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

MrsWassire

We're on the east coast so don't tend to be that many midgies, though I was going to take some citronella candles! It can be pretty damn cold here at night, and I've heard that air mattresses can actually make you colder? (Because your body has to warm up all that air as well!) I was thinking space blankets on bottom, air mattress on top, duvet on top of that, sleeping bag with me in it then duvet on top of me as well!

thegirlintheattic

Second taking lots of layers and bedding, it can still get really cold at night. Few weeks ago in Scotland it was -5 at night!

DO NOT use a BBQ, stove etc in your tent and do not take petrol to light a fire.

Take simple meals to cook - pasta and sauce, flavored noodles or cous cous with ready cooked meat, ready cooked meat and wraps, tinned hot dogs etc. If you are going to take BBQ meat then put it in a cool bag stored outside your tent in a shady area with frozen ice packs, usually will last for 48 hours but check the tempreture of the meat - if warm don't eat. Don't forget breakfast - cold pop tarts, pastries or breakfast bars are easiest. I personally would have 1 or 2 nights camp food and then go to a cheap pub/restruant if possible for the rest of the time - might not be as cheap but it easier.

You can get those cheap heat pads for period pain from the pound shop - easier and safer than a hot water bottle to keep you warm.

Take lots of things for the kids to do if it's bad weather - books and games are good.

You do have to worry about lighting - even in the far north of Scotland you get a good four hours of darkness and tents can also be quiet dark in bad weather. You'll want a cheap lantern for each pod in the tent and at least one headtorch for getting to the toilet block/nearest tree when you inevitably need the loo at 2 am.

Take lots spare clothes as you might get very wet, insist that boots and wet clothes stay in the porch of the tent otherwise everything gets week.

MrsWassire

Hmm, stove was available earlier!

vax2002

A tent you can stand up in, or buy some ibuprofen for the back ache !
Crawling round really catches you up.
On sleeping, a blanket to put under the sleeping bags on the camp beds is worth two on top, same with air beds.
A torch each per person will make light work, literately, and re-assure children

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi

We are camping veterans and my kids have camped for 8 years, since they were 3 and 5. Ask any questions and I will try and help!

I agree, warm clothes and decent sleeping bags are essential. Even if its warm and sunny during the day it can get really cold at night.

For cooking just get one of those single burner stoves for about a tenner or less. Take a spare gas canister and you are sorted. You will need a pan or two and some plates and cutlery from home. Take some washing up things too so you can go to the washing up area on site. Its surprising what you can manage to cook up on a single burner stove. I always make something like spag bol and take it with me in a margarine tub to heat up the first night. Once you have got the tent up you wont want to cook.

Get everyone a head torch. You can read once the kids have gone to sleep without disturbing them.

A bucket with a lid or something like a luggable loo depending on whether you have boys or girls and their ages would be a good idea. If one child wakes up during the night wanting a wee you dont want to have to take the other with you. A luggable loo could be used if you need a night time visit and you dont want to have to wake the kids and drag them across the campsite to the facilities!

Lots of spare socks and wellies for the kids. They will be in and out of the tent constantly and you dont want them dragging wet grass and mud in. Two waterproof coats if you can - in case one gets really wet. Drying things in the tent is tricky, especially things like jeans.

Things for the kids to do in case it rains or its too cold to play out. Card games, dominoes, colouring/puzzle books or whatever. Research local activities too just in case the weather is really grim.

If you are going a reasonable distance from home find out where the nearest Halfords, Argos and Tesco is and make a note before you set off. If you are going somewhere rural try and find out where the nearest camping shop is - just in case. This tip saved me when I left the bung off the airbed at home!

Cant think of anything else at the moment. Have a fab time - I love camping on my own with the kids, its even more of an adventure because Dad isnt there to do stuff and we have to manage on our own!

thefishdude

cpouldnt agree more withyorkshirelass,

the single burner stoves are perfect, also luggable loo type thing is great for kids at night if they need to go.

MrsWassire

Thanks, that's so helpful - so you reckon a single burner cheap one will be fine? Phew, I was thinking that might be insufficient after some reviews I read. I was planning to freeze extra of meals in the month before we go, in ziploc bags, as you can boil them to reheat the food. Our cool box is a proper American one rated to keep food cool for 3 days so should be fine for our 2-3 nights away no matter what we bring. It can also be used to sit on which is a bonus.

I was planning to buy some battery operated fairy lights for the evening (or dark weather days) and a head torch + a couple of small cheap torches. Bucket with littlest's 'potty seat' on it should suffice for night time emergencies, older 2 should still be able to fit on that seat and I will make do!

Thanks everyone, I'm so looking forward to this, really hope the weather is good then.

WestonDave

Keep your eye on the offers on Lidl and Aldi websites - I got a couple of self inflating air mats from them for around £15 each - these are effectively a foam sponge inside an airtight cover - you can squash all the air out to pack them and then you let the air back in to reinflate them to about an inch thick before closing the valve to trap the air in. I find them more comfy than air beds and fairly warm as well. However for a one off trip its only worth getting them if you get a bargain on them.

We've done a few trips based on a couple of those one burner stoves - I think the first time we only had one we'd borrowed, so we bought one and then got given one so we have two now - most of the time we only use one! Poundland often have those dynamo torches that you charge up by squeezing a lever - they aren't great but for £1 you can get the kids one each which they think is great fun and saves you spending a fortune on batteries because they've left the torch on inside their sleeping bag! They also have other odds and ends which are useful but they'll shift it on before too long so better to look now rather than wait. Thermal mugs (Tesco had some for around £1 each) are good - the insulated ones with lids - keeps your hot drink warm for longer!

Little_Mo_70

MrsWassire wrote: »

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:

How about a roof top box for the car to put all the extra gear in to keep you all warm and comfy. Then it won't be such a headache deciding what to take and what to leave behind;)

thegirlintheattic

If your going with the bucket keep it just outside your tent or get a leakproof lid if possible. Last thing you want is the bucket knocked over in the night.