20 Things Helping Me Survive Summer With Four Kids

Summer with kids is such a weird mix of magic and complete chaos.

One minute everyone is laughing outside eating popsicles and making sweet childhood memories, and the next minute someone is crying because their brother looked at them wrong while you’re sweating through your shirt trying to refill water balloons.

It’s honestly one of my favorite times of year, but it can also feel long when you’re home all day with kids and trying to keep everyone somewhat entertained without losing your mind in the process.

So these are a few things that genuinely help make summer easier, more fun, and a little less overwhelming for our family. None of these are revolutionary, but they are things we actually use constantly during the summer months.

Here is everything listed in one place.

1. Sunscreen + sunscreen applicator

If you have kids, you already know sunscreen becomes basically a full time job during summer. This is my favorite, trustworthy sunscreen. Also, the applicator makes it so much faster and less messy, especially when everyone is trying to run away mid application like I’m personally attacking them.

2. Outdoor toys

Outdoor toys are worth every penny during summer because they buy me approximately twenty extra minutes where nobody is asking for snacks. We rotate through water toys, sports stuff, bubbles, and anything that gets the boys outside burning energy.

3. Travel coffee mug

Coffee is a must for keeping up with my kids. It keeps my iced coffee cold long enough for me to actually enjoy it.

4. Blow up water slide

One of the best purchases we’ve made for summer. The boys will play on it for hours, and it makes staying home feel exciting without having to pack everyone up for an outing every single day.

5. Kiddie pool

Simple, inexpensive, and somehow still one of their favorite things every year.

6. Crafts

Crafts are my go to for those brutally hot afternoons when everyone needs a break from outside but still needs something to do. Bonus points if it keeps everyone occupied for longer than seven minutes.

7. Retro Handheld Game

Perfect for quiet time, road trips, or moments when I desperately need everyone to sit still for a minute.

8. Portable fan

Absolutely essential if you live somewhere hot. We use these constantly at the park, ball games, the beach, and honestly sometimes just sitting in the driveway.

9. Bug spray

Because apparently mosquitoes also see my children as an all-you-can-eat summer buffet.

10. Water shoes

Not exciting until someone steps on something sharp at the splash pad and ruins everybody’s day.

11. Water toys

These somehow never get old. Water balloons, splash pads, water blasters… all instant entertainment.

12. Beach tent

Having shade at the beach with little kids makes a huge difference. Especially if you plan on staying longer than fifteen minutes.

13. Beach chairs

Mostly because sitting directly on the sand while holding snacks, towels, and everyone’s random treasures gets old fast.

14. Beach blanket

Easier, bigger, and less annoying than trying to keep multiple towels from blowing away every five seconds.

15. Magnetic Tiles

I love having simple open ended toys around during summer that don’t involve screens and somehow work for multiple ages.

16. Blackout curtains

Summer bedtime with little kids is basically a psychological experiment when the sun is still shining at 8 PM.

17. Cooling shirts

These are especially nice for outside days, sports, or just kids who somehow sweat through everything instantly.

18. Swimsuits for the boys

I feel like boys live in swimsuits all summer long, so having a few good ones that actually hold up is worth it.

19. Trampoline

One of the easiest ways for my boys to burn energy without destroying my house.

20. Popsicle holders

Tiny purchase. Huge quality of life improvement. Less sticky hands, less dripping, less chaos.

I know summer can feel like a lot sometimes, especially in the middle of the mess and noise and constant snack requests. But I also know these are the kinds of summers my kids will probably remember forever.

So if any of these things help make your summer a little easier too, then I’m happy to share them.

Now if anyone needs me, I’ll be outside reminding my kids for the 400th time not to spray each other directly in the face with the hose.

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