Hi, being a complete newbie to camping I've been doing my research into buying a family tent (me, wife, 3 small children). I wanted to get one that wasnt too enormous and would fit on 1 pitch having heard that the huge poded tents can need 2 pitches?!..... anyway the outwell montana 6 + front extension looks to be a reasonable choice & am thinking of buying this over next week or so. My main question here is does anyone have a check list of the equipment to get to make the first camp comfortable and stress-free.... I want to get kitted out with reasonable stuff so as not to put off my 'less than eager camper' of a wife and hopefully she'll want to go a second time!! Thanks, martin
The Monty 6 is a good choice and after your tent the most important thing is beds. Air beds or Self Inflating Mats? Sleeping bags or duvets from home, and don't forget to put a foam mat or picnic rug under your airbed if that's the route you choose to go, you need to insulate the air in the bed from the cold ground or you'll never heat up.
Tiny thing! If your children are small and will need help in the shower, take some of those hooks that go over a door (kleeneze and betterware sell them) to hang things on when you are in the shower! I then carry everything to the shower in carrier bags so it's easy to hang them off it. I may sound mad, but there is never enough space in the showers and never enough hangers, standing (usually wet, but cold because you're not under the spray) in a tiny cubicle trying to keep everything off the floor etc is horrid!
Mainly i agree that the most important thing is beds and making sure you aren't cold at night.
Have to agree as well as long as you all get a good warm nights sleep it makes the whole holiday a lot easier so that has to be top of the list really. Depending on how small the children are you'll be amazed how quick they fall asleep once they been running around all day. My 5 year old falls asleep quicker then the 12 year old.
The basics after that are just something to cook with and eat on and games for the kids to do to burn off their energy. It's only as you get more into it (and this site) that the kit seems to increase and you have to invest in trailers. Have fun.
Gary
------------- Gary
While we try to teach out children about life, Our children teach us what life is all about
I have got 4 yr old twins. In order to preserve your sanity when you are pitching the tent, sorting out airbeds etc make sure you have a box or something with lots of crayons, colouring books, dot to dot books etc.
Not sure how old your children are but I found a travel snakes and ladders set in early learning the other day which kept mine busy (and our friends 2x4yr olds and 7 yr old) busy for a while.Great for the evenings, when it gets dark, too or if it is raining outside We invested in the organisers that go on the back of the car's front seats which were only a couple of quid from Aldi and put all their stuff in there. So when we were pitching i didn't have to unload the boot to find their things I could put my hand to them straight away.
An upturned curver box and a little camping table for £10 from Asda is perfect for their little activities. We also bought little camping chairs for them. Gelert do them with animals on.
I'm sure everyone else will give you the low down on the other essentials to take such as airbeds etc but keeping the kids entertained helps make my holiday more of a holiday.
PS If yr wife is still to be convinced (like I was) get her a proper kitchen table with a larder underneath to put stuff. The first time we went away I noticed in a tent you just don't have enough surfaces to 'put' things in/on. My kitchen is fab as I can put cutlery, crockery, cereals, coffee, sugar etc in it as well as the stove on top of it. I would not travel without it!!
HTH
As others have already said you need to sit, eat and sleep. I would make sure all these are to your likings and comforts. Also remeber you can take layers off if youre too warm, so take extras to keep you warm, especially the kids. To start with dont go overboard on other stuff, otherwise like we did, bought a load of stuff that we thought we would need and then realised we didnt, but we did need other items we hadnt bought. So ended up spending even more money getting what we needed, and a shed full of stuff we never took with us. Even with the best of planning you still manage to forget things, normally the basics, like can opener, lighter for gas cooker, mallet, to name a few. Best way is to go and then you will see what you need. Best way is to go and then you will see what you need.
Mind you theres not a better way to get to know your neighbours as at that crucial moment of the kids moaning constantly there hungry to discover no can opener, realise its late so shops closed and then be ever grateful to the neighbour that lets you borrow theres, and of course then wonder how come there tin opener seems better than any youve ever had.
The same goes for the kids as well, you can end up taking too much to keep them occupied when all they want to do most of the day is play outside. However rainy days do call for some indoor entertainment so we keep a few toys and games with our camping stuff that they only then play when we go away. Weve found this way they dont get bored of the toys as quickly and makes a change for them.
I think that a must have is a pair of crocs or croc lookalikes, there is nothing easier when you awake at 2.30 am desperate for the loo than to chuck a pair on your feet. Then it doesn't matter how wet or rocky the ground is.
Also don't forget to test the batteries in your torches and lanterns before you go, the stress of needing a torch but not being able to find one that works is enough to drive you crazy. I have bought a battery tester for £3-4 at netto or somewhere to check the power as I pack everything.
------------- Steve
Look into my eyes, not around my eyes but into my eyes
Yes crocks are a godsend. Also i take a toweling bath mat to put on the floor after i've had a shower. Can't stand standing on cold wet floor and clothes getting soaked as i put them on.
------------- Enjoy life whilst you can, it doesn't last for ever!!!!!!
2nd the crocs. Also a potette - the travelling potty. V handy when the toilet block is too far away to make it for the kids and/or in the middle of the night. (Obviously you could buy a porta potti but this is the more expensive option)
Thanks everyone for replies, very useful info. My kids are 9y, 7y and 3y age. Have been to Go Outdoors to do a reci this afternoon and was bewildered at the range of stuff e.g. stoves and other things. I guess sort basics out first... tent, carpet sounds a nice luxury that kids will appreciate if wet day, airbeds sounds a must although not sure whether to get double airbed & 3 singles -sleeping space is 180cm + 180cm on the montana6 so hopefully will be enough width for these?
It may be an idea instead of the airbeds to get self inflating mats, they are a lot lower but a heck of a lot warmer, if you get down to your local Lidl they are selling them at £15.00 each.
Also I'd suggest going round a few charity shops looking for boardgames and the like which won't take up much room, they will be a godsend for the kids should you be unlucky enough to have bad weather.
------------- Steve
Look into my eyes, not around my eyes but into my eyes
Thanks Steve for the idea about self inflating mats -these sound particularly good for children who are lighter -may be get one for each of them & a queen size airbed for me & the better-alf. Sounds like if getting an airbed best to use a fleecy blanket between it & your sleeping bag?
Im new to these forums but have been camping since i was very young, i always used to write a checklist but in all the excitement of packing up with the kids and the dog i always forget things that i need! this year however i stumbled accross this when i was buying my ten:
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: First tent & equipment checklist?
