24 Summer Must-Haves for Babies and Toddlers - Baby Chick

24 Summer Must-Haves for Babies and Toddlers

products • Updated July 6, 2022

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Summer is right around the corner, and for moms, especially new moms, keeping little ones entertained during the hot and sticky months can be challenging. It’s not practical to schedule several playdates a day for three months, so we have to find ways to make sure our babies and toddlers get the most out of summertime at home without driving us crazy! Here are our summer must-haves we recommend to all families!

24 Summer Must-Haves for Babies and Toddlers to Keep Them Active and Happy All Summer Long:

Kiddie Pool

Tiny inflatable pools and splash pads are a mommy sanity saver on hot days and on every summer must-haves list. Babies love to splash around in the water, and you don’t have to go anywhere but your backyard.

Inflatable pool and splash pad for kids

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Floaties

When your kid is really small, this float activity center with a canopy or this float ring are awesome options. But once your child gets a little bigger, these puddle jumper floaties are essential.

Water floaties for babies and kids

BUY FLOAT ACTIVITY CENTER BUY FLOAT RING BUY PUDDLE JUMPER FLOATIES

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is an absolute summer must-have. Most sunscreen is full of harmful chemicals not suitable for baby skin. Luckily, there are a few more natural sunscreen brands that are baby safe and effective, like this Babyganics SPF50 lotion.

babyganics sunscreen for babies
BUY HERE

Swimsuits

Obviously, swimsuits are summer must-haves. You’ll need a few swimsuits for your kiddos, and Ruffle Butts and Coolibar suits are some of the very best. They help keep your baby’s skin safe from the sun while keeping them cool. Also, check out these matching family swimsuits we love.

Kids swimsuits

BUY RUFFLE BUTTS BUY COOLIEBAR

Beach Canopy

Whether you’re spending a day on the beach, at the lake, at big brother’s soccer game, or just out for a picnic, this baby beach tent is a must-have for keeping baby cool and shaded.

Baby Beach Tent
BUY HERE

Swim Diapers

Swim diapers are an absolute must, duh. The disposable swim diapers are good, but I really love these reusable swim diapers.

24 Summer Must-Haves for Babies and Toddlers
BUY HERE

Sunglasses

These baby sunglasses are the cutest! I love that they are flexible and durable and have a comfortable strap to keep them on your baby’s face.

baby sunglasses
BUY HERE

Bug Spray

Insect repellant is about as bad as sunscreen when it comes to harmful chemicals that you don’t want to put on your baby’s skin. YAYA Organics Baby Bug Ban is one of the best I’ve found for a more natural alternative that’s actually effective.

Yaya Baby Bug Ban
BUY HERE

Portable Playard

This ultimate portable playard can be a lifesaver when you want to include your little one in all the outdoor activities but also, don’t want him crawling into a parking lot when your back is turned for half a second. It might look like a baby jail, but I’m okay with that.

baby play yard
BUY HERE

Portable Booster Seat/High Chair

It’s lunchtime, and you have to simultaneously feed yourself, your toddler, and your infant outside in the wilderness without anyone being eaten by ants or dropping food in the pool. Having this portable booster/high chair just may save your day.

Portable foldable child seat for outside by summer infant
BUY HERE

Baby Carrier

When you have multiple kiddos and only two hands, wearing your baby in the pool just makes life easier. Baby K’tan Breeze Wraps are amazing for doing just that! Plus, you can wear them outside the pool on those hot days when you just need a breathable baby carrier to wear your baby without you both having a heat stroke.

Baby Carrier
BUY HERE

Water Shoes

I learned the hard way that baby feet are super sensitive, even when walking around at the pool. My kiddos would get blisters on their poor feet just from the bottom of the pool, so I started having them wear water shoes, which helped a lot! These are my favorite water shoes for little feet.

baby water shoes
BUY HERE

Sprinkler

Once your baby becomes more mobile, you know there’s no way she will want to sit in one spot in a baby pool. This is the time to bust out your kid-friendly sprinkler and let the kids run wild in the backyard.

Melissa & Doug Sprinkler
BUY HERE

Water Beads

Every now and then, playing outside is just not going to happen. Whether it’s a summer rainstorm, a ridiculously hot day, or you’re just too busy, having these water beads and other sensory play goodies on hand can be a sanity saver.

Water beads
BUY HERE

Sand/Water Table

Sensory play is important to a child’s development, and summertime is one of the best times to let the kids go to town with messy fun. A sand/water table is a staple for any family with kiddos because it lets them experience sand, water, jello, foam, or other messy play with reckless abandon.

water table
BUY HERE

Hooded Towels

Keep the kiddos dry with a cute and functional hooded towel. One size fit’s all with this super soft towel that doubles as a coverup. With adorable prints and amazing quality, this towel is the perfect summer must-have addition to any pool or beach trip!

hooded towel
BUY HERE

Sun Hat

Protect that precious face from the sun! Always keep a sun hat on hand when you are out and about in the summer. With built-in sun protection and a wide brim, this lightweight and adjustable hat is the easiest way to shield your little one from those rays.

SwimZip Kid's Sun Hat
BUY HERE

Outdoor Blanket

Whether you are heading for a family picnic at the park or a fun-filled day at the beach, an outdoor blanket is always a great idea! It’s a perfect and easy-to-pack place for your crew to play, snack, and relax when you are on the go this summer.

outdoor blanket
BUY HERE

Water Bottle

Staying hydrated in the heat is a must. Don’t forget to pack a kid-friendly water bottle for all of your summer adventures! These adorable and spill-proof bottles are the perfect addition to your summer lineup.

Kids Water Bottles
BUY HERE

Portable Fan

Keep baby cool and breezy in the warm summer months with a portable fan. Small enough to take anywhere with the versatility you need when you are on the go! Attach it to the stroller or car seat and let your baby cool down and feel the breeze.

portable fan
BUY HERE

Popsicle Mold

It’s a win-win with this summer find! Grab a popsicle mold, fill the morning with a great activity creating some flavorful treats, and then you have the perfect afternoon snack. The possibilities are endless!

popsicle mold
BUY HERE

Bubble Machine

Every day is a party when you have a bubble machine in your backyard! This machine will provide endless hours of entertainment, giggles, and happiness for your whole family. Turn this cute dolphin on and you may just be the most popular house in the neighborhood!

bubble machine
BUY HERE

Wet Bag

Keep your bag dry and contain all those wet swimsuits with a stylish wet bag. This waterproof and easy-to-clean bag can be used over and over to ensure you have a mess-free summer!

summer wet bag
BUY HERE

Sidewalk Chalk

Let their imagination run wild with some sidewalk chalk. It’s a fun and easy way to get the kids outside and let their creativity shine without leaving your home!

sidewalk chalk
BUY HERE

Having a few (or all!) of these options available to your kiddos this summer will make your lives easier and more fun-filled. Remember, you only have about a dozen or so summers with these little people before they don’t want to hang out with you anymore, so try to make the best of it with these summer must-haves!

And here is everything we recommend for moms this summer!

This article contains affiliate links. These opinions are our own. However, if you buy something, we may earn a small commission, which helps us keep our content free to our readers. Check out our Chick Picks Shop to see more of our recommended products. It’s our carefully curated shop of products we love and recommend! ❤️

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