Camping for 1 night - plan on taking the bare minimum, which is what?!

[dairymoo]

I want to go camping (possibly this Sat night, weather permitting) with DH and my 3 DDs (5,5,2 - if relevant). We are borrowing a huge tent from friends and already have air mattresses and sleeping bags/duvets. We won't be far from home (1 hour max) and will probably only be on site from about midday Sat until midday Sun. We're doing this 'test' to see whether the girls like it, and whether it might be a viable option for future spontaneous weekends. We're reasonably hardy and outdoorsy people, can def live without all the mod cons, and so want to know what the bare minimum is that we can get away with for this one night. Really don't want to have to buy kit that potentially might not get used again.

Foodwise, I was thinking of bringing a picnic for Sat lunch, grabbing Sat night meal at a local pub or fish and chips, and then bringing some croissants/pain au chocolat, fruit and a frozen carton of OJ for the morning. Does this sound viable?

[headlesslambrini]

My bare minimum list would be:
tent
air beds
sleeping bags
pillows
change of underwear
toothbrush
hairbrush
drinks
possibly 1 burner and kettle for a hot drink in the morning
games / cards / colouring in stuff
chairs

hope you have a good time.

[Greenoes]

Add a torch and a pack of baby wipes and you'll be all set! We do bare minimum - our list is :

Tent
Footprint
Air beds
Sleeping bags plus spare blankets
Pillows
Door mat
Collapsible box thingy for shoes
Torches (one for each person - Tesco's do really bright ones for a pound each)
Emergency wee bucket (I have boys!)
Table and deck chairs
Clean undercrackers
Baby wipes
A watch for each child (atm, 4am can look a lot like 7am to a child)

If we're away longer than 1 night then add :
Camping stove
Washing up bowl containing plastic plates/cups other cooking stuff
Tea towel
Car chargers for phones

Food ideas :
Most popular breakfast item turned out to be bananas
Variety pack of cereal and a carton of long life milk
Pre packed chocolate pancakes
Individual fruit juice cartons
Cereal bars

Hot dogs
Meat balls (you can get some in a packet rather than a tin)
Bread rolls


Happy camping!! We love it

[troutsprout]

Wine

[VinegarDrinker]

We don't bother with tables/chairs, doormat or box for shoes. Otherwise agree with the above posts.

We don't have a car so don't travel with anything non essential!

[dairymoo]

Brilliant - thanks all. Yes, troutsprout, we would not forget wine, don't worry! Or the corkscrew, for that matter!!

Variety pack for cereal a great idea, Greenoes....but then you need bowls & spoons, I guess?

VinegarDrinker - what do you sit on if not folding chairs, etc? Do you just bring a blanket?

[VinegarDrinker]

Yup, just a picnic blanket or extra groundsheet, or tbh just on the grass if it's dry.

[FourArms]

Can eat cereal in the packet, but spoons & bowls make life easier!

[jollyjester]

I'm going for one night tomorrow! I'm so excited as its been mine and DH first camping trip since before 2yo DD was born! DD has been running around shouting 'kan king' all day!

Don't forget any teddy or comfy thing your 2yo might use at bed time and as its your first trip bring your camera!

Hope it stays dry and you enjoy!

[SnoopyLovesYou]

Ok vinegardrinker I have already done 1 trip (3 nights. 2 DC.)

However Id love to hear all about how you go camping without bringing a car. Do you get buses? Taxis? Do you bring an extra tent for all bags etc if using small tent? Does your partner if you have one come too? What are your favourite types of destinations?

[SnoopyLovesYou]

Sorry I meant I've done one trip without a car. And it was so tough! Mainly because I was on my own with DC in a tiny tent.

Can you tell me what kind of things you bring? How long you go for etc. would love to know! Thanks!

[VinegarDrinker]

Hi Snoopy. We haven't been yet since DD wad born (she is only 3 weeks) so previously has only been DH, toddler DS and me. I haven't done any trips without DH.

We have pretty much the same kit we had as students (doing Duke of Edinburgh etc)! So tiny 2 man tent, foam mats (no airbeds), clothes/towels stuffed into sleeping bag bags for pillows, proper camping sleeping bags squeezed up in compression sacs... Trangia stove, packet mixes/boil in the bag rice/pasta...

We choose sites usually on accessibility by public transport, ukcampsite and others let you add it as a search criteria. We live in London so lots of options. Tend to avoid taxis due to car seat issues. We have tended to do short trips while DS is small.

[Suttonmum1]

Ear Plugs and eye mask. I never go anywhere without them.