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1. A pack of battery-operated portable LED bulbs kiddos can conveniently clip onto their bunk beds when they need a light for some late-night reading (or pillow fights — shh, it's OK, we won't tell!). Plus, these are wayy cuter than a normal ol' flashlight.
FYI, these battery-powered bulbs have three lighting modes: high, low, and strobe.
Promising review: "This item was purchased for camping for the grandkids. They love them! They use them every where they go! Great item, would definitely buy again!" —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of three for $11.99.
2. Or a teeny but mighty portable misting fan to provide a refreshing mist and cooling breeze when temps soar, while the soft kid-friendly blades won't accidentally injure little fingers. Win-win!
3. A camp version of Mad Libs because it'll make all their cabin mates at camp ________ LOL when a rainy day has everyone feeling ________.
Promising review: "My daughter was at sleep away camp for 5 weeks. I sent this to include in one of her weekly packages. She enjoyed completing them with her bunk mates." —K. Jacques
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
4. And a personalized fill-in-the-blank notepad that'll make it easy-peasy for little campers (or kiddos who aren't a fan of writing letters) to ~fill you in~ on all the deets about their adventures at camp!
The notepad comes with 50 sheets. In the notes section during checkout, please specify the following: ink color, name of your child, quantity and color of envelopes, and if you would like to see a proof.
Modern Pink Paper is a small biz based in Houston, Texas, that specializes in personalized stationery and wedding cards.
Promising review: "Perfect for a young first time camper to keep in touch with friends and family." —Joy Anderson
Get it from Modern Pink Paper on Etsy for $18+ (available in larger quantities and with the option to add envelopes).
5. A plant-based bug repellent made with lemon eucalyptus oil that *actually* works to keep mosquitos at bay — even if your children are absolute bug magnets in the wilderness.
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $13.99.
6. Or a bug bite suction tool so kids can treat bites WITHOUT chemicals all by themselves. This easy-to-use device sucks out all kinds of bug bites, instantly relieving itching and swelling, so they aren't left scratching all day.
Promising review: "My youngest daughter is always a magnet for mosquitoes (even with repellent) and suffers every summer. We've tried antihistamine cream and pills with little relief. I thought, meh, even if this doesn't work, it was only $10. This. Thing. Is. AWESOME! I already bought an additional three-pack, so I can always have one in my purse and so that my kids can take one with them to camp. This provides instant relief. Of course, the sooner you use it, the better! This is a must for anyone who spends time outdoors." —Justin Stojsih
Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in five colors and in multipacks).
7. An UNO Emoji game because let's be honest — what child isn't obsessed with emojis? It's the perfect pick-me-up if they're feeling a little bit homesick.
UNO Emoji puts a twist on the regular game with a new type of action card; when you play it along with an Emoji face card, the next player has to make and hold the face shown on that card! If they don’t hold the expression for two turns, they have to draw four cards! The first player to reach 500 points wins. When you’re down to one card, don’t forget to yell, "UNO!"
Promising review: "This was a great addition to my surprise summer camp backpack for my daughter. Almost everyone knows how to play UNO, and the fun emojis made the kids laugh." —Onthego247
Get it from Amazon for $6.90.
8. A microfiber towel, an absolute godsend on water play days (hello, Slip-n-Slide!). It dries at lightning speed and comes with a compact carry bag so you can stash it into their backpack without taking up a TON of room.
Promising review: "Bought two of these for my boys to use on pool days during summer camp. They worked out great and kept them from lugging a wet terry cloth towel in their bags. They carry them around their necks, and by the time they walked from the pool back to the park, their towels were dry." —RTVM
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 11 colors and in six sizes).
9. And a pack of cooling towels that'll feel like a *chilly slice of heaven* in sweltering heat and keep little ones from overheating during a fiercely competitive game of Tug of War.
Just soak the towel in cold water, wring it out, and give it a couple of snaps to feel instant relief.
Promising review: "Really works and cools you off 🧊Saw a mom post about these in a mom group and had to get it. My daughter’s summer camp is outside all day, and the last week was brutal with the temperature in the high 90s. I ordered them hoping they would arrive fast, and they were here within two days. I like how they came with four in different colors with the plastic pouch and colored clips to match. I wet two of the towels and put one in the freezer and one in the fridge. In the morning I put the frozen one in with her lunch. She told me that a bunch of other kids at camp all had these towels and she was really glad she had it. She must have liked it and because she asked me to always pack it on hot days." —Jessica
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 13 colors).
10. A pack of glow in the dark scrunchies to instantly elevate any summer camp #OOTD.
Promising review: "I got them for camp. The girls loved them and got plenty of compliments." —Hannah Dever
Get a pack of nine from Amazon for $13.98.
11. Or Velvet "Camp Hair Don't Care" Scrunchies that'll make an oh-so-adorable parting gift to their camp besties.
Swag Bags Co. is a small biz based in New York, owned by a mama of three, that specializes in custom bags and accessories.
Promising review: "These were a hit at my daughter’s summer camp! Put them in a care package for her and her cabin-mates. They all loved them! So cute." —Beth Ishmael
Get it from Swag Bags Co. on Etsy for $3.75.
12. A mini freezable snack box with built-in cooling technology that'll clip onto a backpack to keep lunch or snacks fresh — even when it's a gazillion degrees out.
Promising review: "This snack carrier worked great for my oldest child, who used it for summer camp to keep her snacks cold, and it really did keep it cold enough for snack time. I love how spacious it is on the inside; you can really pack a good amount in there. This snack pack is very durable and easy to clean on the inside. I also love it has the pink clip that can clip on to anything, making it easier to carry around, and making it more accessible too!" —Jeanine
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in 10 colors and prints).
13. A large and durable mesh laundry bag because it's breathable to let all those stinky odors accumulated from outdoor adventures escape. The best part? It comes with a *name tag* so you can rest assured they'll return home without missing clothes and towels!
Promising review: "I bought this to send with my son for summer camp, and it did the job. Durable enough that he dragged it across grass, cement, dirt, and sand (because he is lazy), and it did not wear or tear at all. Its size was perfect for a week's worth of laundry as well!" —KiKiBree
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in seven colors and a two-pack).
14. A lightweight folding chair boasting carrying handles, meaning it takes ~zero effort~ to tote anywhere. All kiddos need to do is pick a spot to chillax by the campfire, unfold the chair, adjust the recline, and prepare to make sweet memories.
15. A bedside storage caddy ideal for hanging from a bunk bed to provide a little extra storage space and keep water bottles, flashlights, books, and all those other random things an arm's reach away — so they don't have to climb out of bed several times a night!
Promising review: "Excellent purchase for summer camp! Great for those odds and ends campers need to keep up with but don’t have the cubby space for. For my camper, it held four books, two large spray cans of sunscreen, a large can of bug spray, a small flashlight, two small Kleenex packages, a Chapstick, a small bag of fidget toys, a Rubik’s cube, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer. The velcro is strong, thank goodness, and the caddy easily attached to the bunk bed. Delivered without damage and on time as promised. Price point was perfect too. Would recommend to any camper!" —M
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in 11 colors).
16. A stylish *and* practical rolling duffel bag capable of holding all the essentials they'll need, whether they're going to day camp or sleepaway camp.
Promising review: "My daughter has several camps this summer and was needing her own bag to pack everything. She is at her second camp now, and this duffel bag is the perfect size to pack all her stuff and still be easy to move around. The wheels come in very handy when the bag is weighed down. Lots of room and stylish." —alice james
Get it from Amazon for $33.49+ (available in four sizes and in 32 prints).
17. A pair of cult status Native shoes that'll stand up to an action-packed summer that involves everything from messy water balloon dodge ball games to muddy hikes.
Promising review: "This shoe is perfect for summer camp! My son can run around and play, and also go swimming, and then put it right back on and keep going. I’ll be buying a second and maybe even third pair." —Michelle E.
Promising review: "My son's summer camp does not allow open back sandals such as Crocs, and so while looking for a replacement, found these perfectly comfortable water shoes. He wears them on the regular. Happy son — happy mom!" —Juba
Get them from Amazon for $30+ (available in 35 colors and in sizes 1 toddler–12 big kid).
18. A Camp Friends autograph pillowcase so they can bring home a sweet memento signed by all the cabin mates they bonded with over the summer.
Peace Love and Doodles is a small biz based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that specializes in personalized gifts and stationery.
PS: The 30" x 20" pillowcase fits a standard-size pillow (not included).
Promising review: "Perfect for my daughter's first time at camp! I’m sending a fabric marker along for all of her friends to autograph!" —Melissa Madsen
Get it from Peace Love and Doodles on Etsy for $19.99.
19. A headlamp because it'll leave their hands free while exploring in the dark and not have to worry about fumbling with a flashlight.
20. A shower caddy that's so darn spacious you can tuck in a full size, rolled-up towel. Your child will be one happy little camper knowing their supplies won't fall out during the trek from the cabin to the bathroom.
Promising review: "I got this for my son last summer for him to use at summer camp. He said it worked great for him and there was enough individual pockets for him to keep bottles/toothbrush/toothpaste separated. The center section was big enough for a full-size towel to be rolled up in the center. Seems sturdy when there are things in it." —rebelangel
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 13 colors combinations.
21. A Label Daddy Camp Pack so you can finally say goodbye to your Sharpie. This peel and stick bundle comes with the perfect number of labels to ensure you have all the items on your camp packing list labeled and ready to go. (Oh, and your kids will love the variety of designs they can choose from!)
The labels come in a variety of sizes for everything from T-shirts to backpacks and sunscreen to cellphones. The labels are ~waterproof, microwave, dryer, dishwasher, and freezer safe.~ To personalize the labels, enter your child's full name and your contact info in the boxes before adding to cart.
Promising review: "Best labels ever. I have been ordering labels for at least seven years. There are always amazing. They are strong and stay on after long summers away at camp. I refresh each year." —Jennifer Merced
Get a pack of 154 from Label Daddy for $52.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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