Starting to get into camping with the kidoes.. Looking to get a few things.. What kind of stuff do you use?

I like my Dutch ovens for cooking with charcoal.

What kind of camping??? Tent?? RV??? Backpacking???

Tent kids are 2.5 yr 6 & 7

For tent camping a good sleeping pad and/or cot is a must!! Trust me sleeping on cold ground this time of year is no fun.

If no access to restrooms than baby wipes are much better than toilet paper.

A good camp hatchet is hard to beat. I like Estwing. You can get them at Home Depot for about $35 and they will last a life time.

If you use a cot, put something under the cot or your cot will catch air like a frozen bridge.

A good stove (dual burner IMO)
A chuck box
I'd look into shelter camping because tent work can be messy starting out

X2 on the wipes

alcohol-based hand sanitizer
x2 on the estwing products
led headlight
1 or 2 extra cheap poly tarps
cordage. . .lots of cordage
basic 1st aid kit w/ emphasis on bandaids
imodium ad - a must-have
orange hats and/or t-shirts for the kids
garden trowels for kids to play in the dirt
tweezers
.45 auto and magazines

you have to go a few times to personalize
your list. eventually, you'll do the pile
method where things you always use go in
pile #1 things you thought you may use go
in pile#2 and things you never used go in
#3 and you take #1 and sell or trade off
piles #2 and #3

good luck and have fun

forgot! ! !

dedicated fresh water jugs.
never used for anything but water.
no tea - no koolaid - no nothing
you'll never get the tea/drink mix/
etc. odor or smell out of them.

start with the smaller 2 1/2 gallon
size. easier to move and handle and store.

If you ever purchase a tent. Make sure its completely dry when you put it up or it will mildew and rot.

I always like the tailgater coleman grill. works like a charm.

Stove is a must. A cot is a must. Anything that can keep you warm. Don't forget to bring something for the two year old (a toy, a movie etc) in case you would like to settle down and find some peace and the two year old starts romping around.
Also make sure to bring along a first aid kit and some flashlights.

You need solid foam or a thermarest type mattress under you and the kids. A cot or air mattress alone will transfer cold and it will not be fun. You've gotten a lot of good suggestions. I would add a propane catalytic heater this time of year, no open flame but you still need to have a fresh air supply. The other advantage the heater gives you is that you can buy lighter weight sleeping bags so you can use them for more of the year.
Have fun, it was our favorite thing to do when the kids were that young, they still actually believe you know more than they do.

I lived for Dutch oven cobbler growing up!!!

Get a canvas tent, u will pay a little more but is worth the investment. Kodiac tents are very well made and will keep u dry.

good coleman propane lantern although newer LED versions may do the trick these days.

With young kids I would do everything you can to make sure they are comfy at bed time and that you have TONS of food for them to snack on throughout the trip. One of the best things about tent camping (I'm assuming near a vehicle because of ages) is that you can take pretty much everything but the how water heater with you. Do it up big and make it special. Try to think of something that you only do with the kids when you go camping that they will remember and want to keep doing. And finally, no scary stories. Period. I about tossed my BIL in the fire one night when he started in on one with his 4 year old right there. Don't want the kids afraid of things in the woods that are made up.

Ok I normally don't endorse products BUT I just can't let this one pass, I replaced my 20 year old 4 man tent this summer with a new Coleman 6 person instant tent. Before you spend 3 or4 hundred dollars on a tent you have to go to walmart and pick one of these up. It is da bomb! Will sleep 4-5 comfortably and a drunk, blind one armed camper can put this thing up in the dark in less than 60 seconds! I purchased the separate rain fly and spent 2 days last month in Oklahoma camping, we got over 1" 1/2 of rain in about 8 hours over night and I was bone dry the entire time. Price tag for the six man tent is $159.99

Sometimes I think tent manufacturer's size their products up for midgits. Having said that, buy one that's rated for twice it's sleeping capacity

Keep it fun. And if y'all haven't spent anytime at campgrounds, the very best place for your 1st campout is the backyard.

Lighters, matches, lantern

Walmart oversize totes to keep everything DRY!!!

This is the best $80 I've ever spent...
[img]https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSI18xr3uvbnslTZSDOLQRBHKj93JlwMreXeuSwxbp3D1oe_3rhgg[/img]

Other than that I'd second the self inflating sleeping pad which once I tried one I couldn't tent camp EVER again without one. (Cabelas has a good one with their name on it much cheaper than the other brands).
Cots are too cold and bulky in my opinion.

Another word of advice, don't skimp on a sleeping bag. If you are the kids are not much of a flip-flopper at night then get a mummy bag. They are much warmer than the regulars of the same style/quality.

My dang picture won't show, so just copy and paste the link...

x100
Or at least open it back up when you get home. Kinda hard to dry a tent completely when everything is wet/it's raining.

12v jumper pack if you've got it. Allows you to charge your cell phone, etc in your tent. ($35 Sportsman's Guide .com)

Steel wool + battery = excellent fire starter

snake bite kit

towels

Coleman lantern that uses fuel and a battery operated one for the kids and in the tent. The sound of a coleman lantern or stove will bring back memories of far gone trips of your youth.