Summer is here, and it's time to make the most of it! Whether you're planning a beach day, a backyard barbecue, or a camping trip, these 33 must-have items will elevate your summer experience. From stylish swimwear to innovative gadgets, this curated list has something for everyone. Get ready to soak up the sun in style!
1. A Ninja cooler unlike any cooler you've ever seen before. With its special design the cold temps from the top transfer to the dry storage drawer on the bottom so you can keep food at the perfect temp without risking turning your sandwich into a soggy mess if you put it directly in the ice.
This can hold up to 45 cans when you have 25 lbs of ice OR 80 cans if you go ice-free.
Promising review: "We bought this 50-quart ice chest and got to use it here in Arizona on our boat this weekend. In over 100-degree temperatures, I was so impressed. It did exactly what it says! The dry cooler box kept our sandwiches nice and cold! It held a good amount of drinks with 20 pounds of ice. After two days in the sun, there was still a bunch of ice left! Best purchase ever! Definitely recommend!" —Leanne
Get it from Ninja (available in three colors) or from Amazon for $249.99.
2. A deck of waterproof cards so you don't have to choose between a rousing game of hearts and taking a dip in the pool. Your card competition is gonna heat up while you still get to cool off.
Promising review: "I love these cards. Great for fun card games in the pool. Very durable and bright colors. I even ordered another deck! These dry off easily for storing." —Abbie Spencer
Get it from Amazon for $6.60.
3. Plus a waterproof Uno Splash card game set with a convenient clip to keep the cards all together when you aren't playing. Now you can scream "UNO!" from a floaty in the pool, in the sand, or even at a restaurant with your spill-prone family since these easily wipe clean.
Promising review: "This is my daughter's favorite game, so I bought it for my grandkids. The waterproof feature keeps the cards from being ruined with small hands and drinks. This game is never predictable, you can think you're about to win and then someone flips a deck and you end up with a handful of cards. Fun to play and the waterproof feature is added. If you want a easy to transport game that is for all ages this is the best one." —LLPRESCHOOL
Get it from Amazon for $14.24 (available in two versions).
4. A KitchenAid shaved ice attachment so you can quickly and easily create a delicious and nostalgic snow cone when the temperature is in the high 80s and you break a sweat just walking to get the mail. 🥵
This attachment is compatible with all KitchenAid mixers. And don't forget to load up on all the delicious syrups, too!
Promising review: "The shaved ice attachment came together easily. The ice is the right consistency. I made my own syrup using handmade simple syrup and flavors from my SodaStream machine. Mix until you get desired taste. I added a small amount of fresh lemon juice and a drop or two of food coloring. The coloring is optional. I will enjoy this all summer long!!" —Stack
Get it from Amazon for $87.85.
5. Or a slushie maker if you spend all year waiting for July 11 when you can show up to 7-Eleven and snag your free Slurpie. Instead you can just whip one up whenever the craving hits (AKA prob once a day…at least).
Promising review: "I was skeptical at first but tried it…. Made cherry Coke slushie, WOW!!!!! It’s a keeper. Great buy, you won't be disappointed. They say use small ice 🧊 but I noticed it melts too fast and freezing was longer. Use regular ice cubes to make the freezing process 15–20 minutes." —Mo Lammy
Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in three versions).
6. A pack of hat liners designed to absorb your forehead sweat so it doesn't end up in your eyes. Not to mention they can help prevent that gross yellow stain situation that always happens after you wear your fave baseball cap all summer long.
NoSweat is a small business!
Promising reviews: "Very effective during my round of golf. Texas heat can exceed 100° and this is a valuable tool to help manage this heat." —marcus
"Great product and works better than advertised as it lasts a little longer than expected, even in the Texas heat. I used to look down at a putt late in the round with sweat dripping from my bill. No more. Have one in every hat now." —Garland Littles
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $25+ (available in other multipacks).
7. And a stylish cooling performance hat you just get wet to provide your noggin' some sweet, sweet relief from the heat. It'll instantly get cold and stay that way for up to two hours!! Annnnd this bad boy is UV 50-protective so you don't have to worry about adding aloe to your grocery list.
It's also machine washable for easy cleaning!
Promising review: "This hat is the most comfortable cap I’ve ever worn! It is a MUST buy! I would pay a lot more for a hat like this — truly a great deal. It is so lightweight that I can’t even feel it on my head. It is made of the softest stretchy fabric which hugs your head so comfortably. The fit is just perfect. The bill is just the right length for ideal coverage and the Velcro strap is extremely strong and allows for different widths." —kerismith
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in eight colors).
8. A spacious inflatable pool so you can enjoy a refreshing dip to cool off even if you don't have an in-ground pool. But honestly, who needs to deal with the upkeep of that if you can just whip this bad boy out whenever you please?!
This pool is 120"x72"x22".
Promising review: "Great little pool. Big enough for my wife, son, and me to sit and splash around. Honestly more convenient than going to the public pool and dealing with crowds, other kids, and loud noises. Fills up in about 30 minutes and blows up in about five minutes. Drains a little slow but folds nice and stores when we are done." —Tim R.
Get it from Amazon for $69.97.
9. A reclining, adjustable chaise lounge chair that'll have you singing "Iiiii wanna soak up the suunnn." You can actually lay on your stomach for more than like five minutes with the ultra comfortable and convenient face and arm holes.
Plus, when you flip back over, there's a pillow that covers the hole to keep your head comfortable.
Promising review: "This is typically more then I would have spent on a lounge chair, but after seeing it on TikTok I had to buy one!! The arm and face hole make tanning the backside so easy and comfortable!" —Keely Shay
Get it from Amazon for $79.97+ (available in nine colors/patterns).
10. A set of towel clips to solve one of the most annoying beach problems — your towel flying off your chair with every gust of wind.
Promising review: "I purchased these for a family of eight going on a cruise and they loved them! So easy to use, just put your towel on the beach chair and clip down with these. They said they were especially awesome on windy days when others towels were blowing away if they were not sitting on the chair. The family was able to go to lunch or take a walk and not worry that their towels had been blown away and someone had then snagged their seats. Very inexpensive and functional clips." —TypeA
Get a set of 16 from Amazon for $9.99.
11. A useful waterproof baby carrier with soft, padded straps and a fast-drying material similar to wetsuits so you can keep your kiddo close while still cooling off in the pool. Because honestly, nothing sounds more miserable than having a hot and sweaty toddler clinging to your sweaty body while you daydream of jumping in the water.
Promising review: "Absolutely love this product. I used it when my son was only about 6–9-months-old, and I still use it now as he is 15-months-old. I just love this product. It is so easy to use with the babies. Love it as they get to be in the water as well; this product also dries very quickly. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be in the water with their children. An added benefit is that you are hands free!" —H&M Miller
Get it from Amazon for $99.55 (available in three colors)
12. A set of cup holders so you can keep your cups clean and spill-free because you aren't trying to make 'em balance on the wildly uneven sand. And since these are low to the ground they are easily accessible from your short beach chair, aka you don't have to stand up every time you need a refreshment (which is like every two minutes in this heat 🥵).
Promising review: "These were so convenient for our recent beach trip. They hold your drink upright and sit well in the sand. It’s nice to be able to keep your cup or bottle free from sand. They are easy to clean and throw right in your beach bag. Definitely recommend!" —Andrea
Get a set of four from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three color sets).
13. A set of sunscreen reminder stickers made with SPF recognition that will change colors to let you know when it's time to lather up with more lotion. The stickers are water-resistant *and* work for up to 12 hours so you can have a full day of fun in the sun without worrying about turning red as a lobster. 🦞
Promising review: "Just used this product on a recent trip to Florida. I made sure to wash my skin before application and it lasted about two days on my skin without coming off. When out of the sun or behind UV glass, like in a car, the spot turns clear. As soon as you step into the sun it turns purple. If you use a sunblock it starts to become clear or semi clear. After being on the beach and having gone into the water a few times the spot started seeing purple and I applied sunblock again. In a minute the spot was clear again. So this is very effective in alerting me when to reapply." —RGTorque
Get a 16-count from Amazon for $15.99 (available in three quantities).
14. An appetizer tray with nine compartments so you can set out all your fave snacks and dips. But the standout here is the hidden ice section underneath the compartments so none of your guests will eat a boiling hot cucumber slice when they just wanted a refreshing *crunch.*
Promising review: "Perfect veggie tray! Holds a lot of food, easy cleanup, and the ice keeps the vegetables fresh for a long time! Highly recommend!" —Nate Vergara
Get it from Amazon for $49.99.
15. A pack of ingenious collapsible pails that will get you out of the vicious cycle of having to buy a bunch of sand toys when you get to the beach only to leave them there because you have no room in your car (and then do it all again for your next beach trip).
The set comes with three collapsible pails, three shovels, and a mesh carrying bag.
Promising review: "These are great and fold down nicely for easy packing in our beach bag. They are an amazing quality and do not feel flimsy at all when open! Kids even collected shells in them and they held up wonderfully with the weight." —Ally
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two color combos).
16. A tube of Burt's Bees After Sun soother if you didn't apply sunscreen quite as often as you probably should've… Put this on and it can help soothe you from the pain, itching, and heat. Warning, your partner might sing "burn baby burn 🎶" while applying it on your back.
This product is formulated without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS.
Promising review: "Whenever someone I know has a sunburn, I become that super annoying product-pusher friend. I tell everyone about the sun soother! Really, Burt’s Bees should pay me. It rubs into skin like lotion so you don’t feel greasy and can immediately put on clothes after application. A little goes a long way! It smells good without being overpowering (and I’m picky about scents!). Most importantly, it works! I’ve had everything from slight burn to looks-like-a-lobster-feels-like-fire and this sun soother has eliminated the pain/itch and drastically reduced the eventual peel. Highly recommend!" —Jessie Patterson
Get it from Amazon for $17.45 (also available in a three-pack).
17. A sand brush so the fun day you had at the beach can stay at the beach. This brush will easily get all the sand off your body, shoes, and toys before getting in the car.
Promising review: "This is probably one of the best investments I have made regarding beach-going. I do not know how I was going about my beach days without having one of these brushes. Great product, strong bristles but soft enough for your skin/feet. I would recommend that anyone that goes to the beach, this should be a must-have just like an umbrella and chair." —VCTrojanDodger
Get it from Amazon for $24.95.
18. Or a sand-removal bag filled with a talc-free and reef-friendly powder that'll help remove the sand that sticks to every inch of your little one (and you). Keep this on hand for the beach or even for after an afternoon of playing in the sandbox at your local park.
Shakalo is a San Diego-based small business started to figure out a way to help people, especially parents remove sand before leaving the beach. The soft fabric pouch allows the powder to remove the sand without scattering everywhere.
Promising review: "We recently moved to a beach area, and we are constantly there. This item has changed our entire lives! It lasts decently long (depending on how much you use it), it smells super good (not at all like baby powder), and it's super effective. It has saved me from vacuuming my car at least 1x–2x a week. I even use it on my dogs paws and bellies to make sure they're taken care of. I will definitely be buying the refill and another bag to have exclusively in the car." —Gabbs Uresti
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (also available in a three-pack).
19. A Chill-O-Matic instant beverage cooler perfect for anyone who ~needs~ their drinks to be ice-cold, but doesn't always have the foresight to put it in the fridge hours in advance. This will take any 12-ounce can from room temperature to fresh-from-the-fridge cold in *ONE* minute.
All you have to do is fill it up with ice, set your can in, and it'll start spinning. Once it's done you'll have a crisp, cold, refreshing beverage. Heads up, you do need two AA batteries.
Promising review: "I was so afraid of wasting money. But I didn’t. I love my sodas cold. But sometimes there’s not a cold one available, and waiting 30 to 40 minutes for one to get cold in the freezer is not always ideal. This will get your room temp can to fridge cold in 90 seconds. I let it run double that to get almost freezer-cold. I wish it had a power cord. But I do appreciate the portability that the batteries provide. I can’t wait to try it out on vacation, as access to cold sodas isn’t always available. All you need is a literally a little bit of ice." —G. Massey
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two colors).
20. A super lightweight, sandproof minimalist mesh tote bag which is sure to become *the* bag of the summer. Plus this is prob the sleekest beach bag that can hold your towels, sand toys, snacks and SO much more while not filling with sand, even if your kiddo tries to sneak some in.
Promising review: "I got the khaki for a beach vacation at an upscale family resort, so I wanted to make sure to have something nice enough yet not over the top. This bag is perfect, nice looking, roomy, does not sag, and though it holds its shape, not at all stiff. You can really stuff it. There’s a good size zippered inner pocket for valuables that will protect from sand. It has a modern straw look that is nice enough for beach shops and restaurants. After lots of use, the only thing I did to clean it was to shake it out. It still looks brand new and is ready for next year." —Yellow Rose of Texas
Get it from Amazon for $13.50+ (available in 11 colors and in two-packs).
21. Coppertone Glow with Shimmer Sunscreen Spray because WHY would you use regular sunblock if you could literally get all the protection with the addition of ✨glitter✨?!
Promising review: "LOVE this. I no longer forget to put on sunscreen as this is part of my new routine. Love the shimmer (much more than anticipated), especially on my arms and legs. Face might be a bit much, but prevents a burn for the win." —Tawny Stammen
Get it from Amazon for $21.63.
22. A mini ice cream maker from BuzzFeed's Tasty line that'll whip up scrumptious frozen treats in 15–30 minutes so you can go from craving to indulging in no time. That's basically how long it would take for you to run to the store, so you may as well grab this, save some money on the premade stuff, *and* get to fully customize your flavors exactly how you want 'em.
Just always keep the bowl in your freezer (or for at least 24 hours) so you are ready to make a delicious treat at any moment.
Promising review: "Only had it a few weeks, but so far I’ve made Nutella ice cream, vanilla frozen yogurt, and my latest masterpiece: dulce de leche peanut butter swirl! Three words: taste bud paradise! This pint-sized wonder churns out three to four servings of pure bliss. It's like having your own little ice cream parlor tucked away in the kitchen!" —Stephanie R.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
23. OR a soft-serve machine so you can churn out some delicious soft serve, yogurt, sorbet, sherbet, and ice cream worthy of being in an ice cream store in just 20 minutes. Watch out Dairy Queen, we're comin' for ya.
This bad boy has three condiment containers that'll store your fave toppings *and* there's a cone holder on the side.
Promising review: "This is one awesome machine; we use it at least once a week and try new flavors and experiment all the time. Very easy to use, cleaning is a breeze, and the taste and quality rival the big chains out there in soft serve land. This tastes much better because you can use all real ingredients — heavy cream, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and the list is endless of what your flavors can be. Sometimes, we make so much we seal and freeze it for a later date (just take it out of the freezer and let it sit for a few minutes, and it's ready). One of the best items I have ever purchased! In fact, I am down to only three containers of ice cream in the freezer...gotta run and restock!!! You will enjoy this great machine, and the kids will love to help you make it and serve themselves. I give this 6 stars out of 5!!!" —UMCanes1972
Get it from Amazon for $178.33.
24. A lightweight, super family-friendly flying disc that's much easier to throw straight than traditional versions *and* is wayyyy lighter so all the little ones can get involved without the risk of a heavy disc flying at their face.
Promising review: "I used to play Ultimate Frisbee in college and it took me a lot of practice to get my throws down. Wanting to teach my kiddos how to throw, I researched and ended up buying these. I REALLY like them! I bought one set of two. And want to buy more. They are super easy for beginners to learn on and almost always fly true. They also don’t hurt when they hit you and my kids can catch them. Win. Win. Great colors and design! And they can skip a little bit. 🥏💗" —asnowmomma
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $14.99 (available in four colors).
25. A set of instant cocktail packets so you can enjoy all your fave summery beverages without having to buy loads of ingredients, or worse, paying like $20 for one at the overpriced beach bar. These are perfect for tossing in your purse or pool bag so you can make your fave refreshment whenever you please.
Craftmix is a small business that specializes in instant drink mixers.
These are all vegan and gluten-free — all you have to do is add booze, water, or the seltzer of your choice!
Promising review: "These margarita mixes are absolutely perfect for hanging out with your girlfriends. They are so refreshing when mixed with tequila and sparkling soda. There were enough drink mixes for 12 margaritas. I also dipped the glasses in rock salt. Great value for your money. I'm going to purchase more for our taco night." —Suze
Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $14.99 (available in 10 different flavors including a variety pack and as a pack of 24).
26. An onion holder to easily clean built-up charcoal and season your grill so you're ready to BBQ the heck outta some hot dogs and brats. This gadget has a spike in the center so the onion stays in place while you go to town getting that flavor allllll over the grill grates.
Sanchez Fabricators is a small business that specializes in a handful of metal grilling and smoking tools. The company is located in Rio Grande Valley.
Promising review: "Great, heavy-duty quality. It’s better than I expected and a great tool. I bought two!" —Lupe
Get it from Sanchez Fabricators on Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes).
27. A patio table mosquito net enclosure that'll allow you to actually enjoy an outdoor BBQ without all the little BUGgers coming for you and your burgers.
Promising review: "We bought this for a rather large umbrella over our table in the backyard and used it for the first time last night. We were less concerned about mosquitoes because we have a service to eliminate them — it's the bees that were disturbing our outdoor meals and events. My wife hosted a few friends last night, and they all fell in love with this. They've all been fighting with bees lately, and they were not bothered once by any bugs. Every friend bought the netting on the spot – you're welcome to the company that manufactures this product. Also, when you're inside the netting sitting on chairs, it's almost as if the netting is invisible; most of the time, you can't tell whether it's even there, especially at night." —Sara Olshanky
Get it from Amazon for $38.99+ (available in two colors and two styles).
28. A pair of anti-chafing shorts to help end the dreaded inner thigh chafing that can truly ruin any summer day, no matter what fun activities you have planned. If you've ever experienced that horrible, burning pain from your legs rubbing together, you know this is an *immediate* add to cart moment.
Promising review: "Bought to wear under my dresses on my vacation to Jamaica. I knew it would be hot and I’d be miserable in dresses with sweaty legs. These were the perfect thing to make dresses fun to wear again! Legs don’t get sweaty and chapped from rubbing together. They are a blessing!" —Kim Bair
Get them from Amazon for $33 (available in women's sizes S—5X, eight colors, and in two-packs).
29. A little misting portable fan like those ones you always begged your parents for at Disney except this is *fancier* and still somehow cheaper than the Mickey-themed version. My pregnant-in-the-peak-of-summer self is definitely getting one of these to hopefully convince myself I can actually go outside and don't have to hibernate in the AC until I give birth.
Promising review: "Bought two of these fans for a trip to Disney World. They fold up, so it's easy to tuck them away or hold them at different angles. They lasted ALL day with intermittent use. Let me tell you, this gal does not like being hot, and these things were a lifesaver! While they did sometimes run out of mist faster than I'd like, even just having the fan blowing on me helped me from feeling sick. The three-speed options were amazing and helped save the battery life. My whole family passed these around while standing in lines, and everyone liked them. Also, the mist is so fine and feels good without soaking your face. Overall, I was really impressed." —KC
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in three colors and two versions).
30. A pair of seamless Nippies silicone pasties so you can achieve that smooth, nip-free look you're going for without having to add an extra layer (AKA more reason to *sweat*). They're also a great option for backless and strapless tops when you do not wanna have bra straps ruining the whole vibe.
Promising review: "I’ve tried so many nipple covers over the years and these are just in a league of their own! They stick and don’t move (sweat, clothes, moisturizer, etc — nothing budges them), but then they also peel off so easily. It’s magic. They are completely seamless, and my husband (without prompting) said they looked like a second skin. I’ve got quite 'triangular' boobs, and they completely mold to the shape and look like I just have no nipples lol. Only when I’m suuuuuper cold do any level of nipple start to show through, and even then, it’s minimal. They’re more pricey than others I’ve bought before but so worth it. The others were one and done — these have held up through several wears and are still in perfect condition. I will repurchase them as soon as they wear out, without a doubt! No more bras!" —Alison
Get a set from Amazon for $26.50+ (available in five shades, a lifting option, and two sizes: one that fits cups A–C and one that fits cups D+).
31. An inflatable water park that'll *definitely* earn you the coolest parents award. This thing will entertain your kiddos for hours — there are two slides, a climbing wall, a water bucket, a splash pool, a deeper pool, and loads of water sprayers to keep the little ones entertained and cool. Now let me just see if I can convince my husband to buy this for me...
It comes with an inflatable basketball, volleyball, and soccer ball, four water guns, a hose assembly kit, a blower, eight stakes for the inflatable water park, two stakes for the blower, four repair patches, and a carrying bag,
Promising review: "Can I please just start off with THANK YOU!!! My husband and I talked for a long time about what to buy to entertain our kids, and let me tell you, we won PARENTS OF THE YEAR!!! Our in-laws are already planning out our summer get-togethers around our home!!! We literally are the hot spot for the summer! Thank you, guys, for bringing our family back together again!!! The materials on this thing are TOP NOTCH. Just unboxing our at-home waterpark from its box, we could tell it was made with durability in mind. I, a 31-year-old woman, got in there with three kids and had a blast!!! My kids couldn't get enough, and to tell the truth, neither can I. Thanks again!!!" —Stephanie Mayol
Get it from Amazon for $639.99.
32. A backless retro-inspired one-piece swimsuit that'll have everyone around asking you what thrift shop you found this gorgeous piece at. (Yeah…Amazon qualifies…right?)
Promising review: "First I want to say that I RARELY write reviews but I am doing so in the hopes that others with my body type (short, plus-sized, AND top-heavy) will find this useful. This particular swimsuit is very well made! The colors are as vibrant as the picture, the material is thick like a typical swimsuit, and the breast area's lining feels as though it is doubled up. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of coverage that I got. The bottom is full coverage if you don't have much 'under cheek' as I like to call it. I will probably be ordering from them again! 😉" —VA_Gurl
Get it from Amazon for $30.99+ (available in women's sizes S–3XL, two styles, and nine colors/patterns).
33. A tent with UPF50+ so you can create a ~cool zone~ on the beach when you desperately need to get the sun's rays off your body before you literally melt. Be warned, you may have some unprepared strangers coming up yearning to get in on your coveted sun-free area.
To assemble, lay it out, fill the corner pockets with sand or set in place with grass pegs, unfold the poles and prop 2–4 under the tent (depending on how many people are using it), and sit back and enjoy your beach day!
Promising review: "I’ve taken this everywhere with me when I go on beach vacations. The best purchase I've made. It blocks the UV rays, and the heat doesn’t go through. Fits perfect in my suitcase or as my carry-on backpack wherever I go. So easy to assemble, I can do it myself with my 10-year-old son." —Jeanette
Get it from Amazon for $103.95+ (available in two sizes and four colors).