Summer Must-Haves for Fun in the Sun

Summer is here! Time to pack away those puffy coats and boots in exchange for sunscreen and beach toys. And the million other things you need to enjoy summer with young kids. Here’s my list of summer must-haves – including a few funsies for you…

Summer Clothing & Accessories

• Sunglasses

  • Babiators Navigator Sunglasses (for babies and young toddlers)

  • JUSLINK Flexible Kids Polarized Sunglasses, Age 2 to 10

• Sun Hat

  • JAN & JUL Floppy Cotton Sun-Hat

  • JAN & JUL Bucket Cotton Sun-Hat

• Shoes

  • Crocs Kid's Classic Cross-Strap Sandals (my daughter’s favorites)

  • Crocs Unisex-Child Crocband Sandal (boys/unisex)

  • nerteo Toddler/Little Kid Aquatic Water Shoes (Beach, Swim, Pool, Water Park)

Water Clothing & Accessories

• Swim Hats

  • Hanna Andersson Swimmy Sun Hat

  • i play. Flap Sun Protection Swim Hat

  • i play. Brim Sun Protection Swim Hat

  • Flap Happy Baby and Childrens Swim Flap Hat

• Swim Diapers

  • i play. Snap Reusable Swimsuit Diaper

  • ALVABABY Swim Diapers 2pcs One Size Reusable & Adjustable 0-24 mo.

  • Huggies Little Swimmers Disposable Swim Diapers

• Swim Suits & Wetsuits

  • Target (Cat & Jack), Carter’s, Gap Kids, Old Navy, and Hanna Andersson all have great options

  • Cressi Kids Swimsuit in Neoprene (we use this for warmth over a regular swimsuit)

• Swim Accessories

  • SPLASH Kids’ Swim Goggles

  • Body Glove Paddle Pals Life Jacket - The Safest U.S. Coast Guard Approved Kids Swim Vest 30 - 50 LBS

Sun & Bug Protection

• Coolibar UPF 50+ Baby Sun Blanket (for babies under 6 months who can’t use sunscreen yet)

• Sunscreen (6+ months) & Bug Spray

  • Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30

  • Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50

• Bug Spray

  • Cutter All Family Mosquito Repellent Wipes 

  • Cutter All Family Insect Repellent Pump Spray

Blankets & Tents

• Blankets

  • Skip Hop Central Park Waterproof Outdoor Blanket & Detachable Cooler Bag (awesome all-around outdoor blanket – folds up flat but not that small)

  • JJ Cole Outdoor Blanket (folds up smaller than the Skip Hop one; not quite as waterproof or washable, but I throw it into the washing machine anyway when necessary)

  • QUILTED MONKEY MAT Portable Indoor/Outdoor 5'x5' (smaller folding blanket to keep in stroller or for travel)

  • MONKEY MAT Portable Lightweight Indoor/Outdoor 5x5' (even smaller to keep in diaper bag or hooked onto a backpack)

• Tents

  • bbluv Nido Mini ‒ 2-in-1 Travel & Play Tent (good for infants)

  • WolfWise UPF 50+ Easy Pop Up Beach Tent (awesome for bigger kids or the whole fam if you get the large size)

Fun in the Sun

• Extra Large Mesh Beach Bag

• Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Folding All Terrain Utility Beach Wagon Cart (because hauling all this stuff, plus children, from the car to the beach or pool is no easy feat!)

• Beach or Sandbox Toys

  • Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Nesting

  • Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set

  • Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cupcake Set

  • Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Sand-and-Water Sifting Funnel

  • Melissa & Doug Clicker Crab Toss & Grip

  • B. toys Beach Playset (Target)

  • B. toys Wagon & Beach Playset (Target)

  • Coogam Inflatable Beach Balls (10 pieces)

• Pool Toys

  • Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Undersea Treasure Hunt Pool Game With Floating Chest and 6 Treasure Pieces

  • Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Spark Shark Kickboard - Learn-to-Swim Pool Toy

  • Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Spark Shark Toss and Catch Net Pool Game With 2 Balls

  • Waboba Splash Water Bouncing Ball

  • Coogam Inflatable Beach Balls (10 pieces)

• Backyard Fun

  • Jasonwell Sprinkler for Kids Toddlers Splash Pad Play Mat 60"

  • Minnidip Pool (large) – good for older toddlers and bigger kids, or even adults

  • Minnidip Pool (small) – good for babies and young toddlers

  • Max Liquidator 6-Pack Water Blaster Set

  • Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table

  • Little Tikes Rocky Mountain River Race Inflatable Slide Bouncer (if you live in the ‘burbs and want to be the BEST house on the block)

• Water Playground

  • Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Nesting

  • Max Liquidator 6-Pack Water Blaster Set

  • Coogam Inflatable Beach Balls (10 pieces)

  • Waboba Splash Water Bouncing Ball

Warm-Weather Transportation Necessities

• Wagons (for transporting all that beach or park gear!)

  • Sekey Folding Beach Wagon with All-Terrain Wheels

  • Mac Sports Heavy Duty Steel Frame Collapsible Folding Beach Wagon with 4 All Terrain Wheels & Table (or this more basic version if you don’t need it for the beach)

  • WonderFold Wagon Push-Pull 2 Passenger Double Stroller Wagon with Adjustable Handle Bar, Removable Canopy, Seat Pad with 5-Point Harness, One-Step Foot Brake (not as good for beach, but can act as a stroller for younger kids)

• SkyGenius Battery Operated Clip on Mini Rechargeable Stroller Fan

• Beco Gemini Baby Carrier - Cool Mesh (if you’re carrying a baby, it will be hot; but it’s a little better with lightweight mesh)

Mom Must-Haves

• Rothy’s shoes – the white sneakers are my summer go-tos. I love that they are lightweight, are worn without socks, and are machine washable!

• Vuori clothing – when you don’t feel like wearing shorts, the performance joggers provide more coverage and are super lightweight for summer.

• ALOHA Collection bags – great for the beach, pool or park. I also love their lightweight fanny packs, so I can keep my essentials on me while chasing my kids around, even at the beach!

• Sunbasket – because who needs to come up with an original dinner for the entire family after a day of fun? Meal planning, prepping and cooking, and dishes are all too much for this mama to handle with two very young children. Sunbasket has Fresh & Ready meals that you literally just heat up and eat, as well as Meal Kits – and you can even combine the two in the same order.