The Ultimate Summer Must Have List for Busy Moms

Get summer-ready with these affordable must haves for moms. Stay cool, organized, and sane this season. Tap in for our top picks.

When you have nine kids between two moms, you don’t just hope summer goes smoothly… you actually have to plan for it. We’ve got a lot of experience with sandy beach days, sunscreen application, snack meltdowns, and the popsicle chaos. That’s why we wanted to put together a list of our favorite summer must haves for you that have helped us stay prepared and keep the fun going without feeling frazzled.

Every single thing on this list is something we actually use, actually love, and actually rely on to survive and thrive all summer long. If you’re juggling kids, trying to stay cool, and just want to be prepared without overthinking it, this is the list to save.

Amazon Summer Must Haves We Swear By

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Keep Cool Without Losing Your Chill

When the heat hits wrong, it could a very not-so-fun day… IYKYK. That’s why we love having this BrüMate BrüTank wheeled hard cooler. This cooler is everything. It’s on wheels, holds a ton, and even has a tap to pour drinks easily, which makes it way easier for the kids to grab their own water. It’s perfect for road trips, beach days, or even on the sidelines at a soccer game or practice.

We also love this cobra spray mister. It’s so unique and cool because it is bendable, adjustable, and very, very refreshing. You can attach it to a chair, table, or even the stroller to keep the cool mist coming wherever you are.

If you haven’t tried these zero gravity lounge chair recliners yet, they are seriously a must. These chairs are our go-to for ultimate summer lounging because they can recline almost fully flat without anything more than pushing yourself back. They’re sturdy, easy to fold up, and comfortable enough for long days at the park or just chilling in the backyard. We’re obsessed with these.

Snack Attacks Handled Like a Pro

I feel like this isn’t just for kids because we definitely get the snack attack way more in the summer too. One of our favorite items to have on hand for our summer activities is this divided snack serving tray with lid. It definitely makes snack to so much simpler. The lid keeps everything clean and the divided sections make sharing (or not) much easier too. It’s one of those things you’ll use way more than you expect.

We’re surer we’re not alone in this, but anything cold in the summer is a must when it comes to snacking. To avoid any freezing hand situations, we love these mermaid and shark popsicle covers. They definitely help the little one’s hands from freezing and they keep their outfits from getting dripped on. They’re reusable, easy to wash, and honestly just make summer snacks less chaotic.

Speaking of cold treats, we’re obssessed with ice cream sandwiches, especially with this ice cream sandwich scooper. It literally creates the perfect, no-mess ice cream sandwich at home. Our kids get such a kick out of it too because it scoops the exact shape in just the right portion and it even helps the kids make their own treats without the sticky aftermath.

Sand? Gone. Mosquitoes? Handled.

As much as we love the summer fun, two things are always in the background nagging… excess sand everywhere and the looming threat of mosquitos at twilight. That’s why we love this sand removal bag and these mosquito patches.

The sand removal bag is quite literally a lifesaver after any trip to the beach or sandbox. This super cute little bag brushes sand off easily and keeps it out of your car, off your towels, and, most importantly, out of your home. It’s lightweight and simple but really, really effective.

And the mosquito patches are perfect for keeping the bugs away without sprays. We love these patches because they are the best solution for kids who hate sticky repellents. Plus, they actually work for backyard hangs and evening walks without any fuss at all.

Creative Play and Keepsake Moments

The summer is the best time for making those core memories kids will take with them forever. One of our favorite ways to capture these memories is with the Fujifilm quickSnap waterproof camera.

One, it’s super nostalgic. It’s a one-time use camera with 27 exposures so kids can have fun unplugged and get creative. It’s also waterproof, which is a must if kid’s are going to be using it. And, it’s really easy to use for the little ones too. It’s the perfect addition to any beach trip, lake day, or backyard fun.

Sunscreen Without the Struggle

Who ever invented these Solar Buddies sunscreen applicators is a mom-hack genius. They work SO well and are easy enough for kids to do themselves. It gives just the right amount of sunscreen too so you don’t have to rub in giant globs. The fact that the kids can use it themselves is really just amazing, but it’s perfect too for on-the-go touch-ups without greasy hands or spilling lotion everywhere.

And that’s our mom-hack list of summer must haves! We love keeping things fun, simple, and budget-friendly… especially in the summer… which is why these are the things we keep reaching for again and again. So if you’re packing for a beach trip, prepping the backyard, or just surviving a heatwave with your kids in tow, you need to have the right gear to make everything feel a little easier. What’s one item you never go without in the summer? Tell us in the comments!

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