Non driving single parent camping what to bring

[Mummabear90hair]

Hi All, I plan to take my 5 year old son away for a few days camping. Will be getting the train to a great location.

Will also take our large pushchair. What are the absolute essentials I must buy? And food recommendations appreciated. Finances are very tight this month.

tent - ideally double skinned
camp chair each
windbreaker
portable potty (have one already)
mini first aid kit and meds
basic mini toiletries
sleeping bag and camping pillow each
lock for tent
portable outdoor toys
clothes and beach clothes + water shoes
small easy dry towel each
flip flops for shower
mat or blanket under sleeping bags to keep warmth in?

water bottles and mini cartons of uht milk and fruit juice.
pain au chocolate and bananas for breakfast
A couple disposable barbecue and pot to boil water if it will work???
coffee, quick cook pasta, jar sauce
Tin hot dogs and buns
snacks
marshmellows and skewers

Really stuck on what food that’s stable and won’t constipate us. Ds is a picky eater. Lunches probably out.

I should be able to fit this into a large 85l backpack, cabin case and under the pram. There are shops within 15mins of the site.

Any help very appreciated 😄

solid fuel stove. You can get tiny ones

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Azwood-Portable-Foldable-Alcohol-Thickened/dp/B0BNW4KYBF/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=B92IY4DKFCIS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lKc0l6u4Zl06E1L4O5vubAlZ-BtfxNHZriRSJlB1WEnVZcNWSBzrG3V_wo1RT08PIyZajQoaFksPdg1CMZQyifrwpCQzC2N5VJrAM6F4lWCUjw-gTck34x93aAtZimPEmoInR7Sco68HXTrfCWa4ikhB6Sl6KcEu76Gtk5boiBtYk3tAMaT0jOm78W4CTMycJkW8e3WcmpCH32M22CdSmT33y-r9OIbaWLIbxrVdVE3SP9CYqk-o4Kn2RS6T6A59GK6bYO_tWpoNPIs5ZLDDFsjlGd94_FzN5tzDALxKm_0.S9eBwrjwI7k_fH_feKE133FYS8vtFPwejvw4ab4YZyo&dib_tag=se&keywords=solid+fuel+camping+stove&qid=1722290130&sprefix=solid+fuel+camping+stove%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

find out what you can buy on the campsite. You might be able to buy the UHT milk and drink cartons there. Also, they might sell tea and coffee, might have a machine, or something.

You will need sleeping mats

plates/ knives forks? disposable or light weight? again, might be able to buy on site

You don't need chairs

Give your son a back pack with something light in it, like brioche

Camping is a very cost effective holiday, but not the first time you do it, it takes money to get together all the bits you need. I camp by public transport too, and have done for decades, several times a year, while a single mum. We had some awesome times! It isn't easy though, and the first time will be the hardest, and the most expensive. Smile through the obstacles, and make sure your kid has lots of fun, It will get easier!

couscous. You hardly need any fuel. As soon as the water is boiling, empty the packet in. It doesn't need to continue to boil.

No one locks their tent

Gas canisters are perfectly safe

Decathlon do excellent tents

If you just want a 3 man double skinned tent this one is absolutely brilliant and super easy to put up and away again and very durable

Plus it has inside pockets, somewhere to hang your camping lamp and a built in washing line

Adult DS camps a lot with scouts. Pillowcase but no pillow, you just stuff your fleece or other clothes into it.

A couple of pegs for hanging stuff up in the tent or airing stuff or closing up packets of food. A couple of sealable freezer bags to keep food in and away from insects.

DS has a stove that is fuelled by sticks/pine cones etc that will also charge up items from a USB but it's not cheap. Picnic blanket instead of chairs, put it under your kip mats at night when sleeping as an extra layer. Empty water bottles make great toys for filling with sandcand water, you don't need to take anything special.

Have a great time.

There are luggage racks at the end of every carriage.

Non perishable foods include jam/peanut butter/chocolate spread/meat paste. Combine with bread or spread on crackers for lunches and suppers.

Mattersons smoked sausage is lighter than hotdogs and is non perishable, great fried up with a packet of rice and anything else DS will eat plus seasoning. Or with packets of noodles.

No chairs

Take a picnic blanket instead

Does the campsite allow fires, in which case you can cook over a fire?

Did I miss the pans/ cutlery on your kit list though? You can buy lightweight sets that all fit into each other.

Camping chairs are a definite no no!!

Facebook Marketplace has got loads of cheap camping kit.

I can’t imagine carrying a tent, plus all the other stuff you mention for a mile alone, but I’m a bit of a wimp who would rather use the money for a few nights in a glamping pod or a Travel Lodge!

How much do you think all the camping gear you need is going to set you back?

I know, I was thinking about the pushchair full of kit which would be hard to fold down/ move out of the way as required

Thank you guys you’re all so helpful!

There have been many an occasion where people have marvelled at what I can carry so I think I will be ok, even food shops require a lot of logistics 😅.

I’m thinking of this tent in particular: https://www.ultimateoutdoors.com/16231958/eurohike-tamar-3-man-tent

it seems to offer the most per price and folds decently

so then on the basis of your ideas:
•groundsheet
•camping mats

• sleeping bags
• picnic blanket
• small stove (saw these in home bargains £14.99)
• fire blanket for under mats
• I have a milk pan I can bring plus plastic dishes and cutlery from home
• clothes, toiletries, first aid, meds
• pillow cases to roll up the clothes
• light towel each
• Beach gear
• headlights/solar torch
• powerbank or solar charger
• think I will go for porridge/bananas then noodles and hot dogs.

I’ve never allowed my son to have more than a tiny portion of noodles alongside real food and he is obsessed. If I let him eat noodles for dinner that would probably make the whole trip for him! Will consider if I want to bring them or buy them there.

im fairly sure I wouldn’t need a cabin bag too, if I purchase the travellers backpack then I could fit all of this in there. Sleep mats hooked either side, sleeping bags strapped on the outside. Tent hooked onto the pram and stove under the pram.

Definitely agree about the initial expense, wish I thought of this much earlier in the year! I didn’t think it was an option. Hopefully if we go then we might be able to squeeze one or two more local nights this year and it’s all set for next year.

It sounds like you have got it sorted @Mummabear90hair ,let us know hiw you get on.

I would also recommend you take a hand full of sachets of sauces like mayo , mustard , hp , tobasco ect to liven up noodles and hot dogs .

Check what is available on the site. Most have a campers kitchen where you can use a kettle and microwave and sit. Often there are picnic benches dotted around as well.

Hello, out of interest where did you go? I'm always on the lookout for campsites within easy access from train stations as i'm another non-driving single parent too.Recs from people for places to visit with a half an hour walk from a train station very welcome x