Carry On Camping...

[Deputy_sherriff]

I have decided to take the kids camping this year.
We've never been before and I'd like to know what I need to take with me.
I have a tent, 3 sleeping bags, 2 double airbeds and a stove (with pots and pans)

What else will I need?

I'm doing it on a massive budget, so nothing ridiculous please.

[B00]

You might wanna check that the site has facilities for you to empty buckets of pee into before you go fill one up! lol

[pusskin]

ha ha snap Boo, that is correct lol

camping is so much fun when you get the hang of it.

p.s. A big pee bucket is so much the better !!!!

[LDC134]

You don't need a 'special' water container, I have spend a fortune on different ones, all rubbish. Now we have a 5 litre bottle of water from Morrissons and just use that to fill up the kettle etc. You won't need much water and there is always a point to fill it up. I would think hot water bottles might be a pain, due to the time to heat the water for each one, just take extra socks ! And if you have a swiss army knife, that can be really useful.

And a bottle opener for you, for after the kids have gone to bed :)

[Deputy_sherriff]

Thank you LDC134, that is great advice.

[katdarn79]

I like to take a radio, just for some background noise. Where you going camping? Kathryn xx

[roobidoo]

Having camped in what seemed to be the wettest week in history, where we broke our tin opener, the tent leaked and the water supply to the campsite was intermittent, here is what I would also suggest ;
Plenty of carrier bags, make sure they don't have any holes in them and they can be used for - hat or cape in case of wet weather, a lining between dry socks and leaky boots, something to sit on if the ground is wet, emergency wash bowl, emergency water carrier,emergency pillow, emergency poo bag (!), storing wet/dirty clothes and to keep a dry, clean set of clothes in (which you then keep in the car until your last day so you have something clean and dry to travel home in :)
Enough socks, if your feet are warm and dry, it makes a world of difference.
Fresh scented bodywash/shower gel with matching soap and talc/deoderant etc, so that even if you can only do a pits and bits wash, you smell clean (especially if you are in a small tent. Use one of the breath freshening toothpastes too.
Small storage box with lid (the type that fit inside each other) when empty, everyone to bring no more than will fit inside it. Clothes inside will keep dry (especially when kept inside one of your gazillion plastic bags) even if the tent leaks, the boxes should keep the living space tidy without the need to nag :) and can be used as a seat or a shelf to keep your torch etc handy.
Simple First aid kit.
Needle and cotton and safety pins.
Boxes/container to keep your food tidy/dry.
More than one tin opener!
Lots of loo roll :)
Paper & pencils and a small nature book as you are bound to see an animal/bird/plant that you don't recognize.
Two packs of cards and a bag of pennies - it's not a camping trip if we haven't played Newmarket!
Have a great time, we have loads of happy memories of our camping escapades and are looking forward to creating more :)

[whiskeryron]

I know you are not stupid but I don't think anyone has mentioned this very important point, this happened quite recently when fumes from a camping cooker leaked into tent overnight & suffocated someone ( I am not sure if the people in question were cooking inside the tent or not) DON'T DO IT.
http://www.dailyecho....barbecue_fumes_alert/

[Mosaic]

The wind-up lamps seem very cheap and definitely fume-free. I have a thing about matches, lit stoves or lit lamps inside tents so the wind-up lamps make me happy.
Anything you leave around will get damp overnight - so all clothes zipped up into bags, matches into a plastic box etc - it's just condensation from your breath and the pre-dawn chill, but it's a sod if you want a morning cuppa and the matches are wet.
A nappy bucket (with a lid) is useful for weewees at night but somebody will have to do the walk of shame with it in the morning. We have no children so are able to perform gymnastics with an outsize laundry liquid bottle and a funnel. So much more discreet in the morning!

[Mosaic]

....and if the kids like it, go to Brittany next year, eg La Plage at trinite sur mer.

[LochNessMonster]

Calor Gas !
Netting for Midgets etc !
A Gun incase I come and bite you all ?

[LDC134]

DS and Mosaic - we have a similar she /wee contraption, as you described but actually built for the purpose - the lady funnel just screws into the neck. I imagine you can find them on the internet but ours was a 'gift' from friends :)

[inafix]

Take some good weather with you, it will help noend!

[boxtops]

Don't forget mozzie deterrent, or afterbite sticks - you'd be surprised where the pesky things get when you sleep out of doors.

[lcg]

folding chairs (asda do good ones)....a table....plastic plates and cups.....washing up bowl...defo wind breaks...games (swingball/tennis/badminton etc.)....camp beds are better than air beds (off the floor and no leaks)....kettle....portable loo....lantern for the evenings and some portable lights for outside....mini fridge (can get for around £25)....that's all i can think of for now. it's best to put all your equipment in the back garden before going to assess what you have got and you may come up with some things you missed...and it's always good to have a practice at putting up the tent! good luck and happy hols x

[Answerprancer]

Insect repellent (based on 'DEET') night lights/jam jars, a Swiss army knife, a guitar, a set of torches (for everyone) ...preferably head-torches + batteries.
Other than that, think your way through a typical day and base what you need on that !

[slinkycat]

Great suggestions already, but I'd add two more, a rubber mallet for the tent pegs in case the ground is hard, and a pump of some description for the airbeds. The ones that run off the car cigarette lighter are easiest, and quite cheap to buy.