Summer Essentials 2023

Summer is here! I am so excited and happy – the kids are off of school and we have a very relaxed and fun summer planned. I wanted to share with you all my essentials for the summer to have the most fun, be fashionable and prepared for all things summer.

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Summer Essentials for Fun

Laser Tag

We bought a set of laser tag similar to this one in 2020 when the world shut down. We were stuck in the house and just looking for things that would be fun and entertaining. As soon as the weather got nice we used this laser tag set and it has been so much fun. You can play every man for himself or on teams and we run around our yard and house trying to win the game. It’s a lot of fun (and a good workout lol). It comes with 4 chest plates and 4 guns – I guarantee the kids (and adults) will love it!

Water Balloons

We love water balloon fights. When it is super hot out, we fill up a ton of balloons and just have fun. These water balloons are so easy to fill – it takes a couple of seconds and they are ready to go. No more hurting your fingers trying to tie them. If you’re looking for more eco-friendly balloons, you can try these that are reusable. From playing hot potato with water balloons, to just a straight water balloon war – it’s refreshing and fun and the kids buckle over with laughter. It’s a great way to keep cool.

Bean Bag Toss

A lot of people call this corn hole – some call it Bean Bag Toss, regardless of what you call it, it’s a lot of fun. This corn hole set is the one we have – it’s portable so you can play inside or out and it’s easy to take with you when you go somewhere. It’s easily set up in the yard – my kids play around with it while we’re grilling or getting ready to

Pool Toys

Since my kids learned how to swim they love plunging into the water to find these toys that sink to the bottom. They spend hours in the pool challenging each other on how many they can find. It keeps them busy and it’s something that we even take with us on vacation when using the hotel or community pool where we are staying.

Kiddie/Doggie Pool

I got this doggie pool a couple of summers back for my dog Bailey – and he loves it. He’s a chocolate lab so water is definitely his thing. We recently got another dog and she’s not the biggest fan of water but will put her paws in it. Bailey literally rolls around in it and pretty sure he’d lay in it all day if he could. It keeps him from jumping into the pool with my kids, although sometimes he still tries lol.

Summer Essentials for the Kitchen

Dinnerware

I love easy dinnerware in the summer. These plates from Target are Melamine – so they are shatterproof and dishwasher safe without skipping on design. If your kids do chores like mine, you won’t have to worry if they’re washing dishes. These dishes don’t break.

Lemonade Pitcher

If you read my last post then you know I made homemade lemonade recently – and my kids absolutely love it. It’s now a staple and I’m going to start buying stock in lemons soon. Lol – just kidding. This pitcher is a great way to serve lemonade and iced tea all summer long.

Corn Butterer

What’s summer without corn on the cob? One of my most used kitchen utensils in the summer is this corn butterer – it makes buttering your corn fast, easy & painless.

Corn On The Cob Forks

Again, summertime is filled with lots of corn on the cob. These holders are a must have especially for the kiddos – corn is hot and buttery – with these corn forks it keeps it mess free and easy for kiddos to bite in and enjoy the corn.

Summer Essentials for the Beach

Waterproof Phone Pouch

Going to a waterpark this summer? Then you NEED this waterproof phone pouch. I used this for both of our trips to Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge as well as many trips to the beach during the summer. It’s great – you can use it while it’s in the pouch or take it out and slip it back in and seal it up when you’re done. No chance of your phone getting wet or stolen while you’re having fun. It’s a universal size so it fits all phone sizes and types.

Beach Buggy

If you’re heading to the beach this summer – you definitely need this all-terrain buggy for carting all of your stuff. You know the walk from the car to the spot on the beach can be a very far trek. Loading this up with all of your bags and cooler will be a breeze carting it to the spot you want to go to on the beach.

Beach Umbrella Anchor

We all know the struggles of trying to set up your beach umbrella and get it to stay in the sand. This beach umbrella anchor makes it super easy to get your umbrella in to a secure spot on the beach and prevent it from flying away. Plus – it’s a breeze to use.

Waterproof Picnic Blanket

In the spring and summer we love having picnics outside at the park or even in our yard. Just in case the grass is wet, this waterproof blanket is perfect for keeping you dry while you hang out. It’s foldable with a handle so it is easy to take with you on-the-go. We have had one since our kiddos were little (see picture) and it has held up amazing over the years.

Fashion Summer Essentials

Beach Bag

I don’t know about you all – but I don’t get the craze over the Bogg bags. First of all they are expensive for what I feel like is no reason. Secondly, they are like the crocs of the handbag world. I’m just not a fan. I like fabric beach bags that are cute, inexpensive, easy to clean and waterproof. This beach bag hits all of those points. It’s over-sized so it fits everything you need all in one bag.

A Critical Summer Essential – The Sun Hat

I never thought I would be that person – and I became that person. Fair skinned or not, sun protection, especially at the beach, is a must. I have a family history of skin cancer – and I am not taking any chances. If I’m outside, I usually have a hat on. I wear baseball hats to my daughter’s soccer games, but at the beach – you will find me in a wide-brimmed sun hat. In my opinion they are cute – but it really isn’t about being cute. It is purely a necessity. I got my hat at TJ Maxx a while back and it has lasted for a couple of years. I found this cute and affordable sun hat on Amazon for $20. It looks just like the one I got at TJ Maxx – but at a better price. They come in all sorts of colors – I personally like the straw color with the black ribbon combo but there’s a ton of options to choose from.

Sperry’s

My go to shoe in the summer time are my Sperry’s. A couple of years back while looking for shoes for my kids to wear with their uniforms for school, I found Sperry’s and was so excited when I saw that they came in adult sizes. They are comfortable and go with everything. I have them in blue, white, gray, and tan and literally live in them all summer long. My all time favorites are the lounge away sneaker. I wear them to work and on the weekends – they’re affordable and cute for the whole fam. I even got my hubby to get a couple pairs for himself as well and he loves them too.

So that’s it! It’s a long list of essentials but they are all great and guarantee your summer to be fun, fashionable and carefree. Leave a comment down below and tell me what your essentials are for the summer!