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new to camping n not wanting to spend a pile of cash for the missus n kids to tell me we dont like this .

can anyone tell me just what i would need for a weekend with out a re mortgage.

i ve worked out all by myself that i will need a tent

cheers lilalvod

dont really know just want to try it then progress from there if the wife n kids take to it .

lilalvod

  i dont think your kids will say they dont like camping as kids love it !!!

 Hopefully this with give you some sort of ideas.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=7

Hi Lilalvod & welcome to the forum

There will be loads of suggestions from campers later today about which tent to go for, so let's talk equipment now: An airbed is essential for a good nights' sleep (you can use self inflating mattress, but these are more expensive & are an aquired taste!). If you can afford about £23 go for a Coleman Double Comfort airbed for yourselves, but the kids will probably sleep okay on the red'an'blue Royal airbeds (single size about £10).

Don't worry about sleeping bags for your first trip, you can use your duvet from home with a fitted sheet, but put something else (like a fleecy matress cover, or fleece blanket) between your airbed and the fitted sheet - this prevents condensation (wet sheet) caused by the cold air in the airbed hitting the warmth of your bodies. Take your own pillows from home.

You can buy a single burner gas cooker, suitcase type, for £10-£15 which runs off cartridges (saves buying an expensive calor gas bottle). Use this for boiling the kettle, cooking baked beans etc. and buy the disposable barbeques for evening meals. You may want to take a little table or camp kitchen to stand the cooker/barbeque on. Buy a camping kettle, but take a cheap saucepan from home. Take mugs, plates, dishes, cutlery, can & bottle opener from home - these will be fine until you know whether the family enjoy camping.

Take a bucket with a lid (£3-£5) to save trips to the loo block in the middle of the night. A gas lamp or rechargeable lantern for evenings, and torches (or head lamps - £3 at Lidl) for use in the bedroom pods. You will need a coolbox to keep milk, bacon, sausages etc fresh. Most importantly - don't forget the mallet

Table & chairs are optional, but certainly make life more comfortable & enjoyable.

Hello,i think JK98 has summed it up, For our first trip we just took a single burner, kettle and some bowls/plates etc from home. We took two folding chairs for us (already had them) and a picnic blanket for the kids. We also took our folding picnic table which was handy. (but not essential for a weekend)

I think the kids will love it, once you know if camping is for you, then start buying all the bits and bobs. We are buying bits as we go along trying to work out what we really need! These so much to choose from

Jacquie

Hi and welcome -

No treally camping equipment but don't forget to take wellies for the kids and some glow-sticks from poundland or other pound shop.  A pair of flip flops to wear in the showers.. all essentials for me!

If I were you I would take just one of the kids and yourself for a start, Turns out a nightmare if it rains with the missus and kids. THen progress to a family trip if all seems well!!

If you just want to try out camping why not try this if you decide you like then go ahead & purchase a tent etc at least if you try once & like it you will have a better idea of what tent spec equipment etc you will need