Summer Essentials for the Kids 2025
Summer is almost here! Summer is the season of sunshine, adventure, and endless fun—and for kids and teens, it’s the perfect time to explore the outdoors, enjoy family vacations, or simply relax with friends. Whether they’re heading to camp, hitting the beach, or just playing in the backyard, having the right gear can make all the difference. From sun protection to indoor and outdoor entertainment, this list of essential summer items is designed to keep kids and teens safe, comfortable, and entertained all season long. Let’s dive into the must-haves that will help make this summer unforgettable!
Outdoor Protection
The outdoors are fun and where I think kids should spend most of their time during the summer months. I grew up going outside everyday, and there’s nothing I wanted to do more than ride my bike for hours wayyyy past where I was allowed. Unfortunately, times have changed…but not completely. The outdoors are still great, especially if it’s a trip to the lake, ocean, or a local park. Check out my list of items I have counted on over the years for outdoor protection.
Products included in graphics linked within the article. Feature graphic images credited to: Amazon.
Cliganic 10 Pack Mosquito Repellent Bracelets These DEET-free bands work great for park visits, the backyard, and everyday travel. I like to put these around my ankle since more of my bites tend to be on my legs. I’ll also strap them to my purse, and I use to wrap them on my kids’ strollers when they were younger. I don’t recommend for hiking or anywhere there are more bugs than normally.
Polarized Sunglasses With a variety of colors to choose from, these kids sunglasses that offer UV protection are great for the kiddos. They come with a strap so the little ones don’t lose them so easily.
Totes Kids Poncho These are thick, strong, and definitely better than the cheap dollar store ones. They’re the right size too for a wide range of children’s ages. The side buttons allow for air to pass through while still protecting the kids against the rain. Perfect for Disney!
Beach Tent with Sunshade and Floor I bought this tent the first summer of Covid and used this over and over again at the lake. The setup is very easy once you set it up a few times. It provides great protection from the sun. The windows are a super plus!
Aveeno Baby Mineral Sunstick As an adult, I’m not a fan of mineral sunscreen, but for kids it’s ok. The fact that it’s Aveeno Baby brand as well rocks. I’ve never used an Aveeno product I didn’t like.
Coppertone Kids Water Resistant Sunscreen Spray 50 SPF sunscreen that’s great for the beach!
Coppertone Kids Tear Free Sunscreen Lotion My little one refuses to ever allow me to spray her face. She also still screams if any sunscreen gets near her eyes. She’s 11! This is great. It doesn’t burn the eyes at all, even with sweat and water.
Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick with SPF I accidentally let my daughter get a slight sunburn at a few days old (story another time). My pediatrician recommended the aquaphor stick for her face and lips. It healed her skin beautifully. I still use this anytime there is damage to anyone’s lips.
Eos SPF Lip Balm Because tweens and teens are too cool for most SPF chapsticks. Great flavors and 15 SPF. It’s a win.
Wide Brim Toddler Sun Hats These offer protection at the beach, pool, theme parks, vacation, the park, and so many more places. This is a must for the little ones.
Hand Fan Great for crowds, theme parks, and basically anywhere hot. Even a warm breeze is better than no breeze (in most cases).
Stroller Fan This flexi fan is amazing for any situation where you don’t want to fan yourself. Obviously it works for strollers but also works great as a desktop fan and on home workout equipment!
Bug Bite Relief Patches Alternative to calamine lotion, Benadryl sprays, alcohol, and straight out scratching. Doesn’t leave your skin discolored while it dries too!
Go with Me Venture Portable Chair I brought this chair everywhere with me when my kids were little! Doubles as a high chair too. It’s even comfy enough for them to fall asleep in.
Water Essentials
Nothing says summer more than water! Pools, lakes, the ocean, sprinklers, water guns…what’s the summer if you have to stay dry? Check out my list of items that make playing with water more enjoyable all summer long!
Products included in graphics linked within the article. Feature graphic images credited to: Amazon.
Water Swim Shoes I am a fan of swimming barefoot, but sometimes the beach is rocky or the ground is hot. These are affordable, protect your feet, and dry pretty quickly. The colors and patterns available are also a plus!
Dive Pool Toys There’s no bigger thrill than diving to the bottom of a pool to get a ring or dive stick and coming back to the surface first. Let your kids have a go at these and they’ll provide you hours of peace.
Swim Tubes This 3 pack of swim tube rafts and bright and colorful. I like these because I can easily spot my kids in the pool.
Swim Vest with Floaties If your little one can’t swim, or even in you just want an extra layer safety measure, this swim vest with attached floaties is the way to go. There are cool designs for kids and these dry pretty quickly.
Swim Vest This swim vest is great for older kids and for activities like riding in a boat or swim tube. These are compact and come in a few different colors.
Goggles
Waterdam Swimming Earplugs I remember getting swimmers ear every single year as a child and the pain it caused. We didn’t have health insurance, so I remember going through every home remedy possible until the one year nothing worked and had to go to the ER. Ohhhh the pain I was in. As a mom, I have successfully convinced my kids to wear earplugs when they go swimming. These are great and come in a variety of sizes and colors.
Lawn Waterslide with BodyBoards Race a friend down this lawn waterslide that provides inflatable boards to cushion your ride!
Bouncy Inflatable Waterpark with Slide I debated on not including this because of the price, but if you don’t have access to a lake, pool, or beach for the summer, this is definitely worth purchasing. My kids used this for 3 years…and for houurrsssss at a time. I was even able to use the slide and hang out in the shallow end on hot days. This was a life saver!
Tiny and Portable Air Pump This portable air pump is amazing!!! It has been a lifesaver so many times. I leave it in my car and bring it on vacation with me to inflate swimming tubes. I even bring it on cruises to inflate the cheap tubes for the beach that I leave there.
Beach Balls No explanation needed LoL. I just keep a bunch on hand because they either fly away, pop, or just get lost. Volleyball, soccer, dodgeball…they all work with beach balls!
Zuru Bunch O Balloons Water Balloons This is a lifesaver when making water balloons! I remember standing at the hose or faucet as a kid and filling up one balloon at a time. It took forever! These are so much better…once you get the hang of it. Took me a couple times to get it right.
Super Blaster Soaker Water Gun I know, I know…there is such a negative feeling in regards to using the term ‘gun’ but good old-fashioned summer fun has always involved water guns. I miss the old huge super soakers. These are a lot smaller, but do the job!
Amazon Basics Socks I can’t stand the feeling of wet feet or knowing that my kids have wet socks on. I carry extra pairs of socks in the car, in my purse, to the beach, etc. These are super cheap and do the job.
Rainy Day Entertainment
Sometimes the weather just does not cooperate with us. Whether it is a rainy day while on vacation, a day that messes up beach plans, or an unexpected hurricane that forces us indoors, the kiddos still need entertainment.
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Water Resistant Uno Cards Whether you get caught in the rain or intentionally want to play the beloved game of Uno where it’s wet, these cards are perfect. My students use these during lunch and they have held up great!
Erasable LCD Writing Tablet This ‘drawing’ tablet is great for kids (and adults) of all ages. This allows you to draw anything you’d like on the go, with no paper or pencil needed! It does have one single erase button though, so it’s either all or nothing when you make a mistake. Even though I enjoy using my kids’s tablet, it’s better suited for little ones who have no problem scribbling and erasing immediately.
Find and Seek Scavenger Hunt This scavenger hunt card game is so much fun!!! It’s a great indoor game any time of the year, and is even great outside as well. As a teacher, I’ve even played this in the classroom as a little brain break.
Rock Painting Kit Ok, so I am sooo guilty of including this just because it is and has always been one of my favorite things to do. As a teacher, I suggest rock painting activities on Field Day, SEL Days, and really any time I can fit it into a station or activity for a themed day. A condensed kit like this is great for on the go.
On the Go
Whether you’re a stay at home mom or have just upped you ‘On-the-Go’ status because it’s summertime, there are many items that assist in our on the move moments. None of these are necessities, but they do make life a whole lot easier.
Products included in graphics linked within the article. Feature graphic images credited to: Amazon.
Car Backseat Organizer If your kids are anything like mine, the back seat is a mess (and the front seat once they can sit up there). It NEVER ENDS. That being said, I don’t know what my car would like like without this backseat organizer. It helps me keep my sanity. There’s a place to hold snacks, activities, phone chargers, tissues, candy, sanitizer, lotion, and whatever else they bring with them. This is a win for all!
Flushable Toilet Seat Covers Toilets are gross. Everywhere. These are convenient and don’t take up much space in your purse, glove compartment, book bag, etc.
Boogie Wipes Hand Wipes As a fan of the original nose Boogie Wipes, when I found these it was a no brainer adding them to my cart. I trust this brand.
Dramamine Who has time for motion sickness? While I do not like giving my kids medication that is not needed (and thankfully my kids do not have motion sickness, but I know a few who do) these a great for those kids who do. We can’t avoid car rides, especially in the summer. These work an are sooo worth it!
Portable Child Urinal If you have a boy, you are lucky to have this option. Take advantage and use this portable urinal when he needs to go when out and about. As a woman and girl mom, I wish we had this option!
Ear Protection Noise Cancelling Ear Muffs Whether you have a special needs child, a little one, or your kids just do not like loud noises, these noise cancelling ear muffs are the bomb (no pun intended)! I’ve used these for Monster Jam events and fireworks. These make these events sooo much more tolerable.
Food and Drink
If your household is anything like mine, your kids constantly are eating or drinking something. Their appetites are somewhat tame all school year, but once summer comes they become little (or big) food monsters! I hear my younger daughter singing now…”I’m a big back, big back…”. While these products don’t tame their appetites, they do assist in the making their food and drink sources more convenient for them (and me too).
Products included in graphics linked within the article. Feature graphic images credited to: Amazon.
Popsicle Mold with Slurp Straw My kids love my homemade popsicles and I really truly try to make them weekly. The slurp straws on these allow them to drink their popsicles as they melt!
Silicone Popsicle Mold As I try to take my homemade popsicle game a little higher, I also try to use silicone molds when possible. These are great because 1) they are silicone and 2) they give you two options to ‘stick’ them—you can use their plastic washable sticks, or they provide a guiding tool to use wooden sticks as well! I use both options (depending on whether or not I have wooden sticks).
Zak Leak-Proof Kids Cup with Straw The Zak brand is super reliable when it comes to kids cups. These cups will not leak or spill when your child is playing, falls asleep, or drops them
Stainless Steel Thermos Water Bottle with Straw The Thermos brand has been around since I was a kid. It’s reliable and keeps the drinks cold. I have used this for hot beverages and it does work. There’s a warning that indicates it’s not for hot beverages, but I think it’s there because you do not want to accidentally burn your little one. * just a note *
Stainless Steel Tumbler with Straw If your little one wants to look like s/he has that famous tumbler and older sibling, mom, or someone else has…this is perfect! It is somewhat spillproof, but the stainless steel, silicone straw option is a winner for me!
Stanley Quencher H2.0 30oz It’s a Stanley. The End. lol (there are a load of colors to choose from)
Water Bottle Carrier with Strap and Pouch This handy tumbler carrier holds both the 30oz and 40oz version of the famous tumbler. The main portion holds the tumbler and the side pocket has space for your phone and credit cards, cash, or whatever else you need. It will hold and iPhone 16.
Silicone Straw Covers I’m a fan of covering my straw when out and about. Most kids do not even think about what touches their straw when they are not looking. This makes me feel a little better.
Stainless Steel Tumbler Replacement Straws In my never-ending attempts to make my family healthier, I’ve replaced the plastic straws in my house with stainless steel ones. This 6 pack of straws contains both straight and curved ones, as well as a straw cleaner.
Plastic Tumbler Replacement Straws If you are ok with plastic straws, this pack has 6 straws and a straw cleaner.
Snack Bowl for Tumbler If your kids are like mine, they are alwaaayyyysss eating. While this isn’t spill-proof, this snack bowl keeps all snack in one place. I want to buy one for myself too…
Stainless Steel Travel Straws While paper straws are healthier than plastic and better for the environment, we all just cannot. These travel stainless steel straws provide and quick replacement for paper straws or those times when you do not even have a straw but need one. They come in a variety of nice colors too.
Kid-themed Stackable Snack Cups These snack cups provide a compact way to store different snacks. The maker has loads of kid-themed designs as well as plain, simple colors.
Water and Juice Bottle Conversion Cap I didn’t even know these existed when my kids were small! These allow any bottle to become a sippy cup. They have a load of colors and the fact that they are silicone makes them a winner with me!
Apparel
Super Cute Disney French Terry Outfit This outfit is super cute. Whether you are going to Disney or your kids just like Disney characters, this french terry outfit is perfect for a summer day.
Classic Crocs They’re comfy, waterproof, and come in a wide variety of colors. The kids can wear them with shorts or dresses—they are the perfect summer shoe.
Baggy Jorts for with Stars for Teens My teen daughter is totally into '“jorts” this year. Jorts are baggy jean shorts that are long (like to the knee). This pair has stars on the sides, similar to the long, baggy jeans that were popular during the winter months.
Streetwear Baggy Jorts Another pair of ‘jorts’ that these girls love.
Technology
Latest Apple iPad (2025) I’ve tried different tablets over the years. For me, and for my girls, but this is it. Apple outperforms every tablet I’ve ever used and my kids too. I first splurged on iPads for them 4 years ago for Christmas, and they’re still going strong. Unfortunately, my nephew dropped his iPad down the stairs recently and we got this for him. It’s amazingly fast and the graphics are super sharp.
iPad Screen Protector Electronics are super expensive to fix, even with insurance. This helps greatly.
AirPods 4 My older daughter has gone through AirPods like water. Like seriously. Not sure if she just gets a bad batch each time, but they really end up not working in one way or another. Grandma got her these for her birthday, and they have been great so far.
Beats Solo 4 My younger daughter is tiny for her age. She totally cannot fit AirPods into her ears so she needs over-ear headphones. After buying loads of headphones that lasted only a few months at a time, I splurged on these for her last year and she’s had absolutely no issues so far.
Sony Wireless Headphones Sony used to be the best out there, but I don’t think they’ve quite caught up with the best technologies. However, these are a great option if you’re on a budget or if your child is on the younger side.
JBL Headphones These are another great option (it seems). I’ve never purchased these myself, but I do use the JBL portable speakers and those pack a powerful punch.
Anker Airbuds My best friend refuses to buy AirPods but has discovered these. Shes’ been using them for over a year now and they are going strong. Sound, clarity, distance, pairing…she says they are all great! Their price point is great at regular pice and oftentimes go on sale for about $20. Wish she had shared this with me prior to introducing my daughter to AirPods. You can’t go wrong with these for your kids!
Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds The regular price for these is $69.99, but I’ve never seen them for full price on Amazon. I’ve had these personally for years and they work great. If your kids lose things easily or you’re worried about an earbud falling out of their ear, these are a great option.
JBL Go-3 Portable Mini Speaker My kids bring this speaker everywhere—in the shower, to the park, to school when allowed…they love it.
Portable Phone Charger Because it’s the end of the world when their phones die. Holds a charge a really long time if not being used. Like 7 months later it was still at 100%.
Extra Long 10ft Phone Charger Cable USB-C For when they need to charge their phones in the backseat. USB-C for new models.
Extra Long 10ft Phone Charger Cable Lightning For when they need to charge their phones in the backseat. lightning for older models.