What do we need to start us off?

[fanjolina]

We are thinking of camping for the first time this summer - me, DH and DD (2.2)

What will we need? I assume tent, sleeping bags, torches and camping stove. But is there anything else? And what makes would you recommend?

Thanks

inflatable mattresses
foot pump
tent with sleeping pods and central area for play in wet weather
a large plastic box with a lid that fits in the car and contains: can opener, bottle opener, knives, small chopping board, plastic crockery and a set of cutlery, wooden spoon, spare plastic bowl, ice packs, cool bag or cool picnic bag.

Thanks Blackrock. Any suggestion for the make of tent? Would £400 get us a decent one?

We are going to get an Outwell domw tent. They come in several sizes, and yes are well under £400. They have a central area, extra porch, and then sleeping domes - 2, 3, or i think 4.

Thanks - I will take a look at them. I am all excited now

I bought a fantastic plate, bowl and mug set at blacks last year. Four plates, four bowls, four mugs all fit into a storage box that can also be used for salad etc. It stores in a very small space.

alot of people use sleeping mats nowadays im not sure if they are as good as inflatables but are much easier!

ps dont forget you can use electric hook ups if you have the correct electric lead.
also porta potties are handy instead of walking to the loo at midnight.

Space saving seems a must as there is a lot to take! DH won't be happy if we need a new car just to go camping. LOL

Does a sewn in groundsheet make tent assembly easier? I am after the simplest tent to assemble!

You can get a fab tent for well under 400 - look for a big one with small bedrooms and a big inner space where you can chuck stuff / play / lounge around. Tunnel-shaped ones are easiest to put up.

I think comfortable bedding is a big factor when camping with children. DS has a ready bed (inflatable overnight bed with built-in sleeping bag) and we have a double air matress - we don't take sleeping bags, we take a big pile of duvets, pillows, blankets and sheets (and also DS's duvet and blanket to go on top of his bed). Even in summer it can be cold at night/early morning and you will never regret an extra duvet.

Also with DCs it's good to have a 2-ring, flat camping stove as the single-ring ones topple over easily.

Obviously you can only really do all this - massive tent and lots of bed stuff etc - if you're going by car!

Yes definitely sewn-in groundsheet. The easiest big tents these days have poles (or those bendy poles) that thread through the top of the tent, on the outside, forming a big tube/tunnel shape, then you just peg in the edges and guy ropes, and the bedrooms are separate pod things that then fix to the inside of the tent.

we have this one It has proper poles, so it's very strong, but big and heavy when packed

lighter, cheaper, bendy pole option

ooh, they look great. I think I will drag DH down to an outdoor/camping shop next weekend so we can see them in real life and get a feel for what style we like. 'Tis all very complicated!

remember to look at how many people it takes to put it up.....
we have camped for years but are still very inept at tent errecting, we get the feeling that everyone opens bottle of wine and turns cmping chairs round to view our spot to watch us- cheap entertainment....
campign chairs /table are great too, also flip flops/ 3/4 wellies for the damp grass walk tot he loo on a morning.
we are off for the first time with dd this mth, we cant wait, you will have a fab time

tesco do very cheap double ring cooker atm, £35. its £50 everywhere else ive looked