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From toys to kitchen gadgets to solving summer problems, this list has your summer chaos covered.
1. A set of sandwich cutters and sealers for your crust-averse, Uncrustables-obsessed, and PB&J-loving little one. Not only are you getting one less argument about crust, but kids also love the different shapes and the novelty of using a pick over a fork. Don’t be surprised if you enjoy a little dino-shaped watermelon while you’re at it.
Walmart
This set also includes shapes for fruit and cheese AND food picks for a fun alternative to a fork.
Promising review: “I use these for almost everything I feed my son. I use the big ones for sandwiches but the little ones I use for cheese and fruits and some vegetables. I don’t know why shapes just make foods more appealing to little ones.” —Walmart reviewer
Price: $14.99
2. A super convenient, effort-saving fruit and vegetable cutter that helps minimize choking hazards. Unlike other brands that only cut grapes or tomatoes, this cutter can even tackle carrots, cucumbers, and Brussels sprouts! Now, you can quickly insert the fruit or vegetable and slice it into a safer size. This is especially helpful when you have a number of young kids or are prepping for a party or play date. One less thing to worry about!
Walmart
Promising review: “This is a very handy item to have. I use it to cut grapes and berries for fruit salads as well as cherry tomatoes.” —vintagegirltj
Price: $6.97
3. A set of adorable monster-themed ice pop molds to keep the summer treats coming without shelling out a small fortune to the ice cream truck. Homemade ice pops are easy to make, delicious, and a great way to get a little extra fruit in.
4. A magnetic responsibility chart because summer is no time for your kids to go completely feral on you. You’ll love it because it’s customizable based on whatever your child is ready to start doing, from loading the dishwasher to simply saying “please” and “thank you.” This chart can grow with your child and your family.
Walmart
This chart comes with 89 magnets that include chores, positive behaviors, and rewards.
Promising review: “I bought this for my 4-year-old (almost 5). She has recently been diagnosed with ADHD, and she has a sensory disorder. I thought this behavior chart would be fun and yet, at the same time, help her, too. We are on day one, but so far love it. She likes the magnets. I love the fact that you can choose what the chore is and change it each week or as they get older. Melissa and Doug always make great products. We hung this in our homeschool/play school room so she could see her behavior chart all day.” —Mommyof2
Price: $27.99
5. A *magic* detangling and conditioning spray that will save you from long, post-pool and -beach combing sessions and lots of crocodile tears — both yours and your child’s. It works wonderfully on all types of hair, smells great, and keeps hair and curls frizz-free.
Walmart
I have been faithfully buying this conditioner for five years — ever since I realized that my daughter’s hair was curly, and I had no idea how to take care of it. Her hair is less curly now but tangles horrendously unless it’s in a braid. We start and end our days with Cantu, and it has saved us so many tears because of how well it works. It also smells amazing! If the situation is dire from days and days of nonstop pool and chlorine action, I also suggest the more heavy-duty leave-in conditioning repair cream. I use both for my wavy-haired daughter, and it’s worked wonders!
Promising review: “My husband always does my older girl’s hair when he drops her off at daycare. She has tangly, curly hair — really difficult to manage. Doing her hair was the most stressful part of the day, he used to say. With this product, he loves doing her hair. It made it so, so manageable. He keeps telling me to order more and more of this product!” —budds
Price: $4.48
6. A seat-back organizer to help keep your car organized and kid-friendly whether you’re on a road trip or just making your way through errands. It even includes a pouch to keep a tablet for those long car rides! Toys and snacks not rolling under the seat and into the abyss? Sign me up.
Walmart
Promising review: “I was having a hard time finding car organizers that would fit my bigger Expedition seats. I was expecting to have to sew extra strap length on the buckles to make them fit. I was pleasantly surprised when they fit my larger seats perfectly! They seem well made, and I believe they will stand the test of many road trips.” —Sam
Price: $9.95+ (available in two sizes and multi-packs)
7. A pair of noise-canceling headphones that will help your overstimulated kid sit through fireworks shows all summer long. I have a sensory-sensitive kid, so we rarely leave home without a good-quality pair of noise-canceling headphones. However, if you live in a fireworks-all-year kind of neighborhood like I do, these things will come in handy for more than just the 4th of July.
Walmart
Promising review: “Best earmuffs on the market. Both of my girls love them. We use them for something as simple as being able to read on a long car ride. Originally, we purchased them because my oldest doesn’t love loud noises, and we were headed to Disney knowing the fireworks shows were pretty loud. Since then, we have found a ton of uses for them.” —mmcavoy
Price: $28.59
8. A stroller fan for keeping everyone cool no matter how hot it gets.
9. A sit or stand stroller adapter because sometimes older kids need a little rest, too. Summer is a great time for walks to help break up the day, but the heat can sap anyone of energy. This stroller adapter is low-profile, can provide a sit or stand option, and allows a break while you’re hoofing it home from the park.
Walmart
Promising review: “Great product. Huge problem solver if you have an older kid but also a younger one that uses a stroller. People at the park saw how well it was working and kept asking where we got it and if they could snap a picture of the product. Highly recommend.” —Hannah
Price: $59.99+ (available in three colors)
10. An insulated backpack to help keep snacks fresh, sunscreen cool, and still hold what you need no matter what activity you find yourself doing.
11. A small beach towel that takes up hardly any space but allows you to stop and enjoy activities spur-of-the-moment. These towels fold up small enough to double as a backpack, meaning opportunities for fun won’t also mean opportunities to take up too much trunk space.
Walmart
Beach towels can be great to have in the car for every season and can allow you to say yes to more fun things you might have said no to before. If you come across a splash pad, fountain, a place to play in the snow, or any other activity where your kid could get wet, having towels already in the car — and even a spare set of clothes if you want to be really brave — allows for spontaneity and more chances to be that easy, breezy parent you thought you’d be.
Price: $22.20
12. A sunscreen applicator tool because this is a much more pleasant experience than your hands pulling every angle of their face in an effort to get full coverage while your kid is desperately trying to run away.
Walmart
My sister-in-law started using a sunscreen applicator on her kids, and not only are her kids far less wiggly, but she gets comments from strangers all the time asking her of her genius. I’m just impressed that there are very few arguments about sunscreen — I will take literally any win. This set includes a face brush, a body brush, two caps, and a cleaning mat.
Price: $24.95
13. A splash pad that includes an interactive game for keeping the outdoor fun going no matter how hot it is. Kids can slip and slide through a game similar to Twister, and you can finally sit down for a hot second calling out “left foot pink” between sips of your bevy of choice.
Walmart
14. A pair of swim goggles with a bungee closure to make them easy to adjust AND prevent dreaded hair breakage. These tighten quickly and easily and reduce split ends and tangles. It’s about time some one made these.
Walmart
Price: $18.29 for a two-pack (available in 11 color combinations)
15. A set of glittery, poo-shaped reusable water balloons for some much-needed potty humor–inspired giggles. They’re so ridiculous they’re fun, so don’t be surprised if you grab a pile and start hurling, too. These balloons save all of the trouble of cleaning up water balloons and you’ll have fewer tears from kids who got snapped by a popping balloon.
Walmart
These balloons have a magnetic closure — inside the lining so that none can wiggle loose! — that stays closed for the throw but opens easily for splashing without pain for the kids. While you can use a hose to fill them up, a bucket of water is a fast and easy solution.
Promising review: “So much fun! Wasn’t expecting a lot, but they definitely blew my mind! My kids can fill them up with no problem so I can just sit back as they have a blast! They’re soft and don’t hurt when you get it by them. My kids just enjoy them so much, and we’ve just them multiple times, and they still work great! Plus no little ballon bits to pick up off the ground! Definitely buying a few more packs for the summer!” —Robert
Price: $14.98 for 10 balloons
16. A saucer swing that comes with a frame for those of us who don’t have a strong tree in the backyard but still need something to occupy our kids. This set solves the problem of finding something to swing on and has a weight limit of 440 pounds, meaning your kids — and you, if the fancy hits you — will get some major play out of it for a long time.
17. A doorway swing for kids because summer weather doesn’t always mean outside play. Help them get their wiggles out no matter how humid, rainy, or hot it is outside.
Walmart
This set is all-inclusive, with a pull-up bar for hanging, a swing, plastic rings for hanging, and a wood-and-rope ladder for climbing. The pull-up bar itself holds 300 pounds for extra safety (and use!).
Promising review: “My kids love it. It’s the best thing to have at home for exercise.” —Wally
Price: $154.99
18. A Montessori-inspired wooden play structure you can convert into whatever movement style your energetic kid needs at the moment. It converts into a climbing structure, a slide, a rocking arch, or a fun place to calm down for a bit. With a weight capacity of 220 pounds, this is a toy that will stay interesting and LAST.
Walmart
Price: $199 (available in three colors)
19. A ball run that uses magnetic tiles to create exciting ball run mazes. It also can be combined with magnetic tiles you may already have to create even higher towers! The amount of attention my kids give to this toy is truly game-changing for my productivity. And when everything is chaotic and unstructured, an activity that can engage them for long stretches is KEY.
Walmart
This 134-piece set comes with two S-bend pieces, a clear fluted split tube, 36 connector squares, 42 standard magnetic tile squares in rainbow colors, and six wooden balls.
My family has this set at home, and the first day we opened it my kids were working at it for literal hours. I have never seen my kids with such intense — borderline obsessive — focus. My husband even got in on the fun, and it offered some amazing play while I finished my to-do list. The next day, this was the first toy out for the morning. I love that it works with a different brand of tiles that we already have because magnetic tiles ARE amazing, so finding new ways to play is a major win for me.
Price: $85.12 (originally $125)
20. A creative, glow-in-the-dark fort-building kit so your kids can create all kinds of forts in different shapes while leaving your furniture and cushions alone. Keep them busy with a new design every day — from one room to a dome to cool crawlspaces. Just add a sheet for the ultimate fort — no matter what time of day!
Walmart
Promising review: “We have absolutely loved building forts. My kids love being able to choose from the different styles to build. It is easy to assemble and has a bag for easy carry/storage. The quality is great and highly recommended. Would make a great gift too!” —dasaro
Price: $39.98 (originally $46.49)
21. And a large set of glow sticks for late nights running around or — my personal favorite — a glow stick bath. There is something eternally satisfying and fun with glow sticks, allowing your energy-filled kid with endless new ways to play no matter the light level.
Walmart
Each pack comes with 10 glow sticks, 30 bracelets, 8 rings, 8 pairs of glasses, and 8 pairs of earrings. For days when the weather is crummy, I love turning off the lights and doing a glow stick bath. It breaks up the monotony and resets their attitudes quickly.
Promising review: “Awesome! Love all the glow rings and earrings my daughter loves the glasses.” —Michele
Price: $10.97 for an 80-piece set
22. A mini training course if you’ve got a budding American Ninja Warrior contestant. This is an excellent set that includes more than enough obstacles so that kids of all ages — adults, too! — can partake thanks to the adjustable difficulty levels. Now, if only you could find a warped wall and a buzzer.
23. A versatile and comforting sensory swing because it’ll be the perfect spot for quiet reading, swinging, relaxing, or exploring. Sensory swings provide gentle pressure that can be seriously calming for kids of all ages. Plus it’s easy enough to move that it can be used indoors or outdoors!
Walmart
I got one for my oldest child a few months after her ADHD diagnosis. THE CHANGE. Outside of both of my kids fighting over the swing regularly, it provides a calm, quiet space or the opportunity for creative swinging. If you have an anxious kid or a sensory-sensitive one, it’s a slam dunk — but it’s also perfect for all kids who love to swing!
Price: $44.81
24. A three-pack of walkie-talkies that make any game soooo much cooler. Not only do walkie-talkies make games of team hide-and-seek that much more memorable, but these are also great for parents who might want to keep in touch with a kiddo on a bike ride around the neighborhood who doesn’t have a phone.
Walmart
25. An arts and crafts starter kit for any parent for whom craft is not a verb but who also needs some kid-directed activity time to catch their breath. Managing summer chaos means enough activities to get through the day and a little creativity is good for their brains — especially if they’ve been surviving on ice cream and screen time so far.
Walmart
Promising review: “Loved the price, and I got exactly what I paid for, plus big smiles from my little ones! Now, we don’t have to go to the store every single time we have little school projects. It’s very convenient and good to have on hand, especially throughout the school year!” —Bre
Price: $19.97
26. A bounce house and blower, aka the perfect all-season splurge. Bounce houses are second to none for getting kid energy out and the perfect excuse for you to sit down and watch the fun. Plus, they tend to get their money’s worth since they can be pulled out for parties or used inside if you have a space large enough.
27. A bug bite suction tool that helps relieve the itch from bug bites. This tool is a quick, easy, and compact way to keep the itch from bug bites manageable or even remove them completely if used quickly.
Walmart
As one of the many people out there with “Skeeter Syndrome,” I discovered this tool a few years ago when I lived in a very buggy area. I’ve found that if I catch the bite quickly after, this tool genuinely helps control the issue before it gets out of hand. If I don’t catch it quickly, it still provides enough relief to make me happy. Full disclosure: My kids don’t love the suction, but they do love the itch relief.
Promising review: “I got this because my kids were complaining they were so itchy from mosquito bites. It only takes one use, and they have instant relief. I didn’t know if it was legit, but after getting it, I’ll never be without it!” —Dom
Price: $10.48
28. A leak-resistant Bluey water bottle to maybe convince them not to let their insides shrivel into something resembling a raisin. Drink, child, DRINK.
29. A robot vacuum AND mop combo because you’re going to lose the battle of wet footprints across your floors this summer 9 times out of 10, and you deserve a rest. Get rid of crumbs, sand, dirt, and footprints without lifting a finger, and put that energy into a little self-care.
Walmart
Promising review: “As a toddler mom and dog mom this is the best investment I made. It takes the hassle off of me for sure. Sweeps and mops at the same time.” —ItsAngeladenise
Price: $119.99 (originally $359.99)
30. And — speaking of self-care — a Ninja iced coffee maker for you that will keep you caffeinated and energetic no matter what time of day it is. Missing your stop at the coffee shop on your way back from school drop-off? No problem here.
Walmart
This coffee maker makes both iced and hot coffee, depending on your mood!
Promising review: “I love this coffee pot. Everything about it is slick and easy. The filter slides out seamlessly, as does the water reservoir, and everything is ready to rinse and reuse. The smart scoop on the side is a nice touch, and I like how the frother tucks away on the back. I got it on sale for $100, but would happily pay more for it if I needed to. I have over a dozen coffee makers, and this one is my favorite.” —Kyle
Price: $98
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
