If you run a summer holiday club, kids' camp or multi-week activity scheme, a set of matching t-shirts does far more than look tidy in the group photo. The right shirts make headcounts faster, help children identify staff in a crowd, reassure parents at drop-off, and turn a loose group of campers into a proper team. But ordering for a holiday club has quirks that a standard t-shirt order doesn't — mixed ages, safeguarding considerations, tight summer deadlines and a wide spread of sizes. This guide walks through everything you need to plan a smooth order for summer 2026.
Start with the job the shirts need to do
Before you think about colours or slogans, get clear on what your shirts are actually for. For most holiday clubs the priorities are, in order: visibility, safety and identity. Bright, single-colour shirts let a counsellor scan a swimming pool or a busy park and account for their group in seconds. A separate staff colour means a lost child — or a worried parent — can find a responsible adult instantly. Identity comes last but still matters: a camp name on the chest gives children a sense of belonging and makes your club look professional to the families paying for it.
Keep this hierarchy in mind and the design decisions get much easier. A loud, legible shirt beats a subtle, stylish one every time in this setting.
Plan your colour system
The single most useful decision you'll make is your colour system. The most common approaches are:
One colour per age group or "house"
Splitting children into colour-coded groups (reds, blues, greens) makes splitting into activity rotations and headcounts effortless. It also helps newer staff learn who belongs where.
A distinct staff colour
Whatever you do with the children's shirts, give staff and volunteers their own unmistakable colour — high-vis yellow, black or a bold brand colour. Many clubs add "STAFF" or "TEAM" in large letters on the back.
A single club colour for everyone
For smaller clubs, one colour for all children plus a staff colour is simpler to order and still does the job. You can differentiate groups with wristbands or caps instead.
If you're branding multiple items, our guide on custom screen printing explains which print methods hold up best across different fabrics and colours.
Get sizing right for a mixed-age group
Sizing is where holiday-club orders most often go wrong, because you're buying for everyone from a small four-year-old to an adult team leader. A few practical tips:
- Collect sizes early. Add a t-shirt size field to your booking or registration form rather than guessing.
- Build in a buffer. Order a handful of spares in the most common children's sizes (age 5–6, 7–8, 9–11 tend to dominate). Last-minute bookings are guaranteed.
- Round up for comfort. In hot weather, slightly roomier shirts are more comfortable and last longer as children grow through the summer.
- Separate the adult run. Staff sizes (S–XXL) print on adult blanks, so list them separately from the children's age-based sizes.
When in doubt, ask your supplier for a size guide with chest measurements — age labels vary between brands, and a quick measurement saves a lot of swaps.
Safeguarding: what to put on the shirt (and what not to)
This is the part that's specific to working with children. A few sensible rules:
- Avoid full names on the outside of clothing. A stranger reading a child's full name can use it to appear familiar. First names or group names only are the safer default.
- Put contact details where staff can see them, not the public. If you want an emergency number on the shirt, the inside hem or a lanyard is better than a large back print.
- Make staff unmistakable. Clear "STAFF" printing plus a distinct colour helps children, parents and the public identify your team.
- Check your provider's data handling. You're sharing a list of children's names and sizes — make sure that's handled responsibly.
If you're unsure, keep it simple: camp name and logo on the front, group name or first name only on the back. It looks great and sidesteps the risks entirely.
Work backwards from your first session
Summer deadlines are unforgiving — your club starts whether the shirts have arrived or not. Protect yourself with a simple plan:
- Confirm your start date and treat it as immovable.
- Lock your artwork at least two to three weeks ahead so a digital proof can be approved without a rush.
- Submit final numbers and sizes as early as your bookings allow, with your spare buffer included.
- Leave room for a reprint on any damaged or missing items.
Tell your supplier your first session date up front and ask them to work back from it. A good printer will tell you honestly whether your timeline is realistic — and most summer-holiday orders are very achievable with a little notice.
Design ideas that work for kids' camps
You don't need a complicated design. The shirts that work best tend to share a few traits: a big, bold logo or camp name; high-contrast colours; and something children feel proud to wear. Ideas worth borrowing:
- A fun mascot or simple illustration children can colour in on a craft day.
- The year printed large — "Summer Camp 2026" — so shirts become a keepsake.
- Group names on the back for instant team spirit.
- A matching cap or drawstring bag for sun protection and carrying kit.
For a sense of how schools handle large, colour-coded clothing orders, our guide to sports day t-shirts and house colour tops covers many of the same logistics. And if your club doubles as a fundraiser, branded tees can do double duty — see our notes on custom charity and fundraising t-shirts.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I order holiday club t-shirts?
Aim for two to three weeks before your first session to allow for proofing, printing and delivery. Earlier is always safer in peak summer.
What sizes should I order for a children's camp?
Collect actual sizes on your booking form where possible. If you must estimate, ages 5–6, 7–8 and 9–11 usually make up the bulk, with a few spares in each.
Is it safe to print children's names on t-shirts?
Use first names or group names only and keep full names and contact details off the outside of the garment. This keeps the team spirit while protecting the children.
Can staff and children have different colours?
Yes, and it's strongly recommended. A distinct staff colour makes your team instantly identifiable to children, parents and the public.
Ready to plan your summer order?
Matching t-shirts are one of the cheapest things you can do to make a holiday club safer, smoother and more memorable. Decide your colour system, gather sizes early, keep safeguarding simple and give yourself a comfortable lead time — and the shirts become one less thing to worry about once summer is in full swing. When you're ready, send your camp name, rough numbers and start date and we'll help you get print-ready.
