Having spent many happy holidays camping as a child, I'm now keen to give my children the same sorts of memories. However, I don't know where to start!
I've been searching these forums for a while now but have just been confusing myself (not hard...I am blonde!).
We are a family of 5 - we have 3 children, aged 8, nearly 4, and 9 months (girl-boy-girl). Neither me or my husband have real camping experience and we don't want to make any expensive mistakes! Can anyone recommend a basic, cheapish tent and let me know what equipment is absolutely essential? I'm thinking that we'll need a double airbed for us and one for the 8 and 4 year olds to share; baby can sleep in a suitcase (picked up this tip from another forum). If we're on a campsite, presumably we'll have water etc so won't need to carry that, but will we need a camping stove/lights to use in the tent? I'm really worried that the children will get too cold, as well - would appreciate any tips on how to keep them snug overnight.
I'm aware that these are very simple and stupid questions but I don't want to make mistakes and end up spending money that I'll regret, or going on a holiday I'll never want to repeat! Would love a shopping list and recommendations of where to buy things - am guessing Milletts is not the obvious choice...
Thank you!!
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If you have no camping equipment what so ever it may be worth your while buying a second hand tent and equipment from someone giving up or moving over to caravans there are some real bargains to be had. Ribena or large squash bottles are free water carriers which can be dumped. Melaware plates from pound shops are now very cheap. Buy as little as possible to start and then get what you really want.
------------- Good friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.
here goes .to kep warm at night you will need an insulating layer on your air beds. i use a fleece blanket held down with a fitted sheet a good sleeping bag and insde these either another fleece blanket . but you can change thois to what you have got to keep down cost/(hospital blankets a good too).always put kiddies in pjs to warm them up before putting them to bed. as cold pjs into cold beds takes ages to warm up.as for pots and pans get a chhep economy set from asda or such like or take your own.keep clear of e bay for tents. go ahve a lok round your local camp store to check out sizes of tents ect. most people on here have started off with an argos tent and are/were happy with them.apparently you have to be gentle with the zips.get more than one light/torch just in case one goes flat.
Argos do some cheapish tents - get yourself a cheap bbq, either a disposable one or one the small folding ones - if you want to cook and mke t then you will need a small camping stove - get one with a grill if you aren't going to get an electric hookup - if you buy second hand tent then make sure you see it up and that you have the instructions - i agree go to the £1 shop they are doing 4 plates for £1 , etc. i would invest in an electric (battery or car battery) run pump for the airbeds otherwise it takes ages
------------- Bee
Teenager for sale! Eye rolling, back talking, temper tantrums, and I already know everything attitude included. All sales are final!
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Thank you Jan, Suns and Belinda! I would never have thought of Argos for tents - I'll be checking them out. Great idea too about the disposable barbecue.
We have OODLES of melamine plates, cups etc as my sister works for a company that makes them - so that's a start!
Thanks for the tips on insulating bedding and getting a pump for any air beds.
It's very exciting - am going to browse for stuff now!
Don't worry, when you get on site there will be a whole field of people willing to give advice and help.
Do take some money, you are bound to find you want or need something that you don't have. Many times I have had to find a camping shop and "buy my way out of trouble"!!
The most inportant thing though is ENJOY IT!!!!!!
Welcome to UKCS by the way!!
Love the name by the way.
------------- Love a lot. Trust a few. But ALWAYS paddle your own canoe!!
Minds are like parachutes:- They only function when they are open!!!
Those who talk don't know.
Those who know don't talk.
We too are fairly new - started off by borrowing our friends tent - and forgot to take lights so sat in dark at 8.45 in the cold. Now a year on we have a superb tent - landed really lucky as just walked round our Great Outdoors centre and picked probably the easiest tent to put up. ]
Made a mistake and bought double airbed for hubby and me - after one night of constantly waking each other up everytime you moved - we went out and bought another single and put our two kids on the double.
Read carefully the reviews of campsites on this site and you can not go wrong really - although you have to know what you prefer really ie quiet no fuss sites or ones where the whole entertainment, pool thing comes with it- have fun and enjoy !!!
Don't forget to leave a review of all tents you've used, for a chance to win fantastic prizes
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Confused and baffled! Camping advice....
