It’s not officially summer for a few more weeks, but to my warm-weather-loving heart, it has already begun! Here are some of my favorite things for summer including my favorite summertime books to add to your home library!
- Foam water guns– perfect for the pool, the beach, the driveway, and the backyard! Use them to play games (think shooting a target) or simply for running around and soaking friends and siblings!
- Water table, step 2– These comes in step 1 and step 2…personally, I say don’t waste your money on step 1! Your little one will get more use out of starting with step 2 even if they’re not tall enough their first summer standing to reach the top part of this! We are on summer number 3 of this, and we still love it! You can also fill it with corn meal, pebbles, or sand as an alternative (it’s still a great sensory experience no matter how you mix it up!)
- Bubble machine- what child doesn’t love bubbles? We actually use this year round at our house AND it seams to make an appearance at every birthday party and playdate. This is perfect if littl(er) siblings are visiting on a playdate too-every age loves this!
- Splash Pad- This was THE BEST purchase I made last summer! It’s easy to use, easy to drain, easy to store…oh, and super fun for kids!
- Reusable Water Balls These are a new purchase for us this year. Have you tried them? I got these as an alternative to water balloons which are fun, but leave a mess in your yard for animals to eat and me to clean up, ugh. You simply let the balls soak up in water, and toss them!
- Pop Up Tent- This is a must-have purchase. I bought it for the twins (to keep them shaded and confined while big sis is playing outside). I thought it would be perfect for the yard, the pool, and the beach. Best thing is: It took TWO POINT FIVE seconds to set up! We used it last year in the yard and at the beach. This year, since they’re mobile, it has also been a great playpen to keep them confined.
- Obstacle Course in a Box Out of all the playgroups I lead for my local mom group, the fan favorite is always an obstacle course one! This kit looks amazing and definitely caters to preschool to elementary aged kids, so older siblings can take part, too.
- Seashell bags These are so much better than lugging a bucket on a walk down the beach. I love that kids can wear it crossbody style and that it is mesh for all the sand to fall off while you collect shells!
- The Best Sun Hats These really are THE BEST. They stay on, they protect the face, neck, and ears, and they’re super durable. My daughter’s lasted two summers of lots of time in the sun, and the boys had them as infants and now as toddlers, too! The survive the chlorine, salt water, and beach wind! I’m a BIG hat person, so sun protection is important to me.
- Mosquito/bug bands These are wonderful- you wear the band around your wrist or ankle (or both depending on what you’re doing) and they really do help against mosquitos! We can’t survive even a two min walk to take the dog out in the summer at the beach without getting eaten alive. These help. I also put one on our stroller bars and on my shoelaces if we’re out at the park or playing in the backyard. Forget the gross and greasy bug spray!
- Stroller Fans This is an absolute necessity for the summer with babies and Littles! The wrap-around legs help secure it at just the right angle whether you are using it on the stroller or in the car on the car seat (those car seats get so hot!). I have also used ours in the form of a tri-pod in the beach tent and by the pool for the babies. P.S. The breeze from the fans also helps keep bugs away!
- Mosquito stroller net (not pictured) This is really helpful to throw on your stroller when you have tiny ones in tow! It’s easy to fold down too (very small), so you can stow it in your stroller pockets.
Summertime books!
- How Will We Get to the Beach? This is our all-time favorite summertime book! We know it by heart, and still enjoy it just the same now as we did when we first read it. This book prompts the reader to pay attention to details to make guesses throughout the story as Roxanne and her baby try to get to the beach for the day.
- Swimmy This story is so beautiful-it is no wonder it is a Caldecott Award winner. Swimmy helps his friends overcome danger in the water. It’s a sweet story about teamwork with beautiful watercolor pictures!
- The Watermelon Seed This is such a cute story about a crocodile’s love of watermelons and his crazy imagination of what might happen if he swallows a seed!
- Surfer Chic With the help of her dad, a little surfer chic musters up the courage to be a rad surfer!
- The Night Before the Fourth of July This a sweet one to add to your collection of summertime books! We always pack it for the beach as we’re always away for the Fourth of July!
What else do you love for summertime? I’d love to know!
If you’re wondering what to pack for your next summer trip, check out my post about simple things to pack for Littles here.
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