BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More

Because the better prepared you are for beach days, the more you and your kiddos can enter that sweet, sweet beach daze.

I am a contributor who has been writing for BuzzFeed Shopping for over two years with an emphasis on home goods, parenting items and toys, beauty products, and anything that can make your day-to-day life run a little smoother.

Y'all, I'm not making it up when I say I see these EVERYWHERE in hotter-than-heck Texas. Lifesavers.

Promising review: "This chair is perfect for traveling! It folds very easily and comes with a bag with mesh at the bottom, so sand will fall out if you take it to the beach! It also comes with straps so you can wrap it to a chair and use it as a high chair! Very convenient, compact, and versatile! If you’re looking for a chair for your little this summer, this is the one!" —Lindsay

Get it from Amazon for $29.97+ (available in 13 colors/styles).

Promising reviews: "Love this chair for our 3-year-old for our beach and camping trips! Just her size and the cup holder is a bonus too." —Doug Brewer

"This chair is perfect for the beach, park, (and more recently) watching fireworks! It is extremely sturdy, even my grown self can sit in it without feeling like the legs are going to give out lmao. My daughter loves her chair. She’ll drag it around the house to sit in front of any TV. I do wish the cup holder was slightly larger as my baby’s sippy cups come in many shapes and sizes. The cup holder on the chair can hold equivalent to a water bottle or soda can." —Kim

Promising reviews: "This is an excellent, high-quality sand set! Our 2-year-old grandson loves it! I initially ordered a basic, off-brand sand toy set from Amazon and was very disappointed in the thin plastic bucket and shovels. This set is the opposite — everything is very thick and high quality. The toys are interesting and fun for him to play with. He can dig in our dirt and stir and hit the sides of the bowl to his heart's content without breaking anything :-). The bucket part can also be used as a shovel and doesn't bend or warp when scooping and dumping water." —Kim

"Such a cute set for the beach, my son loves them!!" —Donya Pittell

Promising review: "Ok. I never leave reviews, but I HAD TO on this!!! MOMS..... BUY! BUY! BUY! We have six kids ranging from 2 months to 13, and our annual beach trip was coming up this past June. I wanted a beach tote that sand wouldn't collect in. I saw this and thought I would try it. I figured it wouldn't be as big as I needed. Fast forward to the day it came in...OMG it was HUGE in person. Guys, I fit four sand buckets, four sets of beach toys, four small boogie boards in this thing, and still had a TON of room to fit more! My only regret was that I didn't buy more than one! This would also be great for laundry, or anything!!!!!"—Amazon Customer

I am Not Good at assembling and taking apart...well, just about anything. But I am telling you I can have this hammock up in less than two minutes and be ready to swing myself and my kiddo gently in the breeze. We have traveled with this on car trips. Plus, it's just great to have at home to keep the vacay vibes going even after your trip is over. As you can see from the pics, my whole fam adores this thing, and every friend that has come over has asked us to leave it unattended on the porch. (Joke's on y'all, friends: I will defend my hammock with my LIFE.)

Promising reviews: "We love it! We live in a condo with a balcony that fits perfectly! And since its 30 seconds to break-down and set-up, we bring it to the beach, too! THANKS for coming up with a design that was affordable, portable, and workable for us." —John T.

Get it from Yellow Leaf Hammocks for $499+ (also available as just the stand if you already have a hammock chair).

Promising reviews: "I was very impressed with the quality. Holds up so well with three toddler boys who are rowdy and jumpy with it. Never a problem with it, and we used it outside a lot. The kids liked to half inflate it and bounce off of it (don't do this with mom around). Would make a great gift or perfect for movies in the park, etc." —Cindy

"The Wekapo Inflatable Lounger Air Sofa Chair is an absolute must-have for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities. I find myself reaching for this lounger every time I head to the beach, park, or even just for some relaxation in the yard. It’s incredibly versatile and comfortable, making it perfect for my kids' soccer practice as well. Setting it up is a breeze—just a few quick swipes through the air, and it’s ready to go. The material is durable and holds up well, even on rougher surfaces like sand or grass. What I love most is how portable it is; it packs down small enough to fit in a backpack, yet inflates into a spacious and cozy lounger." —Alex

Get it from Amazon for $39.98+ (available in 20 colors/patterns).

Psst. If you're thinking about back-to-school, I LOVE Bentgo's whole line, including their backpacks and lunchboxes. 

Promising reviews: "Perfect for excursions. Have used this thing at both the zoo and beach, and has been great. Durable, perfectly sealed to keep cold snacks cold even at the hot beach. Great!" —Skelt

"These Bentgo boxes are perfect for my two toddlers! They are the perfect portion sizes for my kids and stay cool for the days spent at the park or the beach. All of the parts are easy to clean and easy to store. These are worth the money!" —MH

Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in 10 colors).

Psst — this comes with dishwasher-safe stickers so your kiddo can decorate their snack spinner and get hyped for their trip! 

Promising reviews: "My son is a little snack attack. We took this on our trip to Florida, and when I pulled it out at the airport, I got a lot of 'that's a great idea, what a neat container' from people sitting next to us. My son loved pushing the button to get a different snack, and I think he just enjoyed pushing the button to make it move. It's pretty durable. He hit that thing hard! Easy to clean and change out snacks! Great for trips to the beach, park, and on airplanes. Also great to just have at home for my snack monster toddler." —Danielle

"Love this so much!! I got one for both of my kids, and even customized it with a sticker! It was perfect to take to the beach for a beach snack, and the perfect size for their bag for school soon! Easy for them to press the button to go to the next snack, a must-have item, and the best quality product!" —Kaylee Murphy

Get it from Amazon for $29.98+ (available in three sizes/styles and five colors)

Check out this video of a bookish human taking *their* Kobo to the beach!

I can't say enough nice things about the Kobo. I've had Those Other E-Readers, and while I enjoyed them... y'all, the physical buttons on the Kobo are a game changer, being able to sync DIRECTLY from my library via Libby is a game changer, and the serotonin from getting to choose my own screensaver? Game changer. Say hello to *my* new fave waterside pal, for sure.

Promising reviews: "The best thing I have ever bought my partner! They use it all the time!" —Dee

"I love my Kobo Libra Colour. The only other e-reader I've had is a Kindle Basic, and I love the Kobo ecosystem much better. I love the buttons. I love the stylus for annotating and highlighting use. I love my purchase. Do not regret it!!" —Amber-Rose BROWN

"This is my first e-reader ever, and I love it! Easy to use for a beginner. The touchscreen is fast. No ads. Shows stats/activity use, shows your book cover while sleeping. You can borrow from your local library and plenty more. 😀 Definitely recommend!!" —Darlene Totaram

Get it from Rakuten Kobo for $259.99 (available in black, white, and with or without a stylus). 

Shakalo is a small business based in San Diego.

Promising review: "We recently moved to a beach area, and we are constantly there. This item has changed our entire lives! It lasts decently long (depending on how much you use it), it smells super good (not at all like baby powder), and it's super effective. It has saved me from vacuuming my car at least 1–2 times a week. And I even use it on my dog's paws and bellies to make sure they're taken care of too. I will definitely be buying the refill and another bag to have exclusively in the car." —Gabbs Uresti

Get it from Amazon for $19.98 (also available in a three-pack).

Promising review: "This is a great, versatile umbrella. I use it when I go to the beach so I don't have to lug around the big family-sized umbrella. Easily mounts to a beach chair and also to my son's wagon. Adjusts easily, too, which accommodates you throughout the day as the sun moves. Very lightweight." —Rachel B.

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors).

Promising reviews: "We love these! I buy more every year because i end up giving them away to people when we go camping! We keep one everywhere, in the car, the beach bag, the camping supplies." —G G

"I saw this one on the Shark Tank and ordered it right away. When I go on vacation the bugs love to bite me all over. This tool uses suction to take the venom right out of the skin taking away all of the irritation and redness. I was surprised at the suction power of this tool, it felt like it was working immediately. There are two sides to the tool, but I always used the larger side. In a week on vacation at the beach we used it about a dozen times. It worked every time and if I had more i easily could have sold them along the beach. Another Shark Tank gold item!" —Kevin B.

Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in six colors).

Promising review: "These foldable pails with shovels are such a great find! They’re compact, easy to pack, and perfect for beach fun. My kids loved using them, and I love how simple they are to clean and store. Super affordable and great quality for the price — definitely a must-have for any beach trip! 🏖️" —Kristina Anne Middleton

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four styles).

Promising reviews: "The Era Flip is honestly a game changer. I’ve used some of the other brands, and the uncovered flip-down straws always kind of grossed me out. With the Era Flip, the straw is completely covered, so I don’t have to think twice about bringing it to places like the hospital or the gym. I’ve also seen a few comments about cleaning, but it’s actually really simple. You don’t have to take everything apart every time. The lid can just go right on the top rack of the dishwasher. And if you ever do want to deep clean it, the whole thing comes apart easily, unlike some other brands where the lids don’t open up and end up growing mold. It’s super easy to take apart and put back together. BrüMate knocked it out of the park with this one!" —Jeanna Weaver

"Avid Brumate lover and this is the GOAT. Love the flip closed lid, exactly what I needed to toss it in my bag or take to the beach without the straw getting funky. No leaking, all stainless, easy to clean. Love the cheetah print. Worthwhile purchase and would buy again." —Rachel

Get it from Amazon for $42.99+ (available in two sizes and 22 colors/patterns). 

I just got one of these because I'm #Texan and that means I can drive 5+ hours and still be in my home state. So yeah, this thing will be coming with my fam to the beach this year. Can't wait to stuff it full of sodas, sandwiches, and those little pudding cups I *say* are for my son, but they're really for me.

Promising reviews: "We love our new Brumate travel cooler to take on family trips. Took it to the mountains and cant wait to go to the beach with it. Pulling is so much easier than lifting and straining your back. We ❤️ it!" —Sharon L.

"We couldn't have asked for a better cooler. We are a travel hockey family and spend A LOT of time on the road and in hotels. Hands down the best. Love the rack, keeps food I don't want wet from dripping. I can make Gatorade for the players in the drink spout.👌 Don't hesitate to get this, you will love it!" —Alexis T.

"The Brütank is one of my favorite brümate purchases. We have one that stays on the boat and this one is going to travel with us. We use the tap tank as dry storage for our food on the boat. It keeps the food cold but dry. Can't wait to use it for mixed drinks next. 😋 The ice stays for days and even after it melts the water stays cold enough to keep the remaining drinks cold." —Kristina K.

Get it from BrüMate for $399.99 (available in 10 colors).

The pouch fits any phone up to 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches.

Promising review: "This product is incredible. I purchased it to use while in Key West for an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Galaxy S6 Edge, and it fits perfectly for each phone, being a little more snug with the iPhone 6 Plus. It is completely waterproof and takes great photos and videos through the case, but you have to press 'record' prior to submerging the case underwater. My family went snorkeling and kept the case with the phone inside submerged almost the entire time and had no issues with leakage. My family and I got stopped numerous times, being asked where we purchased this product. Perfect even if just on the beach, and you do not want to get sand or sunscreen on your phone and want to still take photos/text/browse the internet while on the beach. I will be purchasing this for everyone in my family as it has become a travel must-have!" —Amber Smith

Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in 13 colors).

Promising review: "I used this fan when I went to the beach with my 7-week-old son! I attached it to his stroller, and he stayed cool the whole time he was outside. Since returning, we use it in the car, for stroller rides, and I even use it when I’m hot in the house! The bendable legs make it easy to attach to any surface or allow it to stand on a flat surface. All around best purchase I have made this summer!" —Jessica

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in six colors).

Get it from Igloo for $29.99 (available in four colors).

Promising review: "This lotion is very lightweight and has a very nice citrusy smell. We take it with us every time we go to the beach with our 6-year-old or even if we spend some time in the backyard on a sunny day. Kids can be very picky with textures of lotions, but I never had any issues applying this to my daughter; she always mentions how good the smell is. If you're looking to reduce redness of your skin, prevent peeling, or simply give your skin a good hydration boost after sun exposure, this is my go-to product, and I RECOMMEND!" —JohnG

Promising review: "This is the best product ever! My babe is 6 months old, and we have been delaying taking him to the beach because he gets overheated. But this tent pops right up, and he can play in his own little pool or dump the water, and he can nap in it. It has anchors to keep it from blowing away, an air vent to let the breeze flow through, and literally folds back in and easily zipped back into the carry case. Not to mention it's lightweight, which kept us from having to carry the expensive beach pack 'n' play we got." —Britty

Get it from Amazon for $25.63+ (available in nine colors/styles).

Promising review: "I threw these in my bag last minute for a trip to a resort in Cancun, and we absolutely loved them! They take up no room, and I easily fit two pillows in my carry-on for the beach. Made the beach chairs so much more relaxing by being able to be comfortable. They blew up so easily. It just took four big breaths for each pillow. Loved that I could either use the straps or sand to hold them in place. I also liked the idea of bringing them in my carry-on in case we had a delayed flight and I had time for an airport nap. I'll be bringing these on all future vacations." —Nikki Miller

Get it from Amazon for $36.95 (available in 18 colors/patterns).

Promising review: "No more tears. Wet brushes take the tears out of brushing and detangling long wet hair, whether it is at the beach, river/lake, pool, or after a bath. It works well on dry hair, too!" —Babette C.

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 18 styles).

Just soak the towel in cold water, wring out and give it a couple of snaps to feel instant relief.

Promising review: "Awesome!!!!! These worked great yesterday at Hershey park during record temperatures. I believe a combo of these and the water park is the only way we made it through the day. My young daughters tied these around their head and neck and it really kept them cool all day. I am buying some more for our upcoming beach trip." —beth benson

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in 12 color combinations).

Promising review: "This product is absolutely amazing!!! My son typically hates going to the beach because within one day of being there he is miserable and can't go back outside because his backside and inner legs are so raw....not anymore!!! This summer we spent three weeks at the beach and he was outside in the sand and water everyday without one problem....he literally never even got red which is amazing for his skin! I will never try anything else again. Simply the best." —blindmolly

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three sizes).

Reviewers recommend using a more watery sunscreen; if your preferred sunscreen is quite thick, this may not work for you. And JSYK, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says most adults need about an ounce (the equivalent of a shot glass) of sunscreen to cover their face and body adequately.

Promising review: "Not just for kids. I told all my friends it's awesome. Pricey, but better than wasting expensive sunscreen in globs. This makes the sun screening process much less messy and not as much of a drudgery. They even have replacement pads available so the ergonomic container can be reused indefinitely. Consider one to keep at home and one packed to travel. MAKES A GREAT GIFT FOR KIDS. They can almost apply sunscreen on their own with little assistance." —Bette Henry

Get it from Amazon for $15.98 (available in eight colors).

It comes with five different nozzles and can inflate up to five swim rings, eight single camping air mattresses, or two thick air cushions on a single charge. It can also deflate 10–12 storage bags in one go. 

Promising review: "This little thing is awesome. I got it because we often go to the lake, and I got tired of trying to blow up five floaties in 100-degree temps. It works fantastically. It’s very quiet in comparison to our larger air pump that you plug in. I inflated all of my kids' tubes and then deflated them on a single charge, no issue. I even used it to inflate a 10-foot paddleboard. It wasn’t the fastest on the paddleboard, but it got the job done. It’s super compact, and I just toss it in our swim bag or my mini backpack whenever we are going to be around water. 100% worth the cost. It charges quickly, and I have the accessories that make it easy to inflate most things." —Nicole Burgess

Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in five colors).

Promising review: "These were a lifesaver at the beach. Our kids didn't like walking through the ocean, because the sand felt 'funny' and the broken shells would hurt their feet. I bought some for myself to protect from the hot summer sand. The shoes are perfect for beach vacations. Comfortable, flexible, reasonably-priced, and great designs." —Pamela C. Chesnas

Get them from Amazon for $9.96+ (available in various colors, women's sizes 3.5–15, men's sizes 3–14, and kids' sizes 1–2 and 11–13).

Promising reviews: "Great for beach days with my newborn. Easy to set up and the size is perfect. I think my baby could use it till about six months. It was a pretty windy day and it kept the sand out while my baby napped. She slept till we had to leave so I’d say she was comfortable. Definitely would recommend for beach parents." —cmtease

"Lightweight and very easy to travel with. It's great for play dates or bringing your baby to the beach. I even used this in my backyard, and it came in very handy." —Jacqueline's Amazon Finds 

Seriously, the reviews on these are so good. Their regular non-swim diapers are cult faves, too!

Promising reviews: "So happy that Coterie has made The Swimsuit diaper. I couldn't wait to put my little ones in them and, in true Coterie fashion, they are hands down the best swim diaper I've used. So much easier to put on, so much softer than any other swim diaper, and gets the job done. Never going back to any other brand." —Andrea L.

"Absolutely LOVE the swim diapers. From the design to the durability to hold without sagging to the ground! So glad there is a swim diaper that uses cleaner ingredients." —Estefania C.

Get them from Coterie for $20 per pack (available in S—L).

Promising review: "Got great use out of it on our vacation, will keep for future trips. Easy to set the lock and use; it's very sturdy, not to mention very reassuring — this product gave me peace of mind. Allowed me to enjoy vacation and not stress about my belongings." —Audrey

Get it from Amazon for $17.97+ (available in two colors and three sizes).

* 33 Products You’ll Love If You Stay Getting Humbled By The Curveballs Parenthood Throws Your Way

* Parent-Approved Products That’ll Make Your Morning More Speedy

* Products That’ll Help Your Pets And Kids Thrive This Summer

* Things That’ll Keep Your Kids So Busy They’ll Feel Like A Co-Parent

Plus, outdoor toys, wagons and strollers, must-haves for long car rides, and finds from Target.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.