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!

COOLOO

Swim Goggles

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

They are very good quality.

Kids Swim Goggles

These are another brand we like.

Always Losing Goggles?

The solution is a simple name tag, but the secret is not to stick the tag to the goggle strap. It needs to stick to itself. So fold the label over the narrowest part of the strap and make sure to stick it together over the edge.

Prescription Goggles

If your child wears glasses, he or she will love having a pair of prescription goggles this summer.

Wet brush Original Detangler

lets you brush with less force.

Ponytail Holders

It’s the season of ponytails!

Mosquito and Insect Repellent

Plant-based, refreshing scent and doesn’t feel greasy or sticky to the touch.

Mosquito Patch Stickers

These really work.

Puddle Jumper

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.

Body Glove Paddle Pals Learn to Swim Life Vest

Vests are often preferred by parents whose children slip out of standard arm floaties.

Arm Floaties

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

Intex Kiddie Pool

This is a small size. Good for small spaces.

and this one is still a classic!

Hooded Poncho Towel

Pooltime & bathtime.

Soft Towel Hooded Robe

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)

Terry Cabana Striped Towels

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

H&M Girls' Swimsuits

Cute swimsuits for kids!

Sizes (2-8Y)

H&M Boys' Swimwear

Sizes (2-8Y)

Vintage Swim Shorts

Retro Style, classic and so fun!

Basic Rashguard

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

Woman / Teen Coverups

Flamingo Women Swing Dress

Tried and tested!

+ in their Newest Jade Color

Women/ Teens

Roxy Rashguard

Girl / Teen Swimsuit

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

This Nike option is also great!

Read our post on swimsuits for tweens and teens.

Lycra Fiber Swim Cap

in your basic colors.

Salt Water Sandals

by Hoy Shoe The Original Sandal

Floafers Kids Prodigy Driver

Floafers tend to provide a bit more room.

adidas Unisex Adult Adilette Aqua Slide

Tried and tested. Boys love these.

Kid Nation

Kids Soft Sweatshirt

for cool summer nights.

4-12 years

lululemon

Scuba Full-Zip 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.

Long Sleeve Uniform Piqué Polo

For those staff members that need collared polos.

These are a great price and great quality.

Runs very small so size up at least two sizes.

+ More Collared Shirt Picks

Little Kid

On Unisex-Child Cloudleap

Great Sneaker.

THE CHILDREN'S PLACE

Boy's Undershirts

These are the best.

2/3 – 16

INNERSY

GIRLS UNDERWEAR

Tried and tested. Great for Teens.

Available in four color combos.

Best for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Contigo Autospout Kids Water Bottle

Best Water Bottle Overall

Owala FreeSip Tumbler

HYDRO CELL Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle

If water temperature is most important to you.

Poland Spring Water

Always have some in your freezer!

Mini Belt Bag

Choose from 30 colors!

Foot Petals Strap Cushions

If you have a strap on any shoe (i.e. slingbacks that slip) these will help, mentioned in this post.

and Yes, you can wear heels to a backyard party!

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.

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

  1. EG Avatar
    EG

    I tried the crew socks. Very poor quality: itchy not soft fabric that slouches the very first time you wear them. Unsure why they are recommended.

  2. R Avatar
    R

    I agree. The crew socks are really uncomfortable. Much better ones out there.

  3. R Avatar
    R

    But thank you for the great roundup as there are a lot of excellent recommendations here.

  4. Bee Avatar
    Bee

    Please note that the hooded pool towels are adorable! But they require tzitzis as this is a garment with 4 corners. Ask your own LOR, but I believe you are required to snip a corner.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Contact Us

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

FREE GIFT!

Close the CTA

Get our BCP Lifepages Planner by signing up to our email list!