brave going non electric. I like an electric kettle.

I'm not a seasoned camper but I think it helps to make things a bit cosy! Fairy lights, any nice woollen blankets you may have, and take hot chocolate sachets so that you can all have a nice warm treat before you go to bed. I think that having your normal pillows from home makes a huge difference too. Take more socks that you can ever imagine you'll need. And drawing stuff for the kids and parents... It's a nice opportunity to do stuff as a family that you wouldn't usually do.
Whereabouts in Wales are you going? I've been looking at campsites in the north recently. There are some lovely places to go!

Chairs for everyone
Blankets (oodie style things ate very cosy!)
Thick socks for inside the tent
Slip on shoes and waterproof shoes.
More socks than you think
Spare batteries for everything
Entertainment
Umbrella
Insect repellant

Whats your cooking plan? Gas? Bbq?

Oh and a table and chairs - table doubles up as a kitchen worktop too. Washing up bowl to gather your plates and cups and take them to the sink. Tea towel :)

Thanks, @AppleKatie that’s good advice.

We had two double air beds in our garden test (DH and son, aged 6 on one, and then me and two girls, aged 8 and 4 on the other) It wasn’t comfortable, as we could feel each other wriggling around etc and there didn’t seem to be enough space.

Do you reckon single air beds for each person would be better? There’s room in our tent for that.

Don't forget old towels for mopping up any rain/condensation/spills. And plastic bags

Layers for night time.

Dry weather and a hotel

Duvets rather than sleeping bags (for the adults).
Plenty of light. A decent lamp you can hang up high to shed light around you (that you can recharge from a powerbank or in the kitchen/washing up block), and headtorches for 'spot' lighting and toilet trips in the dark.
Something under your feet in the tent, so you're not standing on the tent floor. A picnic rug or similar makes a massive difference. Also make sure you have something under your beds.
Hot water bottles.
Eye masks.
Collapsable buckets/containers to take your washing up to the sink - stuff accumulates quickly!

An open mind, relaxed attitude, a flexible approach and a sense of humour!

Good luck.

Eye masks and ear plugs for everyone
Lots of layers, it gets cold at night
Gas fridge?
Insect repellant
Dustpan and brush
Toilet roll
Washing up bowl & kit
Portable phone chargers
Skewers and marshmallows
Kite, football

Seriously twice as much warmth/blankets than you think, pillows, cooking method, chairs

I would suggest you focus on the bedding situation because if you’ve got a comfy bed to get into at night and you sleep well, the whole camping trip will be easier.

I find duvets are better than sleeping bags, especially with kids because DS would always wriggle to the bottom of his or constantly slide off the bed as they’re slippery. We gave up and went back to the duvet! Are two doubles enough for all of you? Could be worth getting a single as well?

Get something on the floor under the airbeds too - roll mats, foam squares, foil backed blankets all work well and keep you all so much warmer. We also take mattress toppers or thick fleece blankets to layer on top of the airbeds so they’re warm and softer to sleep on. We use vacuum bags to pack it all in! Take earplugs as well. Oh and wellies are a must for the kids for the mornings when the grass is wet or it’s been raining.

I really love camping and so do my kids! Must-haves - decent mattresses (we have self inflating ones from Decathlon, which might be a bit expensive if you're not sure about camping yet but you could maybe borrow), your own pillows, plenty of snacks, don't forget the hot chocolate!

My top tip is to have two sets of ice blocks for your cooler box. You can rotate them every few days so one set is freezing onsite while the other set is in use. Also supplement your ice blocks with 2-litre bottles of frozen water - keeps everything colder for longer.

And wellies

A general lowering of standards
Proper pillows
Warm pyjamas and thick socks- the key is to get these on BEFORE you get cold. I've been known to put them on during the day, with normal clothes on top (see point 1 about lowering of standards)
Wine.

I've had some lovely camping breaks when the kids were small, but I'll be honest, the alcohol helped.