Recommended Gear for Outdoor Camps
Curated by Sunhouse Camps
Recommended Gear for Outdoor Camps
The gear list we send to enrolled families, shared publicly so any Vancouver parent can pack with confidence. These are not affiliate recommendations. We do not earn commission.
Tap any category below to expand. These are simply the items we have seen work best across years of running outdoor programs.
🎒Backpacks
Why it matters. Your child carries their own backpack. This is part of how they learn capability. The backpack must fit their body, not yours.
What to look for
- Sized for ages 4 to 7 (typically 10 to 15 litres)
- Two padded shoulder straps
- A chest strap to keep the bag from slipping
- Side pocket for a water bottle they can reach themselves
- Zippers your child can manage independently
Our recommendations
- Deuter Pico — German-engineered, beautifully sized for small children.
- Osprey Daylite Jr. — Well-padded, available at most Vancouver outdoor stores.
- MEC Kids’ Daypack — Canadian, accessible, reliable basic.
- Fjällräven Kanken Mini — Popular and durable.
💧Water Bottles
Why it matters. Children hydrate when water is easy to access. A leak-proof, durable bottle they can open and close themselves is non-negotiable.
What to look for
- Stainless steel for temperature retention and durability
- Leak-proof lid (essential inside a backpack)
- 350 to 500 ml capacity for ages 4 to 7
- Wide enough opening for ice cubes in summer
- Clearly labelled with your child’s name
Our recommendations
- Hydro Flask Kids 12 oz — Insulated, durable, leak-proof straw lid.
- Klean Kanteen Kid Classic — Stainless steel, simple, time-tested.
- Yeti Rambler Jr. — If you want indestructible.
🍳Lunch Boxes
Why it matters. A lunch your child cannot open creates frustration at meal time. A compartmentalized lunch box helps children eat a balanced meal.
What to look for
- Compartments to separate foods
- Latches your child can open independently
- Insulated outer bag or built-in ice pack pocket
- Easy to clean
Our recommendations
- PlanetBox Rover — Stainless steel, made for kids, indestructible.
- Yumbox Original or Tapas — Compartmentalized, leak-resistant, very popular.
- Bentgo Kids — Plastic, lighter weight, good entry option.
👟Shoes
Why it matters. Closed-toe shoes are required for safety on forest terrain. Sandals, Crocs, and slip-ons are not appropriate for outdoor camp.
What to look for
- Closed toe
- Real grip on the sole, not smooth
- Quick-dry materials for mud and puddles
- Easy on and off for your child to manage independently
Our recommendations
- Keen Newport H2 Kids — Closed-toe outdoor sandal, handles water, durable.
- Merrell Trail Glove Kids — Lightweight, grippy, good for full days.
- Salomon XA Pro Kids — Trail-ready, great traction.
- Bogs Kids’ Boots — Waterproof for rainy West Coast days.
- Hunter Kids’ Rain Boots — The classic Vancouver rain boot.
🩷Hats
Why it matters. Wide-brimmed hats protect the face, neck, and ears in ways a baseball cap cannot. A hat that does not stay on is not a hat.
What to look for
- Wide brim, not a baseball cap
- A chin strap that fastens (essential for windy days)
- Quick-dry fabric for unexpected splashes
- UPF 50+ rating
Our recommendations
- Sunday Afternoons Kids’ Play Hat — The gold standard. Worn by Sunhouse educators and children.
- Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat — Larger brim, more coverage.
- Patagonia Baggies Brimmer — Lightweight, packs flat.
- REI Co-op Sun Hat Kids — Reliable mid-priced option.
☀️Sun Protection
Why it matters. A full day in the open shoreline at Trout Lake or in the meadows of Pacific Spirit can produce a real burn. Sun protection is layered: hat plus shirt plus sunscreen.
Our recommendations for clothing
- UPF 50+ long-sleeve shirts (UV Skinz, Coolibar Kids, Patagonia Sun Shield)
- Lightweight long pants for forest days
- Babiators Kids sunglasses with a strap
🧴Sunscreen
Why it matters. Most commercial sunscreens are chemical-based, scented, and irritating. Mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide are safer for young children and work immediately on application.
Our top pick
- Blue Lizard Sensitive Skin Mineral Sunscreen — Mineral-based with zinc oxide, fragrance-free, gentle on sensitive skin, water-resistant. The Sunhouse founders’ personal pick. Available in pharmacies and online across Canada.
Other reliable options
❌What NOT to Pack
- Anything precious or breakable
- Phones, smart watches, or screens
- Hard candy or sugary snacks (regulation suffers, energy crashes)
- Open-toed sandals or Crocs
- Lunch containers your child cannot open independently
- Brand-new shoes that have not been broken in
💰A Note on Cost
Outdoor gear for children is an investment. The good news is that most quality gear lasts multiple seasons and often passes to a younger sibling. Vancouver also has excellent consignment and second-hand options:
- Local consignment and second-hand kids’ outdoor gear stores
- Facebook Marketplace Vancouver Outdoor Gear groups
- MEC Gear Swap events (seasonal)
Quality gear is cheaper than replacing cheap gear three times.
If You Are Enrolling at Sunhouse
Enrolled families receive a detailed, current packing checklist by email before the first day. The list above is the longer-form recommendation for families newly thinking through what they need.