What Kids Actually Need for Summer Camp — Here’s How to Pack Smart (Without Overpacking)

It delivers a fine mist that won’t feel sticky on kids’ skin. This is a mineral sunscreen made without oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are used in chemical sunscreens and are absorbed by the skin. Just note that this is best reapplied every two hours or after 80 minutes of sweating and swimming.

One thing that sets this sunscreen apart is that it can be used on wet or dry skin. Just one quick tip: Because it goes on clear, it’s easy to miss spots, so you may want to enlist a counselor’s help with this one.

Keep the sun out of their eyes and off their faces with this full-brimmed, safari-style hat. A non-chafing chin strap keeps it in place even during the roughest game of capture the flag. It has a durable water-repellent finish that doesn’t contain added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), as well as 40-plus ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) sun protection. The wide brim gives good coverage for the head, face, and neck on those long summer days. It has ventilation holes and a moisture-wicking internal headband, making it comfortable for kids on the go.

This tick and insect repellent earned its spot on our roundup of the best mosquito repellents because it held for almost 12 hours outdoors without a single bite. It contains a whopping 30 percent DEET, but the water-based formula is designed to stay on the skin rather than absorb into it. Just note that while this product can be used on kids, it takes a little bit of effort to rub in, and it should be applied to an adult’s hands first, not directly onto kids, according to the brand.

The Original Tick Key doesn’t look intimidating like tweezers (which can make kids nervous), and it’s completely nonsharp and lightweight, made from anodized aluminum, so you can easily toss it into a camp backpack. The flat, key-style design works on a range of tick sizes, from tiny to fully engorged, by sliding underneath and using a gentle forward motion to remove the tick cleanly without leaving anything behind.

It fits right on a keychain or clips to a backpack, making it easy to keep on hand during hikes and outdoor activities. It earned “best tick key” in our roundup of the best tick removers, thanks to its ease of use, comfort, and ability to remove ticks without causing pain.

When it comes to packing for sleepaway camp, the bigger the better. This duffel bag comes in several sizes (larger ones can fit a nine-foot Christmas tree, for context) and can handle being tossed into bus storage or dragged through a gravel parking lot, thanks to two-way reinforced webbing.

One of the nice things about this duffel bag is that it folds flat for the 10 months of the year it’s not in use. It comes in a bunch of bright colors too, which will help it stand out in the sea of black bags piled outside the camp bus. One thing to note: It doesn’t have wheels, so getting it from the car to the cabin may require some muscle.

You can’t predict the weather at camp, whether your kid will be homesick, or if they’ll like the food, but one thing is certain: They’ll come home with a mountain of laundry.

This laundry backpack is essentially a hamper they can take on the go. It has a large opening that fits a ton of laundry, plus a smaller pocket for detergent and other laundry essentials. The strap is soft, so they can tote it around comfortably, even when it’s full of wet swim clothes and other treasures you’ll unearth at a later date.

This durable, leakproof, bisphenol A–free lunch box can handle bumps on the bus ride to camp and being tossed around in a backpack. It features three compartments to keep snacks and lunch separate (and not soggy), plus the option to add an insulated bowl to the largest section if you’re packing something hot (though it works just as well for sandwiches and wraps, which you’re probably more likely to send to camp).

“I love that it comes with the insulated bowl so I can pack hot or cold items for my daughter’s lunch. I also love that there are a couple of customization options. Plus, it’s so cute!” says editor Ashley Zeigler.

When you’re packing camp snacks, you want something good enough that they’ll actually pause a heated game of gaga ball to refuel. These gluten-free cracker sandwiches fit the bill. “When it comes to gluten-free snacks, it can be tough finding a snack that doesn’t taste like it’s gluten-free, but this product goes a long way,” says editorial director Simone Scully. “It is a little on the drier side, but overall, these snacks are sweet (without being overly so), tasty, and kid-friendly.”

Each treat comes individually wrapped, which is nice if you’re planning to tuck them into a camp lunch. They’re gluten-free, certified USDA Organic, and made with sunflower seed butter, which makes them a great choice for camps with nut-free policies (there are also peanut butter and chocolate-and-peanut-butter options, if that’s allowed). Just note that these are made with cassava flour, which in some instances have tested positive for lead, according to Consumer Reports.

Scully tried this with her fruit-loving son, who had tried several different lunch boxes and was tired of bringing home “raspberry soup and warm strawberry mush,” even with an included ice pack. She says that with the PackIt Freezable Lunch Bag, his lunch boxes stay colder longer, and she doesn’t mind sending cheese, because she knows it’ll stay cold. The real win? “He also tends to finish more of his lunch, with fruit that doesn't end up warm and squished or string cheese that goes nicely in his snack packs.”

Whether your kid’s into basic black or funky patterns, there’s something for everyone, and this is one of those items that’s not terribly expensive and you will use again and again on beach days, plane rides, day trips, and more.

My son has this perfectly sized water bottle and, frankly, I steal it from him more often than I should. The 12-ounce capacity is just right for little hands, and it fits easily in most daypacks. Like all Hydro Flask bottles, it keeps water cold all day and is rugged enough to handle drops and tumbles (thanks to the rubbery, removable “flex boot” at the bottom), and it comes in fun, bright color options that make it easy for kids to spot their own bottle on a crowded sideline.

These shoes may look like rainbow sherbet, but don’t be fooled — they’re tough enough for all kinds of camp adventures. The hybrid style makes these shoes amphibious, working well on land and in water. Translation? They’ll go from the pool deck to the art studio to the baseball field without skipping a beat, and they’re even comfortable enough to wear on mild hikes.

And if pastels aren’t their thing, these come in an awesome array of vibrant colors.

This cozy, hooded zip-up towel is perfect post-swim or at the end of the day on cool summer evenings. The cotton-blend fabric is soft and absorbent, and the convenient front pockets make it easy to stash sunscreen, goggles, and whatever little treasures kids accumulate throughout the day. I love the stripes, but it also comes in several bold, fun prints that kids will adore (and will make it easy to spot in the lost and found).

No pool day is complete without goggles, but they can be so cumbersome and uncomfortable. Not these; they’re so comfortable my 3-year-old wore them the whole way home from the pool after swim lessons.

The easy-adjust bungee strap won’t pull or snag hair, and the UV-400 protection in the lenses shields eyes from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Antifog lenses let kids see clearly underwater.

Your little one will be snug as a bug in this super warm synthetic sleeping bag from REI Co-op. It fits kids up to 5 feet tall, but the adjustable design makes it feel cozy (not cavernous) for smaller campers too. A loose-fitting hood and internal cinch cord help keep a pillow from sliding away in the middle of the night, a small detail that can make a big difference on nights away from home.

The durable recycled polyester shell features a durable water-repellent finish made without PFAS, which is especially useful in damp cabins or for the occasional overnight outdoors. And if you have a forgetful kid (who doesn’t?), you’ll appreciate that the stuff sack stays attached.