What to Label from Daycare to Camp: The Ultimate Name Label Checklist

Our year as parents is basically a series of transitions: daycare drop-offs, preschool independence, school routines, and then suddenly… camp. And every transition comes with the same question: how do I make sure my kid’s stuff comes home?

I started Sticky Monkey Labels because parenting isn’t just cute moments—it’s logistics and safety. Daycare and school require clear names on bottles, lunch containers, clothing, and backpacks, and I got tired of “labels” that peeled off after one wash. I wanted waterproof name labels and personalized name labels for kids that stay readable and stay stuck—so caregivers get it right and kids learn responsibility as they grow.

This is my parent-to-parent guide to baby bottle labels, daycare labels, school labels, and camp labels—what to label, where it goes, and which labels actually hold up.

The Master Checklist: What to Label (By Transition)

Label Placement Rules (So They Actually Stay On)

Before we get into each stage, here’s the truth: even the best waterproof name labels won’t perform their best if they’re slapped onto a wet bottle or a textured surface. These are the quick rules I use at home so your personalized name labels for kids stay readable and stay stuck.

• Clean first: Wash the item to remove oils, lotion, and sunscreen residue.  Isoprophyl alcohol cuts greast and films extremely well. Dry completely before applying.
• Avoid texture: Textured plastic, rubbery coatings, and soft-touch finishes are where labels lift first. Choose the smoothest spot you can.
• Label lids and caps: If it has a lid (bottles, snack containers, thermoses), label the lid too. Lids are the #1 piece that gets swapped.
• Let it set: Apply labels at room temperature, then give them time to bond before the first wash (overnight is ideal when you can).
• Clothing labels go on tags/imprints: Stick-on clothing labels belong on the garment care tag or the largest part of the tagless imprint—not directly on fabric. Iron-on clothing labels can be applied directly to any iron-safe fabrics.

1. Daycare: Labels That Survive Bottles, Washing, and Real Life

Most daycare centers require everything labeled, and they’re not kidding. Bottles, lids, pacifier cases, blankets—if it can be set down, it can be swapped.

If you’re searching for dishwasher-safe baby bottle labels that don’t peel after sterilizing, the key is using waterproof name labels made for daily washing.

Where to label bottles (quick win)

• Put one label on the bottle
• Put a second label on the lid (because lids wander)

Silicone bottle note (Comotomo, Boon)

Silicone is a non-stick surface, so labels do not stick to the silicone body reliably. If you try to label the silicone itself, it will peel off—especially with washing, sterilizing, and daily handling.

Instead, place your label on a smooth, hard plastic area whenever possible (like the plastic collar/nipple ring), not on the textured silicone.

View our collection of: Dishwasher-safe baby bottle labels for daycare

2. Toddler Milestone: Shoe Labels That Teach Left vs. Right

There is a very specific pride in a toddler’s eyes when they say, “I did it myself!” Usually, that involves putting their shoes on—often on the wrong feet.

A tiny name inside the tongue isn’t enough when five kids have the same navy sneakers. This is where left right shoe labels are a game changer, because they don’t just identify the shoe—they help your kid learn.

What works best for preschool shoes

• A split image across both shoes (so it matches when they’re on the correct feet)
• A label material that can handle sweat + friction
• Placement that stays put (inside heel area is usually the sweet spot)

View our collection of: Personalized shoe labels for toddlers or left and right shoe labels

3. School Years: Clothing Is the Real Lost-and-Found Black Hole

If I had a dollar for every hoodie that disappeared at school, I could fund a whole classroom.

Sharpie on the tag works… until it bleeds, fades, or the tag is tagless. The easiest system is using stick-on clothing labels when you have a garment care tag (or a big enough tagless imprint), and using iron-on clothing labels when you don’t—or when you want the most permanent option.

Quick guide: stick-on vs. iron-on

• Stick-on clothing labels: apply to garment care tags or the largest part of the tagless imprint (fast, no iron)
• Iron-on clothing labels: use when an item doesn’t have a care tag or tagless imprint, or when you want a permanent bond (great for socks and tagless items)

View our collection of: Laundry-safe clothing labels for school in iron-on clothing labels and stick-on clothing labels

4. Camp: Labeling Gear So You’re Not Replacing It All in August

Camp is peak independence—and peak chaos. Gear gets tossed, borrowed, traded, and left behind in a way that is honestly impressive.

If you’re packing for camp, think beyond clothing. The biggest money-savers are labeling the gear that’s expensive to replace.

Camp labeling essentials

• Waterproof stickers for water bottles (and yes, label the lid too)
• Sunscreen + bug spray (they all look identical)
• Flashlight
• Trunk / duffel (big, obvious label)
• Shoes + sandals
• Towels
• Clothing 

View our collection of: Camp name labels 

FAQ: Quick Answers Parents Actually Need

Do daycare labels have to be waterproof?

They don’t have to be, but if bottles and cups go through the dishwasher daily, waterproof is the difference between “done once” and “redoing it every week.”

Will labels stick to silicone bottles?

Silicone is a non-stick surface, so labels do not stick to the silicone body reliably. For the best hold, place the label on a smooth, hard plastic part instead (like the plastic collar/nipple ring) whenever possible.

Do stick-on clothing labels really last in the wash?

Yes—when they’re applied correctly. Our stick-on clothing labels are made to hold through laundry when you place them on the garment care tag or the largest part of the tagless imprint (not directly on fabric). If an item doesn’t have a care tag/tagless imprint, or you want the most permanent option, use iron-on clothing labels instead.