Advice for skinflint newbie camper please

[PopsyWind]

Me and DH are planning our first camping trip as a family in 2 wks time. We have camped at glastonbury and other festivals but this will be the first time a) with a DS and b) without erm.. anaesthetic.

We have a tent but nowt else so far, so need to get all the other gubbins. I'm loath to spend loads on equipment as we want a cheap holiday and also it may only get used once if the trip is a disaster! My question is...

Any items definitely worth spending more on? any items where a cheapo one do just as well?

Yes get it all second hand. Camping is one of those things people buy everything for, go once, then never use again, so loads of second hand stuff knocking around. Are you on freecycle? Try that first, then ebay if no joy. How old's your son by the way?

Thanks pootle, didn't think of freecycle - not done it before but will give it a go.
DS is 13m.

you need a decent bed (this is area i wouldn't scrimp on) - people on here favour foam self inflating mats - my children had cheap rollup mats for years. some form of lighting. something to cook on - 1 ring stove and a very cheap barbecue. for other things you could just use old stuff from home - deckchairs, cooking/eating stuff, duvets etc.

Just thought - might it be an idea to take some sort of flagpole type thing to identify your tent in case little one wanders off? Apparently this is the main problem with taking toddlers camping - there aren't any doors to close!

Never been to a festival myself, but from pictures there are so many tents it would be very easy to loose yours, if you see what i mean.

be sure to take a torch and a lamp!

Yes, look on ebay for 3 season sleeping bags.

Go Outdoors/Decathlon are cheapest for selfinflating mats which will give you the warmest night's sleep.

If you are warm/dry almost anything else can be coped with.

Don't forget wellies and waterproofs.

Secondhand probably the best option but thought I would let you know that Lidl have some camping stuff cheap this week including rechargeable lanterns and self-inflating foam mats (I think they were £12.99). Worth a look maybe if you have one nearby. We also got lots of stuff pretty cheap in Tesco last year, folding chairs for £4 were the best bargain.

ebay is your friend! Loads of stuff on there, second hand and also new stuff for much less than the shop prices.
Make sure you have enough blankets and warm sleeping stuff, nothing worse than being cold at night.