What's your best camping tip? (LIST OF TIPS NOW ADDED!)

MrsWassire

Attempting camping alone with the children for a couple of days while Daddy is away for work... :eek: I'm a total novice.

Camping veterans, what's your best tips? Moneysaving tips welcomed, as well as practical things!

Things to note: I only have a small car (so telling me to take lots of equipment won't work), I will be food shopping after getting there, and I'm far enough north that in summer it will be light most of the night so I don't need to worry about lighting etc. :money:

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The list so far! (I know not everyone will agree with these tips but it's just a starter for someone new to camping like me!)


Top camping tips:

Before you go:
-Look up your camp site on Google Earth before booking, in case of any nasty surprises!
-Practice putting up tent at home
-Pack clothes in plastic lidded boxes instead of suitcases, protects them from damp
-Are showers coin operated? (some are, so find out in advance!)
-Pound shops often have basic camping supplies for that first trip where you don't want to spend lots

Food:
-A good cool box is a great investment!
-Keep food out of sleeping areas and packed securely away
-Cook meals and put in freezer bags (freeze all but first night's meal, they will keep your cool box cool and can be taken out as needed)
-Pop tarts or pastries for breakfast are least messy option!
-"Look What I Found" range of pre-cooked packaged meals that don't need refrigeration
-Freeze cartons of fruit juice to use as ice packs, then drink
-A non-stick pan can be a life saver


Night time:
-"Emergency shelter" or "space blanket" - put underneath you to deflect heat and keep you warmer at night
-In cold weather, lay tomorrow's clothes under your sleeping bag so they're warm when you put them on in the morning
-For 2 adults, use 2 single air beds with a double sheet to hold them together. Less disturbance to other person when you move.
-Bucket for night-time toilet, handfuls of kitty litter inside bin bag liner makes for easy clean up
-Layers are warmer for sleeping and easier to adjust if the tent warms up closer to morning
-Get everyone to go to the loo right before bed time!


Practical tips:
-Picnic blankets are great for rugs due to waterproof underneath
-Hang stuff on wind breaker to dry
-Assume it will be freezing! (At night, dress for winter)
-Avon Skin so Soft for midges
-Wear sandals or crocs where possible with no socks - feet dry quicker than socks do! (Keep the socks for night time)
-Make sure nothing is touching the sides of the tent, especially if raining


Things to bring:

Food related:
-Plastic plates, bowls, cutlery, cups
-Bottle opener/tin opener
-Cooking utensils
-Stove
-Ziploc bags

Sleep related:
-Air bed/lilo
-Duvets/blankets/sleeping bags/pillows
-Hot water bottles OR preferably reusable hand warmers etc!
-Easy food/snacks

Equipment:
-Washing up liquid + sponge + tea towel
-First aid kit (including insect bite cream)
-Rubber mallet
-Air pump
-Dustpan + brush
-Bucket for night-time toilet (bring good bags to line it so bucket can be used for other things)
-Torches (head ones if possible)
-Extra tarpaulin
-Door mat (or trash bag laid down where shoes get taken off immediately)
-Flasks
-Bin bags
-Duct tape
-Baby wipes
-Fairy lights
-Pegs
-Toilet roll
-Hand gel

Clothing:
-Crocs/Flip flops for shower and toilet runs
-Wellies
-Lots of socks
-Layers of clothes
-Winter hats and gloves
-Waterproofs
-Backpack

Entertainment:
-Box of indoor toys/puzzles/books
-Football/frisbee
-Pack of cards

warehouse

My tip would be that no matter what time of year, it will be much colder at night than you think it will be, and then some. Make sure you have warmer than needed evening clothes, good sleeping bags and blankets, even in August.

If you're having an electric hookup, take a proper tent heater to keep the edge off.

Otherwise have a great time!

Edit, just saw your bit about being far north, take 2 blankets!!

Itismehonest

NEVER put your BBQ inside the tent. It's amazing how many people risk poisoning by doing it

Syman

take a pack of cards. size and cost wise it's the best thing for a rainy day.

Mrs_Money_Penny

Remember to take toilet roll often not any in the toilet blocks.

TamVilla80

It always colder at night than you think, and even a cheap camping mat to sleep on can be worth it's weight in gold! You can never have too many wetwipes and a head torch may look daft but it's so much easier to do things with one.

Hope you have a good time!

gingerdad

Decent sleeping bags. Most important that you get a good nights sleep.

If you dont want to spend the money take extra blankets or duvets.

davjan

Hot water bottles.............an absolute must in my opinion. Have a good time.

Ms_Chocaholic

maybe not the best tip but, freeze some carton juice drinks and take these with you in your coolbox, in addition to your freezer blocks, to keep you food cool

MrsWassire

Thank you all, keep any tips coming! I've found this stove, what do you think? It's just for me and 3 kids for 3-ish days.

http://www.tesco.com/direct/campingaz-2-burner-stove-camping-kitchen/207-3974.prd

agrinnall

Rather than worrying too much about the sleeping bag for summer camping I would make sure you have decent insulation between the sleeping bag and the ground. Foam mats are good but something with air in it is better.

And if 'far enough north' is Scotland, you'll need to deal with midgies, you might not want to use repellent on the kids so smoke coils may be your best bet, although I have camped at sites (Glen Trool springs to mind) where the only safe places were zipped up in the tent or shut inside the car!

PS On the stove, take a look at the reviews that complain about the cost of adaptors and gas. And it's also listed as not available anyway.