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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.
Whether you hike, walk, skate, play games, or just like to relax in a cozy lounge chair in the shade, these products will take any time you spend outside up a notch.
Best for only those trips where you can drive into your campsite, of course — while it does come with a carrying bag, you're not gonna want to tote its eight pounds much further than a few yards.
Promising reviews: "This chair is by far the best chair of this kind that I have ever bought! I love that the seat is wide and you don't have to worry about the metal poles digging into your legs. It's very comfortable, and the cooler and the storage are great bonuses. Cooler held about five beers with no ice. I love this for my campfires!" —Ashley
"These chairs are so comfortable! I love the cooler on the side. I didn't put ice in it, just stuck our drinks in, and it did keep them cold for a few hours. I would definitely recommend this for any plus-size person." —Phileena
Get it on Amazon for $34.99+ (available in four colors).
Besides the five wooden dice, it comes with the lidded silicone storage bucket (which can also collapse if you needed it to), five laminated score cards with Yardzee on one side and Farkle on the other, a dry eraser marker, and the rules for both those games and 18 other dice games you can play with the set. You can get five more scorecards for $11.99 and more dry erase markers for $6.88.
Promising review: "We loved playing this life-size Yardzee game with the family. The kids loved it and had so much fun dumping the dice. The laminated scorecard was a nice addition to the game and makes it much easier to play outdoors without keeping up with extra sheets of paper or worrying about it blowing away. I love how easy it is to collapse the bucket down and fit back into the box to tuck away on a shelf." —Dwan
Get it from Amazon for $49.95.
Reviewers do say that if you're between sizes (or even an exact number of inches that corresponds to a size), order down one so they stay!
Promising review: "These are fantastic! I've been using the deodorant style anti-chafing rubs and wanted a longer lasting option. Ding Ding ladies!! This is it! So comfortable I fell asleep in them! No marks, no uncomfortable "digging in."
I did measure my thigh to get an accurate size rather than guessing, but it is definitely true to that measurement. And they do take some fine tuning to make sure that they don't roll, but once you find that spot, they don't move!! I got the lacy ones and they are sexy and soft to the touch with the silicone on the top and bottom. Highly recommended!!!" —A. Spencer
Get them on Amazon for $16.95+ (eight colors, some available both in lace and solid).
Promising review: "Working outside in the heat has caused me to research different products over the years to find one that actually works on reducing/eliminating skin rash, skin tags, and other skin irritations in crotch and armpit areas. THIS IS IT! I have been using Friction Defense for almost three years. It only takes a thin coat of this odorless and greaseless product to provide comfort. And it does not stain clothing." —JOTS - USA
Get it from Amazon: a single stick for $5.23 or pack of four for $25.99.
It also comes with everything you need to hang it up easily (not all the hammocks on Amazon do): two heavy-duty steel carabiners and two 10-foot tree straps that have triple-stitched seams.
Promising review: "This is a fantastic hammock setup! It is a bargain—huge, versatile, and very comfortable. Plenty of room and no uncomfortable seams in the wrong places. The tree straps with loops are very convenient. After initial setup neither the hammock nor suspension stretched appreciably over the duration of two rainy nights. I love that it uses nylon webbing in lieu of ropes—less stretch and feels more robust. It comes with tree straps, hammock, and suspension all tucked inside an attached stuff sack. I'm so pleased with this hammock I may start leaving my tent at home. You need one." —Julian
Get it on Amazon for $31.99 (available in 30 colors / color combos).
Not to mention extremely satisfying. It comes with five quick-connect cleaning tips so you can choose the perfect one for the task at hand — including a tip for soap, which you can use to easily wash your car. It generates up to 2030 PSI and has a two-year warranty.
Promising review: "It mastered cleaning my garage floors after a snowy and salty New England winter brilliantly. I have since found myriad other places to use it: lawn furniture, tech decking, wooden stair treads, and most recently deep cleaning a bluestone patio that has become discolored from year of oak pollen and leaves. I was impressed that it provides pinpoint accuracy (using 15 degree nozzle) and with a little care and time, was able to get great results. The spray pressure is not adjustable and the detergent bins are a little wonky (held in place with just a groove under a panel). But the motor is quiet, cuts off when not in use, and it's super easy to move around." —Mike M
Get it on Amazon for $159.
Promising review: "This thing is actually pretty cool. My kid had a ton of fun using it and I actually liked it also. It's a little bit of a pain to drain but it's fun to use. I would definitely put it away after use if you want it to last but other than that cool water toy. Makes a pretty decent pool of water in the bottom also. My five-year-old begged to use it again after I put it up. She loves it!" —IvoryDoom
Get it from Amazon for $23.99.
They come with wheels specifically designed for skating outdoors on a variety of surfaces!
Promising review: "These are my very first pair of roller skates and I’ve already gone out and and used them for nearly a week straight! THEY'RE GREAT as starter skates! VERY good quality while also being really cute! The color is also so cute in person!" —Manibunny
Get them from Urban Outfitters for $109.99.
And if you're a beginner, check out our guide to roller skating for more gear and tips!
Promising review: "Nalgenes are notoriously hard to break. I've taken them hiking in -20 degree weather and had them freeze, but they still didn't burst on me. I've dropped them down cliffs while full of water and found them again later, still intact. It has a wide mouth that makes it easy to fill and clean, plus measurement markings on the outside so you can measure out amounts of water for, say, cooking at camp. It can even can hold hot/boiling water if necessary (for a winter night, put hot water in this bottle, wrap it in a wool sock, and put it in your sleeping bag. It will keep you nice and toasty)." —A. Jones
Get one on Amazon for $10.99+ (32 colors available).
Promising review: "The claim that this cooler keeps ice for up to six days is LEGIT. I loaded this cooler up on Thursday morning as we were going camping. Sunday night when I returned home, the ice had barely melted. The daily temperature during our camping trip was average 75–80 degrees. Cooler was in the sun most of the time. Since Sunday, I've left it in the sun (90 degree average temp.) to see how long the ice would last. After six days, still has enough ice to cool food or drinks. I started out with four 10-lb blocks of ice and one 20-lb bag of ice cubes. This morning (Wednesday), was the sixth day and the ice is still there. This cooler is well worth the money!" —Laura Pinola
Get it on Amazon for $55 (also available in two other sizes) .
As with any cooler, everything will stay much colder if you follow all of the included instructions and pre-chill it.
Promising review: "Excellent cooler, keeps things cold over 24 hours if not in direct sun. The bag is leak-proof and the soft material allows for flexibility in transportation (and what seems like less total space). I've used this for grocery delivery, groceries, and for camping. Easy clean-up. Excellent bag. Worth the price." —J.R. Collins
Get it on Amazon for $49.95+ (available in four sizes and eight colors).
The cover on this is canvas; if you prefer something vinyl, you can get the same cooler with a vinyl outer layer on Amazon for $69.95+ (also available in four sizes, but just two colors).
Learn more about the differences between different repellents here and here.
Promising review: "I live near rice fields, which means mosquitoes all day, every day, 10 months of the year. I was really disappointed with DEET products: most are aerosols, and they quit spraying while you have about half the product left in the can. I found this product from the Consumer Reports review and decided to try it. It is VERY effective. When I use this, I don't even see mosquitoes in my vicinity! It has a light scent that fades within 20 minutes, but keeps working for hours. I walk my dogs two to three times per day, and most other products are pretty effective, but I will notice that clouds of mosquitoes following me, especially after a long walk (they are attracted to the CO2 you exhale). Not so with this: mosquitoes keep their distance. This is also long lasting — I spray it once and don't need to reapply for up to 7 hours." —L. Bradford
You can buy it in sixteen different sizes and applications from Amazon, like two bottles of spray for $13.40 (that's $6.70 each).
They're made with rosemary, peppermint, citronella, lemongrass, cedarwood, and bamboo, so you don't have to endure chemical plant-like smells to enjoy your outdoor space.
Promising review: "I am so happy to have this mosquito repellent. I wanted something for my back patio in the evenings. This is so pleasant! Everyone comments about the scent; it’s not offensive like other nasty repellent sprays or candles." —Namaste
Get two packs of sticks from Amazon for $22, and simple bamboo incense holders for $4.99 each.
With these, you can change the direction they tilt, meaning you can even block the sun as it gets closer and closer to the horizon. You'll need some sort of weight for the base, like this tough bag ($27.95) that's designed to fill with sand.
Promising review: "I was surprised at the quality of this umbrella given the price. It was super easy to assemble and took just a few minutes. We opted to screw it right into the deck, but you absolutely must secure the base or it will tip over (they sell the base weights on Amazon or you can just screw it in like we did). It's been up a few weeks now through some gnarly storms and has worked out excellently for us. We keep it closed when not in use." —kasey
Get it on Amazon for $109.95+ (available in 9- or 10-foot styles and up to 10 colors).
It does call for AA batteries; if you don't happen to have any, you can stock up on a pack of 24 for $16.24.
Promising review: "When I bought this, it was totally on a whim. I was convinced that because it was so inexpensive, it would be a cheap piece of junk! Was I wrong! It does a great job of lighting up the table with the three different settings. AND, if you turn it upside-down, you can further vary the brightness. (Sometimes you just want a hint of a glow, rather than a spotlight in your face.) I'm very happy with this, especially since I left it out all summer long with no issues. It was hidden under a closed umbrella, but I'm sure it got a little damp with rainwater and it survived! For just $10, it is such an easy solution for my patio that has no electricity, and therefore, needs something battery powered." —LouiseN
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
It fits any phone up to 100mm x 170mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). If you decide to get one, definitely check out this review; it's packed with all sorts of good tidbits that will help you get the most out of the case. Oh, and you can totally use the touchscreen through the case — including the camera! People take incredible photos with it.
Promising review: "I purchased this case in July for an upcoming canoe trip with a friend, and as luck would have it, we flipped our canoe. Being the rebel that I am, I chose not to wear my phone around my neck, and so it, my ID, and my debit card ended up at the bottom of the river and I just assumed it would be discovered a thousand years from now and placed in a museum as an ancient artifact. Fast forward to this week. I was contacted via FB by an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office diver and guess what he found? Yup, my phone case with all of the contents intact and dry as a bone! He had to cut the case open, but there was not one single drop of water in it and he ended up purchasing a case for himself because he was just that impressed!" —Julie McDonald
Get it from Amazon for $6.79+ (available in 14 colors)
Promising review: "This is the perfect sun hat! It’s really comfortable and looks so cute. I love that the brim is stiff enough that it doesn’t flop down in my face, but flexible enough that you can fold it for travel. The removable adjustable chin strap was a lifesaver recently when I was out on a windy day. It kept the hat securely on my head. I also love the bow — it adds a little interest to the hat. There's a velcro strap on the inside that allows you to make micro-adjustments in size which is really convenient. Highly recommend!" —AKS
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in sizes M–L, up to four colors, and three styles).
It's a fairly new release from Grace Eleyae, a Black woman-founded brand that believes you shouldn't compromise hair health for style. She was inspired to create her satin-lined cap after her hair broke off following a bumpy 8-hour car ride. But since it's late spring and about to be summer, they're starting to release more summer-y satin-lined hats!
Get them from Grace Eleyae for $92.
I've been using this sunscreen at least once daily since my mom gifted it to me last Christmas, and have every intention to keep using it for years. A dime-size amount covers my entire face, because it's translucent it leaves absolutely no white cast, and 10 minutes after putting it on, my face just feels like I applied a little bit of a nice moisturizer or makeup primer, not anything that's grease-central, like sunscreen usually is. After several years of stubbornly trying (and failing) to find a decent, oily-skin-friendly, non-greasy drugstore option, I've caved to this pricier kind because literally none of the six or seven other options I tried even compared to this.
Every time I've worn makeup since I got it, I've been impressed by the way my matte foundation glides over it, looks with it, and lasts with it. You can see the texture and color in the photo above; it really does go on completely clear. And it's water- and sweat-resistant for 40 minutes!
Get it from Amazon for $17+ (available in two sizes), or Sephora or Free People for $34.
This is one of the sunscreens recommended by Consumer Reports in their analysis of reef-safe sunscreens. Because it turns out (sigh) that just because a sunscreen says it's reef-safe, it might not be completely reef-safe. But luckily, this sunscreen is! It's also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Promising review: "Have used this product for eight years, and my daughter has never been sunburned even though she's at an outdoor day camp 9am-4pm!" —Betty R.
Get a six-ounce bottle (their largest size) from Amazon for $44.99 or from California Baby for $39.99 (also available in three smaller sizes; see their Amazon store or website for the full range of sizes).
Because it's a mineral sunscreen it does have a white cast, but they also make a tinted version that reviewers say works better for darker skin tones: you can get that from Amazon for $25.99 or from California Baby for $19.99.
Promising review: "Loved this suit! I went to Mexico on vacation and was concerned with getting too much sun. The top was perfect and I was expecting to hate the bottoms but they fit and looked great for my frame! Not only was this functional but super cute and I received a lot of compliments. I also did not get sunburned laying on the beach all day." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in sizes 4–14 and in six colors).
Not quite the right option for you? Check out more unique swimsuits!
It packs up into a compact bag (pictured right!) for easy traveling, has two mesh pockets on one side, and comes with a stake so it won't blow away when your nephew runs up and says "tag, you're it!" and you dash off after them. Several reviewers agree that it's definitely easiest to inflate if there's at least some wind, but that it's not too hard to blow up when the air's still.
Promising review: "My favorite purchase of 2020! This is a fabulous product! After seeing someone using one in a park, we ordered two. Once we figured out how to inflate (took a couple tries to get the knack), it's super easy. So comfortable, so easy to use/carry/store. Has been wonderful to have during quarantine — we lounge in our yard reading and relaxing. Invariably, neighbors stop to ask about them. We absolutely love them!" —KCHWriter
Get it on Amazon for $38.98 (available in 16 colors/patterns).
Some reviewers bought several of these for a bigger, sectioned garden! You will have to stop by a local nursery for some dirt and starter plants — at this point in the year, depending on where you live, you probably don't want to be starting seeds from scratch for summery plants (learn more about your garden zone here) — but that's yet another reason to get to spend some time outside!
Promising review: "This couldn't be simpler to assemble. Once in place I tapped each slotted piece gently with a hammer to keep in place. Looks good. I am using the square foot gardening technique so can put a lot in here. [Editor's note: you can get the highly-rated book about that technique for $9.99] Drains well, everything growing well. Recommended." —Jackie
Get it on Amazon for $83.85.
And if you do end up gardening, check out 27 Products That'll Help Solve A Bunch Of Your Gardening Problems!
The first time I tried polarized glasses (tho they were fancier than these), we were on a beach in Hawaii and my mom let me borrow her pair. It was clear water anyway, but I could suddenly see SO much more detail through to the bottom, because it blocked the sun's glare so effectively. Now I'll only wear polarized!
These also have 100% UV protection, which is the most important thing to look for in sunglasses, according to The American Academy of Ophthalmology. Reviewers say each pair comes with a case, a cleaning cloth, and a mini screwdriver for tightening them if needed.
Promising reviews: "I was driving directly into the sun yesterday and they did a damn good job of cutting the glare and enhancing my surroundings." —Henryhillsmom
"I bought these as a cheap and quick replacement to similar looking sunglasses that recently were stolen. I had no hope for these being as great but was extremely happy to be wrong. These are very comfortable and the polarized lenses are wonderful and work quite well. These do not feel cheap, the quality is great! I am all around happier with this purchase than I was with similar sunglasses with an extra $100 on the price tag." —Anastasia Tavenier
Get a pair on Amazon for $19.99 (15 variations of different frame and lens colors available; some mirrored, some not).
Promising reviews: "We've had this chair for three years and still is in top condition. High quality materials, solid construction. Highly recommend." —Christie
"Soft and supportive. I like them better than traditional hammocks. I have them hanging under the shade of my lychee trees. Dangerously relaxing." —Matthew
Get it from Wayfair: the hammock chair for $89.99 (available in seven colors), and a suspension kit (which several reviewers note isn't included) for $42.99.
The goal of the two- to six-player game is to earn points by collecting as many sets of three matching cards as fast as you can (in the outdoor edition, they're oversized cards). Each player starts with their own draw pile, and there are two community draw piles in case your draw pile runs out for a minute or two. There are no turns: each player continually draws from their own pile, then discards their cards into the draw pile of the person on their left. If you collect a set of three special "battle cards," you trigger a battle, and that's where the burrito-throwing comes in! Want to know more? Watch the full Throw Throw Burrito tutorial on YouTube! BTW, It's made by the same people who created the Exploding Kittens game.
Promising review: "So... I can’t even begin to describe this game 😂. I’m 32, my husband 38, and our children are 14 and 11. We ALL love this! We had to stock up on games for the quarantine and this has been our favorite. Make sure to take your glasses off before playing if you wear them 😂. You’ll have bruises. You’ll break things. You’ll yell. It will be the most fun you’ve had in a long time. If you drink and aren’t playing with children, I imagine it would be even more fun! This isn’t hard to play and there aren’t many rules and it doesn’t really matter if you cheat because no one cares as long as you get to throw a burrito. You’ll have the most innocent fun you’ve had in years!" —M
Get it on Amazon for $23.99+ (ages 7+; also available in an indoor version, with regular size cards and dog-toy-size squishy burritos).
It's for ages 9+ and two to eight players. Each game has 10 rounds of challenges, and at the beginning of each round you draw a challenge card and read it out loud. Everyone then places a bet on their own ability to complete the challenge. Once bets are placed, you go around in a circle attempting the challenge. Players who succeed bank their points. The player with the most points at the end of 10 rounds is the champion!
Promising review: "OMG soooo much fun! I played it with a bunch of friends and some of their teenage kids and we loved it. The betting is a great added concept and total mind f-er. We kept lowballing or overestimating ourselves. Highlight: our seven-months-pregnant friend won the “lay down with a cup face up on your forehead — the first person to get up without letting it fall wins the challenge.” No idea how she did it but she was up in less than five seconds. Point is, it’s fun for EVERYONE. It’s not inappropriate and the challenges are unique. (It does require a lot of dexterity and fine motor skills so I wouldn’t recommend for young children.)" —Farah
Get it on Amazon for $24.99.
Promising review: "I am now the proud owner of THREE of these dog pools. I have an XXL, an XL, and an S pool for our backyard 'frogs' that wouldn't stay out of the big pools! Yes, I bought the frogs their own pool...that's how amazing these pools are! We had the XXL and XL pools out every day last summer (changed the water twice per week) and they were used daily by all three dogs. There have been no punctures of any sort or any issues at all with these pools, and my dogs can play pretty rough at times. The XXL pool was used for both the 2018 and 2019 summers with no issues. These pools are literally my dogs' favorite part of summer... I can't keep them out of them! As soon as we get back from a walk, they jump right in!" —Kate M
Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in four sizes).
Promising review: "I absolutely love them. They hold everything from Solo cups to wine bottles to soda cans to beer bottles; they do it all! Your bottles and cans might sit at a slight angle due to how the bottom is constructed but all you have to do is take a few sips, which you are going to do anyway cuz it's your drink, to make sure that nothing spills. I suppose how much they wobble back and forth has to do with how deep you plant them in the ground but mine have been really sturdy. Would definitely buy again!" —TMC
Get a set of four from Amazon for $21.98.
Promising review: "My husband and I love to enjoy a glass of wine on our back porch at the end of the day. Unfortunately, so do the bugs. These tops work wonderfully. The silicone outside kind of sticks to the glass to keep them in place, and the metal mesh part lets the wine breathe but keeps the critters out. The only better thing would be if they had some kind of sippy spot where you wouldn't have to remove them to drink the wine, but I'm not sure how that would work anyway. I'd buy these again, and probably will if we lose any of them." —DKF
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $19.95 (available in four color combos).
Okay so you maybe will have to actually cook some things inside — unless you have a full-fledged outdoor kitchen or feel like using a cast iron skillet to make pancakes on the grill, which I guess you could do — but at the very least this'll make serving stuff outside about 100x easier.
Promising review: "I was a little concerned this might be a POS, but it turns out to be one of the best finds I've made on Amazon in a while! We have a small Webber Q grill and wanted a nice cook space outdoors with some storage and this cabinet is awesome! A combination of very durable plastic composite and stainless steel. The "pop together" installation was not only remarkably easy, it seems impressively rugged. We love it!" —Craig
Get it on Amazon for $254.