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 kid-friendly bubble machine with over 8,000 five-star reviews that will give them the satisfaction of chasing bubbles and you the satisfaction of sitting down with the flavored seltzer of your choice.
2. A magnetic fishing game that's perfect for the pool, bath, or even the yard. Each set comes with three poles, two nets, 35 fish, and a small inflatable pool. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of catching and releasing a hammerhead shark.
3. A set of reusable water balloons for outdoor fun without the mess. My kids LOVE water balloons, but I hate them because of the cleanup involved. These balloons save all of the trouble and reviewers say that kids as young as two years old can figure out how to use them.
4. A camping set that's perfect for any aspiring outdoors person — even if you're not one. This set has an easy pop-up tent, a light-up lantern and camp stove, play food, binoculars, a flashlight and compass, and endless possibilities. It can be used outside for outdoor adventures, or inside if your kids like the idea of camping without the bugs.
5. And a campfire play set for your s'mores-obsessed marshmallow monster. This cute set includes a saw to cut "firewood," "toastable" marshmallows, sticks, and s'mores ingredients that will delight your kiddo AND make them the best s'more assembler on the block. Your only job? Teach them the importance of "You're killin' me, Smalls!"
6. A Bluetooth speaker and light show that is perfect for jazzing up those summer nights in the backyard. While this is designed for a trampoline — talk about a party if you have one! — reviewers say it can be placed anywhere for instant fun. Whatever your kids are listening to will be instantly elevated with lights and sparkle — the stuff summer memories are made of (for all ages).
7. A paint-your-own stepping stone kit for any kid who dreams of frolicking in a fairy garden. These adorable stepping stones will be fun to paint indoors or out and will make a beautiful addition to any yard. If your kid is anything like mine, get ready to call them "Tinkerbell" as they flitter around the yard.
8. A batter mixer and dispenser with a BlenderBall wire whisk that will save you from all of the reasons you don't want to make your fan-favorite pancakes — dishes and mess. You can make your batter right in the dispenser and the BlenderBall will get the clumps out all in one go. Then just squeeze and be on your way! This is also an awesome way to get your little — or not so little — one in the kitchen helping out. Summer breakfast never tasted so good.
Promising review: "This is the best breakfast invention after the waffle maker. LOVE IT! As someone who makes pancakes or waffles three to four times a week (my kids are pretty spoiled, but breakfast is key to getting through the first part of the school day), this is the easiest and fastest way to get that done. I just add everything to the bottle, shake, and pour into the waffle maker or griddle. When I am done, just add some water, shake again, empty, and then place everything in the dishwasher." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
9. A set of *dino-mite* dinosaur ice pop molds because ice pops are definitely a childhood summertime necessity. These adorable molds come in four different dino species and the sticks are fossils, allowing your aspiring paleontologist to discover dinosaur bones as they go! Homemade ice pops are easy-to-make, delicious, and a great way to get in a little extra fruit.
Promising review: "These are unbelievable. We have the dinosaur ones and they are absolutely adorable. The mold peels off beautifully, and the size is just right for my preschoolers. I'm making healthy smoothies (frozen spinach! Chia seeds! Ground flax!) and making popsicles with them, and my kids think they're eating a fun dessert. Brilliant. I'll be giving these as gifts for a good while." —IonaSky
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $14.33 (available in four themes).
10. A personalized pool or beach tote that will prevent you from accidentally grabbing the wrong Bluey tote out of 47. This adorable tote is large, sturdy, and has six cute designs to choose from.
11. And a waterproof camera with a protective case that will also help protect it from occasional rough play. This camera is waterproof up to 100 feet, meaning it's perfect for capturing memories at the pool, the ocean, or camp.
12. A wagon and gardening tool set that is perfect for the yard, the beach, or plain ol' dirt. Any budding gardener or mud pie chef will love the options this set includes, and it's small enough to throw in the trunk for beach days.
13. An inflatable pool with a slide to help your kiddo cool off and burn some energy. It includes a sprinkler, two wading pools, and a slide, so it'll provide hours of adorable fun this summer.
14. A UV-resistant, pop-up beach tent perfect for the beach, BBQs, or anywhere sunny. These tents provide the perfect place for a shaded nap or a way for your sand-resistant baby to enjoy the beach without crying.
15. An inflatable horse bouncer for indoor or outdoor use that will have your little one calling out a "yippee-ki-yay" so often you'll possibly stop finishing the phrase instinctively. These horses are good for kids up to 100 pounds and even come with a pump so you don't have to risk passing out when inflating yet another summer toy.
16. A pair of kid binoculars that will take your little explorer to the next level. These are durable, easy to use, and will delight kids of all ages. There's something so fun about binoculars for kids and, who knows, maybe they'll be just as excited to see hummingbirds at the feeder as you are these days.
17. A Big Bug Bundle that will finally give your kiddo some much-needed relief from bugs and bug bites. The set comes with long-lasting itch relief AND deet-free repellent patches to keep those mosquitoes *and* icky chemicals away. It's time to take summer back from the bugs!
18. And a bug bite suction tool that lifts out bite irritants like saliva and venom for those bugs that make their way through the repellant. This tool is a total game changer in helping to control bug bites quickly and with the least amount of misery possible. Reclaim your summer nights!
Promising review: "I can't believe how effective this product is! I used it on both of my kids and it actually worked! Wish I had known about it before instead of using creams to help bug bites. Awesome invention! You gotta try it — definitely a product that you will want to take with you everywhere!" —cibieq
Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in six colors and four quantities).
19. A sensory swing for your budding aerialist. This swing uses a spring suspension to include a bouncing element and a full sensory experience. When not swinging upside down, it also works as a comforting hammock. Since it holds up to 88 pounds, it's great for older kids, too! Time to get those wiggles out no matter how hot it is out there.
Rest Nets is a small biz based in Israel and the design has been rigorously tested for safety.
Promising review: "This swing is probably the best thing that has happened to our house since we renovated. My daughter can’t go to OT because of the pandemic, so we turned the basement into a sensory gym. This swing is amazing! It’s simple, safe, and versatile. My kids love it!" —Leanne A
Get it from Rest Nests on Etsy for $98.60+ (available in 10 colors).
20. A deck of waterproof cards that are great for bath time, water play, or simply for the kid that puts everything in their mouth. These cards are completely waterproof, but still shuffle well and dry easily.
21. A splash pad you can grab for toddlers and bigger kids alike. Splash pads are such a fun way to cool off in warm weather and the ability to control the flow just by controlling the hose nozzle makes it fun for kids of all ages. You can even add a small slide for a little extra fun!
22. An always reliable water table with a shade umbrella — your basic bread and butter of outdoor toys for littles. From toddlers to bigger kids, they will find some way to use this baby. It's also an awesome option for some water play where you don't have to bring out swimsuits or a ton of gear if you're not feeling it. Just send them out and let the magic of the water table work.
23. A sandbox with a foldable cover that turns into seating and will have your kids outside having fun without the dreaded sand in the pants — maybe. Sand is such a great sensory experience, and the cover will help keep critters out at night — a win for everyone.
24. An adjustable, light-up scooter that will last for years and provide plenty of use. I see more kids riding scooters to school now than bikes and speaking from personal experience, scooters have a hold on my kids like you wouldn't believe, so this is one outdoor toy I — along with 16,000+ reviewers who gave it five stars — wholeheartedly recommend.
25. A foldable indoor slide that pops up in minutes to provide a much-needed energy burn on rainy or too-hot days. Plus it stores easily so you can bring it out when you really need it. Your flat couch cushions will thank you for the break.
This slide holds up to 50 pounds, so be sure not to bring it out for yourself.
Promising review: "I got this for my 2-year-old daughter's birthday and she LOVES it. She is a little nervous on the playground and she took to this right away. It folds down easily and sets up easily — the design is brilliant. It was actually so easy that I watched the 30 second setup video just to be sure I got it right lol. My 8-year-old son got on it too and it held up. We live in an apartment so this is something that she can climb on safely without taking up a ton of space. Love this product!!" —jenna
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in four styles).
26. A castle bounce house and blower — aka the perfect summer splurge — because bounce houses are second-to-none for getting kid energy out and the perfect excuse for you to sit down and watch the fun. Plus they tend to get their money's worth since they can be pulled out for parties or used inside if you have a space large enough.
27. A spill-proof tumbler that doesn't leak! On its side, upside down — you name it — the water (or juice, or milk) stays in. As someone who has bought far too many cups looking for the holy grail, I can't explain how rare a non-leaking cup is. Keeping them hydrated is necessary, doing it in style is delightful.
Promising review: "The holy grail of sippy cups!! This cup is THE BOMB! No leaking, easy to clean, my 18- month-old, who wants to do and have everything like his 6-year-old brother, loves this cup! Both boys use them. Not too babyish for my older one and easy enough that my little guy can use them, we now have four of them! I’m sure a couple more are in our future! And the price is great." —shoelover
"I was skeptical that these were ACTUALLY leak proof. After all I have a toddler, they can make literally anything leak or spill. I have been through sooooo many cups trying to find ones that will not leave a puddle of water behind when it's left in its near permanent horizontal resting place on the floor or break or pour when my son inevitably bashes it onto the hardwood floor. The only liquid that comes out is what is left behind in the top of the straw after he drinks from it, which there is nothing you can do to even fix that. These are magnificent! They are easy to clean but then again I only use these for water so thicker liquid or drinks that tend to spoil may be more difficult to clean out. Overall this is the BEST cup I've come across when it comes to capacity, functionality, and most importantly ACTUALLY NOT LEAKING!" —Ashley
Get it from Amazon for $10.16+ (available in 10 prints and as a two-pack).
Now excuse me as I make this my entire summer vibe:
