We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A sand-free beach blanket designed so that sand (or dirt) rolls right off it, so you can fully lay out and relax knowing you won't make a mess all the way home. Reviewers love this blanket because it's big enough for up to four adults to use, and it packs up small, making it super easy to transport.
Promising review: "I walk to the beach and the park with my baby all the time and was sick of my butt getting wet when we sat on the grass and the baby getting all sandy when sitting on towels. I decided to search Amazon for some kind of beach blanket. This blanket wasn’t really what I was looking for, but it did not disappoint! First of all it’s HUGE. I still haven’t used it open all the way yet. It’s compact and easy to carry, I love that there are pockets to weigh it down with sand, that sand rolls right off and that I can just stuff it right back in the little bag without having to fold it strategically when I’m done. I can take the baby to the beach and lay her on her tummy without worrying about sand getting on her hands and face. Great product!!" —Adriana
Get it from Amazon for $27.90+ (available in three colors).
2. The Ring Thing — a waterproof clip-on holder you can place your rings in at any time. This means you can keep your rings secure in your bag while you frolic in the water or join in an impromptu volleyball game.
Ring Thing Design is a woman-owned small biz dedicated to creating stylish and functional products. A portion of each sale for this product is donated to nonprofits working to stop human trafficking.
Promising review: "I was unsure about this purchase. I didn’t think I would use it to its full potential, but, man oh man, was I wrong. I use it everyday. It’s where I store my engagement ring. While at work, I put it in the Ring Thing, and after, I am free to pop it back on. It has given me the power to shut my fiancé up when I 'forget' my ring. I NEVER FORGET NOW! It’s always with me. This is money well spent. Don’t sleep on getting yours." —Liliana
Get it from Ring Thing Designs on Etsy for $16.96 (available in seven colors).
3. A low-profile chair that will keep you close enough to the ground to feel the sand in your toes but also comfortable for more than five minutes. It also has genius design features that really knock it ~out of the water~ including a cup holder and a sleeve on the back to keep your towel from getting dirty.
Promising review: "These are our new favorite folding chairs. We’ve used them at the beach, at the park, and in the backyard. My young children even used it to watch a movie in the living room (it allowed them to stretch their legs comfortably and recline). They are relatively light and easy to unfold. Folding it back is difficult the first time but once you got technique, its easy. The back pocket is where we usually store the bag and is still big enough to fit towels, phones, or tablets. The feet sink a little bit in the sand, but so does any chair. It is just more noticeable because the seat is close to the ground like a beach chair should be. I also love that it has cup holders that can rotate in and be hidden if you don’t need it. All in all, its an excellent and well-made beach chair." —K Fernandez
Get it from Amazon for $36.88.
4. Or a pair of lounger chairs if you're looking for a way to lay out more but still want to support your back. These chairs fold up flat, making them super easy to tote with you as you find the *perrrfect* spot.
Promising review: "These were perfect. They were exactly what I was looking for now that summer is here. They're compact, easy to carry, lightweight — perfect for movies under the stars, music in the park, and beach days." —Sherry Ramsundar
Get them from Amazon for $59.99.
5. And a canopy umbrella you can use with the chairs to complete your set-up. This umbrella is designed with side panels that come with ground stakes and tie-down cords, so you can keep it firmly in the ground, even on a windy day. You'll have a whole little oasis to escape the sun (and wind, and even rain!). Plus, it has little windows, so you can still let some natural light in.
Promising review: "At the beach, the wind was fairly strong, but the umbrella held up great for our weekend trip! I found that putting sand around the edges of the umbrella to help support the anchors was helpful. The flaps that allow wind kept me shaded, cool and breezy. It even rained for a few minutes, but my wife and I stayed nice and chill under the umbrella. We loved it!" —Mark
Get it from Amazon for $63.99+ (available in three colors).
6. Or a swiveling UPF 50 plus protection umbrella that has an adjustable clamp you can attach to a chair (or wagon) for a quick way to get some shade when there's not a cloud in the sky. Reviewers also say this is great to clip on a stroller to keep their baby in the shade at all times.
7. BruMate insulated can cooler, featuring a double-walled stainless-steel layer that will keep your drink 20 times colder than a Koozie. That means you'll be able to enjoy the whole can, even if the sun is beating down on you.
Promising review: "Like to keep your beer cold? Get this. Slow drinker but don't want to let your friends on to how slow you're drinking? Get this. Want your White Claw/Truly to stay as cold as it was when you took it out of your fridge? Get this. I kid you not, this thing keeps drinks cold like that's its job (because it is). Once I got mine and saw how effective it was, I decided all of my cold beverage loving friends and family will be getting one also. With most of my friends being Michelob Ultra and White Claw drinkers, this seems to be the perfect fit. So hard to find a can koozie that holds those slim cans! Love this product and definitely recommend!" —Brooke Stull
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 31 colors).
8. A bug bite suction tool because bug bites ~suck~ no matter where and when you get them. This genius tool will help relieve any itchiness in as little as 30 seconds.
Promising review: "I am an adult who hates mosquito bites, so much so that I often will avoid going outside. I am a mosquito magnet when others I am with won’t get any bites. I will itch for days to the point my bites bleed. With this, I suction the bites a few times and no more itch. If on the rare occasion it flares up a few days later, I suction again and no more itch! I love this thing. If I could give it 10 stars I would!" —Jessica
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors).
9. A Hydro Flask cooler backpack worth the splurge because it can hold up to 36 cans (without ice) and keep them cold for 36 hours. And the backpack style makes it so you can carry it to wherever you end up.
Promising review: "So, I got this because we like to go out to the beach and hike some trails needing to bring some food and drinks along the way but in a more comfortable manner. I've had other soft coolers but this one tops them so far. The material does not allow water or sand to get in any crevices you are trying to keep cool, which is awesome. I like the small stretchable side pocket to throw keys in or maybe a bottle if need be and it will grab onto it without slipping. There are other slots on the outside to add other options such as the dry storage bag. Everything inside kept cold for our entire day trips in the Florida heat! Carrying around the cooler felt great and was comfortable on my back. The padding felt great on my back and allowed great ventilation to keep me cooler than others I've used." —Chucky
Get it from Hydro Flask for $199.95 (available in four colors).
10. Or a smaller option made to carry up to 25 cans. It's leak-proof and has a thin outside pocket that can hold any utensils or other small items you're going to need. And it's super easy to carry when you decide to relocate to higher ground after the tide starts to encroach on your space.
Promising review: "I've only used this once, but I was really pleased with it. There's actually a really good amount of space in this thing. We were able to fit 4 of those 8- or 9- cup Tupperware containers, two plastic water bottles + 1x 32-oz aluminum bottled water, three small bags of chips, and some pieces of fruit and we still had plenty of space. I think this is a perfect size for a day trip to the beach or park." —Katelyn B.
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in seven colors).
11. A cooling towel you soak in cold water and place around your neck (or on top of your dog) to keep you (/Fido) cool as a cucumber. Once the towel starts to get warm, you can simply run it under water again, wring it out, and place on your neck for instant relief. Ahhhh!
Promising review: "This towel gets very cool and stays very cool. Instant relief. I love that it does not drip on your clothing when you are wearing it. It would be perfect if you are a spectator at a concert or sporting event, visiting a theme park (think standing in long lines), at the beach, in a stroller for a baby to sit on if its super hot out. I've also worn it getting back in to a hot car, and it makes the ride bearable while the air conditioning kicks in. I can even see using this on someone that has a fever because it stays cool much longer than a washcloth or other fabric cooling towels." —Michelle Candocia
Get it from Amazon for $7.97.
12. A JBL portable speaker that's both waterproof *and* dust-proof but still packs a punch when it comes to dropping beats. You can clip this on to a chair, backpack, or even a bike and listen to some jams without disrupting everyone in the near vicinity.
Promising review: "This is an amazing speaker for traveling or going to the beach. It's portable, and you can hang it so it doesn't get dirty with sand or dust around you. It is very useful in hiking because it is light, which makes it easy to carry as you can see in the picture. The battery life is really good. I've used it 3 times and still doesn't need to charge, so it's about 10 hours of music. I really liked the sound quality and my friends say that they liked it, too." —Tifanny Angulo
Get it from Amazon for $79.95 (available in nine colors).
13. A leakproof, portable dog water bottle with a spout that actually turns into a mini dish so you can keep your pup hydrated without having to bring *both* a water bottle and dog dish. Genius!
Promising review: "This is the best invention known to mankind. I take this to the park, the beach, or on long walks. I don't have to get out the bowl, I don't waste water, and when my pup is done drinking, I just push the button and the leftover water goes back in to the bottle." —LJ
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in two colors and two sizes).
14. A Slammo game set for anyone who gets bored just sitting and relaxing in a chair and prefers some activities to make it through the day. The game is similar to volleyball but can get anyone involved. But be careful because the competition could get a little fierce once everyone gets into the game.
You get the net, carrying case, and three balls with the set. The game is similar to volleyball in the sense that you and a partner have three hits to spike the ball into the net. Once you do that, it's the other team's turn to return. Whoever lets the ball hit the ground first, loses that round.
Promising review: "We LOVE this game! Originally, we set out for Spyder ball, but I came across this brand for a much more reasonable price. It's the same thing! My teenage sons who are usually 'too cool for school' have spent hours playing this game in the backyard, at the park, and even brought it on vacation to the beach. They prefer the larger training ball that came with this set, and that's something that we wouldn't have gotten with the other brand. Once you figure out how to tighten the net so the ball bounces well, it's 'game on!"'" —KDG teacher
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
15. A satin-lined backless CurlCap, a must-have for anyone who wants a way to keep their skin protected from the sun while also keeping their hair off their neck. This hat was specifically designed to work for natural hair, as it has an open back and a scrunchie-like band that will comfortably sit on your head.
CurlCap is a Black-owned small business started by Britney Sade to create hats made specifically for natural hair with an open back and scrunchie design.
Promising review: "I absolutely love my cap. One of my buddies tagged me in a post about this one specifically because I am planning a trip to Florida this summer. I have a ton of hair, and it’s hard to put it all under a traditional cap. I love this so much and even ordered another one and will probably order a few more! I absolutely love the fact that it is a black0owned company and obviously created by someone who understands that our natural curls don’t always fit in all spaces!" —SimplyMarquisha
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 21 styles).
16. A utility wagon capable of holding everything you need to bring with you (because it turns out you need a lot of stuff, especially if you have kids). The wheels can handle most terrains, including sand and dirt, and it folds up flat to easily fit in the trunk of your car (along with everything else you just lugged in it).
Promising review: "This wagon is a must have!!!! I love how compact it is when folded up (it also comes with a nice carrying back making it easy to move around!), this feature is important to me as trunk space is limited when packing the family up for a day trip to the beach or park. We found this wagon to be very easy to set up. Simply pull out of the bag and unclip and fold out! Simple as that, its now ready to use!!! I found the cargo area to be large enough to carry all of our items easily, it holds a lot and a good amount of weight, too. The wheels are great quality, easy to pull on pavement, grass even a dirt path. The front wheels swivel making it easy to maneuver. Overall, we are very impressed with the make, quality, and durability of this wagon. We highly recommend it and would purchase it again!" —Jess & Craig
Get it from Amazon for $129.08.
17. An insulated picnic basket perfect if you plan to enjoy a meal (or two) while you're there. This basket not only holds a good amount of food (up to 65 pounds), but it also keeps everything cold so you don't end up having to eat warm fruit (blehh 🤢).
Promising review: "This product is a must have! I absolutely love it. It holds so much food/drinks and keeps everything cold with a few ice packs. I love that it’s collapsible for easy storage. My husband loves it too. It’s perfect for the ball field, a lake day, park picnic, or a day on the farm chasing cattle. One of my favorite Amazon purchases!" —Baylee Akins
Get it from Amazon for $44 (available in eight colors and patterns).
18. A mosquito repellent built specifically to create a 15-foot zone free from pesky skeeters. If you hate being outside because you always feel like you get ATTACKED by mosquitoes, this device will make it so you can actually enjoy your time without getting a million bites.
Promising review: "I bought this because I was looking for an effective insect repellant for my patio this spring/summer. I didn't want a bulky candle or tiki torch that smelled like citronella oil. I found the Thermacell. It looked modern and promising. We tried it and it works really well. It also produces no smell or sound. We live in the South where mosquitoes are really awful and the Thermacell made sitting on our patio tolerable! Definitely recommend." —Trusted Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.46+ (available in 23 colors and two styles).
19. A portable lock box made to secure around two beach chairs to stash your wallet and phone in as you head into the ocean to snorkel — no more worrying about someone grabbing your stuff when you're face-first in the water.
You can also use this in your room to keep valuables protected.
Promising review: "I bought this to take on a vacation to the Virgin Islands because my husband is super paranoid about leaving valuables unattended on the beach. At first, he scoffed that this little plastic thing wasn’t going to stop a thief, and I had wasted my money. Then he admitted that the plastic was pretty sturdy, and it was cool that we could secure the cable to our beach chairs, a fence, or a tree (most petty thieves don’t carry around cable cutters). Next thing I know, he’s storing his wallet, phone, and room keys in it along with mine. He laced the cable through other things he didn’t want stolen, like the bags containing our snorkel gear. Neighboring beachgoers asked about it and where they could get one, and he was quick to demonstrate its features. And when we got home, I overheard him showing it to his friends, with as much approval as he could muster. Hate to say I told you so...OK, no I don’t." —Patsy
Get it from Amazon for $49.95 (available in five colors).
20. Or a lockable drawstring backpack you can totally wear when you're on the move. This one is specifically designed with a slash-resistant material and handles and secure padlock, so you can keep your valuables secure if you decide it's the perfect time to close your eyes and take a nap.
Promising review: "When you are at the beach or a water park you often go through the elaborate procedure of making sure your goods aren't stolen. You may tuck your phone in your shoe, a wallet in an interior pocket, or something else. Of course, that does no good when the criminal just walks up and picks up your beach bag while you are elsewhere. This is the solution. It looks like a simple cinch sack that has a pattern on the outside. It's actually a slash-proof safe. It's expensive, but after going through a scenario where my wife thought she lost her new iPhone at the pool it is well worth the peace of mind." —MikeJG
Get it from Amazon for $89+ (available in four colors).
21. Black Girl sunscreen guaranteed to go on completely sheer, so you don't end up with that milky residue on your skin that never seems to blend in. The sunscreen is infused with jojoba and avocado to hydrate your skin while also protecting it from harmful rays.
Promising review: "I used to dread wearing sunscreen because of that horrible ashy cast it gave my brown skin. Now? I actually look forward to putting this stuff on. I love how moisturizing it is and that it is completely sheer. What it is advertised to do it actually does. I layer this on top of my moisturizer. You do need to work it in a little bit but it absorbs into the skin nicely. To all my brown/Black ladies/fellas, what are you waiting for? Buy it!" —MD
Get it from Target for $15.99.
22. A spinning snack container perfect for anyone who has picky snackers in their home who like to have choices. This lets you bring multiple snacks on-the-go, while only using one single container. Then your toddler can press the middle button until it opens on the snack they currently want.
Promising review: "My 3-year-old will love something one week then despise it the next, so I love that I can put several different things in there for him to choose from. It’s been great for in the car and at the park! He’ll need to take a snack to preschool in a couple of months, which is why I bought this. I will be buying a couple more!" —Ashley Yon
Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in two colors).
23. A cooling collar for when you want to bring your pup with you, but you're worried about the temperature being too hot for them. Simply put it into water, twist it out, and then put in the fridge for 10 minutes to get the full cooling effect!
24. Or a pressure-activated Coleman cooling pad your pup can relax on while outside, but you should keep it in the shade. You can also keep it at home for your pup to relax on when you get back. It's designed to keep them 5 to 10 degrees cooler and requires no refrigeration. How ~cool~ is that?!?
Promising review: "I have a pug and a toy fox terrier/Chihuahua mix, and they absolutely love this thing. I just leave it sitting on the living room floor and they gravitate towards it whenever they need to cool down (they sometimes even fight over it). Both fit simultaneously if they are in the mood for sharing the space. The mat is tough, too! I don't think their nails can penetrate it." —E Marsh
Get it from Amazon for $29.95+ (available in seven colors).
25. A universal phone shade that not only protects your face from the sun (and makes it less likely to burn), but it also blocks the light so you can easily read the screen.
Shadey Attachments is a UK-based small business that came up with this idea after seeing people struggle to view their phone while lounging in the sun. The shades attaches to most mobile devices by suction and fans out to protect your face from UV rays.
Promising review: "I ordered this last-minute for Christmas holiday, and I can honestly say, I now can’t use my phone in the sun without it! It took a second to get going and to realize you have to point it at the sun to put your face in the shade (also better for the wrinkles). It's literally the best thing ever for the sun." —Hayley Place
Get it from Shadey Attachments on Etsy for $17.73 (available in six colors).
26. A chaise lounge chair worth the splurge because it's designed to make it comfortable to lie on your stomach. Yes, you read that right. You no longer have to awkwardly prop yourself up on your elbows to enjoy your book. Just stick your face and arms through the holes, and you'll be able to read your book (or scroll TikTok) no problem.
Plus, when you flip back over, there's a pillow that covers the hole to keep your head comfortable.
Promising review: "Perfect for the beach. I absolutely love it. It’s easy to carry and unfold. One of the best things I have bought for the beach. I would definitely recommend to anyone. And super cool to have the hole to put your head to lay on your stomach. I love it!!!" —Love hot reads
Get it from Amazon for $59 (available in five colors and patterns).
27. A folding table because it provides you a place to set your food so it doesn't end up with sand or dirt all over it. This will truly ~elevate~ your beach or park-going experience so much you may ask yourself why it took so long for you to purchase one.
Promising review: "I've now purchased two of these tables (both in large), and they are simply wonderful! They are light, compact, and easy to transport. Most importantly, they are sturdy: we've had one of ours for over four years, and it is still going strong — well worth the higher price in comparison to other tables. We used them at the beach to keep phones, food, speakers, etc. up out of the sand, and they are the envy of the beach! We also use them when we are camping or just sitting around a campfire. The table itself has an accordion-style top with two strong elastic straps at each end to hold it in place when it is folded. It easily unfolds by sliding the straps off the ends and letting gravity do the rest. The base spreads apart like a scissor-jack, with two top pieces that snap into a groove to keep the entire base rigid. Finally, the top snaps into two grooves on each side of the top and you are done — 60 seconds or less after you get used to doing it." —Eclectic Mom
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three sizes and two colors).
28. A waterproof pouch here to keep your phone safe whenever you're near water. Plus, you can still use the touchscreen with it, which means you can take as many underwater pictures as your heart desires.
It's designed to fit any phone up to 100mm x 170mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). And not only will it keep your phone protected from water, but it will also keep sand and dirt out.
Promising review: "I purchased this case in July for an upcoming canoe trip with a friend, and as luck would have it, we flipped our canoe. Being the rebel that I am, I chose not to wear my phone around my neck, and so my phone, my ID, and my debit card ended up at the bottom of the river, and I just assumed it would be discovered a thousand years from now and placed in a museum as an ancient artifact. Fast-forward to this week. I was contacted via FB by an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office diver and guess what he found? Yup, my phone case with all of the contents intact and dry as a bone! He had to cut the case open, but there was not one single drop of water in it and he ended up purchasing a case for himself because he was just that impressed!" —Julie McDonald
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 14 colors and designs).
29. A pair of sunglasses designed with one of the coolest features I've ever seen — it has a built in bottle opener on the frame. You'll be everyone's favorite person when they realize the beer they brought is not, in fact, a twist off.
Promising review: "Maaaannnnnn, I bought these for Cancun, and they’ve been used and abused here in the saltwater pool and beaches, but they are worth the money in my opinion! Yes they feel a tad bit cheap, but hey, they’ve opened so many bottled beer and sodas, and I like how they look. I’m happy with my purchase! Will be buying more to keep in my car and in my work truck." —Erik Perez
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in two colors).
30. An inflatable lounge chair for when you want to go hang out in the park or beach but realize the ground is not a great place to lounge. The chair weighs less than three pounds, is easy to fill, and super comfortable (according to reviewers).
Promising review: "What a brilliant idea! This chair is super compact and lightweight, and EXTREMELY easy to inflate. You don't need any pumps, and you don't need to blow it up with your breath, yet it inflates in a few seconds. All you have to do is spin your body 360 degrees once while holding the chair out. It really is that easy and it really works! What's more, the chair holds the air in — no leaking — for days, and it is incredibly comfy!!!! I have a very bad back and almost no chairs are comfortable for me to sit on, but this chair is amazingly comfortable. It creates no pressure points you because it is filled with air. You can sit upright on it or lounge on it, depending on how much air you put in and where you place your tush. I thought there had to be a catch, and that it would be difficult to fold up again and get back into the carrying case, but it wasn't. My only advice is to cut off the attached metal bottle opener, as that could hit someone and hurt them when you spin around to fill up the chair." —Elizabeth Schiff
Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in two colors).
31. A flip-top lid for your wineglass designed to fit on the top of your glass so you can enjoy your whole glass of wine without swallowing any bugs that find your drink as tasty as you do. It's super simple to lift so you can take a sip and get right back to catching up with your friend you haven't seen since last year.
This North Carolina-based, family-owned small business has been creating flip tops for wineglasses since 2019. It attaches to most wine glasses and even cups!
Promising review: "OMG, I love these. I ordered two. Then my sister-in-law came over and saw what I had, used it while visiting us then went home and ordered two for herself. BEST INVENTION EVER!!!!" —Janet
Get it from Flip2sip on Etsy for $5.99 (available in seven colors).
32. A sunburn soother made with aloe and coconut oil you should probably just have on hand for because you never know when you're going to return home with a sunburn. You'll be so thankful to have this waiting for you when that happens.
Promising review: "I bought this product to take on our vacation. I am so glad I did. I got burnt on my lower legs and tops of my feet. I though I had put enough sunscreen on. I didn't. That night I woke with my legs and feet both burning and itching. The instant I put this on I had relief. OMG I cannot say enough about this stuff. Buy it. Keep it on hand. Great product. Thank you, Burt's Bees!" —D.S.
Get it from Amazon for $11.40.
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