hi sleeping bags ,warm clothes,some thing to cook with ,pans and plates, a kettle . a good torch.and a bucket for loo trips at night.also we take some food with us, a coolbag with milk and butter in .tined ham for sandwiches, and breakfast cearals,tea bags and a disposable barbecue.and off you go.
i would say get a good tent, if you dont like it you can sell it on very easy, as opposed to going a bit cheaper and being stuck with it, go for a outwell or vango tent , comfort is everything to make you enjoy a life under canvas....!
There will be loads of suggestions from campers later today about which tent to go for, so let's talk equipment now: An airbed is essential for a good nights' sleep (you can use self inflating mattress, but these are more expensive & are an aquired taste!). If you can afford about £23 go for a Coleman Double Comfort airbed for yourselves, but the kids will probably sleep okay on the red'an'blue Royal airbeds (single size about £10).
Don't worry about sleeping bags for your first trip, you can use your duvet from home with a fitted sheet, but put something else (like a fleecy matress cover, or fleece blanket) between your airbed and the fitted sheet - this prevents condensation (wet sheet) caused by the cold air in the airbed hitting the warmth of your bodies. Take your own pillows from home.
You can buy a single burner gas cooker, suitcase type, for £10-£15 which runs off cartridges (saves buying an expensive calor gas bottle). Use this for boiling the kettle, cooking baked beans etc. and buy the disposable barbeques for evening meals. You may want to take a little table or camp kitchen to stand the cooker/barbeque on. Buy a camping kettle, but take a cheap saucepan from home. Take mugs, plates, dishes, cutlery, can & bottle opener from home - these will be fine until you know whether the family enjoy camping.
Take a bucket with a lid (£3-£5) to save trips to the loo block in the middle of the night. A gas lamp or rechargeable lantern for evenings, and torches (or head lamps - £3 at Lidl) for use in the bedroom pods. You will need a coolbox to keep milk, bacon, sausages etc fresh. Most importantly - don't forget the mallet
Table & chairs are optional, but certainly make life more comfortable & enjoyable.
Hello,i think JK98 has summed it up, For our first trip we just took a single burner, kettle and some bowls/plates etc from home. We took two folding chairs for us (already had them) and a picnic blanket for the kids. We also took our folding picnic table which was handy. (but not essential for a weekend)
I think the kids will love it, once you know if camping is for you, then start buying all the bits and bobs. We are buying bits as we go along trying to work out what we really need! These so much to choose from
We first went camping last year and we started by popping to argos (on route to site) and getting a small tent that would fit 5 of us in it. We got a single burner thats in a suitcase, we got the set of pans that sit inside each other, we got a big lamp and a couple of little lamps, we got rollmats and sleeping bags, we got the 4 seat folding picnic table. The rest we fetched from home. All in all that first time we spent £200 ish. We had a great time. From that first weekend away we have added things that we either needed or just wanted to make things better. I have to say as well that the cheap argos tent we bought was ace, it was the only tent we bought that we didn't have any problems with despite buying top names. Hope you have as good a time as we did the first time and I'm sure you won't regret it
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
Once you have the tent & a stove just take pans Etc from your house, Fleece blankets are good (Ikea £2) Give it a go & i bet you are at your locakl campshop within days buying the lot good luck & yes the kids will love it as there is loads of things to do plus they meet new friends Grandson whats to go every weekend he is 6 & loves it
No treally camping equipment but don't forget to take wellies for the kids and some glow-sticks from poundland or other pound shop. A pair of flip flops to wear in the showers.. all essentials for me!
------------- Christine
2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July
If I were you I would take just one of the kids and yourself for a start, Turns out a nightmare if it rains with the missus and kids. THen progress to a family trip if all seems well!!
If you just want to try out camping why not try this if you decide you like then go ahead & purchase a tent etc at least if you try once & like it you will have a better idea of what tent spec equipment etc you will need
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: new to camping
