My Favorite Summer Gear (aka How to Survive the Heat With Kids and Your Sanity Intact)
It’s hot. The kids are sticky. Your patience is melting faster than a popsicle on a sidewalk. But don’t worry, I've got you covered with my favorite summer gear that actually makes life easier (and sometimes a little more fun).
Here’s what’s making summer smoother and a heck of a lot cooler around here:
🚼 1. The Ultimate Wagon Stroller
If your summer includes park days, zoo trips, or even just navigating the neighborhood like a boss, a wagon stroller is a game-changer.
🛒 Pro Choice: Radio Flyer Wagon
💡 Best Wagon Strollers Roundup – Today’s Parent: “Stroller wagons are so amazing for a variety of places,” says Baby Gear Product Expert Sarah Huff, senior manager of community and customer at BabyQuip. “Throw everything in for the pool or beach, carry the kiddos at the zoo with room for snacks and all the extras, and head to some theme parks (sorry, no Disney) with your stroller wagon piled up with jackets, your diaper bag, a change of clothes—you name it.”
💦 2. Water Table = Sanity Saver
A good water table buys you 30+ minutes of outdoor play and at least 10 sips of your iced Coke Zero in peace. It’s not just a toy—it’s a parenting hack.
🛒 My Favorites: The Best Water Tables for Summer
🧊 3. Clip-On Stroller Fan (aka my hero)
Hot babies = cranky babies. Clip-on fans are a summer stroller must-have. I even clip one to the patio chair so I can pretend I’m lounging at a spa instead of dodging bubbles and bug spray.
🛒 Pro Tested: Forbes Best Stroller Fan
I love the Momcozy fan with its cute octopus arms 🐙
🎶 4. Portable Jams
When in doubt, get ‘em out. Change of scene does as all good when were going stir crazy. Take a portable Bluetooth speaker outside and have a midday dance party. Or go sit on the curb with some light jazz and no one talking to you. Its multipurpose.
JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker
🌙 5. Toddler Travel Bed = Sleepytime MVP
If you're headed to Grandma’s, a beach house, or anywhere that isn’t home, a travel bed for your toddler is worth every penny. No wrestling a child in a hotel bed at 10PM? Yes, please.
The Pros Know: Best Toddler Travel Beds – Forbes
“When traveling with toddlers, everyone sleeps so much better when they have their own dedicated sleep space,” says Sara Huff, a product expert at the kids travel rental service Babyquip.
My Fave: Hiccapop Inflatable Bed.
🌴 6. My Summer MVP: The Travel Stroller
I’ve tested a lot of strollers (hello, expert street cred), and for summer? Lightweight, foldable, and stylish wins.
🛒 Pro-Tested: Best Travel Strollers – Forbes
I think a one-handed fold is a definite bonus; when you’re traveling, you often have a million things to carry, kids on one arm and 10 seconds to get everyone seated, so the last thing you want to worry about is getting a bulky and complicated stroller to close,” says Sarah Huff, a product expert at BabyQuip, which rents baby gear to traveling parents.
💡 I personally love the Colugo Compact.
Not a NEED but a definite holy moly this is AWESOME!
Coolers are essential for summers on the go. Ice, drinks, sammies, water bottles, snacks etc. The Brumate BruTank is the radest cooler I’ve ever had. It has a reservoir for water with a built in tap, separate ice for other drinks and cold foods, and a dry storage rack for stuff you don’t want soggy. Seriously a game changer if you are out and about all summer!
Need help picking what works for your family? DM me or head to my Instagram where I’ve got even more expert picks, gear guides, and parenting survival hacks.
