New to camping with Children

Kitten_Pie

Hi All,

I am sure this has probably been asked a hundred times but searching the forums bought up little.

I have a family of 5 (children are 2,4,5) and going away is becoming more expensive each year. So we thought we would try camping. We have done glamping and the children have really enjoyed it and are all up for the proper camping experience.

My question is what is actually needed (or at least recommended) we have looked at tents and seen a few. Do we go with a smaller one that will do and can then upgrade to a larger tent which fits us all comfortably or do we go in with the large and hope it isn't too much for us to handle?

What other essentials are there? I don't want to do what I usually do and go full guns blazing and get all the gear to not do anything but equally I want to give it a fair chance as I loved it as a child.

Thank you for reading and any help you can give.

[Deleted User]

You need a big car. Go for at least a 5 man tent preferably 6 man tent.
I was/am in the same situation as you and tried camping but it is hard work with kids. If you can afford it , go for a camplet. We can!!!8217;t afford it so just have days out instead of holiday.

Gloomendoom

Big car or a small trailer.

Consider a trailer tent or folding camper.

vikingaero

Get something like this:


https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vango-icarus-500-deluxe-tent-2012-p201938


Not too big, not too small, has a lounge area if the weather is inclement.


Most basic campsites will have showers and toilets. All you mainly need are the basics:


Sleeping bags
Sleeping mats
Folding chairs
A folding table
Cooking and Dining gear


Everything else you can add as you go along.

Kitten_Pie

Thank you. very helpful. We have been looking at the trailer tent/motor home but think for a decent one they are out of our budget. At least at the moment.

Putting a budget together of the essentials so I can start hunting properly. We are lucky we have a large car although it will be a squeeze we can manage with the tent etc in our boot and in the longer term we can look at getting a roof box.

Savvy_Sue

Keep your eyes open for people advertising camping equipment after a 'never again' experience ...

daveyjp

I don't know what car you have, but start with the clothes, games and everything else you take on holiday and see how much space you have for the camping gear.

Our tent is a five berth (in reality comfortable for three) and it takes up half the boot of an estate car. There is no way we could fit everything else for a a week or more camping in the boot.

photome

Kitten_Pie wrote: »

Thank you. very helpful. We have been looking at the trailer tent/motor home but think for a decent one they are out of our budget. At least at the moment.

Putting a budget together of the essentials so I can start hunting properly. We are lucky we have a large car although it will be a squeeze we can manage with the tent etc in our boot and in the longer term we can look at getting a roof box.

I have the exact tent Viking linked to above, its a great tent BUT if you are all going to sleep on airbeds there isnt room for 5. we use 2 double airbeds and they fill the bedroom space., the tesnt itself takes up a lot of room in the car, we also have a carpet for it, which again takes up space



When me and my son go away in it for F1 weekends, there is just us 2 and the rest of the car ( an estate) is full to the brim with the back seats down. with 5 in the car there would not be room for all the gear.


what car do you have


we always take bikes on the roof as well


go along to somewhere that has tents on display ( go outdoors does but other places do as well) have a look at some, but also ask to see them packaged in their bag to gat an idea how much space you need in car just for tent

Kitten_Pie

daveyjp wrote: »

I don't know what car you have, but start with the clothes, games and everything else you take on holiday and see how much space you have for the camping gear.

Our tent is a five berth (in reality comfortable for three) and it takes up half the boot of an estate car. There is no way we could fit everything else for a a week or more camping in the boot.

Thank you, we have been looking at the size of them packaged etc. I can fit a photobooth in the car with all the family when I work weekends so we have plenty of space. Went away at the weekend and barely touched the boot space. I do think we will need a roof box if we get into it properly for all the additional items needed but should be ok for the basics.

photome

Kitten_Pie wrote: »

Thank you, we have been looking at the size of them packaged etc. I can fit a photobooth in the car with all the family when I work weekends so we have plenty of space. Went away at the weekend and barely touched the boot space. I do think we will need a roof box if we get into it properly for all the additional items needed but should be ok for the basics.

Mmm a photo booth, surely not a full size 1.5 metre photo booth ?

sooty&sweep

Hi

There is a website https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk

It is an online forum for campers.

You will find lots of information and you can ask questions on the forum.

Cheers

Jen