Summer Must Haves 2026

I’m so looking forward to summer! Part of that means stocking up on the things that we use over and over all summer long. Here are all of my must-haves for summer 2026! All links are affiliates.

Elastic strap swim goggles – My daughter will only wear these goggles. She loves that they cover her nose and that they have the soft elastic strap that doesn’t pull her hair.

Handheld digital microscope – This is the best for exploring outside! Children can watch insects, look closely at flowers, tree bark, and blades of grass, and just generally get a better understanding of the world around them.

Sand toys with mesh bag – I keep these in my car all summer long. The mini size is perfect for travel, and the bag is amazing for collecting shells and rocks.

Handheld fan – We love these things. It’s amazing how effective such a small fan can be at cooling you off. They keep us so much more comfortable whether we’re waiting in line at an amusement park, at the beach, or wandering our local farmers market.

Waterproof card games – We play card games anywhere and everywhere, so knowing that these won’t get ruined if we leave them outside while we’re camping or if they get splashed by the pool is the best.

Skip Balls – These little balls actually bounce on top of the water. They’re so fun for the pool and the beach, and they’re little so they’re easy to throw in a beach bag and take along.

Seashell Claw Clip – I’m obsessed with novelty claw clips, they’re so fun! These are also super practical when I’m driving around with the windows down, or just tired of sweating because my hair is on my neck.

Ello Pop & Fill Water Bottle – My daughter and I are so in love with these bottles. They’re really easy to drink out of AND the entire top flips up so that you can easily fill it without taking off the top part of the bottle.

Sidewalk chalk – I can’t get enough sidewalk chalk. This is my favorite lazy outside activity and we go through sidewalk chalk so fast.

Sistema To Go containers – These are so perfect for picnics and lunches on the go. We fill up one for each family member, throw them in the cooler and go. They minimize garbage to manage wherever we might stop to eat, and keep everything organized.