21 Things Fun Things For Your Backyard That'll Make It Feel More Like The Beach
Who needs sand getting everywhere and shark-infested waters when you can lounge at home in the shade, next to a cooler, with the sounds of the ocean in your ear?
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. An oversized beach towel, because you can never have too many towels and if you're laying out on the lawn, it's a great way to avoid grass stains and dirt getting all over.
Promising review: "These towels are the perfect beach towels. They are huge, fluffy, and absorbent which is what everyone looks for in beach towels. The lint is real, if you read the tag it suggests using the delicate cycle to wash. I didn't, but the lint doesn't bother me. I will be buying at least two more." —Megan Minish
Get it from Amazon for $39 (available in ten colors).
2. A JBL GO2 waterproof, portable, Bluetooth speaker that'll bring the beats (for up to five hours) whether you're at the beach, in the backyard, lounging poolside, or taking a shower.
Promising review: "This little guy packs a punch! It's smaller than I anticipated, but that doesn't take away from the sound. Had I looked at the item description, I'm sure I would've known what to expect. This is my go-to shower speaker and jam session speaker. I don't submerge it in water, just have it chilling on a rack while I shower. It's never given me any problems, and the battery life is pretty damn good." —Grace
Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (available in six colors).
3. A Coleman 40-quart wheeled cooler which can hold up to 59 cans. Guess if you buy five 12-packs (that's 60 cans), they assume you're going to keep one in your hand (or in one of the cup holders molded into the lid). The folks at Coleman really thought of everything!
Promising review: "What can I say? I've used this while camping and believe me, I have pulled it on all kind of terrains...even on rocks and climbing hills! I have loaded it full with ice and it kept my food (and beers!) cool till the very end of my camping trip. And not all of the ice was yet melted! The cooler has a faucet on the bottom that allows you to drain water which will keep your ice dry and it will melt less easily. Just be gentle with the handle, don't pull it too hard or don't try to go too fast, or it could break." —godaisan1982
Get it from Amazon for $41.99 (available in two colors).
4. A three-speed, foldable, rechargeable, handheld misting fan with a multi-color nightlight for cooling you down while simulating a refreshing ocean spray (not the cranberry juice).
Promising review: "We took this fan on a three-day camping trip and it was very hot the entire time we were there. This is a very powerful little fan that gave off enough air to keep me cool on settings 1 and 2. The mist is wonderful and you can even choose to use the mist without the fan on. I didn’t turn on the colorful LED lights on the fan while camping but they look really cool at night. Also, the battery seems to last a long time when fully charged, I didn’t have to charge it while camping and I used it a lot." —Happy Shopper
Get it from Amazon for $25.99(available in two colors).
5. A set of four flickering-flame, solar-powered torch lights that eliminate the need for citronella-scented fuel and stay lit up to 12 hours during the summer (while charging all day in the hot sun).
Promising review: "I bought eight of these, but this is not enough! They are spectacular and look like real flames! I have some in my front yard, some in the back and around the pool. My backyard is like a little paradise, but all these torches around pool and patio make it a showplace. I find myself walking outside every night just to see how the torches bring the yard to life! You will not be disappointed. I just ordered four more and I'm sure I will order more later!" —Susann G.
Get it from Amazon for $65.44.
6. A rectangular UV-blocking sun-shade, because just like at the beach, you're going to need to create your own shade spot if you want to spend all day there.
Promising review: "This sail was so easy to install and it was perfect budget-friendly shade for our backyard. I love how it turned out and most importantly I love the price! The one thing I would only suggest is we went bigger as we read the other reviews and it is not true to size. So size up recommend." —VanDerMarks
Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in 12 sizes and 14 colors).
7. A pair of thin, flexible, lightweight Hari Mari "Fields" sandals that don't flip or flop when it comes to comfort or support for your bare feet.
Listen, I'm not a huge fan of sandals. I don't like the way they look on my feet and I certainly don't like the way they look on the feet of others (especially when worn in environments other than the beach or pool). But I gave these Hari Maris a shot, and while I wouldn't now call myself a "sandals-guy" I do think they're far and away the best (and most comfortable) pair of sandals I've ever worn. The memory foam offers just the right blend of cushiness and support while the outsoles give some decent grip to the ground. I'm sure I'll "accidentally" wear them outside of the house one day soon.
Get it from Hari Mari for $60 (available in men's sizes 8–13 and four colors).
8. An alloy-steel framed, foldable AmazonBasics "Zero Gravity" lounge beach chair to get cozy and comfortable wherever you set yourself down, be it sand, grass, dirt, or gravel.
9. An octagonal wooden sandbox that's really for the kids, but what better way to actually bring the beach home to feel the sand in your toes without making a huge mess in the process? (Sand not included).
Promising review: "I read a lot of bad reviews on this so I was hesitant to buy it but I went ahead and took the chance. I am glad I did because I absolutely love the sandbox it is just the right size for three kids do you have plenty of room to play. It took me 20 bags of sand to fill! Love it and perfect for the price! Mine did not have any broken pieces and was super easy to put together one thing I do recommend is that you take the time to staple the bottom lining onto the sandbox we did this and no sand seeps through!" —Samantha
Get it from Amazon for $89.28.
10. A set of Pro Kadima beach paddles, which might actually be easier to play in the backyard because it's so easy to lose the one ball in the sand or the ocean.
Promising review: "Yay! Grew up with these on the beach and we took them wherever we went on vacation. Hasn’t changed in decades. And no, the ball isn’t dead — It’s not supposed to bounce! If it did, you’d spend hours chasing it down. Trust me...we tried a racquetball and a super ball once." —Blue_Devil
Get it from Amazon for $16.95 (available in ten colors).
11. A large, water-resistant, quick-dry, sand-free beach blanket that'll fit four to seven adults and stay put when it gets windy thanks to the six ground stakes and five sand pockets. Works just the same on grass or dirt making ideal for camping too.
Promising review: "Great lightweight beach blanket. I like that it comes with stakes to hold it down but you can also fill the pockets to hold it down as well. It is also roomy enough for four adults to sit on with a cooler or three to lay on comfortably. It repels water and sand and is easy to keep clean. It is a great value as well." —Firstie Teacher
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two colors).
12. A portable Big Red Rooster 6 Sound white noise machine (with more than 15,000 reviews on Amazon) to pump out soothing ocean noises for that complete aural beach experience. Then take it inside for bedtime and have a good night's sleep.
Promising Review: "This sound machine has helped my husband fall right to sleep. We live close to railroad tracks which lead to a flour mill. The trains stop and idle right behind our house while loading and unloading. The engine rumbling is not conducive to a good night's sleep. The sound machine has six different sounds to lull you to sleep and it is really helping him to fall asleep and to stay asleep. It has a timer to shut the sounds off, but he keeps it on all night. If he wakes, it helps him go right back to sleep. It is also good-looking, and just the right size. I highly recommend this sound machine." —Kathy A.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
13. A portable beach umbrella with carry-bag, because the best way to beat the heat, either at the beach or in your backyard, is to block out the sun. Also comes in handy when one of those quick summer storms rolls right through.
Promising review: "The perfect umbrella for the beach or to add a bit of shade to your backyard. So happy I stumbled upon this umbrella! We live in sunny Florida, and I expect to get many years of use out of this. After owning multiple styles over the years, the buck stops here. Perfect!" —Sg5432
Get it from Amazon for $58.99.
14. A 12-pack of inflatable beach balls for batting around some beachy-fun. And if you're reminded of the dreaded Apple "spinning color wheel of death" then you might be getting too much sun.
Promising review: "They were just what we needed for a volleyball-type game played with beachballs. They stood up well to being batted around vigorously." —Sharalyn Perkes
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
15. A pair of polarized Randolph aviator sunglasses with a subtle blue iridescence that somehow feel even lighter than they look but still get the job done when blocking out that blistering sun.
Randolph sent me a pair of their aviators to test out and I didn't give them much thought because I felt nothing could replace my Ray-Bans. I never saw myself as an "aviator" guy. Driving a Honda Pilot is about as close as I've ever come. However, once I put these on I got an immediate Sylvester Stallone from the movie Cobra type of vibe (and that's a good thing IMO). Really digging how light they feel as well as the carrying bag that doubles as a smudge remover. Guess I'm a Randolph man now.
Get them from Randolph for $309+ (available in two sizes and five colors).
16. A 5-foot-tall inflatable palm tree cooler for some fun faux-foliage, which won't necessarily offer you any shade but it will keep your drinks nice and cool.
Promising review: "This is a giant and beautiful palm tree cooler and it is exactly what I have been looking for. This cooler can fit up a huge number of beverages and ice. I bought four boxes of soda and one box of water and 50 pounds of ices to fill it up. The quality is good too. I actually tried to pull the filled cooler to about 20-feet to another location and it was still in good shape." —Shawn
Get it from Amazon for $22.95.
17. A bottle of Supergoop! PLAY SPF 50 antioxidant-infused body mist containing vitamin C, green tea, and acai extracts that's water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
A few years ago I went to a "super-dermatologist" who told me, in no uncertain terms, that I have the absolute highest chance of getting skin cancer. This made me realize two things: 1. That my family background was probably more Vampiric than Slavic. 2. That I'd better find a sunscreen I like because I'll need to wear it every damn day. After trying so many stinky, greasy, smelly, skin-breaking-outy brands, I finally discovered Supergoop! I hate slathering on the screen and this spray goes on cool, clean, and clear and smells a bit like licorice (tolerable because I hate licorice). The best part? No sunburns since I started using regularly keeping me a healthy (but still ghoulish) shade of office paper white.
Get it from Amazon for $15+ (available in two sizes).
18. A vegan-friendly, paraffin- and cruelty-free "Seaside and Storm" soy candle with a reusable amber jar to give your nose just a hint of beachiness no matter how far you are from all that sand and water.
The Bare Candle Company is an Etsy shop established in 2017 based in Douglasville, Georgia that makes cruelty-free soy candles.
Promising review: "Amazing strong smelling candles in beautiful jars! I will definitely re-order and told all my friends! I want to eat them they smell so good (don't worry I won't!). Thoughtfully packaged and included an amazing smelling tealight sample." —Julie Bernstein
Get it from Bare Candle Company on Etsy for $11+ (available in two sizes).
19. A volleyball and badminton combo set which includes a regulation size nylon net, steel poles, stakes, four racquets, three shuttlecocks, one volleyball, and a carrying case. If only it came with a referee to explain all the rules!
Promising review: "Very sturdy, great quality. Very long-length net for my rather small backyard, but I didn't want to buy a cheapie set and have to replace it in a few years. This will last a long time. We are happy with the racquets, too." —Sue
Get it from Amazon for $126.48+ (available in two colors).
20. A 24-pack of ocean animal toys that make for some unexpectedly fun decorations for the adults and some cheap distractions for the kids. Calling that narwhal right now!
21. A waterproof, weather-resistant, and easy-to-clean aluminum folding table so you've always got a place to put your drinks, food, sunscreen, phone, or whatever you don't want touching sand, dirt, or water.
Promising review: "Oh my! I love this table so much it has a lot of room. I got the size large and it seems to be really sturdy and it’s really easy to set up and take down. I knew my husband would think I got this for both of us, that’s why I purchased the large. So now I don’t have to push his stuff off to make room for mine. I can place my phone, water/drink here, and when I’m eating I have a place to put my food down away from the sand. I can’t wait to take it day camping too. Very easy to carry, and I love the strap to help me carry it since my kids are next to no help when going to the beach. It’s compact and light too so that’s another reason I wanted it, I have very little space to store it so I’m glad it packs up slim." —ScienceNRD
Get it from Amazon for $39.97+ (available in two colors and three sizes).
See, you really can take the beach home with you (and not track sand everywhere).
