The Ultimate Summer Packing List Gift Guide and other things we love right now.

Whether you are packing for camp, a camping trip, a road trip or a drive to grandma’s overnight, we have the Ultimate list for your consideration. From swag, to clothing, to snacks and games, Happy Camper Live has you covered. This is a curated list of our favorites and we hope they become yours also. Share with friends, your babysitter, siblings and anyone else who will listen because these small mom and pop companies are where it’s at right now.

 

Foodie Finds – we have the sweet, the savory, and the healthy, all your bases are covered

 

ZeeZees

The breadth of this newish snack line ZeeZees is fantastic, and if you blink you will not see them on shelves; the best place to purchase is the website. The website boasts starter packs at a reasonable price so check out different aspects of the line. The grahams and soft bars are the current fave in my house. With kid-friendly flavors like French toast, Birthday Cake and Cocoa Cherry, there is definitely something for every palate and your kiddo will actually ask for more! The adorbs characters add to the enticing “No thank you taste” that will not be a no thank you. After the sweet, mom and dad can grab the flavored baked chickpeas or sunflower seed mixes. Add in some sour at the end with the sour raisins that even adults go batty for and you have snacks for days.

Find them nationwide in Walgreens, Wegmans or on the ZeeZees website. Free Shipping over $59.99 and 20% off sitewide with code ShowerofSavings20.

 

Home Free

Got an allergy kiddo? Home Free has you covered even if there are no foodie issues. Free of the top 14 allergens, the entire Home Free line is family friendly and good, like really good. The mini cookies offer up 6 flavors and come prepackaged or in a larger box, we are obsessed with the Chocolate Mint currently. Home Free is expanding this year with the debut of large prepackaged cookies, mini muffins and brownies, there are many more reasons to love the brand. This classic tale of necessity is the mother of invention and years later Home Free is a staple in markets all over the country and households with (and without) allergy issues.

Available at markets everywhere or the Amazon store.

 

88 Acres

Seeds have never been in better company than with the 88 Acres line of bars, protein bars, butters and seed’nola. Crunchy satisfaction without the threat of nut (and a lot of other) allergens). Fun and tasty flavors in our Seed Bars like Banana Bread, Chocolate Sea Salt, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip and Triple Berry will have you packing them for every hike from now on. The seed butters, which come in Vanilla, Chocolate and Pumpkin are sunflower seed/pumpkin seed based and are heaven. Great for dipping or on a sandwich. Top your yogurt, ice cream or froyo with the Cinnamon SeedNola for that extra pop.

Found in the natural foods aisle in your local market or on the 88 Acres website for your favorite bundle for taste testing.  

 

GoGo squeeZ

The quintessential snack for the kid of all ages. GoGo squeeZ fruit and dairy pouches are shelf stable and have you covered all day long. Check out on of their squeezable yogurtZ or Breakfast SmoothieZ in the morning, add a Fruit and VeggieZ pouch to lunch and grab a GoGo Big squeeZ for an afternoon snack. Over 20 flavors to choose from across all of their lines. Everything is nut, egg and wheat free, vegan and kosher. For the littles, check out the new functional nutrition line of Happy TummieZ (Gut health), Happy BrainZ (Iron and Omega 3s) and Happy ImmuneZ ( Immunity friendly).

Available in the canned fruit aisle in Target, Walmart and on Amazon.

 

Good Crisp

We all need the salt with the sweet. Good Crisp helps curb that craving with good for you potato crisps, cheese curls and balls. Available in a variety of flavors in snack size and full size cans for your hungry littles and bigs. It’s a great alternative for those who don’t want to feel guilty with the calories and heaviness of regular chips.

Find them in the potato chip and snack aisle at most major retailers and on The Good Crisp Company website.

 

Artisan Marshmallow Company

Every campfire needs marshmallows. Enter the Artisan Marshmallow Company. Each week the bakers come up with specialty flavors that are whimsical like cotton candy and sour patch kids, in addition to staples such as vanilla and chocolate. Each piece is hand cut and packaged and oh so much better than those other store bought choices. For the best experience check out their s’mores sandwich with a stroopwafel and homemade marshmallow coated in chocolate, it’s heaven in your hand. If we haven’t convinced you yet – there is a Marshmallow of the Month Club.

Flavors change often and are packaged to ship immediately to stay fresh. Hop over to the website to see what’s coming up and get 15% off with code happykidz15.  

 

Swag

Lana Platin Designs

We are legit uber obsessed with this Insta and etsy shop from Lana Platin. She has perfected the art of cross stitch and created to most colorful, fun and funky hoodies and button down shirts. Completely customizable in colors and moniker on the apparel. You will not find anything like this in a traditional retail setting. Each piece is hand sewn by Lana. Add to that her super cute Slime, Bead and Shoelace kits, you not only have activities for the trip, but the hoodie to keep you warm.

We’ll make it easy – use code KIDZCON for 20% off your first order here, just add it to the notes section.

 

Yessir

One stop shopping for camp swag and apparel and more. We desperately need this dog speaker pronto and the fuzzies are all the rage and oh so comfy. And of course we need some bling, so these bracelets fit the bill. Find all of this awesomeness and more at Yessirr.com.

 

Project Repat

You may recall seeing ads for this giveback company and their keepsake blankets made from old t shirts. Well, Project Repat has branched out into sweatpants and it’s amazing. Same process as the blankets, you send in 3-4 t shirts and they construct the pants from scratch, matching the color palette and sizing. Great grad gift, camp gift, end of sports gift and more. Grab some sweats to cozy up on that trip or a blanket for those cool nights by the campfire. And because we are uber excited about their new swag, take 25% OFF with Code HAPPYKIDZ HERE.

 

 

Showaflops

Which camp are you in – flip flop in a foreign shower, or don’t care? We know there is a very dividing line there and Showaflops are a game changer. Their patent pending flips flops and slides are microbial and contain holes in the soles for water to filter through. They also fight bacteria, are slip resistant and quick drying. Sounds like we need a pair for each day of the week! This takes away the chance for gross buildup and germs in that Airbnb, camper or camp shower. We are currently loving these Donut Flips and the new Men’s loafers and Boat Shoes.

Lots of colors and pattern choices in sizes starting at toddlers through adult. It’s a great investment for the whole fam for the price of your weekly lattes.

Sold at specialty retailers and on the Showaflops website. Get 15% off with Code HAPPYCAMPER

 

KicksbySammy

Sammy started her company in college unintentionally. She is an incredible artist and just started decorating Nike kicks for her friends. Fast forward years later and her business, KicksbySammy, has grown incredibly to include not only custom sneaks, but blankets, towels, bathmats, pillow cases, travel pouches and more. All hand drawn designs have her signature graffiti esque feel to them, with vibrant colors and designs. There are line extensions for the new baby in your life, birthdays, bachelorette, Camp, College, generic and more.

Our gift to you – Take $20 off through her website with code HAPPYCAMPER20

 

 

 

Mabels Labels

Sitting with a sharpie or iron to label 200 pcs of clothes is not my idea of a fun afternoon. Yet is has to be done if I don’t want my kiddos coming home naked from camp, their clothes dispersed to bunkmates who claim those hard tails because they are nameless. Honestly it’s a great idea for any household with lots of feet running around to tell whose clothes are whose, especially with multiples. Mabels Labels make it uber easy to be one and done in a quarter of the time. Labels come in various shapes, sizes, colors and themes for your princess, or gamer for every required packing item. Not only do they have apparel and shoe labels, but all sizes are super versatile for sports gear, bunk junk and boxes, toiletries and more. Mabels also has an entire line for allergy issues and safety packs with bracelets and hang tags. Sales are run often, but we have a discount now for our Happy Camper Families –  Use code HAPPYCAMPER10 for 10% off sitewide.  So stock up for camp, daycare or just because that kid chases the shiny thing and forgets his jacket often on the playground. 

 

Sundercover

Wearing a hat may not be enough to protect your scalp from harmful UVA/UVB rays. Sundercover™ has got you covered with their Dermatologist approved solution! The liners fit into almost any hat, come in different colors and adult and youth sizes. They are moisture wicking, machine washable and Made in the Good ole USA. Start your summer out right with Code KidSafe for 10% off at checkout.

 

Fun and Games

Crazy Aarons

Fidgety hands an issue? Grab some of Crazy Aarons Thinking Putty to twist, pull, smear and smash. In the realm of slime, but much thicker and less messy. Fun colors and patterns to be had in a multitude of sizes for every space. This As If! Mini bundle is a great place to start, if you little Picasso is around, the Bear Doodle Putty Kit will keep them on their toes. 

Get $5 off a $25 purchase when shopping with code HCL5

 

Waboba

Waboba is primarily known for large fun water toys. If you have a pool or lake access you may be familiar with their boogie boards, floats and more.  We are in love with some of their newer items for everyday play, namely, the Hit Man disc golf and the Weiner Circle Velcro game. Perfect for the road, campsite or bunk time during free play or shower hour. All pieces are soft and easily set up.

Free Shipping over $40 and use code HOPPY for 20% off sitewide throughout April

 

Print Art Kids

Take all of those doodles your LO’s mindlessly scratch out while in the cars for hours and turn them into pieces of art, or postcards to send to grandma, or a mouse pad to never forget that pink dinosaur eating bird and how special he was. Print Art Kids takes the amazing art of your child and turns it into a variety of functional pieces like the aforementioned items and more. Simply upload to the website or app and choose and voila, shortly after your package arrives in the mail. Great personalized gifts for those who have everything, and we all know grands eat this stuff up with a huge smile!

Find your choices of printable items here.