I have camped once in my adult life, I know have 2 kids and no money so must start.
What is a good brand 4 berth tent?
What mats do I need for under the sleeping bags?
What are good sleeping bags for 3 seasons (not winter).
What do I use for cooking?
What else will we need?
Thanks
If you’re anything like us camping with 2 kids - basically just pack the house into the car. That’s how it feels when we go
Pair of toddlers or two teenagers?
Camping chairs are pretty much essential unless you like sitting on the floor.
For food, I find a credit card and a pub in walking distance (in normal years) works best. Breakfast can be a cup of tea and instant porridge (so just a simple stove to boil water needed).
If you’re anything like us camping with 2 kids – basically just pack the house into the car. That’s how it feels when we go
And remember the biggest roof box you can fit.
Though to be fair, if MrsMC hadn't insisted on an 8 berth tent with porch extension, it wouldn't have been so bad.
If anyone wants a Vango Tigris 800 plus accessories, not used for two years.....
I don’t want to depress you, but if you are looking at camping in official sites, in comfort, and especially if you end up doing the suggested credit card and pub method of cooking - it can not be as cheap as you’d think...
Can I also chip in to offer a barely used tent for sale?
Outwell Montana only used for two holidays.
Tent a bit bigger than you think ie a 6 berth for a family of four. folding table for eating. 2 ring burner for cooking. something decent to sleep on - air beds etc and decent sleeping bags.
Go outdoors is good IMO for this sort of thing
For family camping from a car have a look at decathlon’s tents as I think they all seem to be pretty decent without costing too much money.
We have one of the arpenaz 4.1 fresh and black tents for short trips away with a five year old and a one year old. I suspect we will need something bigger before long though as it is a bit cosy with four in and there isn’t a huge amount of room up front for everyone if the weather turns out crap. The blackout material has been a revaluation though, means you can get a pretty decent nights sleep without the kids being woken up with the light at four in the morning.
Four ours we got a couple of the big air mattresses from decathlon that completely cover the floor in the sleeping area. All fairly comfy if you take your normal pillows from home with you. And the kids love it as a make do bouncy castle.
PS. I don’t think that’s the exact air mattress we bough and I’ve not checked the fit for the tent I linked.
I'd definitely recommend an inflatable tent over traditional pole frame. Just so much easier to pitch if the kids decide to run off and play instead of helping.
Inflatable beds instead of collapsible cot things. Chairs and a table, dual ring stove for family of 4. Powerbanks for charging phones. Oh, and bikes. Muchly take bikes
Plenty of outdoor awning space
Mozzie repellant
Lots of warm clothes
Lots of bottles of wine
Most important of all - earplugs!!
Pair of walkie talkies if your kids are young, campsites are generally safe and kids can have an adventure enjoy a taste of freedom, but still stay in touch be called back for tea.
Plus one for the ear plugs if you can find one in price a canvas tent is better at keeping noise and light out, there is nothing worse than kids waking up at 5am as the sun is up, newer tents have black out sleeping compartments.
Check out gumtree for local camping bundles. This time of year probably good time to pick something up.
As above...
Bigger tent than you think, we use a 6 berth for the two of us for long stays.
Nice camp seats. Double burner and gas bottle. Folding table. Airbeds can be cold but are comfy so insulate on top of them,we use a foil backed camp mat, blanket then fitted sheet on ours (sometimes electric blanket too if got hookup and it's cold!)
Lantern. Radio, plastic crates/boxes.
I'll echo the buy slightly bigger than you need.
When I introduced my wife to camping it was lucky we were still in the 'excitable' phase of our relationship as we squeezed into a cosy 2 person tent
Oh and put it up before you go, so that you know how it goes up and you can check for defects
Plus one for putting it up at home first.... partly so you know how to pack it away
If you want the rest of the family to go a second time, comfort and warmth. Decent sleeping mats and bags for the kids. For adults - stack up double airbed, single duvet, fitted sheet, you, double duvet. I also use a pair of wellies a size too big so i can put on and kick off without putting down whatever I'm carrying.
If you have the space or somewhere to store, then cheat and get a 2nd hand trailer tent ... makes a huge difference ☺️
This is how you will best sleep in a tent.
1 - Buy two single inflatable mattresses, not a double (otherwise you and your partner will spend the night melded together)
2 - Elasticated sheet holds the mattresses together
3 - Lie on a bottom duvet to provide insulation
4 - Another duvet over the top for warmth
More than any other single factor, duvets will turn a camping holiday from sleepless nightmare to nature-loving nirvana - sleeping bags are totally for those with no other option.
Pondo is spot on, especially when you’re starting out, minimal spend and max comfort. Double air beds are the devil’s work.
We (2 adults and 7yo) are a bit more used to camping and do 3 self inflating mats and sleeping bags - prefer the mats to air beds especially when it’s cold - but there’s not much in it.
1 – Buy two single self-inflatable* mattresses
FTFY. A double SIM will also do, but harder to pack. Forget the inflatable mattresses, nasty, cold noisy, bouncy things. Also worse than useless for shenanigans 😎. Really. You’ll end up on the groundsheet in the 6” space between the squeaking balloon mattress and the bedroom ‘wall’, or with the same giant rubber copulation-killer flying around the place trying to get over your heads with you underneath it. Just say no.
+1 use duvet/s and pillows from home. Save money on sleepings bags and spend instead on SIM/s.
* A 7.5cm (or 10cm) SIM is a thing of joy when camping. Example would be a Vango Comfort 7.5cm
Unroll, open valve/s, leave in tent for 15 mins to do it’s thing while you are unpacking etc. Then top it off with some puffs of air if required. Close valve. Test. Add or subtract any air to get to the exact firmness required.
Enjoy a lie in. Eye mask may be useful.
I consider myself a hardy camper, I was in the cubs and scouts and have done hiking expeditions, solo camping etc. My parents were woodcraft folk and family holidays were always in a tent.
My two boys no longer come on holiday with us but when they did and we had family camping holidays, the game changer for me was a porta-potti. Not having to step outside of the tent for a piss in the middle of the night is amazing (even more so for my wife!). The gas fridge is also good trips that are longer than a weekend.
porta-potti
Is that another name for the pee-bottle? Essential kit for camping, especially after a couple of beers.
I’ve developed a different philosophy for family camping over the years- don’t try to replicate too many home comforts under canvas you’ll only end up disappointed and frustrated. Don’t bother with chairs, have rugs and cushions, don’t get bogged down with massive kitchen kit and units, just cook on simple stoves on low tables. Easy to slip on shoes like crocs make trips to toilet blocks less fuss. It’s a communal family activity so don’t get a massive tent with separate bedrooms, just pile into a big open space like in a teepee or a dome. Embrace the nature of the activity, don’t fight it.
Thanks all, you lot are great.
A four man tent is the right size for three. A three man tent is the right size for two. And so on.
Keep it simple, but do bring a chair (that might just be my old bones talking of course).
Practice putting the tent up at home. A popular campsite entertainment is watching people struggle to pitch their tent. Cruel but true.
Work out how much beer you think you'll need and double it.
Tent from Decathlon, sorted. I've had 4 of their tents. Superb.
Kids, get one bigger than you think based on berth size. Not the kids, the tent.
If on budget, take duvets etc to supplement sleeping bags.
Uve done tonnes of family camping, you'll refine what you think you need es the trips progress. Depends when camping or where.
Fundamentally, everyone needs to be warm and dry. Have in tent entrainment planned for rainy days if kids are young. If older, hikes wearing the right gear (cheap cags were our default) are cheap and tires them out.👍
Handy to have electric hook up, particularly with kids... for heating, charging duties.
A lot is personal choice, so these are just that.
- Self inflating matresses
- Chairs (one each). Sitting in your chair after putting the tent up and drinking the first beer is always magic!
- BBQ. Somehow seems to save the need for pub meal visits.
- Torch
- Rubber mallet for tent pegs
- A crate or spare washing up bowl to carry dirty dishes
- Two sets of ice packs if you don’t have a fridge
- Two burner stove - one is never enough. For convenience and space saving we just use two singles powered by disposable cans of gas.
- A football
- Pack of cards
- Some sort of wind break to cook behind (could just be a baffle or beach windbreak or the tent awning, but something to keep the wind off the flames)
We camp quite light, so not much furniture – just the chairs and a folding table that we can all eat around. I’ve also got a small table for cooking, but that’s a luxury 😉
We don’t do electric, so cuts down on paraphenalia. But if you do hook up, think carefully about what appliances you need and can use – low current supplies nix normal kettles and hairdriers on a lot of campsites.
A tent with enough space to sit down together inside is a more conducive family experience when it’s wet. That’s made a big positive difference on those off days.
Car space! We don’t have a lot of gear overall, but even that takes up huge amounts of space in the motor.
You can’t really over-estimate the car capacity you’ll use up.
Air tents are good, but take up more space (and weight) than their poled equivalents (perversely). So make sure once you pack the tent, you have space left for everything else. By the time we have the tent, cool box and table in the car boot, we’re then playing level 997 Tetris trying to get the rest in. Suitcases are unwelcome!
A good tip given to us was to make and freeze some meals before you go. Chilli con carne, casserole, stew etc are great as they only need heating up on a stove from frozen. Also, while they thaw they keep everything else in the cool box cold for a long while, without having to use up the ice packs. Saves cash and hassle of freezing ice packs for the first 48 hours or so
You can’t really over-estimate the car capacity you’ll use up.
True that. A small trailer is still a good idea. And/or a roofbox.
But I also agree with someone who said to simplify stuff. With trips and time under your belt the experience ideally teaches you what you need vs don’t need, want vs don’t want.
For a family camping a week or more -
I’ve never not wanted:
-Mallet
-Self inflating sleeping mat
-Pee bottle (wide necked juice bottles w/screw tops are perfect.
-Pillow/duvet
-Coffee press
-Beer
-Folding table (either low level w/cushions or regular w/folding chairs)
-Pass The Pigs/set of cards/travel 4 in a row etc, ie any table game you fancy.
-Warm white LED tent light (though I still love those Tilley or even Gaz lanterns)
-Double gas burner
-Kettle
-Bucket (for carrying dishes, water)
-Rug
-Single-band headtorch (with dimmer and/or red light option for late night reading, nipping out, whatever)
-Cool box of some sort
-Decent first aid kit with tick twister
-Local map with footpaths and bridleways shown
-Cutting board and chopping knife
-Deep frying pan
-Bowl/dish hybrids made in tough plastic, for soup, sandwiches, salad, cereal, pasta etc
-Frisbee and/or French cricket (bat and ball)
-Hanging mesh pockets/organiser. (Our Decathlon Arpenaz 4.2 has a couple above the sleeping chambers. So handy it’s mad without them)
-New book/s to read
Sounds like a lot but really the bulk is the sleeping gear and tent. Take as few clothes as humanly possible. Blankets or slankets are great for evenings. Or thick hoodies. Crocs are the best things for camping and beach next to bare feet.
And sunscreen. Always sunscreen. Also shades and/or sunhat
———————
Solo camping is so easy by comparison! (Mat, bag, pillow, Ghillie kettle, mug, bottle, SAK, phone and headtorch)
———————
OTOH, when camping, I’ve taken with and yet found to have not wanted:
- Smartphone, charger etc (it’s so world-changing even for a few days to not be tied to the shitty social media/tech/internet addiction)
- Table and chairs (just lounge cross legged on rug or chill on sleeping mat)
- Games, go out and make fun instead. But they take up negligible space so...
Lastly - things I’ve forgotten to list/pack and can be annoying/expensive because you then have to buy them again, on location, usually at inflated cost
- Small bottle cooking oil
- Pillows
- Tent! (took a 200 miles drive to discover that erroneous shitforbrwined - -misadventure 😎)
- Rug/groundsheet
- Mallet
- Seasoning/herbs
- Ice packs
- Sunglasses
- sleeping mats
What can I say
Tent - multiple bedroom types are tricky to put up. So do so a few times in the garden if you have one.They WILL be the source of many arguments if camping for the first time and you're totally reliant on it for being able to sleep that night, so to prevent the stress and worry, get yourself clued in on it first(If you can)
Sleeping. - Cold comes from the ground not the atmosphere, and an inflatable mat,while comfy, is just a bag of cold air. As above, get some insulation underneath it. Duvets in place of sleeping bags are likely best, but keep in mind youre still pretty much outside, so make it the warmest duvet you've got, or add a blanket or two. Nothing is worse than being cold at night, puts would be campers right off.
Food - A flat stove, 2 or single burner type is great for breakfasts,lunch, tea but look, as above to take yourself and the kids to the local eatery/hotel for dinner. Best have some sort of food before going to bed, the process of that digesting will help keep you warm, and kids love outdoor bbq type things, so maybe a disposable one or two can make for a focal point. NEVER take any bbq or the like into the tent, or you wont wake up.
Toileting - a campsite covers this, or use the local pub/hotel/etc, you dont want a portapotty, remember you need a separate tent, AND its going to need cleaned - ee YUCK.
Snack snack and snack some more.- Being outside is cold,even if it doesnt feel like it, so your body will be constantly needing to try to keep itself warm by burning energy, rolls on easily coked bacon help considerable, as does biscuits,crisps etc,choccy,etc. you and the kids more likely will be doing more, so keep the intake up.
Bring your own entertainment, like cards or doms, and a ball if the kids like that sort of thing.
Adds - Air the sleeping duvet outside mid morning to late afternoon, to dispel any moisture.
Campfires are great, though if on a site some dont allow them, but it is a great focal point, and relieves boredom for the kids, get them some sticks to poke the fire with and they will sit for hours/days poking at it. Best entertainment for children is a campfire. Marshmallows are not optional. Hardwood for fuel is WAY better than cheapo softwood, and Even a small fire of softwood will burn though £15/hour if you buy that in.
Lots of elastoplasts, and in fact anything else you can think of or above.
When returning, dont bother carefully rolling up the tent just stuff it in the bag, BUT make sure you hang it somewhere dry for a few days to dry it out, or its going to stink to high heaven next time you use it.
Firstly, anything from decathlon will be good value, and work I have found.
Don’t underestimate the difference between inflatable and self inflating.
Inflatable- freezing cold, uncomfortable
Self inflating- warm, comfy (try and get 5cm
Min thickness rather than lightweight hiking)
If it’s spring chuck in duvets and sleeping bags.
If you live near north oxfordshire I can lend you cooking kit. If not a simple single cartridge burner is fine for a big fry up or pasta meal, but take foil to act as a wind break.
Get chairs
If you have electric hook up take
Proper lighting from home, a lamp, and kettle.
Take your preferred coffee device, if it’s too big, get an Aeropress.
One problem with big tents can be drying them out properly if you end up needing to do this at home. I've ended up spending several days with various bits of flysheet being refolded over the washing line trying to get it properly dry.
If its fairly new to you, rather than buying all the gear, why not have a look at camping pods? They are still quite cost effective, some will have beds / seats, they are typically heated and lit so all you will need is your duvet and maybe a stove. It's also a gentler introduction so you can see how well the family deal with it before committing fully.
Self inflating mattress not a airbed.
Can't believe people are recommending air bed and then in the same sentence saying they're cold. Self inflating mattress solves this problem.
And
I’ve developed a different philosophy for family camping over the years- don’t try to replicate too many home comforts under canvas you’ll only end up disappointed and frustrated
Warmth and comfort is important, sitting round a table isn't if you take too much stuff it becomes a hassel.
Don't go to bed cold, get warm before you do.
Don't wait till it's warm to get up. One of the great pleasures of camping in warmer times for me is the first mug of coffee on my camping chair out in the porch/awning, being a bit chilly but watching the sun creep over the trees and feeling its warmth coming into my old bones.
Mmm, must look into self-inflating mattresses - don't have a problem with inflatables being cold because of the double duvet rule, but still... 🙂
Forgot to talk about tents - Decathlon are fantastic, we used their four person popup for years, super quick and easy to put up and take down.
Car-wise, good packing will enable surprising amounts of kit - we used to get the 4 person tents, two mattresses, two duvets, four pillows, electric cool boc, leccy hookup kit, two single burner stoves plus gas, camping table, two chairs, windbreak, gazebo, a kitchen unit, snorkeling kit, clothes for a fortnight, books, lights, cycling kit and a folding BBQ into a Fiat Panda, then load a couple of hybrids on the back (poor thing must have been about to burst!) then drive it to Oleron or Re.
https://www.getoutwiththekids.co.uk/ has some good checklists.
Second the idea of trying a camping pod or bell tent first, loads of campsites have them now and it’s one less thing to take and set up.
What worked best for our kids was the cheap fabric / metal frame camp beds - keeps them off the ground and the hammock/stretcher effect stops them falling out.
I have to ask about the self inflating mattresses.
I have a couple of them. Neither of them ever "self" inflate. They always require blowing up. Am I doing something wrong?
I have a couple of them. Neither of them ever “self” inflate. They always require blowing up. Am I doing something wrong?
No - they all need some blowing up to get them firm enough. Basically the foam inside expands from it's compressed state and air fills the gaps.
The should self-inflate to some extent though. Just open the valve and leave them for a bit to do their thing.
We use Vango and Decathlon ones now - we had Alpkit but they all sprung leaks.
Neither of them ever “self” inflate. They always require blowing up. Am I doing something wrong?
As above no you're correct they still require some blowing up to your own comfort level, just less than an air bed as the foam expanding sucks in the majority of the initial volume. Plus they're insulated.
Family camping is all about managing expectations IME.
The kids love it because it's a mini adventure, my missus thinks she loves it because she never camped as a child and thinks camping is just insta-moment after insta-moment, when the reality is she's whining within half an hour, not helping get setup and planning a route to the pub...
A long weekend is her limit.
For that reason I've never wanted to invest too heavily in family camping kit we're a Fairweather, 4 nights absolute max sort of camping family, and thus decathlon is the obvious option as a "one stop shop" for outdoor kit.
We've got the basic Arpenaz 4.2 which was £100 when I bought it, I'd not want to spend more until the kids are both over 13, at which point I'd be looking for a 6 berth version maybe with at least 3 sleeping compartments. For now the kids are happy in together.
TBH it's all the other kit that makes a difference IME, if (car) camping with family, air matresses and a reliable, easy method of inflation, decent sleeping bags, torches/lighting, the girls insist on bringing their normal pillows from home. Oh and easy slip on footwear for late night loo trips etc.
I also have to bring a means of brewing tea/coffee and burning bacon if I didn't the missus would be impossible in the mornings...
If going to a big commercial type campsite, Lots of people seem to like staking out their territorial claims with windbreaks, you may want to do the same and camping tables/chairs that you can setup outside are pretty essential IMO...
It's easy to blow £300+ and still need more stuff
If going to a big commercial type campsite, Lots of people seem to like staking out their territorial claims with windbreaks, you may want to do the same
This is terrible campsite behaviour, completely missing the point of a communal activity. I will resist the temptation to compare to Brexit...
If going to a big commercial type campsite, Lots of people seem to like staking out their territorial claims with windbreaks, you may want to do the same
Camping Room 101. ymmv
This raises a good point.
OP, you say you’ve camped once? And prepared to do it again so maybe a decent first experience?
Nothing except maybe for a cold, half-deflated/over-bouncy (swear where applicable) shag-free-zoned air mattress is guaranteed to send new campers packing for the nearest Airbnb as does a militaristic seaside camp-site rammed wall to wall with car fumes and queues for the prison-camp toilet facilities.
In other news, families have been known to pack down in the middle of the night and leave a beautiful spot (with ample doublespace for themselves, a meadow, a river, and open fires)....because there is no hairdryer, or hot water tap, or you have to walk a mile to the sea/lake/pub.
You’ll find your own ‘flavour’ at either extreme or inbetween, as long as you’re prepared to try a few different flavours and weather disappointments.
Top tip
Try a long weekend somewhere small, quiet, inland, basic (hot showers, toilets, basin, fire-bowl) test out your new gear and see how you like it. Then you have 1. Some practice
2. A decent starting point for discussion/evaluation.
I was raised on scouting, backpacking, and 70s-80s family frugal tenting holidays on mostly small farm sites which I loved, so a big commercial camping place is anathema to me. Luckily the same thing for Mrs P. We’d prefer to book Airbnb, self-catering or just give it a miss rather than queue for a hairdryer or the mini-Starbucks/pizza hut on megasite. I totally understand that my style is not for everyone. It’s not even always for me, I also like short trips to just use a tent and facilities as a sleeping pod/base and then eat out, go daytrips. etc.
But if I sound like a right Keith who likes to make his own bread and chilli stew in a Dutch oven suspended over a firepit to the sound of nothing but crackling wood and birdsong - that’s because I am. Fetch some bottles from the river would you, they should be chilled by now? I don’t even mind kids in the background singing or playing bat and ball. But cars and hairdryers and bass-bins can go back to their tenements! Or else I’ll, I’ll...I’ll go for a walk. Humph!
**** this pandemic btw. I miss camping more than anything.
Pic:
^ Testing Decathlon Arpenaz (XL?) with a basic setup. Small orchard site in Wye Valley avout 45mins by car. Was £8pppn iirc. Hot clean showers and boggage. Cider tasting, local kayaking, river walks, pub a few fields away. Town a slightly longer walk. We returned a few times until it sadly closed to public camping.
Since replaced chairs with some wooden director’s chairs* which are better than the nylon buckets that inevitably wind up in landfill.
*Reminds me, need to give them some wood-treatment about now, they’ve been stored outside for too long 😎
Top tip...
Even if you don't have electric hook-up - book an electric hook-up pitch as you nearly always get more space! 🙂
Our first camping trip was less than 20 miles away so we could easily abandon if we ballsed it up.
Those self inflating mats are meant to be stored inflated, which will help them self inflate. I never do obvs.
