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From grilling to sidewalk art, these products will keep you entertained all summer long.

I've been a BuzzFeed Contributor since 2020 and I'm always on the lookout for products that are the perfect blend of form and function — especially if it's in the realms of parenting, travel, and home goods and décor.

Promising review: "Easy to assemble. So easy to maintain and keep clean. Food smells great when cooking. While the griddle temperature can get up there it is not hot enough to sear thin steaks without overlooking them. Great for cooking several dishes at the same time. I recommend you buy the Blackstone griddle set as it comes with everything you will need for cooking with this griddle. Adios to my old conventional barbecue grill." —derek mccandless

Get it from Amazon for $399.99 (also available without a hood). 

Promising review: "Fly Fans have become our Texas summer saviors! With flies as persistent as mosquitoes, these fans have been a game changer for our outdoor entertaining. We used them religiously, and I can confidently say they live up to their promise of keeping flies away. No more shooing pests – just pure enjoyment. We love entertaining outdoors, and thanks to these Fly Fans, it's a hassle-free experience. I will never host an outdoor gathering without them. Five stars for an essential Texas summer solution! Highly recommend the Fly Fans for a fly-free zone!" —MBCooper

Get it from Amazon for $24.36 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "These water balloons have been a huge hit with my 5 and 8-year-old kids! These balloons are perfect for summer fun, whether we're at the pool, beach, or just in the backyard. The magnetic self-sealing feature makes them super easy to use — no more struggling with tying knots. My fingers thank you! The balloons are bright and colorful, and they seem pretty durable, though after a lot of play, a couple showed minor wear. I love that they're reusable, which means less plastic waste and more value for the money. My kids can’t get enough of them, and they provide hours of entertainment. These are definitely a must-have for any family looking to add some eco-friendly fun to their outdoor activities! My first thought was, 'Wow, HOW MUCH am I paying for these???' Now, I say, 'TAKE MY MONEY' — figuratively, of course." —Josie Bello

Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $24.21 (also available in five other quantities).

Promising review: "Extremely cute and HUGE bag, fits all the tools and much more. Extremely easy to use, it comes with a pamphlet to make and explain each tool which I find extremely helpful. Each tool is of high quality and you can tell these were made with care and detail. Shovels are sharp but not too sharp, perfect for opening bags of soil. Has plenty of pockets for the accessories/whatever tools you’d like to add to your gardening kit! Would absolutely buy again." —Kook

Get it from Amazon for $23.74 (available in five colors). 

Promising review: "This is the most exciting game my daughter has received in along time. They love to play man hunt when there is a party and this was just like it! We had ten players and they played for two hours! They are 13 but I think this game would be enjoyed by ages up to adults. You definitely receive hours of fun for very little price!" —Monro

Get it from Amazon for $39.90+ (available in two styles). 

Promising review: "We have had a much better summer because of purchasing this firepit/grill. Lots of friends over and lots of cookouts. Super easy to put together, the two grills are great and the fact it comes with a lid converting it to a table and included a cover make made this a great purchase. Delivery time couldn't have been better. Would definitely buy again.🔥 🌭 🍺 😁" —Becky K. 

Get it from Amazon for $115.79+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "These roasting sticks are perfect for family nights and camping!! 🔥🍫 The length is great, so you can stay at a safe distance from the fire, and they feel sturdy and well made. Easy to extend and clean, and everyone can use their own without getting too close to the heat. We used them for s’mores and it made the whole experience even more fun! Definitely a must-have for outdoor gatherings and bonfire nights!! ✨" —KikaBrazil

Get it from Amazon for $7.50+ (available in six quantities and styles).

Promising review: "I recommend this book to anyone that has kids and is going camping. This book was perfect for the family traveling on the way to a campsite or near the campfire. We had a blast reading these 'would you rather' questions together. Some were very funny, and we had good laughs. Highly recommend for camping." —Linda

Promising review: "We put these in our camper. They are easy to store and a great game to play while camping. It makes it easy to catch, even for our youngest. Fun for the whole family and worth every penny. We have used them for a whole camping season, and they look like they are still new." —Robert Whalen

Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in four quantities).

Promising review: "These speakers are amazing! love the look at night and the couple of different options. They paired easily to my phone and to each other automatic when the other was turned on, great for entertaining in a large space! The sound quality was great, loud enough for an outside space as well!" —Maria cacciola

Promising review: "We took ours on a weekend camping trip. The boys had a great time with it. It provided hours of entertainment, and it didn’t cost much. Held up pretty well after getting stuck in the bushes and bouncing off structures." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $11.29+ (available in three colors).

Promising review: "Love the different length options on this. Nice and sturdy! Put together in less than a minute. My son wanted a net to catch frogs in when we go camping. This is perfect!" —Bre

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five sizes).

Promising review: "We bought this set for when our grandkids visit. It only took a few minutes to set up, and the kids, ages 6, 7, and 9, were having fun in no time. It kept them busy for over an hour. Maybe next time we’ll learn the rules of the game." —Degan

Get a starter kit from Amazon for $18.81 (also available in three advanced styles).

Promising review: "OMG. This is a game changer for me. My deck is 8 feet+ in the air, gets lots of wind, and Southern exposure. I have bought and return potential solution for cover and that would also withstand mild winds. I have a Trex deck with aluminum railing with thin balusters. I got this today. The stand is sturdy, easy to assemble, and move around. Winds are out and I see no issues or concerns with umbrella waving around like I did in stand nor me anchoring it with bungy cords. I bought another one for corner of deck so all I have to do is move the umbrella to the other stand and secure as the sun moves. Happy!" —MiaMarie

Get it from Amazon for $89.99 (also available in two other styles).

Promising review: "All you gotta do is hook it to the hose turn it on and it’ll keep your kids busy for hours. I know I have one happy little girl and even get a little break watching her have the time of her life running through it!" —Ryan Riggs

Promising review: "Perfect sidewalk chalk for little kids. Keeps my 2- and 3-year-old entertained for hours and has been a summer staple for us. The colors are bright, fun, and easy for toddlers to hold. Best part is the cleanup—washes off sidewalks easily and comes out of clothes with no issues. Simple, cute, and parent-approved. Definitely a must-have." —RealMomReviews

Get it from Amazon for $30.95 (also available in two other sizes).

Promising review: "Spikeball rocks! We set up the game in the garage, and our garage is now called The Spikedome! The kids love it and it's fun for the whole family:)" —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "I bought this to use while catering my brother’s housewarming party. It was a hit! It held a ton of bottles and cans with room to hold more on the shelf underneath. The ice stayed cold and melted very slowly, even in the direct sun in Tucson on a 100° day!!! He loved it so much, he asked to keep it for future parties. I will definitely be buying a replacement as soon as I have a need. We got the grey one because it happened to be discounted, and the color is nice and neutral. The other colors offered do look fun, though. A great cooler for the money and I love that no one has to bend down for a drink or have a cooler lid slamming in their hands." —A.Quayle

Get it from Amazon for $102.88+ (available in eight colors). 

Promising review: "My daughter LOVES bugs! So I got this for her for her birthday. She loves it! She now can catch the bugs and look at them through the magnifying glass. Keeps her entertained for hours!" —Brittany

Promising review: "This is a fun game that we use when friends and family come over for a pool day. It is inexpensive, easy to assemble, and fun to play. My grandkids range in age from 4-years-old to 7-years-old, and the adults have fun competing with them." —Howard G.

Get it from Amazon for $29.32 (available in two styles).

Promising review: "Perfect for any host who wants style without the stress! The scalloped edge and ivory color makes them incredibly versatile for any occasion, instantly making the entire setting feel elevated. Beyond their charm, they’re highly practical: dishwasher friendly, easy to clean, and impressively scratch resistant. Win win!" —Samantha

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in seven colors and two quantities).

Promising review: "It's such a great game to play with family and friends! My daughter and whole family love it. Even my mother and she never participated in games before! It's just so easy to bring anywhere because it's portable and lightweight. The quality is also great for the bendable material it is. This was definitely worth it!" —Ang

Promising review: "*nerd alert* I LOVE this book! So easy to look up birds by name or appearance. The information contained is just enough to learn a bit about each bird, without overwhelming you. I reference the book several times most weeks. If you enjoy learning about birds at all, this is such a great purchase!" —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "Fun to mount an climb for kids and adults alike! Has provided hours of healthy outdoor exercise and fun for my whole family in a relatively small yard space." —Georgia

Get it from Amazon for $37.04+ (available in four styles).

Promising review: "This is a very good easel! Very lightweight, which is super important for plein air sessions and it also can be used as a table top easel which is a fantastic combo. Height is pretty good as well, I’m 180 cm tall and I can comfortably place a painting surface of adequate size for plein air painting right before my eyes. The legs are stable enough (all aluminium leg easels are a little bit wonky, just dig the legs in a bit or hang some weights). The drawer can be used as a shelf for the pallet (which is included but needs to be varnished before use). Magnets that hold the legs for transportation are not super strong indeed but a simple flexible band or a ribbon would solve the problem. Over all I’m super happy about the purchase!" —Alexey

Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in four styles).

Promising review: "Looks like glass, good feel, and perfect for outdoor use on the stone patio (especially with three young kids)!" —prairiearth

Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "The mallets are sturdy and light enough that the whole family can enjoy the game together." —Dr. Prakash A Karpe

Get it from Amazon for $36.28+ (available in three styles).

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.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.