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 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 three colors and a two-pack).
2. And a SPF 30 scalp sunscreen mist for protecting your precious noggin without feeling greasy. It's water-resistant for 80 minutes, which is perfect if you're going to the beach or for a long run outside.
Promising review: "I have two girls, and we spend a lot of time outside in the summers. I work as a nurse and have seen scalp skin cancer, and I definitely wanted to protect myself and my girls. We usually use the regular spray, but it leaves the hair greasy or stiff. This has a great scent, and a little goes a long way! I was worried about the small size, but it lasted us all summer. Also leaves no residue." —Elizabeth Young
Get it from Amazon for $19.60.
3. 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.
4. 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).
5. 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 $98+ (available in 11 sizes and 10 colors).
6. A Stanley nesting cup cook set so you can quickly and easily boil water for hot meals (post-hiking ramen just hits different!) coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and more. It's durable and easy to travel with so your pack isn't weighed down.
Promising review: "Just the right size for 1–2 people. The nested ceramic cups inside the kettle are genius and leave extra room for a bag of ground coffee, tea bags, or short spoon and fork — the volume of the kettle is not a waste of space since it can be filled with useful items. The ceramic of the cups is not brittle — I had one cup fall to the ground without shattering, and they are not hot to the touch, even with freshly brewed coffee inside. The kettle is made of thin stainless steel with measuring marks for water amounts — light to carry, quick to warm up, thus saving fuel, and quick to cool down to put away. Very functional lid, held in place by gravity, thus easy to lift with the attached ceramic handle. The small holes on the edge of the lid are useful for pouring small quantities of hot water or filtering tea or coffee. Well thought-out kettle handle with simple and effective mechanism to lock it in place or to lock the lid in place; the handle takes up minimal volume, and it does not get hot when boiling water. And cheap compared to titanium-made or jet-boil-like competitors. Stanley has hit a bull's eye with this kettle. It will become a classic!" —chikuzen
Get it from Amazon for $25.
7. A portable kid's 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 $59.99 (available in two colors).
8. A zero gravity chair for the comfiest, coziest, drool-worthy outdoor naps. It comes with a headrest, canopy, and tray, so you can do just about anything from your new fave chair: snooze (duh), read, eat, work, or, my fave, do absolutely nothing but enjoy the sun and breeze.
Promising review: "I bought a couple of these chairs, but without the sun shade, last year, and they were so comfortable! I was thrilled when I saw this one, with the sun shade. I am very fair-skinned, and I burn easily in the sun, so any additional protection I can get is very welcome. This is so nice! The chair has a wide range from sitting upright to lying back. It's really comfortable for my back, and the visor keeps the sun off my face and chest so I don't get burned. It's been great for my cousin's soccer games, camping, beach trips, or just hanging out in the backyard. It's easy to carry and not too heavy. The shade part folds flat against the back of the chair for travel or if you don't want to use it. Great for fishing to keep the tree detritus from falling on me, too. I'm going to get a couple more, for sure! The cup holder is a nice addition, too! Easy to hook on and super sturdy! It can be taken off easily if you don't want to use it, but I always take mine with me." —April
Get it from Amazon for $59.98+ (available in 24 colors).
9. A flame colorant that'll make nights in front of the firepit just a little bit more special.
10. A pre-swim hair cream if you plan to spend all yearound 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.
11. The Buckhoe, a gardening must-have because the one tool can do the work of a cultivator, dibber, hand fork, rooter, trowel, and weeder. Wow! And it's designed to cause less strain on the hand/wrist by moving through the soil with ease.
The Buckhoe is a family-run small business started by farmer and metalworker Laurie and his daughter Jackie. Laurie handmakes each tool in his workshop in East Sussex, England.
Promising reviews: "Absolutely fab little garden tool. Father loves it as he has problems with his wrists. Makes gardening a lot easier." —Lisa brown
"I ordered two of these for two friends who love their gardens. Wow! They LOVE this tool! It is not only interesting, but multifunctional!" —donna araneo
Get it from The Buckhoe on Etsy for $36.41.
12. A pair of gardening overalls so cute and functional that you'll find every excuse you can to wear them. They're lightweight (read: breathable even in the heat) and stretchy, great for moving and grooving in the garden or just running errands. They're UPF 50, which means the fabric blocks 98% of the sun's rays, and there's even a genius knee pad pocket so you can add your own knee pads when the day's to-dos call for a lot of weeding.
Reviewers say these run large, so you may want to size down for a standard fit.
Promising review: "I was hesitant to purchase at first because of the price. I'm a Bargain Bonnie when it comes to purchasing things for myself. When these suckers went on sale, BOOM! I followed through and hit purchase on my online shopping cart. I received them just a few days later. Opening the box was like opening your kindergartener's backpack after school. I was ready for something magical. I held that beautiful bodysuit in the air and felt a single tear of joy run down my face. I threw 'em on right away! Took a walk around the house, did a few squats and high kicks, got a cramp, and sat down. When I tell you they are the most comfortable pair of anything I ever put on my body, I ain't lying. I wore them that whole day and the next day. They move with your body gracefully. Nothing holds you back while you have them on. Cereal on the top shelf? Got it! Vacuuming under the couch? Nailed it. Grocery shopping? Slam dunk! Let me tell you a little more about leaving the house in these. You don't even need a purse! There are pockets EVERYWHERE! I have been a proud owner for two years now and own THREE pairs. We will be like those Jeep owners or motorcyclists that wave as we go past each other. I will high-five you as we walk past. Enjoy, my friend." —Katie H.
Get them from Duluth Trading Co. for $60.99+ (available in women's sizes XXS–XXL regular, 1X–3X Plus, and inseam lengths 29–35).
13. A surprisingly challenging Tiki Toss game to get the whole family off their butts and out in the backyard. It's easy to set up, easy to learn, and tons of fun for everyone.
Tiki Toss is a small business that specializes in indoor and outdoor versions of this family-friendly game.
Promising review: "We all love this game. Everyone who comes over cannot stop playing Tiki Toss. So simple and so fun. The quality and design of the product are fantastic. Also makes a great gift." —jzek
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two other styles).
14. An adjustable mister for cooling the surrounding area by up to 20 degrees and making your deck bearable when the forecast says it feels like 95 outside. 🥵 It's also great for keeping your plants happy and moist. Some reviewers swear by it for keeping their chickens from cooking in their coop.
Promising review: "I love this so much I bought two more for my kids' animals. Mine is for my Rottweiler when she is outside on the patio. I bought one for my son's huskies while they are at work to cool off in this heat and bought one for my other son for his dogs, or they can try for their chickens. I'd give more stars if I could. Ready right out of the box. Just need to pull to shape (takes a minute). I love it!!" —Cathleen
Get it from Amazon for $30.74.
15. A pair of GeoSafari kid binoculars that'll almost definitely lead to many cries of, "Look! Look! Look!"
Promising review: "I got a set for my girls (3.5 and 1.5), and they are obsessed. We use them on hikes and at the zoo. I did end up tying the string together because the anti-choke clasp just kept coming undone too easily, and I was constantly fixing it. Yes, it is only a simple magnifying view, but that’s all they need at this age." —Eliza
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
16. 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 to 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 six colors).
17. 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).
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 8 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. And a beach shade to 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.
20. Plus, 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).
21. A camping basket that'll hold your ice, food, and drinks *and* then folds flat when you don't need it anymore. Add to that the fact that the removable top has pop-out legs that turn it into a table, and you'll be convinced this contraption needs to accompany you on your next outdoor picnic or camping trip.
22. 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.
23. An LED flying ring because the fun doesn't stop when the sun sets. These glowing discs can soar up to 100 feet and are a blast for people of all ages.
Promising review: "Love this item! It is so cool, and my 8-year-old grandson loves it too. He is always playing with balls and things to throw, and I knew this would be a big hit. Not only did the kids love it, the adults, I think, took it over at our family gathering. It got tossed from person to person around the house. This disc is so lightweight and harmless that sailing it around the house was no concern. Super fun outside, too, and in the dark. The neon lights are very vibrant. No turning it on or off; just send it like a flying disc, and it lights up automatically. Definitely purchasing this again when I have a child to buy for!!" —Donna
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in three colors and a three-pack).
24. A hot tub scum absorber so you can zone out in your hot tub without the awful and sudden realization that you're sitting in a boiling soup of skin oils, sunscreen, and other scum. This cool lil' guy floats in the tub, absorbing any yuckies. Simply wash it clean with cold water or stick it in the washing machine, and it's ready for another week of work.
Promising review: "I was a skeptic at first. I have had cloudy water in my spa for over three months. Been through three different spa shock brands, and nothing was clearing it up. This was on a Facebook post and an extremely cheap option. Within three days of this little sun floating around, it was clear!!!!! Pretty awesome!" —Bailey
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $34.99.
25. A set of cup holders for keeping 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 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.
26. A laser tag set for what will undoubtedly be some competitive outdoor and indoor fun for the whole family!
You'll get four guns, four vests (front and back), and one charging station.
Promising review: "This set was perfect for my grandkids ages 7, 11, 14, and 17. Even we adults played. They had so much fun. We set up obstacles to hide behind, such as: patio furniture, foldable table, ice chest, etc. Very easy to set up and play. Was definitely worth it." —Debbie L.
Get it from Amazon for $199.99.
27. A portable picnic table that'll probably make you feel super smug when you pull up to the beach and whip out this multi-tasking bad boy. It's got ample surface for snacks as well as four cup holders for drinks (but plenty of table room for more). And it folds up flat in its carrying case when you're done. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!
Promising review: "I bought two of these tables for use on our camping trips. They're lightweight and very sturdy. They can hold up to four drinks or whatever you'd like to put in the cup holders. I used one for my phone. I like that it has a bottom shelf to hold a little more. Easy assembly and take down! We brought two camping but ended up only using one. They can really hold a lot! Our friends liked them so much that I gave them a new one we hadn’t opened yet. It worked great for them, too! They come in very handy! We've had no problems with ours. And we've used it three separate times already this year! I highly recommend this table for all outdoor activities! You will be very happy you got one, too!" —eliza
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three colors).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.