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Tiny thing! If your children are small and will need help in the shower, take some of those hooks that go over a door (kleeneze and betterware sell them) to hang things on when you are in the shower! I then carry everything to the shower in carrier bags so it's easy to hang them off it. I may sound mad, but there is never enough space in the showers and never enough hangers, standing (usually wet, but cold because you're not under the spray) in a tiny cubicle trying to keep everything off the floor etc is horrid!

 Mainly i agree that the most important thing is beds and making sure you aren't cold at night.

Have to agree as well as long as you all get a good warm nights sleep it makes the whole holiday a lot easier so that has to be top of the list really. Depending on how small the children are you'll be amazed how quick they fall asleep once they been running around all day. My 5 year old falls asleep quicker then the 12 year old.

The basics after that are just something to cook with and eat on and games for the kids to do to burn off their energy. It's only as you get more into it (and this site) that the kit seems to increase and you have to invest in trailers. Have fun.

Gary

As others have already said you need to sit, eat and sleep. I would make sure all these are to your likings and comforts. Also remeber you can take layers off if youre too warm, so take extras to keep you warm, especially the kids. To start with dont go overboard on other stuff, otherwise like we did, bought a load of stuff that we thought we would need and then realised we didnt, but we did need other items we hadnt bought. So ended up spending even more money getting what we needed, and a shed full of stuff we never took with us. Even with the best of planning you still manage to forget things, normally the basics, like can opener, lighter for gas cooker, mallet, to name a few. Best way is to go and then you will see what you need. Best way is to go and then you will see what you need.

Mind you theres not a better way to get to know your neighbours as at that crucial moment of the kids moaning constantly there hungry to discover no can opener, realise its late so shops closed and then be ever grateful to the neighbour that lets you borrow theres, and of course then wonder how come there tin opener seems better than any youve ever had.  

The same goes for the kids as well, you can end up taking too much to keep them occupied when all they want to do most of the day is play outside. However rainy days do call for some indoor entertainment so we keep a few toys and games with our camping stuff that they only then play when we go away. Weve found this way they dont get bored of the toys as quickly and makes a change for them.  

 I think that a must have is a pair of crocs or croc lookalikes, there is nothing easier when you awake at 2.30 am desperate for the loo than to chuck a pair on your feet. Then it doesn't matter how wet or rocky the ground is.

Also don't forget to test the batteries in your torches and lanterns before you go, the stress of needing a torch but not being able to find one that works is enough to drive you crazy. I have bought a battery tester for £3-4 at netto or somewhere to check the power as I pack everything.

It may be an idea instead of the airbeds to get self inflating mats, they are a lot lower but a heck of a lot warmer, if you get down to your local Lidl they are selling them at £15.00 each.

Also I'd suggest  going round a few charity shops looking for boardgames and the like which won't take up much room, they  will be a godsend for the kids should you be unlucky enough to have bad weather.  

In order of importance...

• Tent
• Sleeping Bags
• Air beds / roll mats
• Lighting
• Chairs
• Stove (and pans, plates etc)
• Bucket (to cool beer and put out fires)
• Water carrier
• Toilet (essential if you have small kids, but not so if it's just you and partner)
• Picnic blankets
• Extension / Tarp
• Table

I think this is all the big stuff but I'm sure I've probably forgotten something.