Summer is right around the corner and for moms, especially new moms, keeping little ones entertained during the hot and sticky months can be a bit of a challenge. It’s not practical to schedule several play dates 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!
15 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. Babies love to splash around in water and you don’t have to go anywhere but your back yard.
Floaties
When your kid is really small, this float activity center with canopy or this float ring are awesome options. But once your child gets a little bigger, these puddle jumper floaties are essential.
Sunscreen
Most sunscreen is full of harmful chemicals not suitable for baby skin. Luckily there are a few brands of more natural sunscreen that is baby safe and effective, like this Babyganics SPF50 lotion.
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.
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.
Swim Diapers
Swim diapers are an absolute must, duh. The disposable kind are good, but I really love these reusable swim diapers.
Sunglasses
These baby sunglasses are the cutest! I love that they are flexible and durable and have the comfortable strap to keep them on baby’s face.
Bug Spray
Insect repellant is about as bad as sunscreen when it comes to harmful chemicals that you don’t want to put on baby’s skin. Babyganics Natural Bug Repellant is one of the best I’ve found for a more natural alternative that’s actually effective.
Portable Play Yard
This ultimate portable play yard 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.
Portable Booster Seat/High Chair
It’s lunch time 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.
Baby Carrier
When you have multiple kiddos and only two hands, wearing your baby in the pool just makes life easier. Baby K’tan Active 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.
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 and it helped a lot! These are my favorite water shoes for little feet.
Sprinkler
Once your baby becomes more mobile, you know there’s no way she is going to 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 back yard.
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.
Sand/Water Table
Sensory play is so 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.
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!
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