Table of Contents
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1.
A LifeStraw to give you peace of mind when you’re camping. It’s designed to eliminate 99% of waterborne bacteria and certain parasites, and it filters contaminants as small as 0.2 microns. Plus! Each LifeStraw will last long enough to effectively strain 1,000 gallons of water.
Amazon
Promising review: “The LifeStraw is indispensable for any interior camper. My buddy purchased these on a whim and have proven themselves numerous times. Very lightweight and conveniently hangs around neck. Time or energy is not wasted boiling water or using toxic water treatment chemicals, also no off tastes from using the LifeStraw. The only downside of this I foresee is for interior hiking, as frequent purging of the LifeStraw is required. I primarily canoe camp and thus water is readily available so this is not a problem for me. I do carry a water bottle for portages or for drinking in the tent. If you canoe camp or hike where there is abundant water buy this device!” —Dane
Get it from Amazon for $13.30.
2.
A box of mosquito-repellent incense sticks for warding off buzzing blood-suckers within a 12 foot radius for up to 2.5 hours. You deserve to play all day without slapping yourself silly because an (IMO very rude) bug wants a snack.
Amazon
They’re made with rosemary, peppermint, citronella, lemongrass, cedarwood, and bamboo so they won’t offend your nose.
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 it from Amazon for $11.95.
3.
Or a DEET-free plant-based insect repellant because it provides up to six hours of protection from pesky mosquitoes without leaving behind a greasy film.
Amazon
Promising review: “I am someone who gets absolutely bit up by mosquitoes. I am not exaggerating when I say I have used other products and still have had 50 or more bites on each leg. It’s so awful that I usually don’t go outside for camp fires or fun events. Mosquitoes also love my small child. I tried this product based on the reviews and I have to say I’m not a fan of the smell but I could care less really because I think I had two mosquito bites after sitting outside at the drive in for three hours and my son had one while our friends had many.” —Amy
Get it from Amazon for $4.93.
Check out our full review of this REPEL Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent.
4.
A portable 100-inch movie screen so your family’s outdoor movie night isn’t ruined by the little one in the back whining, “I can’t see the screen!” It’s lightweight yet sturdy, large enough for everyone (and probably the neighbors) to see, and reviewers say setup takes mere minutes.
5.
A tabletop barbecue if you crave the fun (and taste!) of grilling a big hunk of meat and veggies but don’t have the space for a full-sized grill.
Bespoke Post
Get it from Bespoke Post for $230 (also available in black).
6.
An outdoor drink stakes set that’ll securely hold your glass of lemonade in a safe spot. You know what’s not fun? Setting down your soda only for it to fall over on the uneven ground, get kicked accidentally, or be invaded by ants.
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.
7.
A hammock chair to turn your porch into an oasis. It can support up to 320 pounds, and has built-in pockets so all your relaxation essentials are always nearby.
8.
A Chuckit! ball launcher for anyone with an energetic pup. Exhaust your dog with minimum effort on your part and have a ball — literally and figuratively! — together.
Promising review: “Love this! We now have ordered three! One for each vehicle for when we go to the dog park and one to keep at home! Our dogs love it and I love it because it helps by keeping my shoulder from hurting from throwing a ball. Easy to use and really helps the dogs get exercise and have fun!” —Michelle S
Get it from Amazon for $8.69.
9.
And a set of anti-chafing thigh bands because hell hath no fury like a pair of angry, sweaty, chafing thighs. You should be able to go about your fun summertime adventures without your body attacking itself.
amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: “Living in hot and humid Houston, wearing skirts had pretty much become a thing of the past for me. A few weeks ago I saw Bandelettes advertised on a blog, and on a whim, decided to give them a try. Granted I haven’t worn them through a Texas summer, yet, but I did wear them for TWO 14-hour days, walking around Universal Studios in Orlando, without one single problem. I pulled them up nice and high, as the reviewers before me had recommended, and they stayed put all day long (including when I was soaking wet after riding the river raft ride). I highly recommend them. I can wear skirts again!” —4inTexas
Get them from Amazon for $18.95+ (available in sizes S–3XL and 17 styles).
10.
A set of extendable marshmallow roasting sticks so you can achieve the perfect golden-brown hue without having to sit too close to the fire.
Promising review: “I bought these on a whim because the roasting sticks I have currently are getting old and will need to be replaced soon. The other night I decided to try them out and I am amazed at how sturdy these are. The fact that they’re extendable makes them that much more awesome. When you’re done using it you can make it short and set it on the table and not have to worry about someone tripping over it. And since they’re extendable and retractable it makes them that much easier to clean. I also loved that it came in a nice carrying case for easy transport and storage.” —Johnathon Dietz
Get a five-pack from Amazon for $12.98.
11.
A magical sand-sifting mat if you think it ~shore~ is annoying when you’re at the beach and your blanket is covered in sand. It’s large enough to fit the family, and durable, quick drying, and water resistant.
Amazon
Promising review: “I used this as a ‘veranda’ in front of my tent in a sandy rock outcropping in heavy Wyoming wind. When sand was tracked onto the blanket, all I had to do was wave my hand or foot over the sand pile and it fell right through the weaves of fabric not to come back up. The benefits included not tracking sand into my tent, having a clean space to roll up my sleeping bag (without sand all over it), a sandless spot to lay our gear and organize, a perfect unsandy area to sit and chat with friends. I loved it. We camped on sand in 40-mph swirling gusts of a stormy weekend. On my first campout in this location (without this blanket) a lot of sand covered my gear inside the tent. But with the camping mat, what an improvement!” —Alexandra B.
Get it from Amazon for $60+ (available in sizes S–XL).
12.
A set of color-changing inflatable pool balls that’ll entice you to actually get in the pool, even if it’s just to pose with your new lights for Instagram. They’re solar powered and will last about eight hours on a charge.
Amazon
Each light cycles through red, blue, white, and green.
Promising review: “My pool is so old school and boring that I bought these to liven it up and what a difference!! My pool went from ‘meh’ to WOW! The balls are easily inflated by mouth like a beach ball. Once inflated, a few hours in the sun and they are charged and ready to go. They light up after dusk ( it has to be rather dark). There is no manual way to power them on or off; they glow all night long. The changing colors are vibrant and very beautiful. They have a loop at the top if you would like to hang them. They would be magical hanging in a tree or from a pergola. I really liked how easy these were to fill and charge, and I like the solar power and the amazing color display. They make my inner child happy.” —J. Matheson
Get a set of four from Amazon for $67.99 (or one for $19.99).
13.
A pair of dog leggings (!!!!!) to keep Fido’s legs — not just his paws — protected from all the spring showers (read: mud everywhere). Now he can play in all the puddles and you don’t have to deep clean your carpets. A win-win!
Walkee Paws
Promising review: “I love the Walkee Paws. Unlike the other type of dog boots, these stay on her tiny feet. My little girl never liked walking in the rain or snow. The first time I put them on her inside the house, she was hesitant to walk but with a little coaxing she walked off the rug onto the wooden floor. When she realized that she didn’t slip, she started acting silly running back and forth in the house. Now she loves walking in the snow and water puddles.” —Cynthia C.
Get them from Walkee Paws for $36.99 (available in sizes XS–L and a variety of colors).
14.
A 4-in-1 inflatable pool float for making pool time even more fun. But beware — it’s so dang comfortable that you might want to buy two so you don’t have to share!
Promising review: “Got this on a whim after reading some reviews. I didn’t expect it to immediately become the fam’s new favorite! Lay back and you are half in, half out of the water so you aren’t baking from above or freezing below — just what we wanted. It holds your head well out of the water and feels very supportive/stable. I’ve had it for about a month now and only had to blow it up the first time, the plastic is fairly thick and doesn’t lose air through seams or the nozzle. We have a full-body foam float that cost about $120 and it never gets used any more. Everybody takes turns on this one. Great deal for the price; I just bought three more of various colors. Go ahead and try it.” —JB
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
15.
A stainless-steel insert because, gosh darn it, the weather’s nice and you want to have a family pizza night. Good thing this kit converts your charcoal grill into a fancy schmancy pizza oven so you can enjoy custom pies at home.
Amazon
Promising review: “I really researched and shopped around before I purchased this from Amazon. I cooked my first pizza on it and it came out like a pro!! We will be using this especially during the summer as it pretty much stay in the triple digits here (the Mojave Desert). I cannot believe it took less than 10 minutes to bake an entire pizza. I recommend that you go to the KettlePizza website to get pointers from some of the celebrity chefs that they have videos of. These pointers really did help me to cook a perfect pizza!” —Kim Suzanne
Get it from Amazon for $220.
16.
A mini inflatable pool so you can make your summery dreams of relaxing in a pool with a glass of sweet tea a reality — even if you have a small backyard.
17.
Or a dog/kiddie pool if you’re looking for a more durable option that can withstand kids and dogs roughhousing. It’s portable and folds down so you can store it in the garage for next summer.
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).
18.
A three-piece furniture set that’ll provide a cushy place to land after a long day at work. Unwinding with a glass of wine on the patio sounds pretty fun if you ask me.
Promising review: “Great set for the price! I needed a smaller chair and table set for my front porch as it is not very wide and this was perfect. Sturdy build and comfortable. Not hard to put together: all pieces were included and the instructions were easy. Can’t wait to sit outside with a cup of coffee and watch the cars drive by.” —DEBBIE JACKSON
Get it from Amazon for $124.99+ (available in four colors).
19.
A waterproof phone pouch to ensure you get the best underwater photos without ruining your phone.
Promising review: “Bought this on a whim, and was quite pleased with the product’s performance, especially with its low price. Phone stayed dry and clean at the pool and at the beach. Got some amazing pictures, super clear, especially considering they were taken through an extra layer of thick plastic. My iPhone 6 with a large Otterbox case fit snugly but comfortably in the pouch. Would highly recommend to anyone wishing to protect their phone from the elements.” —A. Remote Teacher
Get it from Amazon for $6.79+ (available in 14 colors).
Check out my colleague’s review of this waterproof phone pouch (#5) for more deets!
20.
A crawfish boil table top for containing the family’s mouthwatering mess of old bay-seasoned seafood. The best part = everyone’s food is separated so Dad can’t steal all the good stuff. Plus it’s designed to clip to a trashcan so you can easily toss the shells and corn cobs that are taking up precious real estate on your plate.
Crawfish Tables / Etsy
Promising review: “Bought this for my Cajun husband. He loves it! It fits very snug to a garbage can and cleanups are much easier than washing trays. Just hose it off! The quality is high, and we will be ordering another one soon!” —Judi Cormier
Get it from Crawfish Tables on Etsy for $89.
21.
An inflatable lounge chair because it’s big enough to sit multiple people comfortably yet it takes up barely any weight — just 2.65 pounds to be exact — in your camping backpack. Inflating it will take a little bit of getting used to (basically, you have to run around to fill it with air), but it’ll stay inflated for at least five to six hours.
Promising review: “I ordered this on a whim for a camping trip with my family and I’m so glad I did. It was a big hit! It inflated very easily. I just used a fan and it filled up in a few seconds. My nephews (ages 3 and 4) continually ran and jumped on it for hours and it barely lost any air. We were all very impressed with the durability and it was so comfy! I would definitely recommend.” —Jennifer FitzGerald
Get it from Amazon for $38.98+ (available in 16 colors).
22.
A pair of water-ready Teva sandals so your footwear can keep up with all your outdoorsy activities.
FYI, these are included in Prime Wardrobe so you can give them a trial run if you’re a member!
Promising review: “I got these on a whim and they have totally blown my expectations out of the water. I received them on a Friday, and literally wore them all weekend long, never wearing any other type of shoe. I wore them to the pool, got them wet by accident, and they were perfectly fine. They are incredibly comfortable once they are broken in and only took a couple times of wear to get them broken in (the straps can be a little stiff at first). The fit was excellent. I have nothing bad to say about these shoes!!!!” —Amazon Customer
Get them from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in sizes 5–12 and 19 colors).
23.
A butterfly garden grow kit if you dream of walking into your backyard and seeing dozens of colorful friends.
Happily Plants / Etsy
This kit comes with a vial of seeds and butterfly seed mix (plus bonus seeds for good luck…and maybe black thumbs), four biodegradable pots, four plant markers, four soil sachets, and instructions.
Happily Plants is a New Jersey-based small business run by Holly and her mom.
Get it from Happily Plants on Etsy for $21.
24.
A DIY bee hotel that’ll provide a home for some very helpful pollinators. Your backyard is about to be the ~buzziest~ place to be…e. Not only will you help save the bees, but you’ll probably also see your flower garden blossom thanks to these flying fertilizers.
Moss and Mineral / Etsy
This kit comes with four reclaimed wood planks, eight nails, wire mesh screen, bamboo and wood nesting tubes, and an educational bee poster. You’ll also need a hammer and a staple gun.
Promising review: “The Bee Hotel Kits arrived as pictured and were so much fun to assemble. Two weeks after hanging bees have moved in! 🙂 We couldn’t be happier!” —Lauren
Get it from Moss and Mineral on Etsy for $54.
25.
An umbrella light to provide some much-needed overhead lighting when the sun sets but your fam is in the middle of an intense Uno game.
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.
26.
A splurge-worthy pop-up tent for creating a spacious shelter that allows you and up to seven other people to enjoy the outdoors no matter the weather.
Amazon
Promising review: “It keeps cold wind and leaves out and some heat in. There are zip vents at top to let in fresh air and two zipper doors. This has extended the season for hot tub use, we were able to set up in early March in Chicago area. Would also be fun for around a small picnic table and to sit outside in the rain.” —Lisa F1969
Get it from Amazon for $349.99+ (available in four sizes).
27.
A pair of hiking socks because getting a blister a quarter of the way through your 3-mile hike is no bueno.
Bass Pro Shops
Promising review: “I love these socks! Perfect for all weather and really comfortable. They are worth every penny.” —Seattle traveler
Get it from Bass Pro Shops for $12.99 (available in sizes S–L and also in gray).
28.
Some vented wine covers so you can let your freshly uncorked cab breathe without it turning into a swimming pool for bugs. The covers are weighted so they won’t blow away at the slightest breeze.
Amazon
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).
29.
A nontoxic disposable hanging fly trap if your garden is overrun by these buzzing pests. OK fine, this isn’t exactly a “fun” product but it will help you enjoy your outdoor space more when you’re not being harassed by terrifying monster flies.
Promising review: “I agree with all of the reviews; this product smells horrible but works amazing. I also agree, the worse it smells, the better it works. We have hung it amongst our garden, out of sight from the house. Everyone who came over for our latest barbecue commented in amazement about our lack of flies around the food. The traps were far enough away that the smell was minimal. I also did put out fresh traps before the barbecue to ensure a pleasurable experience for my guests, traps with the minimal amount of smell.” —Jenn N.
Get it from Amazon for $5.25.
30.
A hanging curved lounge chair that’ll keep you shaded and comfy as you chill by the pool. Now’s the perfect time (and this is the perfect place) to curl up and crack open that book you said you were going to read.
Promising review: “The only problem I have with this chair is that I only have one of them and the whole family now fights over it! Seriously, it is THAT comfortable and relaxing. Pretty easy to put together. My husband got it all assembled in less than an hour and then proceeded to open up a beer and fall asleep in it next to the pool, HA! I like to take my laptop out with me and work in it as the moveable umbrella shades my screen. Love love LOVE it!!” —Erin S
Get it from Amazon for $219.99+ (available in six colors).
31.
A very practical sunshade triangle so you can create some much-needed shade. Camping isn’t as fun when you’re getting blasted by the sun. This airy shade lets the breeze pass through while shielding you from up to 95% of the sun’s rays.
Amazon
Promising review: “My pool is awesome when it gets into the 100s of degrees here in California. We decided to grab a 20x20x20 triangle and holy cow does it do a number on the backyard! Not only does it keep my pool better-shaded, but it also keeps the sun off of my back patio during the hottest part of the day.” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in five sizes and six colors).
32.
A washer toss game for encouraging a little friendly competition during the next family barbecue.
33.
A balcony bar because you want to enjoy the breeze and sunlight but your itty bitty balcony is trying to ruin your fun. It attaches to the railing and even comes with a built-in barrier to prevent things from falling over the side.
The Most Simple Things / Etsy
Promising review: “I bought this as a gift for my son and daughter-in-law. I loved it but more importantly, so did they! It gives them just enough flat table space to have dinner or work from home on their small apartment balcony. Its unique design is beautiful and doesn’t overpower the relatively small space. Very easy to assemble and install and they can take it with them when they move! Definitely recommend!” —Dunda’s Duffles
Get it from The Most Simple Things on Etsy for $149.99 (available in two colors).
34.
A bee-proof and drip-free hummingbird feeder so you can chill on your deck while watching these fast-moving flyers.
Copper Hummingbird / Etsy
Copper Hummingbird is a small biz based in Tucson, Arizona. Nancy Biggins, the founder, worked as a zookeeper in the hummingbird aviary at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, so these feeders are the real deal.
Promising review: “This is beautiful. I ordered two so I could hang one off the other. Within a day I had birds flocking to it. The copper is so pretty and looks great. Highly recommended.” —Jennifer Serafin
Get it from Copper Hummingbird on Etsy for $27.
35.
A pair of polarized sunglasses if you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. Polarized lenses are designed to reduce reflection and glare, improving clarity in super bright light.
Promising review: “I’ve always just worn ‘fashion’ sunglasses when I ran because I didn’t think I was a legit enough runner to need special running sunglasses. On a whim I decided to treat myself to these leading up to my first 5K. I will NEVER go back! I can’t believe how great these are. I have sensitive eyes and the polarized lenses are just incredible. I can see so clearly and the fact that they don’t slip off my face is awesome. I didn’t realize how much I was have to push my other sunglasses back up my nose until I bought these.” —laurenrenee
Get them from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five colors).
36.
A water-resistant portable stadium seat with a mesh seatback pocket that’ll probably make you want to throw away your bulky camping chairs. It converts to a two-person bench pad if you lay it flat.
Amazon
Promising review: “Want to be able to sit down pretty much anywhere without using your abs? Well this little stadium seat is for you, my friend! Seriously it’s great. I take it with me to the park, on picnics, camping, etc., and when everyone else is sitting on the ground leaning on their arms, folding up like pretzels for balance, or otherwise using their cores like suckers — I’m leaning back like a boss. It’s the life. It’s lightweight, rolls up to fit in a backpack or bag, and there’s enough tension between the seat and the back to sit pretty comfortably. Get one for your outdoor activities. It’s nicer to bring to outdoor concerts and movies than a bulky beach chair, which might block the people behind you. Be among the plebes. Sit on the ground. But do it like a champion with this stadium seat.” —supershanno
Get it from Amazon for $10.69.
You when you finish reading this post:
Sharp Entertainment
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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