DH and I decided to go camping with the kids. I used to go all the time when I was a kid, but really had no desire to do so again because I love my hot showers. Kids are 5 and 7.
I know we need mattress pads another tent and a sleeping bag for DD. Honestly the sleeping bags might be a bit warm. I think we need a camp stove.
I am afraid we will have to sleep one adult with a kid. Is that what you all do? DS has gone twice with cub scouts and was scared the first time. Fine the second, but DD will probably be scared.
I am not really sure what I am asking here. Logistics and sleeping arrangement and tips I guess.
We bring two air mattresses as one adult always ends up trading places with one kid. We can fit both in our tent and got the tent on prime day last year for $140. It’s great for a family of 4 and is easy to set up.
ETA deleted the picture as the last one said 6 person it we do have the 8 person. It’s the Coleman tenaya lake tent that you can stand in. We have two queen mattresses and there is ample walking space around the mattresses so nothing is shoved against the side.
We also do all fire camping and like the speckled ceramic pots and pans the best. A large Coleman cooler on wheels with frozen water jugs works well for a weekend.
We have a four person tent for two kids and two adults. It is the kingdom tent from REI. Mid priced. We love it. Not too big but not too small. We have self inflating camp rolls for everyone. DH got one that is a bit thicker for his old man body. We all have quality sleeping bags. I waited for a sale.
We cook everything over the fire so no stove. We love our coffee percolator.
We have an awesome little led lantern that also supposedly also charges your phone. Flashlights.
We have a big Coleman cooler. Last time we used all the frozen water bottles that Amazon Fresh has been using in deliveries to keep everything cold and it worked great.
We have designated plates, utensils, and a table cloth that we bring.
Bug candles.
We don’t yet have but will be purchasing a hammock that can be set up between trees and also a slack line walking rope.
I second getting one big tent if you can afford it. Having room to stand when you get dressed is the best. We had a 16 person tent growing up that we used for 4 people, but that’s a little extreme. 😉
We camp a lot in the summer, but we’re fairly minimalist for car campers (helps that our largest car is a Civic). We have a 4-man tent for 2 adults, a 2 year old, and a large dog. It’s from MEC, the Canadian equivalent to REI. We each have our own sleeping mat (like a thermarest) and each our own sleeping bag, though when it’s hot out, we unzip them and use as a blanket. We do have a stove, though when there are no fire bans on, we cook most suppers over the fire. Breakfasts are usually on the stove, and lunches are usually on-the-go wraps or similar that don’t get gross and squished in a day pack.
We camp in the backyard, does that count? We have a big tent that we all sleep in and we use two queen size air mattresses. The girls sleep on one together and we are on the other one. We have sleeping bags but they're usually too warm so we put sheets on the mattresses and blankets. Lantern or flashlight in the tent.
We like to cook over the fire. Kids love pizza pudgy pies or ham and cheese.
We sleep on individual air mattresses and have one big tent (it’s an easy up and I love it). We sleep under sheets when it’s warm, and set up the tent in line with cross breezes so it stays cooler inside. I’m big on fire safety and set up a second ring around the main ring - so the kids don’t get too close. A propane stove is easier IMO than all fire cooking.
The two kids here this week and I are backyard camping one night, it should be fun! It’s a great way to work out the kinks and make sure you have what you need. Everyone also has their own dollar flashlight - which also helps.
I would go with a 6 to 8 man tent that you can stand in and then add a couple air mattresses for comfort.
Big cooler and a stove (easier than cooking over a fire and then you don't have to worry about fire restrictions). Also less is more when camping so lots of paper plates and plastic silverware. Don't forget a tub to wash dishes and lots of flashlights or a lantern.