Backyard get-togethers, ball games, camping, and trips to the beach or pool mean it’ll be an active summer. We know you’re busy, so we’ve compiled a list of highly rated and popular products to enhance your summer activities. We’re highlighting 41 picks to make your time with friends and family even more enjoyable.
A Set of Laser Tag Guns for Ages 8+
Get ready for a family-friendly battle with this infrared laser tag gaming set. One reviewer shares, ‘This is the most fun I’ve had in a while. They work great. Mom of three and I was out in the yard running around. Best purchase ever.’ Another customer adds, ‘I like the fact that the guns are color-coded, you can set up teams based on the color codes, and they actually transmit and receive from a long distance.’
An Archery Set That Promotes Hand-Eye Coordination
Kids can enjoy playing with this target set in multiple ways. They can use the sticky arrows with the light-up bow, shoot foam darts with the shooting toy, throw discs, or use the target as a dart board. Ideal for ages 4-12, this set encourages outdoor activity while improving fine motor skills.
A Convenient Caddy for Creating S’More Memories
Whether in the woods or the backyard, one of the best things about a campfire is making s’mores. The solid wood s’mores station has compartments to keep your graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows ready to enjoy. Minor assembly is required to install the handles.
Stay Out of the Fire With a Set of Extendable Roasting Sticks
The campfire skewers extend from 12″ to 32″ so everyone can keep a safe distance from the fire. The easy-to-clean stainless-steel forks have blunt tips and heat-resistant handles. All ten handles have a different color so there’s no arguing about whose hotdog is whose.
Take the Try Not to Laugh Challenge With a Family-Friendly Game Book
Would You Rather? Campfire Edition was published in 2020 but is still an Amazon best seller. One customer says, ‘Whether it’s a rain or shine camping trip you won’t regret it. My grandchildren were entertained for the longest. They got in their tent at night with the lantern and giggled away, taking turns reading it.’ 91 pages.
Amazon’s #1 New Release in Self-Inflating Sleeping Mats
Thanks to a built-in foot pump, this camping mattress can be fully inflated in 30 to 60 seconds. With a total weight of only 2.5 pounds, this sleeping pad is extremely compact and portable. The outdoor-grade nylon and inner coating create a durable, waterproof, and tear-resistant camping mat.
A Double Hammock That Holds up to 500 Pounds
Wise Owl Outfitters is Amazon’s #1 Best Seller in hammocks. The highly rated rip-resistant nylon hammock currently has over 53,000 global ratings. The hammock comes with everything needed for easy setup and is offered in three sizes and multiple colors.
Deter Mosquitos for 60-90 Days With a Natural Mosquito Repellent
The five-star ratings are through the roof for these easy-to-use pouches. One of those reviewers writes, ‘We just went on a camping trip in the woods, and mosquitoes were everywhere. I tried these mosquito-repellent pouches, and they were amazing! I just hung them inside our tent and around the campsite, and we had a mosquito-free experience. They’re small, lightweight, and perfect for travel. I’m definitely bringing them on all our future trips!’
A Portable Cornhole Set That Comes With a Travel Case
Made of composite wood boards, this best-selling cornhole set is a lightweight alternative to heavy wood boards. The set is great for casual cornhole games and comes with eight premium bean bags. Choose from two sizes and eight patterns.
A Pop-Up Privacy Tent for All Your Modesty Needs
Several customers have shared how they use this privacy tent on their outings. One person who mentions it makes camping life easier explains, ‘Sets up in seconds, this lightweight tent gives you decent room to take a shower, change clothes or even use your mobile toilet.’ Another customer shares, ‘Bought this for day trips to the park! Easy setup, tons of compliments! Added a porta potty toilet for the kids, and no more messy accidents!’
A Pair of Adjustable Beach Chairs You Can Wear Like a Backpack
There are several product videos for the backpack beach chair from Tommy Bahama. Happy Marriage Toolbox’s video does a great job of highlighting some of the chair’s features and demonstrating why it’s called a backpack chair. The set of two chairs comes in a selection of patterns.
16 Colorful Starfish Toys to Enjoy on the Beach or in the Pool
The soft rubber starfish would make wonderful sandcastle decorations, or they can be used as diving toys, as the following review explains — ‘These starfish are gorgeous looking. Brightly colored that doesn’t fade. Diving for starfish keeps the kids and adults active all day. Best pool purchase hands down. I’d buy these again at twice the price.’ The set of bendable starfish includes two sizes in a variety of styles.
A Beach Canopy That Provides Advanced Sun Protection
The sun shelter listed here is made of water-resistant fabric that offers UPF 50+ sun coverage to block harmful UV rays. The canopy comes with a hand shovel to fill the corner pockets with sand to anchor the tent at the beach. The all-purpose tent comes with grass pegs for easy setup on other surfaces.
A Kite You’ll be Happy to Fly
Occasionally, there’s a review that tells you everything you need to know about a product. This customer explains that the delta kite ‘brought me so much peace and joy,’ which is a great selling point by itself. The customer also says, ‘From the moment I launched it, it caught the wind with ease and stayed steady in the sky. The colors are bold, vibrant, and super easy to spot, even from a distance—it definitely turns heads at the park.’
A Tug of War Package That Even Has Medals for the Winning Team
There’s nothing like a competitive game of Tug of War between family and friends. This set includes all the necessary components such as the Tug of War rope, flag, center line with hooks, ten awards, and a storage bag. Available in lengths of 20, 40, and 60 feet.
Spikeball — The Game You Can Play Anytime, Anywhere
Described as a mashup of volleyball and foursquare, Spikeball is working to become the next great global sport. According to USASpikeball.com, there are over 1,000 ranked Spikeball teams. Get in on the fun with the Spikeball standard set, which includes a ball, net, drawstring bag, and rulebook.
A Ring Toss Game That Plants a Tree
The rustic ring toss game from Swooc is hand-crafted from sustainably sourced New Zealand pine, and in partnership with Trees for the Future, the company plants a tree for every game purchased. The product packaging is even sustainable since the item can safely ship in its original container. The ring toss stand is polished and sealed, making it weather and water-resistant.
A Can Cooler With Personality
With Puffin Drinkwear, your beverages can have their own wardrobe. There are styles for every vibe, like the seaside surfer one shown here. The insulated can cooler fits 12-ounce cans and bottles.
A Party Bar With Ready-to-Roll Portability
Igloo’s polar hard cooler holds up to 158 cans, which translates to a whopping 26 six-packs. Removable dividers make it possible to keep your diet, regular, and alcoholic drinks separated so they’re easier to find. The 125-quart cooler can be removed from the base and wheels if you prefer a conventional cooler. Made in the USA.
An Outdoor Boil Pot for a Seafood Feast
‘Bought this for a 30 lb. crawfish boil, and with all of the veggies there was plenty of room to spare!’ That’s how one customer describes their experience with the 100-quart boiling kit from Creole Feast. Another reviewer shares, ‘This pot is massive!! I use it every year for our annual shrimp boil and have used it for catering. Largest group of people I was able to cook for was 50+. Thinking about purchasing another one.’
Save Yourself Multiple Trips to the Car With a Folding Utility Wagon
Amazon Basics’ utility wagon has fewer returns than average, which means lots of happy customers. One reviewer explains, ‘Easy to put together, and seems like it will handle my tackle, cooler, and chairs with ease! Collapsing is easy, storage will be easy! Rolled easily with my gear in it.’ Thanks to the sturdy steel frame design, the utility wagon can hold up to 265 pounds.
A Comfort Pro Rocker That’s Ideal for the Ball Field
‘Love this chair! I needed a new summer chair for the ball field. Easy to carry, open & use. Love that it rocks, has a cupholder & a pocket for my phone. I get so many compliments every time I use it & the color is beautiful!’ That was a helpful review, but one feature the customer didn’t mention is the mesh backrest, which makes this chair an excellent choice for summer.
An Umbrella That Provides 9 Feet of Shade Coverage
Due to the XL canopy, this Sport-Brella offers extra shade and privacy. It can be used as a standing umbrella if you prefer, and anchors to grass, dirt, or sand thanks to the auger bit and twist handle. Airflow can be enhanced by opening the zippered windows.
Stay Cool & Hydrated With a Misting Water Bottle
A customer who describes this no-leak water bottle as a good choice and a good buy shares, ‘My twelve-year-old who plays soccer loves this bottle. I think he enjoys misting more than drinking.’ The bottle is BPA, BPS, and phthalate-free and is offered in your choice of five sports designs.
A Kids Sprinkler That Comes in 6 Styles to Choose From
Whether you choose the pink unicorn, green dinosaur, or yellow parrot version, young children will have fun running through the spray from these cute sprinklers. As one customer shares, it’s not just children that enjoy the backyard sprinkler, ‘My 3-year-old and our German Shepherd love it. It sprays just enough for them to play and not flood the yard.’
A Tree Swing With an Impressive 700-Pound Weight Limit
As one reviewer shares, ‘This swing was super easy to assemble. It holds a lot of weight. It is very colorful for the swing set and is of amazing quality. It can be used for many different age groups. I’m almost 300lbs, and the swing held me perfectly fine.’ The swing is offered in three sizes so you can get the perfect fit for your family.
A 6-Player Croquet Set That’s One of Amazon’s Most Gifted
The quality of this colorful croquet set is unbeatable. The handles and mallets are made of premium hardwood and screw together easily, and the resin croquet balls are crack and damage resistant. The set is easily stored in the zippered nylon carrying case.
Embrace Outdoor Living With A 4-Piece Chat Set
This outdoor set from Christopher Knight Home is designed so you can ‘spend less time cleaning and more time relaxing.’ The acacia wood sofa set is built to stand up to the elements, and the cushion covers are water-resistant. Just wipe with a damp cloth as needed for a quick cleanup. Assembly required.
A Folding Table That Makes it Easy to Serve Food or Drink
Reading the reviews for this portable aluminum table, it’s clear how versatile and functional it is. One customer writes, ‘I used this for a backyard party. It’s the perfect size. I love that it came with a bag. It’s easy to transport and store. Definitely would recommend.’ Another user mentions the cloth that can be used if you don’t want open shelving — ‘The tablecloth part sticks onto Velcro, and once it’s on right it looks great and has no wrinkles.’
A Rechargeable Water Dispenser Means no More Heavy Lifting
When you’re outside, it’s important to stay hydrated, but it’s cumbersome to lift heavy gallons of water. This jug pump provides a solution. One purchaser writes, ‘I have been using this water dispenser daily for almost two years, and it still works well.’ Another customer notes that the dispenser is ‘Great for a temporary sink set up.’ The dispenser is designed for three to five-gallon water bottles.
An Ice Maker You Can Carry Anywhere
We love that this portable ice maker has a handle, so it’s easy to carry outside. You can have small or large ice cubes in only 6-8 minutes. A fully automatic self-cleaning feature means you have more time to relax with an icy cold beverage.
A Set of Solar String Lights With More Than 8K Global Ratings
With over 8,000 ratings, much of the research for these patio lights has been done for you. Here’s an example of a recent review — ‘I was slightly concerned by what kind of actual quality I would get at this price, but I’m pleasantly surprised by how well they function. Even on relatively overcast days, if placed in the open, the solar panel still picks up quite a bit! They look great, and the first time they flicked on at dusk I felt like I was in a movie.’
A Giant Toppling Tower That Stacks Up to 5 Feet
The wood stacking game from GoSports comes in brown, gray, natural, and tropical options, as well as red, white, and blue. The stars and stripes set can be stacked to create three unique stacking patterns. The hand-stained blocks are made of kiln-dried pine wood, and the set comes highly rated, with over 85 percent of reviewers giving five stars.
A Set of Cast Iron Horseshoes for Old-Fashioned Fun
Over 400 customers have written reviews for this set of horseshoes. Here’s a sampling of some of those reviews — ‘Great purchase! Love that they came with a bag so we can take the set when we travel.’ ‘When we go camping, we love to play horseshoes, and this is perfect and affordable.’ ‘These are good solid metal shoes and poles, should last many years.’
A Jumbo 4-To-Score That Comes With 42 Rings and Amazing Ratings
‘I have had mine since 2020, and it’s 2025, not a single complaint! It is very durable, colorful, sturdy, and absolutely fun to play!’ That’s just one of the overwhelmingly positive reviews for this four-in-a-row game that’s almost four feet tall. Another purchaser shares, ‘This is perfect for any outdoor party. We had it set up for a graduation party, and it was a hit with all the kids. Bigger than expected, awesome!!’
Enjoy Summer in an Inflatable Lounge Pool
This inflatable pool has everything you need for a relaxing summer day. The detachable canopy gives you a break from the sun, and there’s even a built-in seat and drink holders. The interior of the pool has fun graphics for a tropical feel. The pool can hold a maximum volume of 372 gallons and can comfortably accommodate two adults and four young children.
Keep Mosquitos Away With a Highly Rated Bug Zapper
It’s not just people who love to be around the water when temperatures rise; mosquitos love water too. This bug zapper has glowing reviews, such as this one — ‘It’s wonderful! This electric mosquito killer has been a lifesaver, especially at night. As soon as I plugged it in, I started noticing the difference: no annoying buzzing or stinging when I woke up. It’s quiet, easy to use, and doesn’t require chemicals, which I love.’ Another reviewer wrote, ‘Living near a lake means tons of mosquitoes, but this bug zapper has been a game changer.’
Challenge Their Underwater Skills With a Set of Swim Thru Rings
The swim rings listed here are an Amazon’s Choice item since they are highly rated, well priced, and available to ship. One customer who wrote a review explains, ‘We got these to help our 5-year-old practice swimming underwater. He loves them and is a much better swimmer after a few days’ use. They are easy to set up and pack away, and they are easy to adjust the level which they float at.’
Get Competitive With a Pool Basketball & Volleyball Set
Teens and adults will be eager to show off their skills with this 2-in-1 game set. It’s simple to switch from basketball to volleyball by sliding off the backboards, rotating the bases of the uprights, and attaching the volleyball net. Two water basketballs and two water volleyballs are included in the set.
A Duck Floatie for Adults That’s Sure to Get You Noticed
It’d be hard to miss anyone who’s floating around on a 42″ inflatable duck, especially since it lights up. One customer says, ‘We bought these for our lake house and loved them!!!!!! They lit up every night! We floated on them day and night! I will be buying more of these!’