Give an old backpack new life.

Empty out your child’s trusty school backpack or dig out an extra one from a previous year. Pre-treat any unsightly spots with stain remover and run it through a cold-water cycle in your washing machine. Hang it outdoors in the sun to dry. Spruce up the zipper pull with a keychain-style accessory or a personalized bag tag. The backpack’s makeover is complete and it’s ready for camp time! Choose eco-friendly lunch gear.

A reusable Bento style lunch box (made of plastic or stainless steel) is a positive step toward a litterless lunch. Send a daily personal message for your day camper with washaway lunch box notes that dissolve in water. Reusable single-serve containers and silicone snack bags are also a great alternative to disposable ones.

Say goodbye to single-use water bottles.

“Water” we waiting for? For the sake of the earth, it’s time to reduce the demand for new plastic. Keep your child hydrated all day with a high-quality reusable water bottle. Prevent germy mix-ups by adding a textured wraparound water bottle label personalized with your child’s name. And, if you’re worried about bacteria, we’ve got tips for cleaning and disinfecting.

Rediscover old-fashioned entertainment.

Your young camper may appreciate having something to do on the drive, at lunch break, during quiet time, or while waiting for pick-up. With this in mind, scour your game cupboard, bookshelf and toy bin for “unplugged” options such as:

• Art supplies. Sort through your existing collection of pens, crayons, markers and coloring pencils (this is a great hands-on project for kids!). Discard the unusable or broken ones, and fill a pencil case with the rest. Grab a past school notebook and remove any used pages to get a fresh start. Slip these into your child’s bag for drawing, writing letters or playing or pen-and-paper games with fellow campers.
• Travel games, magnet sets, fidget toys or a deck of cards
• Activity books, word puzzles, comic books or Mad Libs
• A long-forgotten stuffed animal – refresh it with a wash and dry cycle (inside a tied pillowcase) and your child will have a familiar friend for the car ride.

Seek out gently used gear.

This is especially wise if your child is registered for a camp where they’ll be trying a new sport or activity. Look for gently used sports equipment and footwear in online classifieds, at thrift stores, or through the local sport association. Also consider borrowing camp essentials like a sleeping bag or rain gear from your personal network of cousins, friends and neighbors.

Reuse products that are still within their shelf life.

Check your cabinets and assess your existing stock of kid-friendly sunscreen, bug spray and after-bite lotion. If it’s still ahead of its expiry date, squeeze out every last ounce before purchasing a new one.

Avoid over-buying.

Check the camp website or ask in advance if there is a camp supply list, so you know exactly what your child will need. For sleep-away camp, you can also use our handy checklist as a starting point.

By adopting an eco-friendly approach to camp gear, you’ll be helping both the planet and your budget. Repurposing existing items reduces landfill waste and saves money (that you’ll likely need for camp fees). Also, labeling everything reduces the chances of lost items, which means you won’t have to purchase new ones to replace them. So, be creative and apply “the 3 R’s” wherever you can!

The post 7 Eco-Friendly Ways to Prepare for Summer Camp appeared first on The Mabelhood.

With everything coming back and forth each day, labeling your kids’ stuff is crucial for keeping everything organized and ensuring that their belongings don’t get lost or misplaced. Here’s a quick guide to the easiest way to label your kids’ stuff for Day Camp.

The Day Camp Label Pack

This value pack of labels is the simplest way to make sure you have all your items clearly labelled for camp; it includes everything you’ll need to cover all the items that come back and forth each day. And when they’re labeled – you know they’re coming home again!

What’s Included in the Day Camp Label Pack

16 Small Rectangle Labels
21 Tag Mates
2 Shoe Labels (1 pair)
2 Bag Tags

What to use your Bag Tags for?

This label pack includes 2 bag tags, perfect for sticking on your backpack and lunch bag. This will ensure that your kid can easily spot their bag among the pile of others and make sure that the lunch box or bag they pick up matches their labeled bag. It makes it super easy for kids to spot their stuff!

How do I label lunch box items and water bottles?

The small rectangle labels are among our most versatile—that’s why they are included in all our combos, including the Day Camp label Pack! (Plus, they are always a top-seller on their own, too!).

These little labels are great for snack containers and water bottles—plus, they are small enough that you can easily label the lid, too! They also work well for sunscreen bottles—they fit perfectly on the lid for easy visibility.

How do I label kids’ sunglasses for camp?

The small rectangle labels (included in the Day Camp Label Pack) are perfect for labeling the arm of sunglasses. Sunglasses can be expensive, and it’s far easier to slap on a little label than to make costly repurchases! 

How to label kids’ clothing?

Tag Mates! The Day Camp Label Pack includes 21 of these, and they’re simply the best! These small, waterproof, laundry-safe labels are peel-and-stick labels that adhere to the care tag of your child’s clothing. Wait 24 hours before washing, and these little labels will outlive the clothing they are stuck to!  Yes, even the clothing that endures rough and tumble camp days!

How to label shoes for day camp

The shoe labels are simple and straight forward little labels, just stick them inside your kids’ shoes, and they will stay stuck—even with wet feet and sweaty, dirty, sandy feet!

Labeling your kids’ stuff for day camp is an important step in keeping everything organized and making sure that their belongings don’t get lost or mixed up with others. Camp can be SO expensive, and replacing lost clothing, shoes, or water bottles can be very costly. It’s far easier to use this peel-and-stick label pack that has everything you need. Plus, there is a wide variety of icons to suit your kid’s interests—or no icon at all!

Plus, a wide variety of color palettes available means your kids’ labels will be distinctive and easy for them to keep track of.

This label pack will have everything you need, but if you are looking for something more, this name stamp is a top choice of camp parents!

The Custom Clothing Stamp

This stamp is perfect for tagless clothing; it lasts up to 500 applications and each application lasts up to 40 washes (you camp kids will have worn out their clothes by then!). It’s the top choice because it’s one press on the clothing item, and bam, you’re done! It’s a great choice for summer camp season because many clothes may be tagless (socks, swimsuits, towels etc.)

The post How to Label for Day Camp appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Summer camp can sometimes be the hardest to label for because items like swimsuits, towels, flip flops can be tricky items to label effectively. We have a solution for labelling all the little tricky clothing items and accessories that go to summer camp. Because markers and tape won’t cut it for sleepaway camp toughness!

The Sleepaway Camp Label pack is a value pack of all the top-selling labels, 112 labels included, plus 2 tags!  Here is a breakdown of the pack and how to label with them for sleepaway camp. 

The Sleepaway Camp Label Pack:

What it includes:

10 Large Rectangle Labels
24 Small Rectangle Labels
70 Tag Mates Stick-On Clothing Labels
8 Shoe Labels (4 pairs)

How to Label Kids Camp Clothing:

Tee Shirts, shorts, sweaters, pj’s and underwear with care tag. The Tag Mates Clothing Label is perfect for all these items. They work for any clothing with a tag! These little name labels are waterproof and laundry-safe (not that your child will be worried about doing their laundry at camp – but parents can dream big).

-T-shirts
-Shorts
-Sweatshirt
-jackets or raingear
-Sweatpants
-Pj’s
-Swim trunks

The Sleepaway Camp Label Pack includes 70 of these little labels, so you’ll have plenty and can also use them on other smaller items:

-Chargers
-Pens & Pencils
-Sunglasses
-Sleeping bag
-Chapstick

How to label Kids Camp Toiletries:

Most small items like toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, etc.) can use a Small Rectangle Label. This way, you know that they won’t be grabbing for any blue toothbrush; they’ll grab the toothbrush with their name on it! Yay, no more germy swaps!

-Toothbrush
-Toothpaste
-Hairbrush
-Sunblock
-Bug spray
-hydrocortisone or other cream bottles

How to Label all your kids summer camp essentials:

Your kids will no doubt be heading to camp with a bag of camp essentials as well as “fun” items to share with bunkmates, special items that make them feel at home.

The ten Large Rectangle Labels (included in the Sleepaway Camp Label Pack) are perfect for these items, we recommend using them on:

-Flashlight or lantern
-Water bottle
-Book
-Journal
-Snack containers
-Clip-on Fan
-Lifejacket
-Shower Caddy
-Tarp

Can you label flip-flops, water shoes, or sandals for summer camp?

The Sleepaway camp label pack includes eight Shoe Labels, enough for four pairs! These round labels are ultra-durable and waterproof – so they’ll stay stuck in water shoes! Don’t worry about your kids wet, sweaty, sandy, feet. The labels will stay stuck even on the dirtiest kids’ feet!

-Running Shoes
-Sandals or flip-flops
-Hiking boots
-Water shoes

Clothing stamp for labeling kids’ clothes without a tag:

Finally, if you’re looking for another great eco-friendly option, Mabel’s Labels also offers a Custom Clothing Stamp. This is not included in the Sleepaway Camp Label pack, but always makes a useful purchase, for camp, school, daycare.
This stamp allows you to create your own custom label using non-toxic ink. Stamp the label on your child’s clothing item, and you’re good to go! This stamp is good for 500 applications, and each application lasts about 40 washes. It’s small and simple and is great for quick, last-minute, or on-the-go labeling!   For sending kids off to camp, this name stamp can be used for:

-Pillowcase
-Bathing suit (as they usually don’t have a care tag)
-Underwear
-Socks

This label pack the stamp and ANY other Mabel’s Labels products always have free standard shipping! Happy labeling, and happy camping! Looking for more camp info? Check out the Mabel’s Labels Camp Hub! 

The post How to Label for Sleepaway Camp appeared first on The Mabelhood.

How to find day camp options in your area

Start with an online search where you type in “[your city] kids day camps.” Begin researching as early as possible, as popular camps may sell out quickly.

Instead of settling for the same old camp as last year, investigate camps that are hosted by:

• Your city or municipality
• A nearby university or college
• The local community center, public library, or YMCA
• Kids’ activity program providers such as dance, gymnastics, martial arts, theatre, art, or computer coding
• Birthday party businesses, such as indoor trampolining, pottery painting or LEGO building
• Common field trip destinations, such as children’s museums, zoos or nature centers
• Youth sports associations, including team sports, individual sports, and aquatics

You can also collect ideas and recommendations the old-fashioned way — by asking around to friends, relatives, neighbors, and fellow parents at your child’s school or activities.

If you have your eye on a specific camp but registration isn’t open yet, add the date to your calendar or follow their social media feed for updates.

Choosing the right day camp for your child

There are many factors to consider when selecting a camp, including:

• Set a target budget and stay within it as much as possible. If your child has their heart set on a particular camp one week, you may have to select a more reasonably priced option another week.
• What are the travel and logistics involved? Is it close to home, or on your way to work? Is it easy to get in and out, with free parking?
• Each camp will have different drop-off and pick-up times, so check carefully to see how these align with your schedule. If needed, inquire if there is additional supervision available at the start or end of the day.
• Who is leading the camp, and what are their credentials? Do the on-site staff have First Aid and CPR training? What is the ratio of leaders to participants?
• It’s a wonderful bonus if a camp’s theme connects to something your child already loves, such as science, nature, performing arts, or technology.
• Does the camp require any specific equipment, clothing, or footwear? For example, a baseball camp might expect the child to bring their own glove and bat.
• Skill level. Is any prior experience required? If the camp activity (for example, horseback riding) is something brand-new for your child, make sure it is truly a beginner program, so they won’t be the only rookie in the group.
• Age groupings. Especially in sport and activity camps, it’s preferable to have age-limited groups (ages 5-6, ages 7-8, etc.). An “all ages” camp could be tiresome for a 12-year-old who will be surrounded by little kids all day.
• Physical demands. If your child is enrolled in a competitive sports program and has games or practices in the evening, it may not be practical to put them in a highly active camp where they are running around outdoors all day and are exhausted by 3:00 PM. In this case, a more sedentary indoor camp might help conserve their energy.

Day Camp registration tips

Here are a few extra suggestions as you navigate the registration process:

• Sign up with a friend. Reach out to the parents of your child’s closest pal and see if they want to register for the same camp. Benefit #1: added excitement for your child to be heading to camp with a buddy. Benefit #2: you and the other parent may be able to share the driving duties.
• Do your homework. Take the time to carefully read all the information on the camp website, including cancellation policies. If you have further questions or want to discuss special considerations for your child, contact the camp director by phone or e-mail. They want your business and will be happy to provide answers.
• Trust your instincts. It is fine to ask for your child’s input about the camps they’d like to attend, but you need to make the final decisions based on the many factors above. Your child could beg for a certain camp now, but have moved on to a different hobby or interest by the summer.
• Label everything.Part of camp preparation is making sure you have enough name labels on hand, so your child’s belongings aren’t mixed up or left behind. The Mabel’s Labels Day Camp Label Pack has two bag tags and 39 personalized labels in assorted sizes, to keep everything organized.
  

The advance work you do now on camp registration will help ensure that your child has a summer filled with learning opportunities, new friends, and fun experiences. Good luck and have a great camp season!

The post Day Camp Registration Tips appeared first on The Mabelhood.