These Are the Best of the Best Summer Essentials

They’re functional , they’re fun, and they keep us safe all summer long. They’re the summer essentials we turn to year after year.

We’ve just rounded them all up in one place! Once these are on hand, you’re ready to start the summer fun.

Stick N' Wear Labels

Now’s the time to order these!

Be Ready for Camp with Labels from Label Land

And use code BETWEENCARPOOLS for 10% off your order!

Mosquito Patch Stickers for Kids

60 Pack. These really work. All Natural Citronella Essential Oil Insect Repllent Patch

Speedo

Goggles

The ones that actually work.

Kid’s Goggles here.

Adult Goggles here.

COOLOO

Swim Goggles

These come with a a clip in the back for easy adjusment.

They are very good quality.

Kid's 2 Pack Swimming Goggle

These are another brand we like.

Wet brush Original Detangler

lets you brush with less force.

Wet brush pro

brush head flexes in every direction to contour to scalp.

Wet Brush Go Green Coconut Oil Infused

Detangling Hair Brush – we started loving this one!

100 Pcs

Cotton Hair Ties

It’s the season of ponytails.

Coppertone

Continuous Sunscreen Spray

See more of our top sunscreens over here, and read our post on top sunscreens for you.

Sun Bum

Face Sunscreen Stick

This one is special for the face.

Another great option for kids to apply on their face here. 

Huggies

Little Swimmers

Because your baby wants to get wet too.

Amazon

Kid's Floaters

The product that has given moms everywhere more peace of mind by the pool.

Does the Puddle Jumper fall right off your littlest one? Here’s another solution

6 Pack

Kids Floaters

Definitely not as reliable as the puddle jumper, but good to have on hand if you have a pool where lots of kids visit.

TYR

Backpack for Pool

Lots of color options. Great for older kids.

Hooded Pool Poncho

This is great for the pooltime & bathtime. Comes in 30 colors!

6 Pack Terry Towels

These are not the thickest but great to send the kids off to the pool with.

H&M

Kids Swim

Cute swimsuits for kids!

Flamingo

Swim Cover Ups

We love the fit on these. Tried and tested!

Girl / Teen Swimsuit

Always hard to find. This one has a great fit and comes in lots of color options.

This Under Armour option is also great!

Read our post on swimsuits for tweens and teens.

Women's / Teen Swim Short

Great short option for teens and women.

Basic Rashguard

30+ Different colors and prints.  2y – 16y

Boy's Swim Trunk

30+ Prints and Patterns.

Size 2y-20y

Rashgard Set

2pc Rashguard Set.

12m-5y

 

Salt Water Sandals

The Original Sandal

100% leather and made for versatile in-and-out of water wear.

Natives

The all around “live in during summer” shoe!

Floafers

Floafers are all the rage. Comfy and look so cute on! Great for kids with a wider foot.

MEN/WOMEN/TEENS

Adidas Comfort Slides

So comfy and perfect for camp and all year round!

Tried and tested. Boy’s love these.

REPEL

Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent

This natural bug repellent smells so good you’ll want to spray it on yourself all night long. The lemon and eucalyptus formula will keep bugs away for up to 6 hours, and doesn’t feel greasy or sticky to the touch.

Kiddie Pool

This is a small size. Good for small spaces.

Intex

Snapset Pool

Still a classic!

Larger size here.

Burt's Bees

Toddler Sweatshirt

Great Quality – perfect for cool summer nights.

Kid Nation

Kid's Sweatshirt

for cool summer nights.

4-12 years and available in 20 colors

Water Bottle

Lots of colors. This is a favorite water bottle for kids and even toddlers.

Here is a thermos option for children. 

Water Bottle

This one is also great for older kids and teens.

Owala Water Bottle

Lately we are really enjoying these.

Great Value

Purified Drinking Water

Always have some in your freezer!

Boys Girls Terry Bathrobe

Tried and tested. These work well for boys and girls.

Lots of colors and sizes all the way up to 14.

This same hooded robe is available in Men’s. (We purchased an xs for a 5’3” boy)

BOY

Swim Shorts

Lots of great prints + rashguards.

LULULEMON

Scuba Hoodie

This is a favorite! Its thicker for those chilly nights in camp. It’s pricey but the quality holds up for years and is worth the investment.

AEROPOSTALE

Piqué Polo

For those staff members that need collared polos. These are a great price and great quality.

Boy's Sneakers

Great Sneaker for Boy’s.

Foot Petals Strap Cushions

as mentioned in this post!

If you have a strap on any shoe (i.e. slingbacks that slip) these will help.

Mini Belt Bag

8″ x 5.5″

INNERSY

GIRLS UNDERWEAR

Tried and tested. Great for Teens.

Available in four color combos.

Children's Place

Boy's Undershirts

These are the best. Also sold in two packs.

2y-16y

Between Carpools

Between Carpools is a collaboration between five talented friends who like to get a lot of stuff done “between carpools.” Since 2016, we’ve been sharing home and organizing tips, parenting insights, activities, how-to’s and DIYs, and of course, entertaining ideas, recipes, and inspiring reads both on the site and app.

2 responses to “These Are the Best of the Best Summer Essentials”

  1. Toby Avatar
    Toby

    Thanks for a great post! I find that the Speedo version of the “puddle jumper” is better; the shoulder straps keep the child more stable and well attached in the water. Speedo also has a better fit for my young toddler and scrawny 4 year old.

  2. Shira Avatar
    Shira

    Re floafers- your post says good for wider feed but I have actually found the opposite- floafers were way too narrow for my chubby footed toddler and natives worked a lot better

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