Give Dad the ultimate pick-me-up treat with this DIY toolbox! The perfect gift for Father’s Day, or any day your family wants to show extra love to Dad. Use the free printable provided to create this easy Father’s Day Box!
Dad’s Ultimate Toolbox Printable
What’s the best way to get through those hard days? The answer is candy, of course! This fun and easy printable is an amazing way to create an easy and useful gift for dads. Father’s Day is coming up, and if you or your kids are scrambling to find a gift that Dad will love, this Ultimate DIY toolbox is the perfect solution. Every dad out there will love their Father’s Day box, and the best part about it is how cheap it is to create! All you need are Dad’s favorite candies, a box, and this free printable for a memorable gift. Plus, you can give this Father’s Day box to Dad even if it’s not Father’s Day. Save this printable and give Dad his ultimate toolbox on his birthday, on any other special occasion, or just because. It’s a fantastic way to remind dads just how loved and appreciate they are. Have fun making this Ultimate Toolbox and enjoy your free printables!
Supplies you’ll need to create Dad’s Ultimate Toolbox:
A plastic box with dividers. I like these boxes because you can remove the dividers to customize the space and fit all of your goodies inside.
Your free Dad’s Ultimate Toolbox gift tag printable! Just follow the directions below to get your free download.
Directions:
First, fill your box with all of your “toolbox” essentials. We recommend Dad’s favorite candy and any other treats he would love.
Next, tie your box up with your choice of curling ribbon and use scissors to curl the ends. Choose curling ribbon that matches Dad’s favorite colors for a personal touch!
Then, you can hole-punch your Dad’s Ultimate Toolbox gift tag printables and tie them on with the ribbon or tape/glue them to the box — whichever you prefer!
You’re done! Give your Father’s Day Box to Dad and pat yourself on the back for giving a great gift.
By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.
I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!
Enjoying summer? We are and what better way to start than to “trick” your kids into studyinglearning playing games than this FREE Preschool Software Trial .
ABCmouse.com is ready to get your little one prepared for school with their 30 Day FREE offer! ABCMouse.com offers full online ciurrculim for kids Preschool and up with 10 levels, 850 lessons, and more than 9000 individual learning activities to keep their minds exploring – for hours!
The World Around Us (basic science and social studies)
Art and Music (drawing and coloring, tracing, paint-by-numbers, children’s songs, and more!
My household took advantage of this FREE ABCmouse Trial Offer for 30 Days. I can not express the fun we shared around the family desktop. With so many lessons and learning activities it kept the little ones laughing and progressing with every click. My children loved to roam from the classroom to the zoo, to the farm and back to the classroom. Their laughter even made me, the mom, happy. I was surely able to get a lot done!
Each day, after a parental login, your child will be greeted with a home-menu like the one below offering them multiple ways to start their day. They can discover what is NEW or take part in the days Feature Active, explore the classroom, or choose to work ahead on their Things To-do. Your child’s page will map his or her progress in an easy to understand method that will keep them moving along.
Below we just started our 5 year program take a look, you can see we will be challenged with over 707 lessons and activities!
ABCmouse.com curriculum includes six different types of activities to address the way your child learns:
Children’s Books
Children’s Songs
Games
Puzzles
Art Activities
Printables – great for taking it to the restaurant, car, doctors office and more
ABCmouse.com offers the largest collection of online education activities for young children on the web:
More than 250 online children’s books
More than 100 online children’s songs
More than 650 online children’s art activities, including online coloring and online paint-by-numbers activities
More than 250 online educational games for children, including online phonics games, online number games and other online math games
More than 550 online children’s puzzles
For your comfort, mothers, ABCmouse.com creates a safe online learning experience with no advertisements, no pop-up ads, and no links to other websites. With the Step-by-Step Learning Path it was easy for me to allow their online teacher to progress their minds for Guided Learning, or to even turn them loose for some Independent Learning – knowing they were secure with ABCmouse.com.
A few of my favorite features I have only seen with ABCmouse; for my smallest child to be able to break each word up by syllables, record his voice, play it back, and then pronounce the word correctly was great! My oldest loved to give each lesson a try to earn tickets. Then cash the tickets in for rewards and prizes for their room, hamster, fish, and etc. Collecting tickets kept them both playing and asking for more learning time day after day!
The first 30 days are 100% FREE after that just $9.95 a month. This is a limited time deal, but you can cancel your account anytime on the “my account” page in the Parents section. Really simple and one offer that this household continues to explore!
Happy Learning – Enjoy your FREE ABCmouse Trial! WHAT’S TRENDING? Get ready for summer with low-cost activities and games for the kids! GET YOUR SUMMER BOREDOM BUSTER BUNDLE.
Create a memorable outdoor adventure with this Kid’s Camping Journal Printable. Using guided prompts have your child share favorite events, who they traveled with, memories and more. Continue the tradition each year and add to your camping printable as a kid’s camping logbook.
Kid’s Camping Journal
Many of us have taken our kids camping and it was a great experience. However, there is a way to take your camping adventures a step further. If you’d like to get your kids even MORE involved in the camping experience, then it’s time to check out a camping journal. I want to walk you through how to utilize a kid’s camping journal and how it can be a great asset to learning.
Camper’s Profile
I love the idea of a camping journal because kids camp more than once in their lifetime. Each time you take your child camping, they can have a new profile. It’s so fun to look back on the camper’s profile and see what age, grade, location, etc, for each camping trip. Putting together the camper’s profile is one of the best parts for kids and creates a memory page you can keep forever!
Camping Education
When we do something with our kids, we strive to make it a little educational. I have found that this camping journal for kids is an excellent way to teach them about camping and where it all started. Everything we do didn’t just happen, there is always a story behind it and a camping journal is a great way to track that history!
Camping Education Answers:
What is Camping? Camping is a _____ activity. It is usually done _____ for _____ . (These can all be personalized to your child.)
Who is Thomas Hiram Holding?Thomas Hiram Holding is the founder of modern recreational camping. He made the first camping handbook in the world.
Camping Buddies
Whether your child is going off to camp with a recreational group or you are taking them camping, they always meet someone new. It’s always a lot of fun to get their information, so that you can keep in touch. There is space in this camping journal for kids to be able to keep track of their camping buddies and even get in touch with them when they get home and get settled. Perhaps a future pen pal!
Camping Lessons
You can’t live if you don’t learn. While camping, your child is bound to learn a lot from camping. This camping diary will allow your child to keep track of what they have learned from camping. It’s fun to use this journal as a memoir as well. Your child can hold onto these journals and look back to see what they’ve learned through their camping experiences.
Extra Options
I have to say that this camping notebook is an excellent way to add to a kid’s camping experience. Some of the extra options of this camping journal that I really like is that your child can keep track of their favorite memories, draw or paint their favorite scenes, and even add to their camping photo wall. Print every where and you can keep a running journal and watch your child age.
Use this camping journal to record the details of your camping adventures so you can look back on and share experiences and favorite spots. Use fill-in the blank pages that act as a guided prompt to write in such camping details such as location, date, notable amenities and attractions, who shared the trip, who you met, favorite events, and things to avoid next time.
Camping Games
Do you need a few games to keep you busy while you camp? There are plenty of ways to keep children entertained while outdoors. Keep this camping journal by their sleeping bag at night. You can also find creative ideas in our overnight camping ideas including camping crafts and camping games. We have a large series of Outdoor Games for Night or print our Flashlight Scavenger Hunt for fun memories and family traditions.
You’ll enjoy camping with your child and ensuring they are learning as much as possible while being in nature. Continue this tradition by printing new pages each year and creating a yearly camping logbook for kids!
By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.
I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!
*Note: these Staple print service steps were added in Winter 2020. The directions may change as the website changes. They should give you a general outline of how to upload and order a print on Staples.com.
Reinvent your typical camping vacation by taking your tent to the beach! These Beach Camping Basics and Tips will have you ready to embrace the sand and sun at your favorite local beach campsite. Camping at the beach has never been easier or more enjoyable!
Beach Camping Basics & Tips
Nothing feels more relaxing and fun to me than kicking back on a sun-drenched beach while my kids giggle and splash in the water. This could just be the Florida girl in me, but very few things beat beach camping in the summertime. Whether you’re embarking on this adventure for the first time on your own or with your family, preparation is key to making this a worthwhile endeavor for everyone, especially you. Keep these tips for camping on the beach handy for your next excursion to stay prepared and make some unforgettable summer memories.
Can you camp on the beach?
In short, it totally depends on the beach! Make sure you research the rules and regulations pertaining to camping on the beach at your desired shore. Doing your research ahead of time will give you peace of mind knowing that you well-prepared for an unforgettable beach vacation.
Know Your Destination Area
Whether you’re camping directly on a beach or at a nearby campsite, it’s important to know the area you’re going to. Will there be a source of water available? What about electricity and showers/bathrooms? If it’s a bare campsite, that means you’ll need to bring everything you need and be prepared to haul it back out again.
Regardless of the facilities and amenities provided, you’ll need to plan accordingly for how long you’re going to stay. There are plenty of camping hacks out there to help you improvise for what you need as well. Grab a map of your campground and see if you can get there by car or you’ll need to walk a ways. That will affect what you decide to bring with you!
Make a List
There’s no worse feeling than arriving at your camping spot, boogie board in hand and poised to dive in, and realizing that you forgot diapers or deodorant. While that might be a unique tactic for claiming more sleeping space, forgetting necessary items will most assuredly add unwanted stress to your getaway vacation.
It might be the natural organizer in me, but I feel more confident that I have all the essentials when I have a checklist in front of me. Try this free beach packing list to make sure you remember everything for your beach camping trip.
Plan Your Meals Ahead
While carving a fishing spear out of a tree branch in order to “live off the land” may seem quite rugged and exciting, that excitement will quickly wane after your three-year-old’s piercing screams for animal crackers. Unfortunately, you can’t hunt and gather those in the wild.
It’s important to have meals planned BEFORE you arrive at your campsite. Make sure the meals are low-prep and can easily be prepared over a campfire. There are some delicious foil packet meals out there that my family has tried and loved. Also, speaking from experience, aluminum foil is the quintessential camping meal prep item that every beach camper should have in their arsenal.
Snacks are a must. After all, the sun can quickly take you from full to famished. One recipe we always make for the beach is our beach snack mix! Double or even triple your recipe for hungry bellies.
Have the Right Equipment for Camping at the Beach
Having the right camping equipment can make or break your beach camping experience. You’ll want to invest in gear that’s appropriate for the place and time of year you’re making your trip. This doesn’t mean that you’ll have to take out a second mortgage on your home, though. Ask your friends if you can borrow their tents/gear first, and there is nothing wrong with gently used camping tents and equipment either.
Regardless of how you get your hands on a tent, you’ll want to ensure it has the following qualities:
Well-ventilated
Easy set-up and breakdown
Lightweight
UPF 50+ Protection (Recommended)
You’ll also want to make sure that you have good ground cover to prepare for any type of weather. If it’s hot, there’s a virtual certainty of sand fleas and ticks. No one wants to worry about sharing their sleeping quarters with sand fleas. No one.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
The type of beach you’re camping at (sandy or rocky) will determine what clothing you’ll want to throw in your suitcase, but for the most part, you’ll want items that are:
Lightweight and moisture-wicking
A nice hat that shades you from the sun
Mosquito netting
Water shoes (if beach is sandy)
Water-resistant sneakers (if beach is rocky)
Have Activities Planned
While it is fun to be spur of the minute, consider planning ahead some of the things you might want to do on your trip. Get organized by downloading these Beach Games or Camping Games. Both can be played when beach camping and include game directions and a supply list (so you have your camping packing list ready before going!)
All in all, the key to a fun, memorable beach camping experience is preparation, organization, and a healthy thirst for adventure. Follow these Beach Camping Basics and you’ll be a pro in no time. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s go to the beach!
Going on a road trip? Escaping your town for a night under the stars? This RV Packing List will ensure that nothing is left behind! Download this camper supply list printable before you put the rubber wheels on the asphalt. With our RV camping checklist, you’re guaranteed to enjoy your next family camping trip with the comforts of everything you need!
RV Packing List
There is a lot to remember before going on a road trip. Most of the time, I’m packing days or even weeks in advance. Even if I am not physically packing, I have a running list on my phone — sometimes as far out as a month ahead. Since as early as I could remember, I relied on a list for getting me out the door. It didn’t have to be fancy. Often it was on a torn off sheet of paper, but I used it as my organized checklist. It’s always so helpful to have an RV camping checklist before hitting the pavement. When you’re out on a rural road, you never want to be without your family’s essentials!
If forgetting something on a trip feels like a nightmare, you’ll definitely want to save this RV Checklist and Packing List. Included is everything you need for your next RV trip on the road. This RV Camping List leaves nothing behind, so you get the ultimate peace of mind on your road vacation!
Enjoy life on the road!
Packing List for RV Camping
Our Packing Checklist for RV Camping includes the following.
General Camping Supplies
___Alarm clock
___Firewood and Axe
___Basic Tool Kit
___Lighters and Matches
___Flashlights and extra batteries
___ Beddings ( sleeping bag)
___Camera battery and battery charger
___Backpacks and beach bags
___Swiss army knifes
___Lanterns and lantern fuel
___Map, compass, GPS
___Sunscreen and bug spray
___Updated first aid kit and medications (Our Busy Mom Binder has a medication printable)
Camping Kitchen Supplies
___Meal plan (See our Camping Recipe Ideas)
___Camping stove and fuel
___Groceries as per meal plan
___Spices and salt pepper
___Drinking water
___Can opener
___Pots and pans
___Dishes cups and utensils
___Aluminum foil
___Trash and recycling bags
___Ziploc bags
___Dishwashing Items
Camping Toiletries & Personal Items
___Toothbrushes and toothpaste
___Body wash and shampoo
___Towels
___Shaving supplies
___Hair care systems
___Laundry bag
___Hand sanitizer
___Baby wipes
___Toilet paper
___Glasses and care items
Camping Clothing
___Warm and cold weather clothes
___ Hats and gloves
___ Undergarments
___ Socks
___ Rangegear
___Warm and cold weather foot gear
Let us know what you would add to the list by leaving a comment on this post.
RV Packing List Printable
Get all of our free printables including RV Packing List including our Camping Packing List. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.
3.) Look for the link and passcode in your inbox to access your RV checklist.
By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.
I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!
This might be a product you want to laminate so you can use every time you hop in the RV. We recommend this Scotch Thermal Laminator. I have had mine almost 10 years and it still runs strong.
Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final RV Packing List. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!
Make your own party beverage tub with these free SVG files for Cricut Design Space. This outdoor galvanized ice bucket has two optional messages “Chillin” or “Enjoy.” Also create your own vinyl personalized beverage tub and ice bucket with this step-by-step Cricut tutorial.
DIY Party Beverage Tub
In no time you can have a perfect Outdoor Beverage Tub. Using our free SVG files, add the summertime phrase “chillin” or “enjoy” to create a summertime drink bucket to keep your beverages cool.
Fill your DIY beverage tub with your favorite ice cold drinks, chill and enjoy (all the pun!)
Galvanized Beverage Tub
For this DIY Cricut Project, we used a Galvanized Beverage Tub similar to this one at Michaels or this one on Amazon. The reason we chose galvanized for our backyard beverage tub, was because it is known to have a protective zinc coating to prevent rusting, so they’re suitable for indoor and outdoor use, as well as, water exposure.
Another popular backyard beverage cooler is the Igloo Party Bucket Cooler. This double walled cooler has a foam insulated body to keep drinks cold but it will prevent condensation or “sweat” like unlined tubs. Whichever cooler you choose for your personalized beverage holder (ice bucket), make sure it has an area with a smooth surface to apply your Cricut vinyl summertime phrases – chillin or enjoy.
DIY Beverage Bucket
Materials
Enjoy and Chillin SVG File (see below or get it here)
Cricut Maker cutting machine with Fine Point Blade
*If you do want to use transfer tape for this project, consider using Duck Brand Peel Clear Laminate as an alternative to Cricut transfer tape. Some people prefer this brand more.
Directions
Gather your supplies and in a few simple minutes, you will have your personalized beverage tub. This outdoor drink tub is perfect for a gathering or just for storing on your patio or deck for quick family get togethers.
Click on the “+” sign to start a new project, opening up a blank canvas.
Click on the “Upload” button from the toolbar and browse your downloaded files to insert the summertime SVG files – chillin or enjoy.
The cut image will appear on the canvas.
With the image selected, click on the “Attach” button to secure all parts of the image together for cutting.
Maintain the size or adjust to fit your ice bucket. To adjust the size, highlight the image and click on the size box in the top toolbar.
Change the measurement to suit your galvanized beverage tub size accordingly.
How to Print SVG Files
Select “Make It” in the upper right corner to proceed with cutting.
Choose the Outdoor Vinyl, Permanent from the list of options in the drop down menu.
Place the Permanent Vinyl on the standard grip mat.
Following the instructions prompted on the screen, cut out the vinyl.
Making the Beverage Bucket
Cut around the image(s) with a pair of scissors.
Using the weeding tool, peel away the excess vinyl around the cut images and discard.
Cut a piece of transfer tape a bit larger than the size of the image.
Peel away the transfer tape backing and place the transfer tape on top of the cut image. Gently rub the vinyl to help it stick to the transfer tape.
Peel away the vinyl backing, leaving just the image adhered to the transfer tape. Trim transfer tape if needed.
Carefully consider the placement before applying as the permanent vinyl can’t be removed if placed incorrectly. Position the image with the transfer tape on to the beverage tub and press in place.
Press the image down with your fingers or with the Cricut scraping tool to help it to stick to the tub.
Slowly remove the transfer tape leaving the vinyl image on the tub. Repeat with the other image on the opposite side of the tub if desired.
Fill the galvanized beverage bucket with your favorite drinks, chill and enjoy (all the pun!)
Cricut Free SVG Files
Get all of our free printables including the free SVG cut files. Cut files include both phrases “chillin” and “enjoy” for you to add to your party tub. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.
By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.
I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!
Ready for the great outdoors? These Overnight Camping Hacks and Tips will keep you and the kids busy while you enjoy your camping trip! Save these creative camping activities, campfire games, and recipes to complete your list of things to do while camping at night!
Camping at Night Hacks, Activities, and More
Camping is such an adventure, and there’s nothing like camping at night to give you the full immersive experience of the great outdoors! The trouble comes when you’re trying to find a way to keep the kids occupied while spending the night at the campsite. These Camping at Night Hacks and Tips has all of the fun stuff to keep everyone busy while serving up some wisdom that will make camping easier. Keep an eye out for our list of Things To Do While Camping at Night – games, activities and traditions to start with the family on your next camp trip! These camping hacks and camping activities will be a winner among kids and adults alike!
What should you not forget when camping?
Even if you’re only camping for one night, there are a few key supplies that everyone needs when going overnight camping!
What is the most comfortable way to sleep in a tent?
Simply having a sleeping bag will still feel like you’re sleeping on hard ground. If you’re looking for a more comfortable way to camp overnight, we recommend bringing a sleeping pad or cot of some sort to make your temporary bed a little cushier. These aren’t necessary, so don’t stress if you forget to take them along!
Before your camping vacation, take a look at these camping ideas including…
We took some of our beloved Camping Hacks and Tips and stepped it up with new Overnight Camping Tips and Ideas.
Keep your personal sleeping space clean. Your tent should be clean so you can get the best sleep possible, even when you’re camping! This shoe basket camping hack keeps all shoes out of the tent and the sleeping area free of mud and dirt. | Sunny Simple Life
Prevent cool air from escaping the top of the cooler with a DIY cooler cover. Recycle an old foam sleeping pad or yoga mat and cut the foam mat the exact dimension of the cooler interior. This is a great hack for camping at night to keep your breakfast ingredients chilled! | Cabela’s
Bring solar lights to illuminate your campsite when you’re camping at night. Stake them around the campsite (especially near your tent stakes to prevent tripping) or mount in an inverted Terra Cotta pot. | Starling Travel
Don’t just bring water — freeze your water jugs before you go! Use them as your drinking water as they melt. This way you’ll have cold water all night (and morning) long. You can also illuminate water jugs with a head lamp with this creative Camping at Night Hack. | Instructables
This camping hack is a must for everyone. Prevent yourself and your family from tripping over tent stakes by marking them off with bright pool noodles. Can’t miss them! | Source
Safety first with this unique camping hack. Keep sharp knives safely tucked away in pieces of pool noodles. | Kid Friendly Things to Do
Taking an extended camping trip or staying near water? Start stockpiling your bread tags for this next camping at night hack. They make great clothespins for drying clothes or other items. | REI
I highly recommend water shoes when camping. However, it can be inevitable a pair of cloth sneakers gets soaked. Have extra newspapers. Pack some newspapers to line a table, help start a fire or speed up the drying process overnight. | According to Elle
This camping food hack is the best. Make your own on-the-go-traveling pantry. You’ll get easy access to all the essentials and can close the door to keep out critters at night! | Mountain Campingz
When it’s time for bed, turn a pool float into a mattress and cover with a sleeping bag, blanket and/or sheets. It’s like your own air mattress, but you don’t have to pack or pay for one! | Meg for It
Things To Do While Camping at Night
Get creative with these fun nighttime camping activities that go beyond the standard board game and ghost story.
You can partially prepare this camping arts and crafts idea at home. Write your kid’s name on white paper with Sharpie. Once you go camping, collect nature (leaves, sticks, twigs, etc) to create this adorable art, a nature name activity. | Mrs. Jones Creation Station
During the day, talk about constellations. Teach your kids about what a constellation is — a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern that is traditionally named after its apparent form or identified with a mythological figure. While it is light outside, make this camp craft, a Stellar Constellation Viewer for Kids. At night, stargaze around the campfire and talk about the constellations on your viewer that you also see in the night sky.
Everyone loves a classic s’more recipe. Once the sun goes down, put a twist on your average camping dessert with our Campfire Cones! Maybe less messy, definitely more fun!
Want to try something different? Make colored fire. How cool is this? Packages of colored fire crystals or pine cones are sold at most camping supply stores or online on Amazon. If you want to make your own, you can check out these DIY colored fire ingredients.
Don’t forget about telling stories around the campfire! Use a flashlight and your tent to make a shadow puppets show. This How to Make a Shadow Puppet tutorial is very helpful. | Fine Art America
Have camping activities planned for the kids. These are some of the Best Camping Games for Kidsand include directions and a supply list. Most of the supplies you will already have on your trip!
Get ready for a strike with this glow in the dark bowling game using glow sticks and 2-liter water bottles. (As seen in our Summer Bucket List.) | Growing a Jeweled Rose
Have you ever heard of flashlight tag? This is one of the most fun camping activities, and it helps the kids get some energy out before it’s time for bed.
Flashlight Tag Directions: Similar to hide and seek. Everyone carries their own flashlight but only the person who is IT has their’s on. Instead of tagging with hands, you tag with light. Once you’ve been tagged, you turn on your flashlight, point it toward the sky and stand still. Another player can free you by crawling in between your legs (or tagging you). Once everyone is frozen IT wins and the game starts.
Before everyone hides, establish a perimeter (area you cannot go past.) This is especially important for campsites or unfamiliar areas.
We have plenty of other night games you can play outdoors! Print our night games for kids. This includes Glow Sardines, Flashlight Tag, Gloweyball, Ghost in the Graveyard, Firefly, Kick the Can in the Dark, and Night Statues.
Whether you’re sending your kid to sleepaway camp for the first time or they’re a seasoned pro, this ultimate list of Summer Camp Hacks is a must! From free printables, to summer camp packing lists, to camping tips and tricks, there’s something for every little camper who’s going away for a few weeks. This list of summer camp ideas will have you all set to go for your outdoor summer adventure away from home.
Summer Camp Hacks & Tips
Last year was my first official experience with prepping for summer camp, and it was a crazy time! My girls had their first sleepaway camp experience, spending two weeks away from home. One of my girls had never even had a successful overnight out of the home without a family member. So, since I was already quite anxious about her being away for two whole weeks, I began the process of doing everything I could to prepare the girls for summer sleepaway camp. I wanted to gather all of the best camp tips to make their experience as comfortable and fun as possible!
What should you NOT bring to summer camp?
We’re about to dive into all the things you should bring to summer camp, but first, make sure to leave these items at home. Camp isn’t anything fancy, and you should only bring what you really need. We don’t recommend that you bring…
Valuable or expensive items, like jewelry or nice watches
Anything so sentimental that you don’t want to risk it getting damaged or lost
Food (Many camps don’t allow food in to keep critters out)
Phones, laptops, etc. (Summer camps are all about unplugging and having fun without your devices!)
How do you pack a summer camp trunk?
When you’re packing all your things away for the summer, make sure that your kids’ necessities and everyday items are towards the top, while less frequently used items are towards the bottom. This will help them access everything easily. Also, it’s a good idea to pack their towels and sheets at the very top of the trunk. These will be the first items they need to use when they are setting up their bunk.
You’ve got to be smart about packing for summer camp! Check out these summer camp packing tips and tricks to make the most out of what you bring.
First, you need a camp trunk — not a suitcase. I learned this a little late in the game. For our first mommy/daughter camp we went to, we brought a suitcase and it was quite a challenge to get through the mountains.
We learned our lesson on that first trip. Having a trunk to open and close every day was much more efficient for our girls. Camp Trunks are so affordable on Amazon.
This is the summer camp trunk that we got. The price was great! If I had to change one thing, it would be to get a trunk that’s a little bit larger, but now their trunks are totally personalized with stickers so they’re here to stay. stickers.
I thought I did amazing things with my girls’ trunks, but woah — Ashley has done something even greater! This frugal-friendly, customized summer camp trunk tutorial will make your kid’s trunk just as unique as they are. | Lil Blue Boo
Summer Camp Packing List
We have a freebie for you. Download and print this kids Summer Camp Packing list by being a member of our email list. This is primarily for sleep away summer camp but you can, of course, leave off the things not needed for overnights (like sleeping bags) if you are going to a day summer camp.
To get all of our free printables including this Summer Camp Packing List, subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download any of our free printables. Don’t forget necessities like a reading light, laundry bag, spending money, bug spray, a rain jacket, flip flops and more.
I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!
Camp Hair Don’t Care! Keeping your hair in check is quite hard when showering in the mountains, so we’ve learned some camp tips for hair the hard way. Make sure to pack hats, a lot of hair ties (for getting lost sharing a big cabin) and bandanas. Don’t forget to pick up the Camp Hair Don’t Care tees!
Every VSCO girl and summer camper needs a metal Hydro Flask water bottle to refill with their name in Sharpie underneath. Camp VSCO stickers allows kids to personalize their canteen. For your camp water bottle, grab small stickers during your travels and add them on or grab camp Hydro Flask stickers from Amazon. They have some really cute options! You can use these stickers to personalize your camp trunk too. | Source
Friendship bracelets are one of the best activities at summer camp! Use your water bottle as a base for friendship bracelet making. Make sure to pack Embroidery Floss for yourself and a lot extra for friends. It will be very popular! | Source
Summer camp schedules keep the kids pretty busy, but there’s more downtime than you might think. For a fun and memorable camp experience, have your child bring some printables to complete during their free time. We love these printable Mad Libs from Woo Jr. You could also grab this summer camp Mad Libs book.
Remember that free time we spoke about? Pack a book (or two for bookworms or long stays at camp). My daughter worked on the Camp Confidential series while she was away at camp.
Tip: Curious about the book rating or what other thing, visit Common Sense Media to search book titles.
Most of the time, when the counselors say “lights out” they mean it. However, having a battery operated book light can be good for girls who want to read later into the evening before the official “bedtime hour.”
Make sure you have a battery operated fan. The evenings can be extremely hot (or extreme cold – pack a sweat shirt) and plugs are hard to come by. A battery operated fan should give you enough life to get through your summer camp stay. If staying for a prolonged time, make sure to pack extra batteries. | Camp Greystone
It is inevitable kids get home sick. Sleep away summer camp is sure to busy them and exhaust them so they fall straight asleep, but having little photos from home will remind them of their loved ones. Allow your kids to bring some things to personalize their space including photos, lovies, or little mementos. Washi tape will help them hang their prints. | Camp Greystone
For our two-week summer camp, the parents have the ability to email! Letters are printed out and delivered to the kids. However, the children can’t send emails back, so snail mail it is. Make sure to pack your child summer camp stationary. Do not forget the stamps and an extra pen or two.
We also have a free printable letter from camp! This one comes in a cute newspaper design and guides your kids with things to write – things you would likely ask them and want to hear about!
I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!
Our camp uploads photos of the kids to albums. Each day parents can visit to see what the kids are doing. I save those photos and then turn them into a fun little postcard that I get mailed from Postable. This lets them see the fun things they have done and gives them something to hang on their bunk.
Using Picmonkey, create a collage of photos (I chose to do something with the size ratio of 5×7.)
Save your collage.
On Postable, go to “upload your own” on the top menu of the website.
I chose size flat vertical 5×7 (you could also do horizontal layout or a folded card.)
Upload your saved Picmonkey collage.
Write your message
Address your card.
Checkout. You can $5 off any order of $20. Use promo code MRK8UR86JF at checkout.
My kids are at summer camp for two weeks, so I get these postcards made early in their stay so that they get it in time before leaving. Postable also has options (like the hiking card above) if you wish not to make your own photo collage online.
One of my top summer camp tips? Label it all! Label all clothing, all accessories, all shoes, etc. Even label your kids underwear. We picked up a pack of Mabel’s Labels Camp Labels.
Looking inside of a trunk can be very overwhelming. Organize clothes by day of the week or type/style using Ziploc Gallon Bags or Packing Cubes (my choice!) | Kelly Elko
The KAVU Rope Bag camping backpack is great and very popular for summer camping. It can be pricey so I monitored it during the off season and gifted it to my girls for a spring holiday.
Kids get so excited to receive care packages from home! Hit up the Dollar Tree and wrap really small items or go for a bigger package with larger treats. We also came up with this Summer Camp Candy Notes (though many places will not allow you to send in candy anymore.)
Also enjoy these outdoor backyard games. Perfect for youth groups, summer camps and other activities under the sun! Mix it up with these Minute to Win it games for a quicker pace.
