Summer is the best time of the year. Bathing suits and ice cold drinks and hot beaches. I love the smell of sunscreen and coconuts that seems to blow in the breeze, even if I don’t always love the heat. Summer makes me think of bonfires and beer pong and mimosas at brunch. There’s just something about this season that feels so exciting and fun and I’ve been a busy bee getting ready for it all.
I’ve hunted through Amazon and found some of the best summer-friendly buys so you don’t have to. There aren’t any bathing suits on this list, because I found too many great ones and it deserves to be its very own list. Whether you’re trying to get ready for a cookout, planning to jump straight in the pool once school’s out, or trying to find outdoor entertainment for the kids, this list has something for everyone.
You will love our editor’s curated product picks! FYI: We are an Amazon affiliate partner and may get a share of the sale of your purchase (at no cost to you).
Turn Your Fire into Magic
Colour-changing fires are like modern-day wizardry. I used to throw flour and cinnamon on my bonfires when I was growing up because it turned the flames into different colours. Now, instead of wasting pantry products, you can just grab this awesome colour-changing powder for any big bonfire event you have planned.
Embrace the Summer Vibes
What’s more summery than flamingos? Nothing I can think of, honestly. I love this golf shirt because it just looks like the perfect tropical vacation I’ll never have time to take. It’s bright and will really stand out on the golf course between all those plain white golf tees.
Give the Kids Hours of Fun
Pickleball is a fun, and pretty easy, activity your kids are going to love to have around. It’s fun for adults, too, so you can buy it for yourself if you’d rather or if you don’t have any kids in your life. It’s simple to learn and play, so anyone can do it. Even the non-athletic folks like me.
Lounge in Style
Giant floats are so fun. They’re very stylish, honestly, and a great way to enjoy your pool (or your friend’s pool, or even the ocean) without getting pruny while paddling about in the water. This giant swan is fun for kids and parents alike and is the perfect buy for summertime.
Did Someone Say Pool Pong?
The only way beer pong could be more fun is if it were in the pool. And that’s exactly what this inflatable is. Now you can play the ultimate party game without getting out of the water. It’s the best of all worlds. Just be careful how much you drink — you are in the water after all.
A Glamorous Bar Set
Summer feels like a time to enjoy some adult beverages. I think it’s something about the heat, or maybe it’s just because everyone has all that time off. Either way, this bar set is the most glam and will look perfect sitting on your bar cart or wherever you like to keep your boozy beverages.
Make Restaurant-Style Pizza at Home
Making pizza at home is so fun! It’s great for a big family dinner because you can save money making it at home, but everyone gets to customize their pizzas so everyone is happy. No more fights over whether or not there should be pineapple on pizza.
For Your Summer Sundae Bars
Who doesn’t love a good sundae bar? I think they’re the perfect treat for a fun summer party or a good barbecue. This CO2-charged canister is a professional-grade whipped cream canister so you can make chef-approved whipped cream in your own kitchen. Sprinkles and yummy treats not included.
This Bamboo Lunch Box Is A Fashion Statement
I’m a sucker for Japanese aesthetics so this 40oz Bamboo Lunch Box set with wooden cutlery and chopsticks was an easy sell for me. In the 90s, we would hide our lunch boxes because they weren’t cool, but now, I strut to work holding my Japanese Bento lunch box with pride! I also bought the 68oz to use for picnics.
This Leakproof Lunch Box Is Perfect For The Kiddos
I’m not usually a fan of silicone containers, but this bento box is perfect for my babies! It’s made out of 100% BPA-free materials that are dishwasher/microwave safe and leakproof. My kids love opening the lid with the push of a button, and I love that it has dividers and is super easy to clean. It’s the best lunch box we’ve had yet!
Rock the Charcuterie Situation
No party is complete without a charcuterie board. Even if it’s just some Ritz crackers and cheese sticks, charcuterie boards are the easiest way to keep everyone happy while they’re jumping in and out of the pool. This board comes with a hidden drawer full of charcuterie tools so it’s all ready to go.
Hand Crank Your Own Pasta
Pasta is another very summer food for me. It’s so light and fresh and can go with so many different dishes. And nothing’s better than hand-cranked pasta. It takes delicious to a whole new level. It’s so tasty and soft and easy to do! All you need is flour, eggs, and this great hand crank.
Turn Your Backyard into a Fair
The best fair food is corndogs, and you can’t change my mind. Though funnel cake does get an honorable mention. It’s not easy to find good corndogs, though. Frozen corndogs just don’t cut it and making them at home is so messy, which is why I love this machine! It makes the process easy and even enjoyable.
This Dispenser Will Keep Your Drinks Fresh and Cool
Not only is this drink dispenser a gorgeous piece to add to any outdoor party or barbecue, but it also has a container for ice in the middle. That means icy cold beverages without the gross watering down that comes with loose ice floating in your drinks.
Keep ‘Em Covered
Go braless without a second thought with these great adhesive nipple covers, or pasties. They keep everything smooth and covered so you can wear that strapless sundress or backless top without having to concern yourself with the particulars of a bra that works just right — an almost impossible feat to undertake.
Have a Ball in the Pool
Pool balls are awesome, and an absolute must-have for those warm summer days. You need something to entertain yourself, or your kiddos, while you’re in the pool and a ball is definitely the easiest and most affordable way to do that. This cool ball doubles as a trick watermelon so you can shock your guests with its realistic look.
Give Yourself the Gift of Fresh Cold Brew
Iced coffee, iced lattes, cold brew. Those are the holy trinity of my life. The pillars upon which my caffeination needs rest. But those things aren’t cheap at my local coffee shop, so I found this terrific cold brew maker to save me a little money without compromising on the quality of my morning coffee.
Empanadas Anyone?
This empanada maker is awesome. Not only does it make empanadas with ease, but it also doubles as a churro maker! Churros and empanadas are the perfect little summer treats and snacks for those hot days when no one wants to sit down and eat a heavy meal or heavy dessert. You can customize the empanadas to be any flavor you want.
Get a Little Privacy
Maybe you enjoy camping during the summer. I don’t ever enjoy camping, but my husband really does. When we go camping, we always bring this privacy tent with us. That way we can both change in private without having to practically tear through the top of our tent to do so.
Keep Your Kids Outside All Day
Summer is a tough time. Your kids are home and you don’t know how to keep them entertained and away from the screens. This rope swing is excellent for the kiddos in your life. It’ll keep them outside in your yard for hours, maybe even for the whole day — screen-free.
This Float Is Hours of Fun
Pool floats are always a “yes”. You’ve got to have at least one. If you have a pool it’s not even a “yes”, it’s a “must”. You can’t truly enjoy the pool without floats, IMHO, and this float is the best for the kiddos in your life or the kiddo in you.
Keep the Party Going
What’s better than a backyard game? A backyard game you can play in the pool! This ring toss is great for any outdoor parties you’ve got planned, or just for a Saturday spent hanging out in the pool. And this can easily be a solo game if you’re rocking the pool time by yourself.
There’s Plenty of This Float to Go Round
This is a ginormous float (yes, that’s a word, thank you!) and it could fit you and your closest friends on its massive expanse. You can enjoy your pool time all alone like royalty, or you can share, unlike our favorite Titanic couple. You know who I’m talking about.
Stay Stocked Up on Champagne Glasses
Champagne dreams are much more fun with an endless supply of champagne glasses. Especially when those glasses are unbreakable like these. This set of 100 champagne glasses is great for parties, weddings, or just to keep on hand for any outdoor summer drinking you might want to do.
Store Those Summer Juices
Summer is the time to try out new recipes. New meals, new drinks, new juices, maybe. If you decide to get fancy and try out some new juice recipes, or even just decide to try your hand at homemade lemonade, these bottles are the cutest and most effective way to keep them stored.
Put Your Best Foot Forward
This teak wood cheese and breadboard is a gorgeous way to put your best foot forward while you’re setting out food. You can use this for your own fancy dinner, or set this out for a fun backyard event. It’s easy to clean and looks so fancy so you’ll definitely score some hostess points.
Have Some Fun with Your Breakfast
Can you imagine anything more fun than playing with your food? We grew up being told not to do that, but this amazing waffle maker tells us we have to play with our food! You can cook up a batch of building block waffles that are perfect for crafting while munching.
Prep for Your Next Party
Picture this: you’ve planned an incredible outdoor event for all your friends. You’ve decided to make it a glow stick party for maximum fun. But what dinnerware will you use? This awesome pack of neon dinnerware, of course! It’ll shine and glow so it can go perfectly with your terrific glow stick party.
Mix It Up
Prep a craft cocktail for your guests, or for yourself (you deserve nice things, too!) with this Boston shaker set. It has all the basics you need for making a terrific at-home cocktail that’s worthy of your favorite bar or bartender. Shake up a martini or mix up a mojito with ease and style.
Keep the Kids Entertained
This game set has all you’ll need to keep your kids, or you childish grown-ups, entertained while you man the grill or enjoy some adult swim in the pool. It’s got all the summer basics so you can enjoy your outdoor time, or keep the little ones enjoying their outdoor time.
You’ve Gotta Grab This Saucer Swing
Saucer swings are so fun! They’re a great way to entertain your kiddos for hours. They’ll love taking turns in this swing because there’s plenty of room so they can lay back and feel like they’re captaining their very own flying saucer as they zoom through the air.
The Best Ring Toss Game
So, this ring toss game isn’t in the pool, but it’s still pretty awesome! You can set this one up on land for a great time for parents and kiddos alike. It’s a great outdoor summer activity to keep everyone entertained. Especially if you’ve got a few tipsy adults — they’re sure to keep everyone laughing while playing this.
Keep Baby Happy
Babies love to be moving, even if they’re not moving under their own steam. Swings are a great way to keep babies entertained while you’re busy taking care of dinner or watching your other kids while they jump in the pool. Stick them in this swing and let them giggle while you keep it moving.
Splash Around
You’ve gotta grab this splash pad for the kiddos in your life. It’s splashy. It’s sprinkly. It’s got all you want for a summertime splash pad. It’ll keep your kids happy all summer long, and you don’t need a pool for it so you can enjoy your time no matter what resources you’ve got.
Level Up Your Grilling Game
Treat yourself to some fantastic grilling tools to level up your grill game. This set comes with everything you need to be a great grill master. You’ve got a baster, a meat fork, a pair of tongs, and a spatula. You’re covered for anything you’re grilling up.
You’ve Gotta Have This Set of Unbreakable Glasses
Wine glasses are risky to have outdoors. And there’s nothing more “summer” than the great outdoors. But no matter what you have planned for your outdoor space, these wine glasses are a must for you. They’re unbreakable, so you don’t have to worry about sweeping up glass particles from the grass. No one wants that.
Bat Those Mosquitos Away
Mosquitos are such pests. Literally. And they’re annoying, to say the very least, but fortunately for us, they’re pretty easily dealt with. You can keep these rechargeable zapping rackets on hand throughout the summer to easily pop those obnoxious suckers right out of the war.
Rescue Some Frogs
Poor frogs don’t mean to jump into pools and drown, but they mistake it for any other body of water that’s safe. Unfortunately for them, the chlorine or salt water of your pool isn’t safe for the frogs and it’ll kill them, but this awesome net laid over the side of the pool will give them a way to hop out.
Give Your Yard a Spritz
Hoses are under-appreciated, but essential yard tools. You need it for all sorts of things, least of all enjoying the occasional dash through on a particularly warm summer’s day. This hose is super flexible with a casing that keeps it from breaking and a head with eight different functions so you’re covered for anything.