20 Must-Haves For Hot Outdoor Summer Activities
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As you get older and take on more responsibilities, time can often feel like it’s blending together. One moment you’re celebrating the new year, and the next thing you know, you’re already shopping for Thanksgiving dinner. Instead of going through your day-to-day and watching each day go, take time to slow down and add a little playtime back into your life, starting with summer vacation.
From the best pool toys to inflatable sprinklers, here are 20 products that you can add to your summer to make it one for the books.
Price Reference (average price):
$ | Under $50
$$ | Between $50-$75
$$$ | More than $75
10 Items to Bring to the Pool
When the temperatures start to rise, spending hours soaking in the pool is a must. If you find yourself tired of playing mermaids, try bringing some of the best pool toys to your next day in the water.
Inflatable Pool Noodles
Pool noodles are fun for everyone from children to adults. These toys are a great tool to help you swim, and their buoyant design also helps keep you afloat so you can easily lounge and float through the waves.
Image: Amazon
Confetti Pool Noodle
Poza
Price: $
Made from heavy-duty polyvinyl, this set of pool noodles features a fun all-over confetti design that turns your pool day into a party. These pool noodles are designed in an oversized silhouette—measuring over 6 feet long—making them perfect for sitting or floating through the waves.
Image: Urban Outfitters
Butter Pool Noodle
Big Mouth
Price: $
For a more playful addition to your summer routine, try floating with this butter-themed pool noodle. Designed to resemble the classic wrapping around a stick of butter, this inflatable pool noodle is 5 feet long and helps you glide smoothly through the pool.
Aquatic Exercise Equipment
Not only does swimming help you cool down and provide hours of entertainment, but it’s also a great way to get a full-body workout. With the help of these aquatic toys, you can turn your day at the pool into your own water aerobics session with these essentials.
Image: Amazon
Pool Dumbbells
UNAOIWN
Price: $
These foam dumbbells are one of the best pool toys to help you exercise while you’re cooling off in the waves. Made from foam that is light out of water and heavy when submerged, these pool weights exercise your entire body, from your arms to your back, by supporting muscle endurance and flexibility.
Image: Amazon
Aquatic Wrist/Ankle Weight
Kiefer
Price: $
This cuff brings versatility to your aerobics routine. Designed to be used individually or connected together, it can be attached to your arms or legs to add resistance to your workout in (or out) of the pool.
Pool Floats
There’s nothing quite like rocking through the waves while you lounge in the sun on a pool float. These floats come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from classic donuts to kitschy strawberries, and are one of the best pool accessories to bring personality and relaxation to your day in the sun.
Image: Funboy
Rainbow Chaise Lounger Pool Float
FunBoy
Price: $$$
The Rainbow Chaise Lounger, featuring a trio of warm shades, has a subtly curved silhouette to comfortably support your body while you lounge. Its versatile design can be used while you’re floating through the pool, relaxing in your backyard, or at the beach.
Image: Ban.do
Strawberry Pool Float
Ban.do
Price: $$
This strawberry-shaped pool float turns your pool into a whimsical garden. Measuring over 6 feet tall, this pool float is perfect for laying back and relaxing in the sun. It’s also equipped with a repair patch to mend any unforeseen punctures!
Waterproof Cameras
Summer isn’t complete without creating memories that last a lifetime. Capture each wave dive without worrying about ruining your own precious tech with an underwater camera.
Image: Free People
Underwater Camera
Sunnylife
Price: $
This point-and-shoot underwater camera helps you easily capture each moment in the waves. Decorated with playful patterns, it uses 35mm film that lends a soft-grain and vintage-inspired look to your images.
Image: Amazon
Wave Underwater Camera
Polaroid
Price: $$
There’s nothing better than watching at-home movies on a loop. This waterproof Polaroid camera allows you to capture still photos and high-definition videos, and it also has a small preview screen on the back so you can ensure that you’re capturing the best shots of your friends and family.
Waterproof Speakers
Celebrate the summer with the perfect soundtrack. These waterproof speakers allow you to take your playlists wherever the waves take you, without having to worry about water damage.
Image: Amazon
Flip 6 Portable Waterproof Speaker
JBL
Price: $$$
The JBL Flip-6 Portable Speaker is waterproof and dustproof, making it perfect for your next pool day, hike, or just for blasting your playlists at home.
Image: Amazon
Clip 4 Speaker
JBL
Price: $$
This mini-sized JBL speaker attaches to your backpack or belt loop with its integrated carabiner clip, allowing you to easily listen to your playlists while you swim or hike. Waterproof and dustproof, this wireless speaker offers up to ten hours of battery life.
4 Items to Bring the Beach
Unwind by visiting the beach. No matter if you’re going for a swim or simply relaxing in the sand as you listen to the waves crash against the shore, these products will make your beach day complete.
Beach Towels
Whether you’re laying in the sun or drying off after a swim, a beach towel is a must-have summer essential. These towels offer fun-yet-functional designs that turn your beach gear into a playful accessory.
Image: Amazon
Summer Games Beach Towel
Sunnylife
Price: $
The Summer Games Beach Towel by Sunnylife not only helps you dry off with its microfiber construction, but it also doubles as a gameboard. Complete with wooden game pieces and dice, this beach towel features a playing board for Checkers and Backgammon, so you can channel your competitive spirit while you relax in the sun.
Image: Slowtide
Shine On Beach Towel
Slowtide
Price: $
This beach towel from Slowtide celebrates your playful spirit with its warm-hued sunrise motif. Made from looped terry cotton that’s so soft and absorbent, this towel is finished with a reactive dye that keeps it from fading overtime, so you can lay in the sun and dry off for years to come!
Insulated Coolers
When you’re spending your days out in the warm summer sun, it’s crucial to stay hydrated. Whether you’re packing snacks or beverages, these coolers will help keep your treats fresh and chilled.
Image: Amazon
Picnic Style Cooler
Igloo
Price: $
This Igloo Picnic Cooler is designed with MaxCold insulation that helps keep your ice fresh for up to two days. It’s also equipped with an adjustable strap that allows you to easily carry your beverages around your beach hangout.
Image: Igloo
KoolTunes™ Bluetooth Cooler
Igloo
Price: $$$
The KoolTunes™ Bluetooth Cooler doubles as a wireless speaker, so you can stream your summer soundtrack and enjoy a refreshing beverage at the same time!
6 Items For Your Backyard
Sometimes the best memories happen right at home. You can easily turn your backyard into a summer-ready playground with these essentials.
Inflatable Pools
Who said kiddie pools are just for kids? If you don’t have access to a full-sized pool, kiddie pools are a great alternative to help you cool down in the warm summer sun.
Image: Amazon
Kiddie Pool & Sprinkler
Float Joy
Price: $
Decorated with garden-inspired patterns, this inflatable kiddie pool doubles as a sprinkler to splash around with your friends and family. Its oversized silhouette fits up to three adults or multiple kids, so you can relax with your best friends or family members.
Image: Funboy
Heart-Shaped Pool
FUNBOY
Price: $$
This inflatable pool shows off your playful personality with its heart shape. Its spacious silhouette lets you enjoy a refreshing dip alone or with your friends and family.
Inflatable sprinklers
Relive some of the best childhood memories by running through a sprinkler. With fun, inflatable designs, these sprinklers are an easy way to cool off and enjoy hours of laughter with your friends and family.
Image: Target
Rainbow Arch Sprinkler
Sun Squad
Price: $
This 5 foot tall sprinkler brings a whimsical charm to your backyard. With a rainbow silhouette, it helps to cool you down by spraying water in all directions.
Image: Amazon
Giant Unicorn Sprinkler
Price: $$
Unicorns do exist, and they’re created to help you beat the heat. Standing over 6 feet tall, this unicorn-shaped sprinkler sprays water from its horn to provide you with a refreshing shower-like mist.
Popsicle molds
When the summer temperatures rise, one of the best ways to cool down is with a refreshing treat. Popsicles are a great way to incorporate fresh fruits into your diet, and they’re easy to make right-at-home with these silicone molds.
Image: Amazon
Classic Silicone Popsicle Mold
MEETRUE
Price: $
If you want to keep the classic popsicle silhouette, try this silicone mold. With nine cavities to make square or cylindrical-shaped popsicles, it’s easy to clean and is equipped with drip-free popsicle stick holders to catch melted drops while you eat.
Image: Amazon
Strawberry Shaped Popsicle Mold
Lékué
Price: $
For a more unique option that your friends and family will love, try this mold shaped like a strawberry. It also includes reusable popsicle sticks and tight lids to keep your mixtures secure during the freezing process.
Even though you might have more grown-up responsibilities, whether it’s a 9-to-5 or caring for your family, you should take a page from your younger self and celebrate the summer. Go splash in the water, float on your collection of pool toys, or run through the sprinklers screaming and giggling with delight.