I was a Girl Scout as a child, and then I was a Troop Leader when my daughters were in Girl Scouts. I have fond memories of summer camp and day camp both as a child and an adult. There are all kinds of camp programs, whether at a campground or in a dormitory. Hopefully, all of them involve learning new skills and making new friends. Even if your child isn't going away to camp this year, there are some fun items on this list that can be used on family camping trips or just in the backyard. I had fun making this list for you, and I hope you will find something helpful for your kids to enjoy. Now, who wants S'Mores?
Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.EverBrite 3-Pack Camping Lights Include The Batteries For You!
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With the EverBrite 3-Pack Camping Lights, you'll get one light in each of the 3 colors; Green, Teal, and Hot Pink. "The carabiner clip is designed to hang the light in your tents, backpacks, or even tree branches." Choose from either High, Low, or Strobe beam modes.
See it on AmazonThere's S'More To Love With Cuisinart's Roasting Reel
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No campout is complete without roasting marshmallows to make S'Mores or cooking hot dogs over an open flame. Cuisinart's S'More to Love Roasting Reel adds a little more fun to that classic camp activity. The fork extends from 8" to 20," and the Reel rotates the fork for consistent roasting.
See it on AmazonEvery Camper Needs A Rechargeable Fan That's Also A Light And Emergency Power Bank
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Whether you are sleeping in tents or cabins, summer camp is usually hot. Whoever has a fan is bound to be pretty popular! This Rechargeable Fan does more than cool; it's also a light and emergency charger. The built-in large capacity battery takes 6-8 hours to fully charge but can then provide up to 30 hours of light and 25 hours of the fan.
See it on AmazonAdd Some Fun To The Cabin With A Blanket That Glows In The Dark For At Least 6 Hours!
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Camp can be a little scary for first-time campers or if it's the first time away from home. A super-soft Blanket from home may be all it takes to ease homesickness, and if it's a Glow In The Dark Blanket, even better! The Blanket comes in 6 designs suitable for boys or girls.
See it on AmazonBinoculars For Kids Come In 6 Fun Colors!
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The Binoculars For Kids allow them to view wildlife from a safe distance. The Binoculars have 8x Real Magnification with a Center Focus Wheel. They are easy for kids to use and feature Right Eye Focus, Rubber Surrounded Eyepieces, and a Slip-Proof Grip. An Adjustable Neck Strap, Cleaning Cloth, User Manual, and Carrying Bag are included.
See it on AmazonBring The Fun Of Camp Home With The Indoor Camp Crafts Kit
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Making crafts is always a fun part of camp. The fun can continue at home with the Camp Crafts Kit from Creativity for Kids. Everything needed to make 12 Classic Arts and Craft Projects is included. Bracelets, picture frames, and a wind chime are just a few of the crafts to be made.
See it on AmazonLearn How To Make A Jacob's Ladder When It's Too Hot To Hike!
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When it's raining or free time every camper needs something to keep them occupied. Cat's Cradle By Anne Akers Johnson is a Book of String Figures that has won a Parents' Choice Award. "This book’s simple instructions and ultra-clear instructional art are foolproof." "Attached to the book is a tie-dyed string loop so all you need to bring is ten fingers."
See it on AmazonA Camping Cushion Seat That's A New And Improved "Sit-Upon"
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When I was in camp, we used to make "sit upons" by covering a few stacked newspapers with a vinyl tablecloth from the dollar store and stitching it up with yarn. While it was fun to make those old-fashioned sit upons, this Camping Cushion Seat has some improvements. The Cushion Seat is foldable to the size of a cell phone, waterproof, and comes in an easy-to-carry pouch.
See it on AmazonMagical Flames Are Amazon's #1 Best Seller In Outdoor Fireplaces
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Part of the fun of camp is sitting around the campfire singing songs or telling ghost stories. Imagine how much better the stories can be with the addition of Colorful Magical Flames! "Simply toss 1-3 unopened pouches into the fire to see a beautiful array of colorful flames." This product would be great for camp counselors to use to add to the campfires.
See it on AmazonCamping Themed Stickers For Fun And To Personalize Belongings
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Don't worry parents. This Set Of 50 Stickers easily peels off without leaving a sticky residue. The Stickers are waterproof and fade resistant. The glossy and bright graphics can be stuck on repeatedly. The kids can use the stickers to easily identify their backpacks, water bottles, and camp gear from everyone else.
See it on AmazonThe Kids Will Want To Put On Sun Block In Pink, White & Blue
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Sun Zapper's Zinc Sticks come in a package of 3 Sticks; 1 each in Pink, White, and Blue. The fragrance-free Zinc Sticks protect against UVA and UVB, have an SPF of 50+, and provide 4 hours of water resistance. They contain Vitamin E and Aloe Vera and are Paraben Free.
See it on AmazonWhere There's Water, There's A Need For Mosquito Repellent Bracelets
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Cliganic's Mosquito Repellent Bracelets are DEET Free and Kid Safe when used as directed. They "create an invisible shield to keep mosquitos away." The Bracelets are made with the following essential oils: Geranium, Lemongrass, and Citronella. "Each mosquito repellent bracelet is individually wrapped in a resealable bag, keeping it fresh and increasing the life span."
See it on AmazonThe Kids Fishing Starter Kit Is Available In Age Appropriate Sizes For Kids From 3 To 15
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Most campgrounds are centered on a lake or river or are close to a waterway. Hopefully, the kids have the option of going fishing. The Kids Fishing Starter Kit has a Spincast Reel that is easy to use and avoids tangles. The Kit includes a "tackle box including a selection of fishing lures accessories suited to different fishing situations. A travel carry bag is also included."
See it on AmazonCheck Out The Collapsible And Compact Design Of This Camp Lantern!
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Wow, this Lantern has so many great features! The amount of light can be customized by raising or lowering the top part of the lantern. The COB LED Lantern can light 97 square feet of coverage, and it "features foldaway handles for easy suspension and portability." Requires 3 AA batteries not included.
See it on AmazonA Set Of Kids' Disposable Ponchos Disguised As A Clip-On Ball
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What looks like a fun backpack decoration is really a useful Poncho for unexpected rain showers. The set "contains 4 White Kid's Emergency Ponchos with hoods, stuffed into easy-to-carry clip-on balls." A carabiner is used to clip the colorful balls (Black, White, Yellow, or Red) to the backpack. The Poncho is released with a "twist of the ball."
See it on AmazonRead The Verified Review For A 14 Piece Survival Kit
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KJ, a Verified Purchaser, bought the Survival Kit for their 13-year-old nephew. Here is an excerpt from the review; "He really loved it. Now he has no excuse but to survive if ever lost in the woods or in an extreme emergency situation. I'd recommend this handy little kit for anyone, not just teenage boys."
See it on AmazonSend Your Child To Camp With Paracord Bracelets To Share!
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So, I've seen people wearing this type of bracelet for years and never knew what they were called, much less that they have a purpose other than fashion. I just learned that the "bracelet" can be unraveled "to tie things together in outdoor situations and emergencies." The bracelets are made of parachute cord that is strong enough to pull 300 lbs. The rope can be used to make a snare trap, a fishing line, hang a tarp from, or hoist food up to keep it away from bears. This listing is a 15 Pack Of Paracord Bracelets.
See it on AmazonA Campsite Storage Strap That Holds Up To 150 lbs!
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Every campsite needs a place to hang things you want to keep off the ground. "Made of premium nylon material with sturdy stitching," the Campsite Storage Strap is more than an average clothesline. The rope is 189" long and 1" wide but only weighs 0.6 pounds, so it's not heavy to carry in a backpack. It's available with or without buckles.
See it on AmazonThe VTech Kidizoom Duo Selfie Camera Is An Amazon Exclusive!
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Most kids probably use their phones to take pictures, but younger kids who may not have a phone yet need to be able to take photos too. The VTech Kidizoom Duo Selfie Camera is designed for kids up to 9 years old. It's a real digital camera that's "durable enough to handle drops and tumbles." It "features a 2. 4" Color LCD screen and can take photos and videos in addition to a rear-facing camera that's perfect for taking selfies."
See it on AmazonLed Headlamps "Designed For Any Adventure"
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If hands-free illumination is needed, Led Headlamps are the solution. The 165 lumens provide light up to 300 feet away. There are 7 modes of light, and the running time is 45 hours. Plus, these Blitzu Headlamps have such cute headbands and they're available in 6 colors.
See it on AmazonWise Owl Outfitters Is Amazon's #1 Best Seller In Camping Pillows
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Wise Owl Camping Pillows feature plush memory foam, silky soft microsuede, and fluff up fast. The softly supportive pillows provide comfort in any position for side and back sleepers. The Pillow is available in Small or Medium sizes and comes with a waterproof pouch. The whole Pillow is machine washable.
See it on AmazonA Kid's Safety Emergency Whistle That Can Be Heard From More Than A Mile Away
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Even the most experienced camper can get lost, but with an Emergency Whistle, a lost camper can signal their whereabouts. The Emergency Whistle takes minimal energy to use and is easy for kids to blow. "The heavy-duty ABS plastic is waterproof and impact resistant." Comes in sets of 3.
See it on AmazonA Girl Scout Fanny Pack First Aid Kit That Has The Cutest Bandages!
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The bandages in this First Aid Kit feature the famous Thin Mint, Samoa, and Trefoil Girl Scout cookies and are so cute, that the kids will forget about their boo-boo! The 60-piece kit is contained in a Fanny Pack that has the Girl Scout logo. Some of the other items included are a cold pack, sting relief pads, antiseptic wipes and alcohol pads, tweezers, scissors, and an emergency blanket.
See it on AmazonIf You've Never Seen A Water Bottle That Can Be Folded, You Have To Look Here!
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One thing I learned in Girl Scouts is, "if you pack it in, you pack it out." You want to leave the area better than you found it, not worse; so obviously, a campsite is no place to leave plastic water bottles. SPECIAL MADE's Collapsible Water Bottles are lightweight and easy to carry. The 100% BPA-Free bottle folds to 20% of its original volume.
See it on AmazonLearn To Tie 20 Essential Rope Knots With John Sherry's Knot Tying Kit!
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There is always some downtime or rainy days during camp, which would be a perfect time to learn a basic skill and maybe even earn a badge. The Knot Tying Kit contains waterproof plastic knot cards, 2 practice cords, and a practice carabiner. A mini carabiner is included to attach to a backpack. Learn how to tie a Square Knot, Bowline, Clove Hitch, Half Hitch, and a Figure Eight Knot just to name a few.
See it on AmazonA Camp Friends Autograph Pillowcase Makes A Wonderful Keepsake!
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The Camp Friends Autograph Pillowcase is Amazon's Choice for "kids camp essentials." The Pillowcase comes with a black marker to collect the signatures and best wishes of all your camper's new friends. The Pillowcase is 50% Cotton/50% Polyester.
See it on AmazonAmazon's Choice For Compass
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The Handheld Compass has a magnetic needle and directional arrow, orienting lines, and lanyard. Verified Purchaser, Mile High Cheapskate, gave the Compass a 5-Star review and said, "My Girl Scout troop loves their compasses. So easy to use." Colin C. also gave a 5-Star review and said, "Does exactly what it is intended to do for a great price."
See it on AmazonNo Matches, No Problem With The Fire Starter Survival Tool
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Many camps offer different levels of programs to teach kids different skill sets. The more advanced programs may teach kids how to "rough it" without many modern amenities. That's where a Fire Starter Survival Tool comes in handy. The patented system offers thousands of single strikes and is wind and water-resistant.
See it on AmazonMesh Stuff Sacks Are Available In 3 Sizes To Suit Various Needs
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When I was a Girl Scout, after we washed our dishes, we put them in our mesh bags and hung them on the clothesline to dry. Mesh Stuff Sacks are wonderful for much more than dishes though. They are perfect for wet bathing suits or dirty clothes, toiletries, or sports equipment. The nylon Stuff Sacks are durable and breathable and have a drawstring cord.
See it on AmazonEverything Tastes Better When Eaten Outside Off Of A Complete Messware Kit
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Everything you need to enjoy beans and weenies and all your favorite camp food is included here. The stainless steel Complete Messware Kit includes a 10-Ounce cup, 8.5-inch plate, 6-inch bowl, Cutlery (Knife, spoon, and fork), and a Mesh Bag. "Each of the Wealers Outdoors Stainless Steel mess kits are made from premium food-grade stainless steel which means BPA-FREE and NO TOXINS while using these dishes."
See it on AmazonWith A Coleman Kids Dome Tent, The Kids Can Have A Tent Just Like Mom And Dad's
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Coleman has been a trusted name in camping gear for many years. The Kids Dome Tent has the same Weathertec Features as the adult's tents; protected seams, wind strong frame, zipper protection, and waterproof floors to protect the kids from the elements. A fun glow-in-the-dark logo is added for the kids.
See it on AmazonA Bear Bell Alerts Wildlife That They Have Company
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The last thing a camper wants to do is startle a wild animal, who may then try to protect their territory. The Bear Bell "attaches to clothing, boots, hats, daypacks, and backpacks with a hook and loop closure." When safely back at the campsite, simply put the Bell in its attached magnetic bag to silence it.
See it on AmazonA Match Kit With Waterproof Case For The Older Kids
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All kids should be taught fire safety, but kids have to be older and mature enough to be expected to start a fire. Once they're ready, a Match Kit With Waterproof Case is a good thing to have available. The UCO Store's Match Kit is an Amazon #1 Best Seller. It "includes 25 windproof and waterproof matches, 3 strikers, and a match case that can hold up to 40 matches."
See it on AmazonVictorinox Swiss Army Pocket Knives: A Classic Since 1897
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Its functions include, "a small blade, scissors, nail file, screwdriver, keyring, toothpick, and tweezers." "What is a Swiss Army Knife?" Ding, ding, ding. "You are correct." "Compact, agile, and ready to face any adventure head-on." Made in Switzerland.
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