What to pack for a day camp (casal) in Spain: a simple checklist
Backpack, water bottle, cap, sun cream, lunch box and name labels: what children really need every day at a casal or summer day camp in Spain, and what to leave at home.
A day camp in Spain — a casal, campus or escuela de verano — is easy to pack for, but the same few things are forgotten every summer: a water bottle, a cap, sun cream and a name on every item. Spanish summers are hot, most activities happen outdoors and children change clothes several times a day, so a small, well-labelled backpack makes the week much easier for everyone. Always check the organiser’s own list first: it may ask for something specific, such as a packed lunch, a swimsuit on pool days or the camp T-shirt.
Every day: the backpack
- A small backpack the child can carry and open alone — 15–20 litres is enoughSee on Amazon ↗
- A reusable water bottle — at least 500 ml; many camps refill itSee on Amazon ↗
- A cap or sun hat — many casals do not let children out without oneSee on Amazon ↗
- Children’s sun cream, SPF 50 — put it on at home; send the bottle with a nameSee on Amazon ↗
- A lunch box and snack container — if lunch is not includedSee on Amazon ↗
Name labels: the most useful thing you can buy
Thirty identical blue caps and twenty identical water bottles end up in the same lost-and-found box. Stick-on labels for bottles and iron-on or stick-on labels for clothes are the one thing almost every casal asks for. Write the name on the shoes and the backpack too.
- Name labels for clothes — iron-on or stick-on, wash-proofSee on Amazon ↗
- Waterproof name stickers for bottles and lunch boxesSee on Amazon ↗
Clothes and shoes
- Light, comfortable clothes that can get dirty — not new clothes.
- Closed trainers for sports and games; sandals are fine only if the camp allows them.
- A spare T-shirt and spare underwear in a bag, especially for children under 7.
- On pool or water days: swimsuit, towel and flip-flops (see our swimming camp list).
- Light trainers with velcro — easy to put on aloneSee on Amazon ↗
- A microfibre towel — light and dries fastSee on Amazon ↗
What to leave at home
- Phones, tablets and game consoles: most casals do not allow them, and they get lost or broken.
- Money and valuable toys.
- Sweets and fizzy drinks if the camp asks for healthy snacks.
- Medicines in the backpack: give them to the monitors with a signed note instead.
Before the first day
Read the organiser’s welcome letter, write your phone number on the registration form and tell the monitors about allergies. If you have not chosen a camp yet, see day camps in Spain or read how to use casals during a family holiday.