could we have a "tips for novice campers" thread please?

[harpsichordcarrier]

I am going camping for the first time with the children next month give me your tips and wisdom please:

what equipment is essential?
what don't I need?
how big a tent for two adults and two children?
etcetc

TIA

essential equip...TENT
sleeping bags and mattresses
something to cook on and something to cook with
something to eat on and something to eat with
lantern/torches
gas (for stove/burner thingy)

.....

I am a nearly-novice camper

So do not have many tips, I'm afraid

My first experience was a bit in-at-the-deep-end... WOMAD, last year, quagmire... crawling but non-walking dd2... Maclaren buggy which just could not be used

How old are your dcs?

I would recommend a travel potty/toilet thing for the middle-of-the-night urges

Lots of blankets and warm clothing for night

Those all-in-one waterproof suits for the dcs are fab

they are two and a half and five
if it rains we might come home

We are planning to got to 2 festivals this summer

I found the festival-in-the-rain thing a bit like childbirth... immediately after adamantly stating there was NO WAY I was doing THAT again

And 9m later thinking that actually it wasn't that bad

But have said if it rains solidly for the week prior to going I will boycott!

Stuff tents, get yerself a 1967 VW camper van called Bobby like us... so nice and warm and cosy

oh yes a camper van would be nice
would have to sell the house to pay for it though