Package Ideas
Photo: Emily Kate Roemer
Produced by Jodi Levine; written by Kirsten Fields
These easy-to-assemble care packages suit a variety of camper personalities -- see what we've found for yours!
Inexpensive and sold in bulk, these drawstring backpacks can be a treat for the whole cabin. Include fabric markers for campers to autograph one another's bags.
Design Your Own Drawstring Backpacks, $20.50 for 12, Oriental Trading
Crayola Fabric Markers, $5.79, Crayola
Your son can use these watercolors and blank postcards to paint pictures of camp life for family and friends.
Strathmore Watercolor Postcards, $3.56 for 15, Dick Blick Art Materials
Crayola Pan Washable Watercolors, $3, Crayola
Filled with detailed instructions, this book will guide your daughter in making friendship bracelets that she can wear or give to new pals. Include a pack of fluorescent floss for a bright alternative.
DMC "Friendship Bracelets 101" Book and Prism Floss Pack, $13, Kmart
A scrapbook is a handy place for your daughter to collect mementos as stays at camp. Assemble a scrapbook kit with a binder, sheets of 8" x 11" card stock, and clear sheet protectors. Organize pre-punched shapes and stickers in clear pocket pages and include a zipper pouch filled with tools, a glue stick, and pens.
Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery Smooth Finish 1" Binder in Red, $13, Staples
Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery Secure-Top Sheet Protector 1 Pocket, $4, Staples
Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery Secure-Top Sheet Protector 4 Pockets, $4, Staples
Martha Stewart Crafts Stickers, $2-$7, Michaels
Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery Zipper Pouch, $3, Staples
Martha Stewart Crafts Small Glue Stick, $3 for three, Michaels
Remind your daughter of how much you miss her with a small picture book filled with snapshots of siblings and family pets. Add sentimental or silly messages to photos with talking bubble sticky notes.
Recollections Brag Book, $4, Michaels
Talking Bubble Sticky Notes, $3 for set of three, Kikkerland
If your ravenous reader isn't out like a light at bedtime, she can use one of these small lamps to illuminate a book under the covers without disturbing other campers.
Clockwise from top left:
Petite Poise Book Light in Red, $9, Perpetual Kid
Lego LED Clip on Light/ Head Lamp, $12, Perpetual Kid
Black Cat LED Crank Flashlight, $10, Kikkerland
Super Bright LED Booklight White, $9.50, Kikkerland
Your camper and his bunkmates can personalize these blank bookmarks with drawings and doodles.
Recollections Blank Bookmarks, $3.50 for 50, Michaels
Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery Classic Smooth-Finish 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" Blue Journal, $10, Staples
Martha Stewart Crafts Colored Pencils Set 36 Pack, $18, Michaels
Even if your daughter has never read one of these timeless tales, she's sure to get sucked into the mysterious stories of young sleuths and capers.
Nancy Drew: "The Secret of the Old Clock," $8, Barnes & Noble
The Hardy Boys: "The Tower Treasure," $8, Barnes & Noble
With plain white covers just begging to be decorated, these journals are a perfect place for your daughter to record her camp memories.
To create a storage spot for pens, sew a simple loop out of felt to encircle the front cover. Then stitch a pocket on the loop and tuck a couple of pens inside.
Portrait Blank Bare Books, $1.75 per book, Bare Books
The whole bunk can participate in this camp-themed edition of Mad Libs, which features silly fill-in-the-blank scenarios to make kids laugh out loud.
Summer Camp Mad Libs Junior, $2, Barnes & Noble
Your camper will stay at the top of his game by snacking from this tin of this flavored popcorn.
Follow our recipe to make your own Cajun popcorn here.
Half-Gallon White Tin, $4.49, The Container Store
Featuring an oversize deck of cards that's easy for small hands to hold, this kit includes 35 kid-friendly card games that your daughter can play alone or with up to five other campers.
"The Book of Cards for Kids," $14, Workman Publishing
Adventures can take a toll on your camper's skin. Make sure she's ready for anything, from daytime swimming to evening campfires, with skin care products like insect repellant, sunscreen, and lip balm with SPF.
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Lotion SPF 45, $11.99, Neutrogena
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Stick SPF 70+, $8.99, Neutrogena
Burt’s Bees After Sun Soother, $10, Burt's Bees
Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent,$8, Burt's Bees
Burt’s Bees Sun Protecting Lip Balm, $4, Burt's Bees
Campers will never know that you sneaked a few healthy ingredients like orange juice, apple juice, and figs into this dessert. Be sure to send enough for sharing!
Start Over

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Make one of our favorite grilling recipes for the perfect summer cookout in the backyard.
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