Summer camp season is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about camp care packages ideas to send to your kids! Whether they’re off to sleepaway camp for the first time or are seasoned campers, receiving a thoughtful care package can brighten your camper’s day and make them feel closer to home.
So if you’re looking for inspiration, I’ve got you covered with these creative camp care packages ideas that were shared with me by my seasoned camp mom readers! (Thank you to everyone who sent me these amazing ideas!!!)
A few notes about this round-up:
- This list specifically covers non-food items, so you won’t find any snacks or candy here.
- If your camp does not allow care packages, these are some fun surprises you can sneak into your camper’s luggage!
- I’ve linked some of the items for easy online shopping, but you can also look at the Dollar Store or Five Below for lots of these items!
- I’ve listed the items in order of popularity. The first 6 were the most popular by a landslide (many, many votes for these items)!
My Top 5 Favorite Camp Care Packages Ideas
One more thing before we dive in, I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite ideas that I will definitely be borrowing this summer to send to my kids at sleepaway camp:
- A funny letter from Sprinkles and Mabel
- A friendship bracelet kit for Caroline
- Glow in the dark stuff for the whole cabin (Squishies, LED Light-Up Scrunchies, and Glow In The Dark Nail Polish for Caroline + Glow Critters and Foam Glow Batons for Thomas)
- Fabric Markers for signing blankets/pillowcases
- Disposable camera
OK, without further ado, here are 30 Camp Care Packages Ideas in order of the most popular items!
30 Reader Camp Care Packages Ideas
- Mad Libs: Camp Edition (hands down, the most recommended item)!!!!
- Glow in the dark stuff for the whole cabin (ideas: Squishies / Glow Critters / Glow Sticks/Necklaces / Light-Up Glow Bracelets / LED Light-Up Scrunchies / Foam Glow Batons / Magnatiles)
- Friendship Bracelet Kit (this KIT has 5100 clay beads, lots of charms, and is very inexpensive)!
- Nail stickers & Nail Polish (love this Glow In The Dark Set!)
- Disposable camera
- Stickers (Glow In The Dark Inspirational / Taylor Swift / Cute & Colorful / BFFs)
- Joke book
- Magazines
- Scrunchies + Hair Clips (LOVE these LED Light-Up Scrunchies)
- Sleep Eye Masks (I thought these Design-Your-Own were so fun and come in a pack for the whole cabin)
- Stuffed Animals (specifically Jellycat and Beanie Babies)
- Trading Cards (Pokémon, Football, etc.)
- Notebook/Journals + Fun Pens (These glitter gel scented pens are fun!)
- Pillowcase with Fabric Markers
- Word Search/Puzzle Book
- Card Games (6-in-1 / Spoons / Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza / Sussed?)
- A funny letter from your pet (with pictures)!
- Washable Sparkle Body Art Pens
- Bounce Balls (My kids LOVE these High Bounce Balls — they bounce wildly high)
- Mini Puzzles (Thought this 6-Pack of 100 Piece Cereal Boxes was SO fun!)
- Silly Putty (This PACK has color-changing and glow-in-the-dark)
- Family photo from something silly or special
- Temporary Tattoos (Gamer Glow / Taylor Swift 13 / Tie Dye / Groovy Glow)
- Fun Socks (These Snack + Junk Food Themed Crew Socks are hilarious!)
- Stress Balls
- Punch Balloons
- Bandanas
- Yo-Yo
- Magic 8 Ball
- Hawaiian Leis
