Camp Care Package Ideas | 25+ Kid-Approved Items They’ll Love

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Want to stay connected while your camper is away? Use these camp care package ideas to make their day.

Care packages for camp are a sweet way to stay connected to your camper and send a little love from home.

Overnight summer camp sparks many emotions for families, especially the first-time camp experience. So much planning goes into everything, from selecting the perfect overnight camp to checking off the summer camp packing list. Nevertheless, try not to make this an afterthought.  

One of their highlights is often receiving a care package for camp.

Because there are so many options, deciding what to send can seem like a challenge. We will help you plan and get the camp care package there on time. 

Keep in mind that timing is everything! If camp is only a week long, you must ship the package a few days before your family heads to camp. In this case, the idea is to have it arrive by day two or three. If the camp stay is longer, there is more flexibility on shipping. The USPS flat-rate boxes are a gem. What’s nice is that you’ll pay a flat fee to send up to 70 lbs anywhere in the U.S.

Whether this is your family’s first or tenth overnight camp experience, scroll through these camp care package ideas so they know you are thinking of them. Gather your items, a shipping box, and tissue paper, and don’t forget the note card!  You will surely get some cool points, and “maybe” a camp note or letter thanking you.

Let’s break down these camp care package ideas to find a “just right” combination for your special camper.

Camp Care Package Ideas

If the sweet girl in your life enjoys variety, this is the perfect selection for her care package for camp. Put them in a box with her favorite color of tissue paper and a fun note, and you are done.

Everything you need to create a girl’s camp care package:

1. Fabric Markers: Permanent markers are perfect for camp pillow autographs.
2. Bead Kit: This mini bead kit contains enough materials to make a couple of bracelets, making it perfect for a quick DIY project.
3. Fun Socks: Cool and comfy socks with a fun statement on the bottom will surely be a hit with a few giggles.
4. Alphabet Jewelry: Gather camp bunk mates and DIY personalized bracelets and necklaces.
5. Sussed: Always a big hit for kids with a sense of humor who want to have a little fun. The deck has hundreds of questions most kids have never been asked.
6. Friendship Bracelets: Classic camp care package fun! Our kids enjoyed making these as a bonding activity.
7. WaterElf: Think Slime 5.0! This stuff is super fun, creates endless playtime and a great sensory experience, and can be relaxing to play with during downtime.
8. Kanoodle: Campers can play this next-level brainteaser puzzle solo. Some might find it addictive.
9. Squishmallow Hair Clips: Dragging her favorite Squishmallow to camp may not have worked out, but these hair clips will surely put a smile on her face.

Don’t Forget! –Thinking of You Card: How cute is this s’mores-themed “thinking of you” note card?! Pen a fun note to seal her camp care package.

Boys love to receive camp care packages, too. They enjoy solo activities but are often eager to share care packages with their bunkmates. Girls might like some of these items, too.

Everything you need to create a boy’s camp care package:

1. WaterElf: Think Slime 5.0! This stuff is super fun, creates endless playtime and a great sensory experience, and can be relaxing to play with during downtime.
2. Temporary Tattoos: Fun and temporary, send a set of tattoos representing everything from Minecraft and race cars to gaming and space.
3. Rubik’s Cube: Classic fun that never goes out of style. Rubik’s Cubes help build logic skills and is the perfect downtime activity.
4. Kanoodle Genius: Campers can play this next-level brainteaser puzzle solo. Some might find it addictive.
5. Silly Jokes for Kids: Who doesn’t love a great joke? Surprise them with riddles, tongue twisters, knock-knock jokes, and one-liners.
6. Fun Socks: Comfy and cozy-themed socks to represent their favorite sport.
7. Minecraft Magnetic Games: Use a magnetic board and materials to keep all pieces together to play smart games and challenges. Girls will love this, too.
8. Sussed Game: Always a big hit for kids with a sense of humor who want to have a little fun. The deck has hundreds of questions most kids have never been asked.

Don’t Forget! Thinking of You Card: How cool is this camp-themed “thinking of you” note card?! Pen a fun note to seal his camp care package.

Teens are pretty unsuspecting when it comes to camp care packages. A variety of picks is nice to pique their ever-changing interests or moods. Having solo activities and an item or two they can share with a bunkmate is nice. With most camps having “no cellphone” policies, the Instax instant camera will spark any teen’s joy.

Everything you need to create a teen or tween’s camp care package:

1. Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera: Electronics not allowed. No problem! Bring back a bit of nostalgia and instantly capture camp memories the old-fashioned way!
2. Riddles for Smart Teens: This book is packed with different types of riddles. Math and logic are disguised as riddles, and they will keep them on their toes during the summer months.
3. Ultimate Camping Activity and Puzzle Book: A fun variety of activities your camper can play with bunkmates or on their own.
4. Kanoodle Head-to-Head Game: Invite a fellow camper to play this brain teaser for two.
5. Wave String Bracelets: Surprise her with a bit of razzle-dazzle. These camp-friendly bracelets are cute and can resist water.
6. Magic Ball Brain Teaser Game: This is the perfect stress reliever after a long day. It is a hands-on puzzle that is fun and relaxing.
7. Fun Sports-Themed Socks: Suprise them with a pair (or two) of fun socks featuring a sport they enjoy.
8. Hair Clip Set: New hair accessories to switch things up will be a summer camp care package favorite.
9. Watercolor Paper Paint Set: Beginner-friendly step-by-step exercises and projects teens will love during camp downtime.
10. Sussed Game: Always a big hit for kids with a sense of humor who want to have a little fun. The deck has hundreds of questions most kids have never been asked.

Don’t Forget! Thinking of You Card: Include a camp-themed “thinking of you” note card?! Pen a fun note to seal his camp care package.

More Camp Care Package Ideas

• Camp Note Cards: After gathering all the perfect items, consider the “Thinking of You” note card the cherry on top. A handwritten note is very personal and will surely put a smile on your camper’s face—a great way to make a home-camp connection.
• Camp Autograph Pillow: Bonding is only a signature away! Campers add their autograph to create a long-lasting memory to cherish after camp ends.
• Fabric Markers: Permanent markers are perfect for camp pillow autographs.
• Underwater Camera: Capture memories without worrying about damaging the camera. A digital waterproof device is key, easy to operate, and can be used beyond camp. Don’t forget the protective case.
• Toss and Catch: One of our favorite games of all time. It can be enjoyed by all ages. What’s nice is it can be played indoors or outdoors – perfect on rainy days.
• Stickers (vinyl): Whether your camper wants to decorate their water bottle or journal pages or trade them, vinyl stickers never disappoint.
• Fujifilm Instax Mini Camera: Electronics not allowed. No problem! Bring back a bit of nostalgia and instantly capture camp memories the old-fashioned way!
• Temporary Tattoos: Fun and temporary, send a set of tattoos representing everything from Minecraft and race cars to unicorns and space.

Tips:

• 1. Food: Before adding food to the camp care package, check with the camp admin or the website to confirm it’s okay. Some camps do not allow food packages.
• 2. USPS Flat Rate Box: These are gems. You can stuff up to 70 lbs in the free box for one flat rate.
• 3. Custom Labels: Save a few of their custom labels to tag items in the summer camp care package.