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 useful waterproof baby carrier if you'd appreciate having your hands free when you take your little one in the pool. It's made of a fast-drying neoprene material (think surf suits) and has soft, padded straps.
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 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 $89.99 (available in seven colors).
2. A pair of sockless shoe liners because the return of the sun also means the return of stinky, sweaty feet. Bleh! Sometimes, you don't want or need a layer of socks, and that's where these washable and absorbent shoe liners come in handy!
The liners come with trimming guidelines so that you can cut the insert to your desired size.
Promising review: "I can't recommend these inserts enough! After a week of heavy use, they hardly smell. Pop them in the wash, and they are ready to go again! Super comfy and doesn't move around. So nice to have in shoes you don't feel like wearing socks with! Plus, so many fun patterns!" —Vicky L. Parr
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes [fits women's sizes 6–13] and four colors).
3. A Scumbug for slurping up all the oils, sunscreen, and yuckies that are chilling in your pool. Just wring it out when it gets discolored, give it a rinse, and pop it back in the pool.
Promising review: "Scummy water bugging you? I just got this gem of a product last night. I popped it into my hot tub, and from the picture I attached, you can see that in just about 12 hours, this little Scumbug ate up all the oil and filth in the hot tub. The water not only looks better but smells better, too! Highly recommended!" —Mickey D.
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $14.99.
4. A roll-on sunscreen sponge to make the always messy (why is it so messy?!) task of applying sunscreen a heck of a lot better. Simply squirt your sunscreen of choice into the applicator, attach the lid, give it a shake so the sunscreen reaches the sponge, and then apply! Your hands will stay clean (no more greasy hands!), and the sponge will prevent too much sunscreen from coming out = less product wasted.
Reviewers recommend using a more watery sunscreen; if your preferred sunscreen is quite thick, this may not work for you. And JSYK, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) says most adults need about an ounce (the equivalent of a shot glass) of sunscreen to cover their face and body adequately.
Promising review: "Not just for kids. I told all my friends it's awesome. Pricey, but better than wasting expensive sunscreen in globs. This makes the sun screening process much less messy and not as much of a drudgery. They even have replacement pads available so the ergonomic container can be reused indefinitely. Consider one to keep at home and one packed to travel. MAKES A GREAT GIFT FOR KIDS. They can almost apply sunscreen on their own with little assistance." —Bette Henry
Get it from Amazon for $15.98 (available in six colors and a two-pack).
5. A sand-removal bag that'll be a must-have in your beach bag this summer. Rub it on your body to remove sand with ease! (No, it's not magic. Inside the bags is a powder that, when rubbed on your body, quickly absorbs moisture, making it easier to brush off the sand.)
Shakalo is a small business based in San Diego.
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 1–2 times a week. And I even use it on my dogs paws and bellies to make sure they're taken care of too. I will definitely be buying the refill & another baggie to have exclusively in the car." —Gabbs Uresti
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
6. A doggie ice pop toy so your pooch can cool down in the summer sun. Let it get chilly in the fridge for a few minutes, and it's good to go!
This toy is designed for dogs who are light to medium chewers.
Promising review: "I got this to keep my dog cool for his first trip to the beach, and he loved it! He seemed to be more interested after it sat out for a minute or so, but he was completely occupied by it!!" —Olivia Sizler
Get it from Amazon for $5.99.
7. A pack of towel bands if you didn't plan to spend your vacation chasing your towel down the beach or the pool deck after the wind blows it away. Reviewers say they take less space in your bag and do a better job of holding down your towel than bulky clips.
Promising review: "Last-minute purchase for a trip to Jamaica. So happy I bought them. They always kept our towels on the chairs correctly. It was also easy to tell our chairs apart from others on the resort. Will definitely be recommending them to others." —RG
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in four colors).
8. A Hershey's s'mores caddy because no summer day is complete without an ooey-gooey campfire s'more. This tackle box has room for all the essentials: graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate, and roasting sticks.
Food is not included in the box.
Promising review: "We spend a lot of time at the backyard firepit. We used to use a simple disposable container to hold our s'mores fixins. Our kids chose this as a Christmas gift for my wife, but we all enjoy it! The latches and handle are sturdy, and the sides are easily wiped clean but not easily scuffed. It fits everything we need in one tidy and very easily identifiable box...at a glance, you know exactly what's in it! After each use, we simply restock it and stick it in the garage refrigerator until the next time. Kids love it, my wife loves it, and even I love it. Not to mention the many compliments we get at the family fishing trip campfires. Would definitely recommend!" —Craig
Get it from Amazon for $28.50.
9. A set of DEET-free mosquito-repelling bracelets you'll wanna keep in stock for every outdoorsy adventure. No more slathering yourself with sticky, stinky bug sprays!
Check out a TikTok of the mosquito-repelling bracelets in action.
Promising review: "No complaints just satisfied. It worked. We were surprised that such a small bracelet could keep us bug free but it did." —M. A. Cooper
Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $9.99.
10. A kids' portable chair to grow with your kiddo and ensure you absolutely get your money's worth. It has three modes — sitting, standing, and big kid mode — and works for ages baby to 8-years-old.
Promising review: "I'm extremely satisfied with this chair. The back is nicely padded for comfort. The harness straps are secure. I put my 3-month-old in the chair and was confident she was not going anywhere. The legs are very supportive and keep the chair balanced. This chair will not easily tip over at all. It's easy to set up; just one push down to lock it in and pull up to close. It is a touch and positive lock in place to open; it won't accidentally close. We have used this chair at home so far but can't wait to use it camping and at the beach." —MH
Get it from Amazon for $50 (available in pink and teal — and tons of other colors).
11. A flame colorant that'll make cozy nights in front of the firepit just a little bit more special.
12. A reversible floral one-piece swimsuit so absolutely darling that you'll find any excuse to wear this as both swimwear and a bodysuit.
Promising review: "First, as a swimsuit, it is incredibly endearing. The English floral pattern is SO lovely. The reverse is just as eye-catching. The length seemed a little short initially, but it ended up holding my body in and giving my chest a lift. I considered sizing up, but the way it ends up looking, I think the size is just right. You can tie the shoulders to the desired/required length. It's thick, so nothing shows through. It's somehow conservative and sexy at the same time. What I really love is that I can wear this as a bodysuit and with some high-waisted pants, it's a stunner!" —Lily
Get it from Amazon for $33.99 (available in women's sizes 2–14 and eight colors).
13. A pre-swim hair cream if you plan to spend all year round in your pool but don't want your mane to look like a dry, tangled mess. This cream protects your tresses from chlorine and can help prevent blonde hair from turning green.
Promising review: "This stuff is AMAZING! Literally nothing else keeps tangles out of my daughter’s hair like this does. Her hair is so thick and very difficult to brush; this makes it easy peasy to brush the tangles out after a swim in the pool. It also softens her hair. When not used, the pool chemicals make her hair very stiff and dry. We even use this every once in a while just because! It smells wonderful and doesn’t make the hair greasy in any way. I cannot recommend this product enough!!!" —Emily Gardner
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
14. A car seat cover because the inside of your car — and your kiddos' black plastic car seat — can reach scorching hot temps. This works like a windshield sunshade, deflecting the sun's rays to keep the car seat (on average) 26 degrees cooler.
Promising review: "This product definitely solved our 'car seat getting super hot' problem. My daughter loves it, and she even tells me, 'Mama please remember the car seat cover,' so it’s toddler approved." —Kiara N. Hernandez
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
15. And since we're talking about things to help keep your car cooler in the summer: The Noggle, a personal air-conditioning system for cars with weak ACs that won't reach the backseat or cars that don't have vents in the back. Reviewers say it's great for kids and pets!
Promising review: " Perfect for my little one! My back seats don't have air vents, and I noticed even on days when it wasn't really that hot out, she was soaking wet in her car seat. After installing this, we've had no issues, and it cools her off within seconds! 🫶🏻" —jaimee
Get it from Amazon for $64.95+ (available in two colors and three lengths).
16. A volcanic stone face roller to remove oil and shine from your face — without disturbing your makeup. And unlike oil-blotting sheets, the ball can be popped out and washed, so you can use this over and over and over again.
17. A pack of underarm shields that'll soak up sweat before it can stain your shirt. They're also designed to stop odors so you don't look *or* smell like you just sweat through your shirt.
Promising review: "I love these. I have a few cute summer dresses with sleeves — eeek! The first time I tried the shields it was 104 degrees at an outdoor event, and I was sweating bullets! The shields worked BEAUTIFULLY. Not a sweat stain in sight." —Cosmic Girl
Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $14.99.
18. An umbrella tray table so you can keep snacks and essentials nearby when you're in the pool or at the beach. Cheers to not stressing about where to put your phone so it doesn't get covered in sand!
Promising review: "So, when I was buying a large beach umbrella, it was suggested that I buy the table. I was really on the fence about buying it, but I said to myself it would be nice to have things off the ground. Well, we went to the beach with about eight of us, and everybody loved it and started to use it. I think it is such a smart concept, and I will eventually buy another one since I bought two umbrellas. Don't double think, just get it." —CB
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three colors).
19. A beach cart if you're tired of schlepping heavy bags filled with beach toys, food, towels, tents, beach chairs, and whatever else your family hands you. This roomy cart has balloon wheels so it can roll over sand.
Promising review: "Great cart! We love the ease of use. It folds up pretty flat (except, of course, for the balloon wheels) and fits easily in the trunk. It can hold an impressive amount of gear! We have packed it with two large beach chairs, a small cooler, drinks, speakers, blankets, towels, a diaper bag, an umbrella, a small baby tent, a little table, flip-flops, drinks, etc., and we still have room for more. The balloon wheels are THE ONLY way to travel through deep, soft sand. Even when loaded down, it is very easy to tilt the cart back on the two big balloon wheels and roll through the sand. Other carts's wheels just bog down and get dragged through the sand or dig in and become unmoveable, making it a miserable trip. We live in Pensacola and visit the beach constantly, so we hope the cart holds up! So far, it seems sturdy and shows no signs of failing. Best beach cart we have owned so far!" —Jboogy Groove
Get it from Amazon for $239.99+ (available in two styles and three colors).
20. A Krapp Strap (from Shark Tank!) because nothing says summer like doing your business in the great outdoors. If you hate answering nature's call and wondering whether you're going to finish before your glutes and quads give out in the squat position, well, you need this! This strap can support up to 400 pounds and has pockets for toilet paper, so you don't have to waddle around looking for leaves.
Air Boss Motion Decoys is the Texas-based small biz behind the Krapp Strapp and other hunting decoys and gear.
Promising review: "Perfect gift for the avid hunter in your life." —Shine with Prime
Get it from Amazon for $69.99.
21. A set of dustless chalk for hours of outdoor fun and none of the chalk stains on little hands and pants.
Promising review: "When I purchased these, the appeal was the dustless part and the fact that they were cleaner to use. But I can't tell you how amazing these ended up being. They were better than expected. I know these are made for outdoor play, but my daughter took it upon herself, as any 2-year-old would, to draw on our slider door window. I realized these wash off so easily with water, and now this is what she uses them for. Art on the window. I plan to order again once she goes through the ones we have. Total game changer and keeps her occupied with mommy working from home. These are a must buy!!" —Nicole Margiotta
Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $13.98.
22. A bag of Liquid I.V. electrolyte drink mix to help you stay hydrated in the summer heat when you're sweating 24/7. Bonus: It's Popsicle Firecracker flavored!
Promising review: "Liquid IV does an amazing job hydrating. I purchase their product for 40+ employees who work in a construction-related industry. Hydration is so important while working in the hot Georgia Sun, and this product aids in this 100%. Now, let’s talk about the firecracker flavor! When we produced these for our crew, ages 23–60, all of their eyes lit up, and they were super excited. Many of them did not know this flavor existed. Quite honestly, I didn’t either until I came across them on Amazon. They all loved the flavor. In particular, the ones who were older kept telling me it tasted like their childhood. Seriously, who hasn’t stood outside an ice cream truck ordering the Firecracker Popsicle?" —Disney Diva
Get a 16-pack from Amazon for $24.99.
23. Twister Splash, an updated version of everyone's favorite body-contorting game that'll shoot water at you unless you can cover the hole with your hands or feet.
Promising review: "In July, my sister and I, aka The Grandmas, had a week that we were challenged to keep four kids between the ages of 5–11 busy and motivated. We wanted just a really fun time for little to no extra cost, hence the purchase of Twister Splash. I bought it on a lark and just hoped it would absorb one hot morning or afternoon. Well, it lived up to the hype. Those kids could not wait to play. Hours spent in the sunshine screaming, laughing, and getting soaking wet while trying to reach the right color with the left foot. Hilarious! They wanted to play every day. It was economical, fun, and so easy to set up and take down!! The kids have already requested we have it next year and we are looking forward to more fun in the sun with Twister Splash!!" —Melissa Applewhite
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in an XL size for more players).
24. Or Uno Splash, a water-resistant version of the beloved card game if the only thing missing from your day at the beach would be a riveting and competitive game of Uno.
Promising review: "Love that these come with a clip. Makes it so handy to travel with and not lose any of the cards. Great for kids, too, because they always seem to break the box when they have to put them back in the box. Of course, the waterproof aspect is wonderful!" —Peachy Keenes
Get it from Amazon for $13.95.
25. A BedJet cooling and warming system if you set the thermostat to 65 at night just to stay cool, and you're paying the price every month when your electricity bill arrives. Reviewers rave that this fan can cool the bed significantly, even in the summertime!
And come fall and winter, you can crank up the heat in your bed without having to warm the whole house!
Promising review: "Super easy to assemble and run! The remote is simple but has so many options! I didn’t even buy the 'add on' sheet, and this thing has CHANGED OUR LIVES!! Our dogs no longer get hot and get up and down off the bed. My husband was shocked at how cool he gets even though it’s on my side (he’s a hot sleeper, too!). We use it on the lowest setting, and I know this thing will MORE than pay for itself in electricity bills this summer! (We usually sleep with it on 63 and hot flashes have now set in so I wasn’t sure how we would survive the Southern summer heat.😖) HUGE FANS OF THE BED JET!" —Melissa W.
Get it from Amazon for $489.
26. A cute and comfy matching set because there's something about warm weather that makes it scramble the brain cells, so getting dressed feels like a nearly impossible task. This grab-and-go set will keep you cool and earn you a ton of compliments.
Promising reviews: "Such a cute and comfortable matching set. Perfect for a hot summer day!" —Julia McHale
"This two-piece set is seriously the best. I ended up buying it in different colors because I love it so much. I’ve had two kids and don’t typically wear crop tops, etc., but I decided to try this anyway and loved it! I wore these in Disney and received a ton of compliments and felt great!" —Liz Claire
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in women's sizes S–XL and 11 colors).
27. An Ostrich lounger for facedown phone viewing. There's a hole for your face (like a massage table) so you can tan your back while still scrolling through TikTok, reading a book, eating a snack, or sipping your Stanley. Genius!
Promising review: "My back used to be so pale compared to my front by the end of the summer because it always hurt my neck to lie on my stomach, and I couldn't read my books! Not with this chair!! I can sip on a marg while reading, and getting my back tanned all at the same time!!! The face cushions are super comfy, and the chair is very well made. Now — create one of these with a cutout for a pregnant belly, and you'll have me sold on a second one!" —Macie Jackson
Get it from Amazon for $64.99 (available in 10 colors).
28. An inflatable beach pillow to up the comfiness of a hard plastic beach chair. They're designed to not blow away at the beach, and, get this: There's a slot for you to insert a cooling gel pack. GENIUS!
Promising review: "I threw these in my bag last minute for a trip to a resort in Cancun, and we absolutely loved them! They take up no room, and I easily fit two pillows in my carry-on bag to have for the beach. Made the beach chairs so much more relaxing by being able to be comfortable. They blew up so easily. It just took four big breaths for each pillow. Loved that I could either use the straps or sand to hold them in place. I also liked the idea of traveling with them in my carry-on in case we had a delayed flight, and I had enough time for an airport nap. I'll be bringing these on all future vacations." —Nikki Miller
Get it from Amazon for $35 (available in seven colors).
29. A set of cup holders that'll keep drinks upright (and their containers free of sand!) when you're at the beach.
Promising review: "These are big enough for various size cups as you can see in the photos. I like that they come stackable and in a little mesh carrying bag. I also like that it comes with four, so you can share it with friends. It isn’t easily knocked over, it’s tall enough to stay sturdy in the sand, and they’re not bulky to carry in your beach bag. Definitely recommend!" —Brittsface
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $12.99.
30. A beach shade so you can create shade in under a minute, all by yourself. Yep, no more wrangling beach tent poles, digging holes, or filling sandbags. It has a UPF 50+ rating, provides sun protection for 2–3 people, and allows 360-degree visibility.
Promising review: "We wanted an umbrella we could take to the beach on our bikes and when we travel. This umbrella is awesome. It is light, easy to set up, and works on windy and non-windy days with anchors. We have used it on LBI, Key Largo, and Marathon — we always are able to get a full day of shade. We are very happy with the product." —Dawgs
Get it from Amazon for $179.
31. A doggie sunscreen if your furry friend is your fave outdoor adventure buddy. This nongreasy, all-over spray helps protect bellies, noses, ears, paws, and legs, which are susceptible to burning. You can use this with any breed, but it's especially helpful for pink-skinned pups as well as those with thinner, shorter coats.
Promising review: "This has been a wonderful product! I was a little skeptical because of the price, and our pit has skin issues, as a lot of pits do, but this works great. He was going out and getting very pink colored on the white parts of his coat, becoming even more itchy than usual with his skin issues, and you could tell it was bothersome. I asked my vet about this, and she said it was OK to use, so I tried it a little bit first to see if he had any issues. There were none, so I used it all over. I couldn’t believe the difference! This is definitely worth the price! He can now go out even in the hot sun (of course, with breaks) and not get pinkish/red all where the white is. He knows he has to get it on and really doesn’t like it but he doesn’t like baths, rain, or to be wet at all. Once it’s put on, I let him sit inside or in the shade for it to dry before going out in sun exposure, just as I do for regular sunscreen, and it seems to work great. I could tell a difference when my husband took him out without it; you could see he was pink again compared to going out with it on." —Awesome amazon customer
Get it from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in two sizes).
32. A cut-to-size aloe wrap because warm weather means you're bound to have at least one really bad sunburn, no matter how hard you try to be diligent about sunscreen application.
Promising review: "I got absolutely FRIED at the beach this past weekend and tried everything under the sun (literally) to provide some relief for my sunburn. I was in so much pain, and every over-the-counter aloe gel, lidocaine, and cold shower was not helping. I found this wrap on my TikTok and immediately bought it. As soon as I put this on my burn, I was immediately relieved of any burning or irritation. I am wearing four patches right now, and I plan on wearing them all day, every day until this burn heals. I will say the only downside is they slip off the aloe has worn off! And it is a little bit hard to maneuver to cut since it is so slippery. But overall, I love this product and will be a forever customer!" —Nick
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
33. A pair of fabric strap swim goggles (from Shark Tank!) for kids and adults who are sick of regular old goggles snagging, pulling, and tangling your hair. The wide, stretchy strap is designed to be more comfortable and sit more securely so your little one's not constantly readjusting it.
Splash Place is a woman-owned family business based in Arizona!
Promising review: "My daughter tried the other version of swim goggles that you normally find in a store but had difficulty using them. We purchased these instead, and I cannot give them a better recommendation. They are absolutely easier to put on, and they do not pull hair like the others. I will buy more as long as these are available, and I will gladly recommend them to anyone." —Lisa Krause
Get it from Amazon for $24.95 (available in 11 styles and additional prints).
34. A neon buoy to give you some peace of mind — and a place to rest if you get tired — when you're out in open water. The bright, eye-catching colors will help your family and friends keep an eye on you whether you're an experienced swimmer or a child or senior who could use a water companion.
Promising review: "I bought one for me and one for my dad after getting caught in a rip current at the beach. We feel much safer with the swim bubble. They are easy to blow up at the beach, easy to attach to the waist, very light and unobtrusive, and great to hold and float in the ocean. I feel much safer knowing I can grab onto it at any time and float if I get tired." —LD
Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in three colors and a version that comes with a dry bag for a phone, etc.).
35. A maxi dress with ribbon tie straps that'll be on heavy rotation this spring and summer thanks to it's comfy (read: stretchy), breathable construction and the fact that you're guaranteed to get a compliment every time you wear it.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this dress! I usually wear this dress for date night or a dinner party since I ordered it in black. This dress can be dressed up or dressed down, any way you prefer it. I usually like wearing gold bracelets, earrings, and some heels to elevate the look of the dress. Other times, wearing a cute pair of flats is the perfect look to wear with it on vacation. The dress is super comfortable to wear, and the length comes to and around my ankles. I ask my husband to adjust the straps for me since they're tie-on, but I have been able to do it myself, just not the tightest how I like it. Aside from that, before every wear I do iron it because it tends to get crumbled easily. However, ironing takes literally five minutes to get all the creases out. I would highly recommend this dress! Super cute, easy to wear, comfortable, and a great date night outfit!" —T
Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 24 colors; this plus-size version is very similar!).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.