Parents look forward to warm weather all year round — after all, outdoor play is one of the best ways to keep both baby and parent occupied while having good old fashioned family fun. But a season full of swimming, hiking and other escapes requires some summer baby and toddler essentials.
To ensure you’re ready to soak in the sunshine and fresh air, our gear experts put together the ultimate list of everything you need for the summer to be smooth sailing from Memorial Day straight through Labor Day.
Summer Baby Essentials
While you’ll likely rely on a handful of items you already own — your go-to stroller, for example — there’s some additional baby gear that can be incredibly helpful when enjoying the great outdoors with your little one in tow:
1. Baby Carrier
Between excursions like trips to the zoo and trail walking or light hikes, families tend to do a lot of walking in the warmer weather. A baby carrier, like the Baby Bjorn Mini Carrier or the Baby K'tan Soft Carrier, can be a big help—especially when the terrain isn’t as smooth as your average sidewalk. These items can also be incredibly helpful when you’re standing around at a family barbecue — without a carrier, your arms will get tired fast, plus you won’t have any extra hands to enjoy your own meal.
For more demanding hikes, make sure you have a rigid backpack-style carrier for your baby or toddler. Some, like the Osprey Poco AG Plus Child Carrier even have sun shades to protect your little one while you’re out and about.
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2. Portable High Chair
During the summer months, you’ll probably find yourself dining out more — whether at a barbecue with family and friends, the most family-friendly local restaurant or while on vacation. A clip-on high chair is a fantastic option for your little one, because most are super compact and fold flat, so you can stash them in a carry-on or diaper bag. Once you’re at your destination, they clip onto most tables with ease, eliminating the need to use someone else’s (potentially questionably clean) high chair.
Our Picks:
- Inglesina Fast Action Chair
- Phil & Ted’s Lobster Hook-on High Chair
- Mountain Buggy Pod Clip-on High Chair
3. Travel Crib or Bassinet
Whether you have plans to visit grandma or rent a house by the beach, you’ll need a travel crib for your little one to rest their head during naps and overnights. Look for lightweight options that are easy to put together and disassemble like the Aeromoov Instant Travel Playard or the more budget-friendly Joovy Room2 Playard. If your baby is still in the infant phase, you may even consider a travel bassinet instead, since these are small enough (some even fold flat!) to take to the beach or the park, too.
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4. Outdoor Playard
When you’re lounging at the pool or the park, it’s helpful to have a safe, contained area for your little one to play and nap. And luckily, there are plenty of playards specifically meant for outdoor use. The best ones have features like moisture-wicking bases and UV sun shades to keep your kiddo comfy and protected from the elements.
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5. Picnic Blanket
If you don’t feel like lugging a playard around, a water-resistant blanket is a worthy option for outings to areas like parks, beaches or campgrounds. The best ones fold up into small envelope-style carriers, are water- and stain-resistant, plus can be tossed in the washing machine for next time.
Our Picks:
- Little Unicorn Outdoor Blanket
- Skip Hop Central Park Outdoor Blanket and Playmat
- JJ Cole Outdoor Blanket
6. Stroller Bug Net
Some strollers — like the UPPAbaby Vista V2 — come with a stroller bug net to keep those pesky mosquitoes away from your little one. (This is especially important during those early months when baby shouldn’t wear bug spray.) If you’re doesn’t, opt for a universal pick that fits most stroller models, like the Silver Cross Bug Net.
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7. Stroller Sun Shade
Most strollers are equipped with sun shades — and some are even made of special UPF fabric to better protect your little one from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. But if you find the included shade is too small to get the job done, a larger clip-on shade can offer more sun protection.
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8. Travel Bath
If your kiddo is still too small to sit upright in a tub on their own, you’ll want to pack a portable tub for any summer beach trip you have planned. These vessels are both more comfortable and safe (not to mention hygienic!) than popping your little one into a sink.
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9. Wagon
Parents of multiple kiddos may find a wagon exceptionally convenient when toting gear to a place like the beach or an outdoor event like a local Fourth of July parade. Wagons tend to have larger weight capacities than strollers, plus offer more storage space and can generally tackle tougher terrain.
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10. Pop-Up Beach Tent
Headed to the coast? A pop-up tent or canopy can help keep baby in some much-needed shade during a marathon day in the sun. Some parents like that they’re less restrictive than playards, allowing easy in and out access for both parents and kiddos, but still offer protection from the sun’s UV rays.
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11. Window Shade
During the depths of the summertime when the sun is beating down into your car and onto baby’s face, you might want to invest in a clip-on sun shade — especially if you’re counting on your little one sleeping during a long road trip.
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12. Collapsible Baby Seat
A collapsible baby seat is a lifesaver on the go, and can be used in any number of situations in which you might need to place your little one down. Parents we talked to say they’ve relied on these seats everywhere from the beach to a backyard barbecue — even at the nail salon.
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13. Stroller Fan
To help keep your baby from overheating in their stroller or car seat, many parents opt for a small stroller fan. These generally clip or twist onto the handlebars to blow cool air directly at your little one.
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Toddler Summer Essentials
Most of the items your baby needed for fun in the sun will still be useful once you have a toddler on your hands — a pop-up beach canopy and a wagon, for example. But there are a few additional items our gear experts say you’ll want to have on hand as your kiddo grows:
1. Travel Car Seat
Once your kiddo has graduated to a convertible car seat, you’ll find it much harder to tote with you on a trip — particularly if you’re traveling by plane. A pop-up booster is a great option, because it folds up for easy transport when not in use, but unfolds into a suitable and safe car seat for your little one when you need it.
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2. Swim Jacket
Water safety is always vital, but once your little one is walking around, you have to be exceptionally careful around pools, oceans and other bodies of water. A swim jacket can help add an extra layer of protection.
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3. Water Table
Babies and toddlers also love playing in water, which makes it easy for them to cool off and have fun at the same time. A water table is a fantastic way for multiple kiddos to play together while parents sit by and supervise. Plus, they’re generally easy to move around the backyard — and even stash in a shed when not in use.
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4. Ride-on toys
Toddlers also love to pretend to be like mom or dad and scoot around on a ride-on toy. These can look like anything — a car, a bug, a train or animal, and move around on the sidewalk or driveway. Some — like the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe — can even be driven around the backyard, into dirt piles and in and out of the sprinkler can offer a lot of summertime fun.
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Summer Clothes for Babies & Toddlers
To ensure your little one is properly prepared for all that summer weather has to offer, our gear experts suggest swapping out cool weather clothes and stocking their closet with summer clothing items that will help regulate baby’s temperature plus offer additional sun protection. In addition to the standard shorts and tees you might already have on your list, our gear experts suggest stocking the following:
- Swimsuits: Those bikinis may look adorable, but make sure to stock up on some long sleeve swimwear (like a bodysuit) to offer more UV protection — especially if it’s made with UPF 50 fabric. A rashguard is another great alternative for swimwear.
- Swim diapers: Swim diapers come in both reusable and disposable options. And while the latter may be more convenient, you’ll get better bang for your buck by investing in reusable swim diapers, since they’re washable.
Summer Baby FAQ
What is the Best Way to Keep a Baby Cool in the Summer?
For starters, the AAP says babies younger than 6 months should stay out of direct sunlight — instead, spend your outdoor time under the shade of a tree or umbrella like the stroller canopy. Also consider limiting your sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm when UV rays are strongest.
It’s also important to dress any baby or toddler appropriately. Choose cool, comfortable clothing that covers the body — think lightweight cotton pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats. You can also look for clothing with UPF protection. And don’t forget to pair any outfit with the right accessories, including sunglasses and a sun hat with an all-around 3-inch brim to shield the face, ears and neck.
What Do Summer Babies Need?
First and foremost, summer babies need lightweight and breathable clothing. Babies have a harder time regulating their body temperature, so this will help keep them cool in the heat. Look for clothing, swaddles and blankets made of natural materials like bamboo or muslin cotton, since they’re much more breathable and naturally moisture-wicking.
Summer babies can also benefit from some accessories like an extended sun canopy, a mosquito net and a portable fan for their stroller or car seat. Once baby is about six months old, the AAP says it’s safe to apply sunscreen, too. Remember to cover all exposed areas of a baby's skin — the face, back of the hands, back of the neck, tips of the ears and tops of the feet — 15 to 30 minutes prior to heading outside. Reapply every 1.5 to 2 hours — especially if your little one is spending time in the water.
What is a Good Routine for Summer Babies?
The best routine for summer babies has them spending limited time in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm when UV rays are strongest. And note: It may be worth investing in black out shades, since the sun tends to be brighter during the day and sets later at night, likely after your little one’s bedtime.
The warm weather is the perfect time for outdoor play and family adventure, but the right gear and clothes can help keep your little one more comfortable and — perhaps even more importantly — safe in the summer sun.
You don’t have to spend a ton of money on new gear, though. We have you covered with a huge selection of seasonal items at enviable prices. This way, your family can have even more fun in the sun.
