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1. A leakproof, easy-to-clean CamelBak kids water bottle that'll last as long as the kids don't lose it and keep them hydrated all summer long. All they have to do is "flip, bite, sip, and drink through the straw."
2. A pair of fully waterproof but quick-drying, durable slip-on Kane Revive kids' shoes with a colorful/changeable pull-back tab to make putting them on super easy for little hands. Bonus: you can even throw these in the dishwasher!
3. A pack of 420 self-sealing rapid-fill water balloons so you'll never have to fumble with tying every single tiny balloon and bursting half of them in the process again. We have now reached the height of inflatable aquatic warfare.
4. A 110-piece mini first aid kit for any summertime boo-boos that might happen (and they will) whenever you're out and about with the kids. This pack has it all and should probably live in your car's glove box.
5. A water-resistant Uno Splash card game to play outdoors, at the beach, in the pool, or in any location where saturation levels might be higher than normal. Doesn't make getting hit with a Wild Draw Four card any easier, though!
6. A wide array of machine-washable Kidpik swimsuits and swim trunks (currently on sale) for making summertime super stylish for the kiddos without breaking the bank on something that probably won't fit this time next year.
7. A foldable OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty because when they gotta go, you know they gotta go! Like, right now! No bathroom? No problem; extend the legs, and voila, you've got an instant commode. This potty also lays flat on regular toilets for a more comfortable seat on the throne.
8. A bottle of oil-based, non-irritating, DEET-free kids' natural insect repellent to keep the bitiest of bugs away all summer long. Won't ruin clothes or camping gear, either!
9. A homemade ice pop maker kit for making easy-to-remove frozen treats (thanks to the BPA-free silicone mold) with reusable plastic sticks that prevent overflow (re: sticky messes). Works with juice, puree, yogurt, apple sauce, ice cream, and whole pieces of fruit.
10. An inflatable unicorn sprinkler, because as the old saying goes, "You can lead a unicorn to water and you can make them spray your kids with it from their horn." It also comes with four ground stakes, so this magical beast won't get knocked over easily.
11. A rechargeable, three-speed flexible stroller fan with three LED settings (for a night-light) so the kids (and you) can keep cool while you're out strolling under the hot sun.
12. A waterproof pair of walkie-talkies that includes two compass bracelets and 22 channels that work up to a 3-mile distance. This is a great "get-them-outdoors" in the warm weather item. Over and out!
13. A straight-out-of-an-'80s-sci-fi-movie Team Magnus "Incog" water blaster capable of holding 40 ounces of H2O and spraying up to 32 feet. Easy to operate and even easier to store/pack!
Amazon
For ages 5+.
Promising review: "This is a great water toy. (Gun? It doesn’t look like a gun!) But it is amazing and beats all of the water toys that I’ve purchased! I’m a diehard Super Soaker fan, and nothing on the market even comes close to what we used to get in the '90s EXCEPT this thing!!! I’m so excited for camping and our first water fight; the kids are GOING DOWN! The capacity is decent, and the water pressure is amazing." —Jessica D.
Get it from Amazon for $20+ (available in three colors).
14. A UPF 50+ sun-protective, wide-brim bucket hat to keep kids' heads, faces, and necks safe from that summer sun while the drawstring keeps it secured from blowing away and getting lost. The hat also folds up for easy on-the-go storage.
15. A Stasher reusable food bag that not only helps to phase out unrecyclable single-use plastics but can be used to keep just about anything (snacks, toys, medicine, changing supplies, etc.) contained and organized. Sometimes it's about stopping a mess before it starts!
16. A six-pack of durable, absorbent, but still soft striped beach and pool towels because how's it going to be the best summer if you're not drying off outdoors with one of these?
17. A three-pack of colorful (and whimsical) inflatable pool floats to safely chillax in the pool (or other bodies of water). According to reviewers, these are more durable than expected and should last all summer long.
18. A four-pack of easy-to-fill (and re-fill) reusable water balloons that are probably the most eco-friendly way for kids to have their next backyard, pool, or beach water balloon skirmish.
19. A super-spacious Evenflo Pivot Xplore all-terrain stroller wagon to push or pull one to two children on-road or off. Plus there are plenty of pockets and a basket for storage and the dual UPF 50+ canopies mean you can spend even more time rolling outdoors.
20. A two-pack of baby's first sunglasses made with flexible rubberized plastic material so the little hands can't break them with any twisting or bending. Plus, every baby looks cool wearing these!
21. An eight-pack of travel-sized hand sanitizers with a jelly wrap to kill germs and keep hands clean all summer long. These are the parental equivalent of lip balm: you'll lose them, find them, and probably never use up an entire bottle.
22. An investment-worthy silicone beach toys set (bucket, shovel, molds, mesh tote bag) for some super sandy fun this summer and for many summers to come.
23. A four-pack of Bentgo "Buddies" reusable ice packs to keep lunches, snacks, and beverages cool for a couple of hours (at least 4) during summer and the school year.
24. A bubble leaf blower that's battery operated (so it shouldn't get you in any trouble with the HOA) while blasting non-toxic bubble solution in the backyard and all around the neighborhood. Honestly, everyone loves bubbles!
25. A long-sleeve, UPF 50+ kids zipper rash guard swim shirt to block "98% of all UVA and UVB cancer-causing rays" at the pool, beach, or water park. That means no more sunburns!
26. And finally, an inflatable backyard pool for those times when the beach is too much of a hike, the public pool is too crowded, and none of the neighbors have pools either!
Parents and kids reaching Rocky and Apollo levels of joy this summer...
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.