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 multi-functional fire pit for bringing the family together for fun outdoor activities like roasting s'mores or grilling. You can also fill the pit with ice and bottled beverages to keep you hydrated after hours in the sun.
Promising review: "I love the functionality of this fire pit so much! To just sit by the fire or to decide we want to do a quick barbecue on it is just so wonderful! I appreciate the cover that comes with it to protect it from the elements. Assembly was quite easy. I look forward to having this for many years to come. I highly recommend this product." —Kimi
Get it from Amazon for $53.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).
2. And a flame colorant to effortlessly make nights in front of the fire pit just a little bit more special.
3. A three-piece furniture set that'll provide a cushy place to land after a long day at work. Unwinding with a glass of wine on the patio sounds pretty fun if you ask me.
Promising review: "Great set for the price! I needed a smaller chair and table set for my front porch as it is not very wide and this was perfect. Sturdy build and comfortable. Not hard to put together: all pieces were included and the instructions were easy. Can’t wait to sit outside with a cup of coffee and watch the cars drive by." —DEBBIE JACKSON
Get it from Amazon for $92.99+ (available in five colors).
4. A folding balcony bar because your "backyard" is your itty bitty balcony — but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy your morning coffee outside with the wind and sun on your face. And when you're done, fold down the bar!
Pure Wood Design is a small business run by carpenter Ömer, who has over 40 years of woodworking experience.
Promising review: "Best idea for a balcony. Really well-made product, and I could not be happier. Heavier and stronger than what you're thinking." —Scotty Smith
Get it from Pure Wood Design on Etsy for $73.50+ (originally $98; available in 11 sizes and 10 colors).
5. A stunning glassworks wind chime so you can sit out on the front porch or in your backyard and just enjoy the soothing tinkling sounds and the breeze on your face.
Promising review: "This is definitely the most beautiful wind chime I've ever seen, and I love the sound, too. The packaging was nice, all glass pieces were well-protected. I will definitely consider buying again as gifts." —Anita J.
Get it from Amazon for $24.95 (available in 10 color combinations).
6. A fully enclosed mesh cat tent so you can bring the thing that's keeping you inside — aka your kitty — with you when you're craving a bit of outside time. Who knows, they may never want to come back inside!
Promising review: "I bought this cat tent because our two fur babies will sit in the window and cry if we are outside. I tried a leash, but they didn't like that, and they often escaped it. I came across this tent, and it was the BEST purchase I made. The quality is great! Both cats fit in it, so the size is perfect. Very excited that this is actually a product for the cats!!!" —hgrizz
Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in three colors).
7. A 4-in-1 inflatable pool float for making pool time even more fun. But beware — it's so dang comfortable that you might want to buy two so you don't have to share!
Promising review: "Got this on a whim after reading some reviews. I didn't expect it to immediately become the fam's new favorite! Lay back, and you are half in, half out of the water, so you aren't baking from above or freezing below — just what we wanted. It holds your head well out of the water and feels very supportive/stable. I've had it for about a month now and only had to blow it up the first time; the plastic is fairly thick and doesn't lose air through seams or the nozzle. We have a full-body foam float that costs about $120, and it never gets used anymore. Everybody takes turns on this one. Great deal for the price; I just bought three more of various colors. Go ahead and try it." —DIY Guy
Get it from Amazon for $13.24+ (available in six colors and a two-person style).
8. A set of color-changing inflatable pool balls to entice you to actually get in the pool, even if it's just to pose with your new lights for Instagram. They're solar-powered and will last about eight hours on a charge.
Each light cycles through red, blue, white, and green.
Promising review: "My pool is so old school and boring that I bought these to liven it up, and what a difference!! My pool went from 'meh' to WOW! The balls are easily inflated by mouth like a beach ball. Once inflated, a few hours in the sun and they are charged and ready to go. They light up after dusk ( it has to be rather dark). There is no manual way to power them on or off; they glow all night long. The changing colors are vibrant and very beautiful. They have a loop at the top if you would like to hang them. They would be magical hanging in a tree or from a pergola. I really liked how easy these were to fill and charge, and I like the solar power and the amazing color display. They make my inner child happy." —J. Matheson
Get a set of four from Amazon for $69.99.
9. Some weatherproof outdoor string lights that'll make your backyard the coziest spot to be all spring and summer.
Promising review: "I live in Arizona where we get monsoons (harsh winds with heavy rain), and since I've bought these, I've had two monsoons, and the bulbs somehow are all still working! I recently accidentally hit a bulb throwing my dog's ball in the yard, and one bulb went out (my fault obviously), but it's awesome they included four replacement bulbs. As for the brightness, they aren't too bright or too dull, which is exactly what I was looking for. If you're looking for something with mellow, not overpowering backyard lighting that still lights up your yard, these are definitely it :)" —Nanzilla
Get them from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in seven lengths and five colors).
10. Or a pack of solar-powered waterproof deck lights because you want a little bit of light while you're chilling in your hot tub but don't want ambiance-ruining flood lights.
Promising review: "These lights were easy to install and look great in on our deck. We just had a pool built and needed some light on the steps of the deck so we could see walking up the steps at night. They're beautiful without too much light." —BJ
Get 16 from Amazon for $32.95+ (available in white or multicolored versions).
11. A Jumbo Pong set so you can bring everyone outside through the shared love of friendly competition. And now's your chance to put your years of beer pong experience to good use and own your kids!
Promising review: "The quality of the cups and balls is impressive; they're sturdy and built to last. Setting up the game was a breeze, and we were able to jump right into the action. It's perfect for those sunny afternoons in the backyard or a day out at the park with friends and family." —Antonio
Get it from Amazon for $49.99.
12. A garbage guard if your backyard is a mess of flies. 🤢 It sticks to the inside of your garbage can and releases an odorless vapor that prevents buggies for up to four months.
Promising review: "Got an outdoor can, the kind the mechanical arm on the garbage truck picks up and tips over, with the lid opening by gravity. Placed this on the inside of the lid, near the hinge, to lessen the chances of it being scraped off during emptying and no flies/maggots! No apparent odor. Just seems to put a big hurt on the fly party that used to be my trash can (litter box contents, remnants of meat, etc.)" —Michael E. Bradley
Get it from Amazon for $9.84.
13. A high-voltage bug zapper for handling all manner of flying pests — mosquitoes, gnats, flies, moths, and other insects — within an acre radius. Goodbye, pesky bloodsuckers! You will not be missed.
Promising review: "We live in the woods on a lake in Bluegrass Country in Kentucky. The bugs were ridiculous when we first moved here! I bought one of these last spring as a test and was so impressed I purchased two more. They absolutely crush the flying insect population in short order! This spring, we have noticed a huge decrease in bugs, which we suspect is due to the significant depopulation of the breeders last summer. We leave ours on all year round and some are zapped even in the dead of winter, but during the spring and summer? My gosh! We have to use a leaf blower to clean up under the units nearly every day! Even our nearest neighbor (about 200 feet away) says they've noticed a big fall off in bugs in their yard since we put up our units." —Paul
Get it from Amazon for $59.65.
14. Or a bat box to control the mosquito population in an all-natural way. This sturdy cedar box is designed to withstand the elements and can hold dozens of bats.
The boxes are available in three different colors, which correspond to different regional weather temperatures. Check the map in the product listing to see which color box is best for where you live.
Promising review:
Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in three sizes and colors).
15. A discreet outdoor Wi-Fi extender that'll boost the internet connection outside and make your dreams of working from the backyard a sweet, sunny reality.
Promising review: "I must say, I was a bit skeptical when I first purchased this, but after setting it up, I was absolutely amazed. I hooked it up just outside the back door at our main house, and I have incredible service in the garage apartment. Can run all computers, TV. It really is a wonderful device and definitely worth the money!" —Texas
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
16. A grill caddy because nothing ruins the vibes when you're dining al fresco like having to run inside several times throughout the meal to grab something someone's forgotten. This caddy has room for utensils, condiments, paper towels, grilling supplies, and anything else you need.
Promising review: "This fits ALL of the accessories needed to grill like a pro. Spot for the spatulas, seasonings, oil, aluminum foil, etc. This ensures we have everything we need in one spot (when we need it) and don't have to make multiple trips in and out of the indoor kitchen. Highly recommend. He loves it!" —JulieATX
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
17. And a pair of magnetic grill lights so the cooking doesn't have to come inside just because of a silly little thing like the sun setting.
Promising review: "Just bought a new grill and needed some decent lighting since most of my meals are done at night. These two lights attach only to the lid of my grill because the side tables aren’t magnetic, but the flex necks make the lighting very versatile. The light is bright and illuminates the grill well. The color of the light is good, too. I'm very pleased so far. Seems durable. I plan on keeping it in its storage when not in use and hope to get plenty of use out of it." —Ryan Smith
Get a pair from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in black or silver).
18. A tree swing if you need a little reminder to embrace the child in you. This easy-to-install swing can hold up to 900 pounds, and I forsee both the adults and the kids spending many hours on this come summer.
Promising reviews: "This swing is so worth it! I recently bought my first house and bought this for my nieces/nephews. Not only do the kiddos love it, but so do us adults!!! I’m about 130 pounds and have sat on it with my nieces and swung with no problem. My fiancé and dad have both sat on it as well. It’s very sturdy. Easy to put together. It will keep your household entertained anytime you go outside." —Angelina
"Fun for grownups, too! We purchased this for our little grandchildren to enjoy and then discovered that with the high load capacity, we could swing with them, too! The product is sturdy and easy to assemble, hang, and adjust the lengths of the ropes. It’s a great addition to our front yard and immediately became a neighborhood kid magnet, too! It’s only been up for a couple of weeks but has enjoyed hours of playtime." —Richard S
Get it from Amazon for $44.99.
19. Or a hanging curved lounge chair for keeping you shaded and comfy as you chill by the pool. Now's the perfect time (and this is the perfect place) to curl up and crack open that book you said you were going to read.
Promising review: "The only problem I have with this chair is that I only have one of them, and the whole family now fights over it! Seriously, it is THAT comfortable and relaxing. Pretty easy to put together. My husband got it all assembled in less than an hour and then proceeded to open up a beer and fall asleep in it next to the pool. HA! I like to take my laptop and work on it as the moveable umbrella shades my screen. Love love LOVE it!!" —Erin S
Get it from Amazon for $199.99+ (available in nine colors).
20. OR! A hammock chair to turn your porch into an oasis. It can support up to 320 pounds and has built-in pockets, so all your relaxation essentials are always nearby.
Promising review: "No assembly required, super easy to put up, and adds so much character to our backyard. It's also very comfortable to sit in. I'm only 5 feet tall, so I'm able to sit cross-legged with extra room." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $47.99+ (available in four colors and two styles).
21. An inflatable pool that'll make your sunny dreams of relaxing in a pool with a glass of sweet tea a reality — even if you have a small backyard.
Promising review: "Good size. I'm 5'4" and I bought it for my 3-year-old and 2-year-old for the spring and summer. I didn't need anything huge; I have a nice size deck and we spend a lot of time on the deck so I wanted something big enough for them to have some wiggle room to keep cool but not too big so it wouldn't take up to much room. I also purchased an outdoor grass rug to put it on to protect the bottom of it and keep it from getting splinters (just a suggestion if you plan on using on the deck). It has a drain plug so cleaning and getting fresh water is not hard at all." —Majestic 0220
Get it from Amazon for $45.99.
22. A slatted 6-foot tall cedar privacy screen because sitting face-to-face with your neighbor is just not how you want to spend the 15 minutes of free time you get each morning to sip your coffee outside in peace. The built-in planters will give your backyard a lush, tropical feel while blocking your view of ugly garbage cans, AC units, and your neighbor's backyard clutter.
Promising reviews: "We have a neighbor who keeps her Christmas light on year-round. This gives us privacy on our patio but doesn’t completely block it, which is fine with us. I love the idea that I can plant my garden." —Sandy912
"I normally hate assembling things, but the instructions were so clear, and the pieces fit so perfectly, it really was a breeze. The screen is well-made and sturdy. I hung flower pots on it as well as putting pots in the bottom. It’s holding up extremely well to the four or five times a week the flowers get watered. Hasn’t tipped or moved despite some recent high winds. Very happy with the look and quality!" —Lynn L.
Get it from Amazon for $154.29+ (available in two sizes and colors).
23. A printable outdoor scavenger hunt game so you can convince your kids to put down their phones for once and join you in the backyard for some good old-fashioned treasure hunting.
Owner Maria Morais runs a real-life escape room in Ecuador! They started creating at-home games during the pandemic.
Promising review: "This was a fantastic scavenger hunt for our grandson. We had it in our garden, which is beautiful, and it was a great way to have the kids outside! Our grandson is 14, and even his brother and girlfriend (who's 17) took part, and they all loved it." —Joanna Hagens
Get it from The Game Escape Room on Etsy for $3.90.
24. Or a bocce ball set if you want screen-free fun for the whole family.
25. An outdoor drink stakes set for securely holding your glass of lemonade in a safe spot. You know what's not fun? Setting down your soda only for it to fall over on uneven ground, get kicked accidentally, or be invaded by ants.
Promising review: "These are great. They are large enough to hold large drink tumblers like a Yeti, they will hold a beer with a thick foam koozie, they will hold a giant Fosters can, and yes, it is large enough to hold a bottle of wine. They are made out of metal and seem pretty durable. Each one is two pieces that screw together, and they have a small tab to help you push them into the ground with your feet. The only thing I would improve is to make the foot tab a little larger. Otherwise, they have my stars." —Jamawama
Get a set of four from Amazon for $18.74.
26. A giant inflatable dinosaur sprinkler because, c'mon!! Even I would go outside to get sprayed with dino snot!
Promising review: "Hours of humongous fun! I purchased the dinosaur for my 3-year-old son! He loves it! Easy to inflate. This thing is huge! My item arrived with 3 stakes to secure in the ground. There are three sleeves with holes off the side of each leg and tail to insert the stake. I live in Florida, and with the winds we had, this didn’t blow around. I was shocked at how far and wide the water sprayed. Highly recommend." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $52.91.
27. 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).
28. A set of metal geckos because a backyard that reflects your personal taste is a backyard you're going to want to spend time in and enjoy.
Promising review: "These are adorable for the price. You can hang them up or just set them on the table. They come in different colors, which are bright and vibrant. Also, these are fun and goofy with bulging eyes. I live in Hawaii, and we have tons of geckos. These fit with my theme on my patio great." —Melissa
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
29. A pair of gardening gloves so you can get down and dirty and make those backyard garden dreams come true. They're made of an anti-scratch material and have a leather-like palm for better grip and dexterity.
Promising review: "These super comfortable gardening gloves are soft inside, durable and keep my hands from getting wet and dirty while keeping up my landscape. I’ll be ordering a few other patterns for my mom and siblings when we need to do some landscaping! Beautiful garden? Check! Equally stylish and usable gloves? CHECKKKKKK!" —Angie
Get them from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in 2 sizes and 10 patterns).
30. A cooling pad if your pooch is hellbent on following you outside and you're concerned about keeping them comfy. It's pressure-activated and will stay cool for up to three hours.
It takes about 15 to 20 minutes of non-use to reset.
Promising review: "Really happy I purchased this mat. I was on the fence last year due to the price, but it is well worth it. My Aussie loves to be outside no matter how hot it is and, after a swim, likes to lay on the cool garage floor. Now she's a bit more comfortable and cool! Once she comes inside, I bring the mat in and she still likes to lay on it inside. The mat is very easy to brush off with a hand broom or a towel!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $27.98+ (available in five sizes and two colors).
31. A sunshade triangle for some much-needed shade. This heavy-duty sunshade is designed to block up to 95% of UV rays while blocking the sun to keep you cool.
Promising review: "My pool is awesome when it gets into the 100s of degrees here in California. We decided to grab a 20x20x20 triangle and holy cow does it do a number on the backyard! Not only does it keep my pool better-shaded, but it also keeps the sun off of my back patio during the hottest part of the day." —The Tiki Lab
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in a variety of colors and sizes).
32. A high-velocity rechargeable outdoor fan to bring one of the things you love about being inside (read: the cooling breeze of the AC) outside.
It takes two and a half to three hours to charge fully, and one charge can last from up to 24 hours, depending on what speed it's running at and the size of the fan you purchase.
Promising review: "Love it. I will probably buy a second one. Easy to move around — porch, backyard, etc. Easy to recharge and will run while recharging. Like the indicator lights to let you know how much charge is left. Very quiet. Puts out plenty of breeze for a small unit. Plan to take it to the beach house with us when we go to use it on the deck." —A.P.
Get it from Amazon for $76.49+ (available in three sizes).
33. A set of giant dice that are 150x the size of regular dice...which means your dice games will be 150x the fun. These water- and weather-resistant dice are practically begging you to bring them outside for some warm-weather fun!
Swooc Games is a small business that started in a garage in Delray Beach, Florida in 2015. They specialize in fun, original games and have partnered with TREES, a nonprofit that provides farmers in Africa with seeds, tools, and training to plant forest gardens and develop sustainable farming methods.
Promising review: "Great product! Can’t wait to use it for summer parties." —Sheila
The whole family outside enjoying the weather:
