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It’s that time of year again! School’s finally out, and kids are getting all geared up for exciting summer adventures as mom and dad face the daunting task of getting their kiddos packed and prepared for sleep-away camp. Clothing aside (no doubt you’ve got all of the warm-weather staples covered), we’ve rounded up those extra camping essentials to check off your lengthy packing list to ensure that you will have one happy camper this season.
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
1 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
Trodat Clothing Stamp
Name it, and it's yours! As every seasoned parent of a camper knows, it's essential to label everything that goes off to camp to guarantee that your kiddo's clothing and personal belongings make it back home instead of landing in the lost-and-found. This Trodat Clothing Stamp is perfect for personalizing clothing with a stamp that can be customized with your kid's name. Best part? The stamp ink stays put for over 40 washes to last all through summer.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Easy to use! Great for everything!!
Very easy to use to label clothing and shoes for camp. The name does not smudge, and the letters are clear. It stays on in the wash and is clean and easy to store.
Stamped my daughter's clothes for camp and it worked very well. I washed some things after stamping them, and the labels still look good.
2 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
Seward Trunk Wheeled Footlocker
A well-organized trunk (with wheels!) filled with all of your kid's must-haves makes moving their belongings so much easier for mom and dad! This sturdy Seward Trunk Wheeled Footlocker is spacious enough to store clothing, shoes and accessories with a durable nickel closure to keep everything safe and secure. It’s available in six cool colors.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Good quality, no defects. Definitely, recommend others to buy this trunk.
This was perfect for a week-long summer camp. The wheels make it easy to get from car to cabin. My daughter loved that she could tape pictures inside the lid of her dogs to remind her of home.
We purchased three of these for our boys to take to summer camp. They held up exceptionally well with no issues at all. The wheels really helped with transporting them in and out of the house. Great buy!
3 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
Shacke Duffel XL Travel Duffel Bag
Sturdy enough to pack piles of extra clothes and essentials, this Shacke Duffel XL Travel Duffel Bag will definitely do the trick! Perfect for toting bulky or heavy items, this durable duffle can hold up to 70 pounds and can be folded neatly into a small storage bag when not in use for added convenience.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Much larger than I had expected. Good value for the money.
This bag is awesome. My son used it for church camp, and he was able to put his sleeping bag and all of his items in it for five days and still carry it.
Perfect for my daughters camp bag. Fit tons and was durable!
4 of 15 Image Credits: L.L. Bean
L.L. Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag
Perfect for packing all of your child's summer camp toiletries, this water-resistant L.L. Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag keeps everything stored neatly in roomy, zippered compartments. High-quality fabrics and a built-in hook make it easy to hang the bag anywhere. This handy toiletry bag holds up to 25 pounds and is available in nine colors.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Daughter's birthday gift...monogrammed. She LOVES it!
Durable and convenient.
Attractive Roomy Efficient Can't wait to use it!
5 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
Attmu Portable Shower Caddy
Convenient for toting toiletries and easy storage in a cabin cubby, this Attmu Portable Shower Caddy can keep all of your kid's personal care products organized while holding soaps, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, a toothbrush and much more in eight outer mesh pockets with a large interior compartment for towels and washcloths. The sturdy caddy comes in several awesome colors for boys and girls.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I like the fact that I can hold many items inside at once.
Great caddy! Bigger than I expected and very durable!
It's a mesh basket. It's durable. It survived a 3-week sleepover camp.
6 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50 Lotion
There will be plenty of fun in the sun planned, and sunscreen is a must to stay safe and keep your kid's skin protected. Sun Bum's Original Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50 Lotion is designed for daily use and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. The sunscreen is also hypoallergenic and made with all-natural ingredients for sensitive skin.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Does exactly as advertised, pleasant scent, and kind to sensitive skin. Also, we liked it is considered reef safe. Second time ordering this.
I bought this for my daughter to use at summer camp. She loved the beachy scent and eagerly applied it herself. (A first!) It protected her fair skin from sunburn.
The only sunscreen I use. Great for sensitive skin.
7 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
Kpow Waterproof Mosquito Repellent Wristbands
Worried that your little adventurer won't apply bug repellant regularly? Mom and dad can breathe easier knowing their little camper is safely armed against pesky insects thanks to this 12 pack of Kpow Waterproof Mosquito Repellent Wristbands. The eco-friendly, anti-mosquito bug bands are DEET-free and safe for use on children, eliminating the need for chemical-filled insect sprays. Kids can swim and enjoy water sports while wearing this adjustable, water repellent band that provides up to 720 hours protection.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
These bracelets worked like a miracle. We are not sure what to use on our four-year-old since we heard DEET repellents are bad for children. These bracelets kind of smell like citronella + rosemary which can be strong for some people but our daughter seems to love it. She wore it for two days and not one single bite her.
Brilliant idea for our family as we are outdoors a lot. They are easy to wear on your wrist and don't smell of strong chemicals like other bracelets I have bought. Safe for kids, and we even tied one to our dog's collar. Love the fact they come in different colors, so one pack suits males and females. I will definitely be buying them again.
This is an essential piece of kit for anyone who suffers from reactions to bites. These bracelets are perfect, especially for kids. I feel so much better using these instead of chemical sprays on their skin to keep the bugs away. There are plenty in the pack to last us a bit. And you put them back in the resealable bag until the next use.
8 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
Exclusivo Mezcla Cotton Cabana Striped Beach Towels
This 4-pack of Exclusivo Mezcla Cotton Cabana Striped Beach Towels is perfect for keeping poolside. These colorful, lightweight cotton towels are super absorbent and soft. Durable and machine washable, this set is sure to get plenty of use all summer!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
They are as advertised. They dry quickly and are absorbent. They are super thin so you can wash them all in one load with room to spare.
Great towels for money. Good size!
Love the towels. They are good as new after you wash them, and a great price.
9 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
WOWLIVE Extra Large Travel Nylon Laundry Bags
This 2-pack of WOWLIVE Extra Large Travel Nylon Laundry Bags are a must for collecting dirty clothes. Made with sturdy, water-resistant nylon material, these bags—which can be used as a hamper—are designed to hold a heavy load. Available in three color combinations.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Great for travel. The nylon fabric will not let bad odors out. Really good.
These are huge bags!! It is now away at summer camp. Made of nylon, so I don't need to worry about the stench.
These laundry bags are so sturdy and huge. I gave them to my grandsons since they aren't great about picking up their dirty clothes from the floor. The drawstrings keep everything from falling out. I would like to get more for my house so I can use them for storing blankets and extra pillows.
10 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
Coleman Kids Rain Poncho
A little rain doesn't have to put a damper on the day. Your kid can keep dry and stay outdoors sporting this PVC-free Coleman Kids Rain Poncho. Lightweight with full coverage, this hooded poncho has side snap closures and comes with a packable carrying case.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Great quality and worked well!
The rain poncho is great for kids. My son is 7-years-old, but he is tall. The ponchos fits perfectly, and he can put on his backpack and then the poncho. It's easy to store in his backpack. Love it!
Just what I needed for the kids when they went to camp. They were light enough for them to carry with them, during a week-long overnight camp. They dried out quickly and folded back down with ease for little hands. The sizing is great for my 8-year-old and 11-year old as well.
11 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
Dorcy 55 Lumen Floating Waterproof LED Flashlight
Shine a light on outdoor adventures with this Dorcy 55 Lumen Floating Waterproof LED Flashlight. This battery-operated flashlight lasts up to eight hours and contains four super bright LED bulbs. It’s perfectly handy for exploring the dark. Available in five bright colors.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Very good, small flashlight for the price.
I purchased these flashlights for my daughter's for camping. I have a 2-year-old, and an 8-year-old and both of them are able to operate the equipment. My two-year-old has done everything within her power to destroy this flashlight, and yet it still stands strong. I am very impressed with this product.
I purchased this for my daughter's sleep away camp, and as with everything else I purchased for camp, I half expected it not to return. I didn't want to invest in an expensive flashlight as a result, so I labeled the heck out of it, sent it on and hoped for the best. It works as expected, and when it did return, I bagged the light and the battery and saved it for next year.
12 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
Mad Libs Letters from Camp
Parents can hold out a little hope that their kiddo could possibly pen a note or two while away for the summer. Perhaps, this fab set of Mad Libs Letters from Camp will encourage your camper to do the write stuff and share details of their days on paper. The funny, fill-in-the-blank pages gives mom and dad a quick glimpse of their kid's summer fun.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Exactly what you'd expect it to be. Fun camp writing. My kids enjoyed it, and the price was great!
Perfect for sending to summer camp with a bunch of teens!
My kids have loved writing these letters from camp!
13 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
Pogo BPA-Free Plastic Water Bottle
It's essential to stay hydrated, especially when out in the summer sun. This thirst-quenching 18oz. Pogo BPA-Free Plastic Water Bottle is great to have on hand for quenching your kid's thirst. This bottle features a "chug-style lid" to down a daily recommended water intake while on the go. Available in eight colors.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Bought for my 7yo, who is kind of hard on cups. It holds up well and is a nice design, easy to clean and sturdy. He liked the colors available, and I like the price!
Dishwasher safe, leak-proof, great lunch size.
Bought these for the kids, 6 & 5-year-olds to bring to school/camp. I love that the spout is protected by a cover and the bottle itself is not extremely tall while also holding 18 oz. of liquid (we use this for water only). For the price, the value is awesome.
14 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
REVALCAMP Indoor and Outdoor Sleeping Bag
When it's time to call it a day, this REVALCAMP Indoor and Outdoor Sleeping Bag is great for getting a good night's sleep. Roomy and designed for kids and adults under 6'1, this sleeping bag has plenty of space to move around and features a lightweight design that makes it super easy to store. No need to roll it, simply pack it into the sturdy carrying case that comes with it. Available in several colors.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Bought for son heading to sleep-away camp = perfect size and lightweight for packing
My sons went to their 1st sleep away camp and used the bags. We followed the directions for stuffing it in the carrying bag and not rolling it. It worked perfectly. The filling is substantial enough to provide a comfortable sleep but is lightweight and not bulky. We love it.
I bought this bag for my daughter to take to an overnight camp. I love the color (violet), the weight and am excited for her to tell me about how well she slept!
15 of 15 Image Credits: Amazon
O2COOL Deluxe Handheld Misting Fan
There might be times when it's hard for your kid to keep their cool which is when this O2COOL Deluxe Handheld Misting Fan will come in handy. This powerful, portable fan features a fine mist spray that provides up to a thousand mists per bottle to help beat the heat. It also comes in a variety of colors.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
These are the only fans that work for us on those hot summer days.
Worked soooo great when we went to Florida! My little one took it EVERYWHERE!!! Never had to change the batteries once either and it was used very often for five days straight.
Took it camping where it was hot and no shade. It came in handy and lasted even after several drops.
