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You laying in this hammock with a strawberry lemonade in hand: “We’re so back.”

As a shopping editor with over a decade of experience working in journalism and digital media, I cover everything from beauty and fashion to home, travel, gaming, and pets, and I'm constantly saving interesting products on TikTok (in *very* organized folders, mind you) to share with BuzzFeed readers.

There's no better season for taking advantage of your backyard, whether you're working with a tiny plot of grass or lucky enough to have some serious square footage. Sunny days spent in the pool (be it in-ground or inflatable), warm evenings by the grill indulging in burgers and roasted corn, and cozy nights around the bonfire reminiscing with friends and making s'mores...it's those moments that truly feel like "peak summer" and create lifelong memories. If you're looking to make the most out of your outdoor space this summer and embrace all the good vibes of the season, these products will truly ~elevate~ the experience, now and for years to come. 

Grab an electric air pump to inflate this if you need it! And people use this as a pool float as well. Be sure to check the dimensions and order a larger size if you're taller or want to share it with another person.

Promising review: "I love this lounger! It is perfect for hot days to get into and lay in the sun without overheating. It inflates easily and is lightweight to carry. I blew it up once and haul it in and out of my garage for filling without any problem. It is sturdy and I’m not worried about popping it. It comes with a pillow as well. The water is just the right level that I can be semi-submerged for cooling and still be able to read my book without fear of it getting wet. It’s been a fun addition to my summer." —Krenee

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in six colors and three sizes). 

My colleague Heather Braga swears by this, as do countless other toddler parents! She says: "I've had this water table for about four years now, and it's been a hit with every tyke who comes to play. At the start of the season, we give it a quick power wash, and it's good to go! We've admittedly lost a bunch of the original toys that come with it, but most kids are just happy to scoop water in and out with a shovel or bucket. I often give my kids some toy cars to 'wash' — that usually keeps them busy for about an hour! Definitely a summer must-have."

Promising review: "Run (not too fast or you might slip lol)!! Go buy this now!!! My kids are occupied for HOURS with this water table! The added feature of the 'rainfall' is amazing! My kids love everything about this table. It was super easy to put together, it’s super cute, and sturdy! The table comes with some cups, a bucket, and some cute animal squirt toys. We added a few extra water toys. This is a must buy!!" —Lazell

Several reviewers shared that this little pool kept their kids engaged for hours. Even dogs like this pool, according to reviewers, and it's held up well even after pups have been on it.

Promising review: "My kids love this. It is soo easy to plug the hose into and turn the water on and the kids can have hours of fun. Once the kids are done playing, I disconnect the hose let the water drain, and hang it over the porch." —Austin

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five designs and two sizes).

Promising review: "This is awesome!!! Before we found this, the kids were using the hose to stay cool on the trampoline. The hose always turned into a fight — who got to hold it, someone getting sprayed in the face, etc. Now the kids can stay cool and fight about other things! Absolutely recommend this product as it was super easy to set up and makes for a fun way to cool down in the Arizona heat!" —Groveland

And it has a built-in patio umbrella hole — I recommend grabbing one with lights for nighttime hangs! 

Reviewers do note that the wood isn't sealed, so you'll probably want to treat it with a wood sealer so it's more resistant to water and the elements if you plan on leaving it outside.

Promising review: "The finished product makes our little corner just perfect! Our family of four fits perfectly for dinner with plenty of elbow room. My little boys love it and were mind blown that it’s a Transformer!😆 They couldn’t believe that 'MOMMY MADE A TRANSFORMER!' 😎 So it has given me cool points with them. I was able to put it together rather easily and there were no broken or missing pieces. Feeling the texture of the wood and seeing some splinters out of the box means I will have to seal it with something. It is solid wood but the way it directs you to assemble it, makes it easy to handle." —GBH

Get it from Amazon for $149.99 (available in eight colors). 

Promising review: "These are so cute! We camp and go to public parks for picnics. I'll buy more for sure. No more worrying whether I have the table clips! Pretty durable, too." —Pam

Get it from Amazon for $17.59+ (available in 18 patterns and two sizes).

It connects easily to a Fire TV Stick, laptops, DVD players, and more via HDMI input.

Promising review: "I NEVER leave reviews, but thought I should leave one because this thing is awesome. Super good quality picture! Could be a liiiittle brighter, but for the price, I’m not complaining. I use a Fire Stick and have no problems streaming anything at all. The sound isn’t super loud and doesn’t have any bass, so if you have people over, you probably won’t be able to hear very well if you use the projector speaker. Plug in a speaker through the aux cord jack, and there’s no issues!! 10/10 recommend for anyone wanting to have movie nights in the backyard. I got so many compliments; all of my friends have been asking me where to get it!" —Payton H

Get it from Amazon for $67.99. If you need a screen, here's a 120-inch option for $22.49 that many people buy alongside this projector.

Promising review: "A summer must-buy!!! After an endless amount of hours of picking up pieces of water balloons from my kids, I finally pulled the trigger on buying these, and my only regret is that I hadn't bought these sooner! They are AMAZING! They are super durable. We live in Arizona, where it's hot and dry, and they get left out by my kids, and the material is holding up great. My kids even use these in the pool, and I don't need to worry about little balloon pieces getting stuck in my filter or eaten by small animals. Do yourself a favor, and buy two sets because once you have one set, you will NEED another!!" —Bmama83

Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $26.99 (available in other multipacks).

Plus, the stand is easy to assemble, disassemble, and pack up in the included carrying case for storage or travel. It can support up to 450 pounds of weight.

Promising review: "Features to love: The cotton fabric is sturdy and breathable. I never feel stuck to it the way I do in a nylon hammock. The setup/take down is super easy, and the frame is very sturdy — we have definitely put 300+ pounds in it. The ability to raise and lower the hammock with the different hook positions might be the best feature. I have bad knees and like to get into the hammock from a higher position... no problem. My kids like it lower so they can reach the ground to swing it... no problem. It works great as a traditional hammock to lay in. It works as a 'swing' to sit on. It has enough fabric that you can cover up if you're cold or want to block out light or bugs. We have accidentally left it out in the rain several times and it dries great, hasn't faded from the sun, hasn't had any mold, and hasn't developed any weird smell. Things not to love: Nothing! This is a great hammock. It may not be as portable as those little nylon hammocks but if this is for your yard and not for camping, this is hard to beat." —Mary

Get it from Amazon for $126.09 (available in 29 colors). 

It's made with water- and weather-resistant materials, including a UV-resistant canopy (that's also removable if you like). 

Promising review: "The only problem I have with this chair is that I only have one of them and the whole family now fights over it! Seriously, it is THAT comfortable and relaxing. Pretty easy to put together. My husband got it all assembled in less than an hour and then proceeded to open up a beer and fall asleep in it next to the pool, HA! I like to take my laptop out with me and work in it as the moveable umbrella shades my screen. Love love LOVE it!!" —Erin S

Get it from Amazon for $199.99+ (available in 13 colors and with a reading light).

My colleague (and toddler mom) Heather Braga says, "I can confirm my toddler will happily plop down and play with chalk for longer than you'd think. A set as big as this one will help entertain the entire block's worth of kiddos!"

Promising review: "If there’s one thing kids love, it’s drawing and unleashing their creativity! This chalk box is perfect for turning any sidewalk or backyard into a giant canvas. The colors are vibrant; the chalks are durable, and best of all — hours of screen-free fun! It helps develop motor skills while encouraging imagination and outdoor play." —Familia Black Belt

This comes with nonstick coating and five adjustable temperature settings.

Promising review: "This is the perfect grill for my apartment balcony. It was easy to clean and it's really nonstick. In comparison to other brands, this actually heats up the plate instead of heating lights. It cooked really well and was very easy to install. I would definitely recommend to purchase this if you have a small balcony." —Amazon Customer

Tiki Toss is a small business that specializes in family-friendly games for home and outdoor use. 

Promising review: "We all love this game. Everyone who comes over cannot stop playing. So simple and so fun. Quality and design of product is fantastic. Also makes a great gift." —jzek

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes).

Swooc Games is a small business that was born out of a garage in Florida in 2015.

Promising reviews: "Awesome for backyard fun! Beautiful and very well made." —Lorraine Vergith

"I love how they mixed the colors up a little bit to give it some touch. This is solid wood and comes with a handy carrying box. Was also very easy to assemble. I had this built in less than 10 minutes." —Kaleb Coston

Promising review: "The kiddo really wanted to snack while floating in the pool and watching a movie. This was perfect. Drink space and space for a snack tray. We love it." —DK Hopper

It's made of thick, durable steel and covered with rust-resistant, high-temperature paint. And the effect of the light shining through the moon and stars at night? Stunning.

Promising review: "Got this as part of our backyard renovation project. Shipping was super fast, received it earlier than expected. Large firepit, super easy to assemble. It’s a sturdy piece! I read the reviews and decided to take some precautions — we drilled three drain holes at the base, fast and easy to do. We also bought a cover just in case. Used it the same day during a chilly NC night to watch an outdoor movie with friends and blankets in the backyard. Worked amazingly and kept us toasty. Love the cutouts! Friends asked where we got it all night. Would recommend to anyone!" —Isabel

You can use these to roast hot dogs, small corn, and veggie skewers, too! 

Promising review: "Roasted a lot of marshmallows on sticks and clothes hangers. The MalloMe sticks make it so much easier and more fun. First, they are compact, easy to carry, and easy to find in their own bag. Next, it is easy to put a marshmallow on the stick. Then, extending the stick as much as needed is easy. Rotating over the fire carefully is easy. The twin tines keep the marshmallow from falling off. And taking the marshmallow off is easy. Cleaning is not very hard, but I'm not sure I'm doing the best job. I love these sticks and intend to buy several more as gifts." —catch1949

Get a five-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in larger packs).

Some people even use these as coastal Christmas trees! BTW, the 8-foot version comes with "coconuts" that make them even more vibrant (as shown above, right). 

Promising review: "The new pool needed a little something, and this tree made it! We love it! Our neighbors love it! Our guests love it, and everyone is asking where to get one! Fast delivery, easy setup, and looks terrific! Daytime and nighttime awe! It's held up to storms and wind so far. I screwed the base down into the deck, but the framework is sturdy! I've even had birds fooled into thinking this thing is REAL! Well worth it, folks!" —Jon

Get it from Amazon for $60.46+ (available in three heights, a solar-powered version, and a two-pack).

You can also shut the top and just use it as a regular end table when you're not utilizing the cooler function.

Promising review: "Have gotten so many compliments on this already. Great even when not using as a cooler for just a functional end table near our furniture around the firepit. Can put drinks on there, s'mores stuff, etc. It's nice because it functions as a table without being big and bulky. It can easily be moved around to where it is needed. and the cooler function of course is what sets it apart from all other tables and makes it awesome!" —Amy M.

Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in two colors).

Promising review: "We put them out by the firepit immediately and everyone loves them, plus the different colors help keep track of whose is whose if you get up and forget." —Amanda

Get a set of six from Amazon for $42.95.

The mister will cool the surrounding area by 20 degrees, and it comes with an interchangeable flower-shaped misting head for a fun, whimsy detail.

Promising review: "Works exactly how I want it to. Provides a fine, cool mist on the patio, allowing us to enjoy the backyard until sunset without breaking a sweat. Easy to set up. It was out of the box and cooling us off within minutes." —Debra L. Kusek

Promising review: "I bought this for a party so everyone could make their own pizza. The setup was so easy, and I will say it is built great — it's made of high-quality materials and put together with precision. Followed instructions and did a pre-burn, and it got up to temp fast and stopped with the smoke very quickly. Made 21 pizzas the next day and it went great, the only challenge was keeping the temp up and the dough thin so it would cook and not burn. Tips: With the dough, make sure to use ingredients with little juice so the crust won't have issues when loading the oven, and make sure to use flour because it helps everything not stick. The size and portability of this oven make it a game changer when tailgating and family parties." —Panther512

Each light cycles through red, blue, white, and green.

Promising review: "My pool is so old school and boring that I bought these to liven it up and what a difference!! My pool went from 'meh' to WOW! The balls are easily inflated by mouth like a beach ball. Once inflated, a few hours in the sun and they are charged and ready to go. They light up after dusk (it has to be rather dark). There is no manual way to power them on or off; they glow all night long. The changing colors are vibrant and very beautiful. They have a loop at the top if you would like to hang them. They would be magical hanging in a tree or from a pergola. I really liked how easy these were to fill and charge, and I like the solar power and the amazing color display. They make my inner child happy." —J. Matheson

Get a set of four from Amazon for $56.96.

Promising review: "I am now the proud owner of THREE of these dog pools. I have an XXL, an XL, and an S pool for our backyard 'frogs' that wouldn't stay out of the big pools! Yes, I bought the frogs their own pool...that's how amazing these pools are! There have been no punctures of any sort or any issues at all with these pools, and my dogs can play pretty rough at times. The XXL pool was used for both the 2018 and 2019 summers with no issues. These pools are literally my dogs' favorite part of summer... I can't keep them out of them! As soon as we get back from a walk, they jump right in!" —Kate M

Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in nine sizes and three styles).

Promising reviews: "This swing is so worth it! I recently bought my first house and bought this for my nieces/nephews. Not only do the kiddos love it, but so do us adults!!! I’m about 130 pounds and have sat on it with my nieces and swung with no problem. My fiance and dad have both sat on it as well. It’s very sturdy. Easy to put together. It will keep your household entertained anytime you go outside." —Angelina

"Fun for grownups, too! We purchased this for our little grandchildren to enjoy and then discovered that with the high load capacity, we could swing with them, too! The product is sturdy and easy to assemble, hang, and adjust the lengths of the ropes. It’s a great addition to our front yard and immediately became a neighborhood kid magnet, too!" —Richard S

Promising review: "Very solid, well built, fantastic design and looks great! Excellent for an apartment or condo where you might not be able to fit furniture or not allowed to permanently attach anything to the deck structure. Absolutely LOVE the fold-down feature so it is out of the way when not in use and unobtrusive. It has brought life to our deck as a workspace and cozy outdoor dining for two. We just use our stools from the kitchen island and move them in and out as needed." —Miss_Nosila

Get it from Amazon for $99.99+ (available in two colors and three sizes). 

This gorgeous set is made of metal, which is great for durability and high tuning accuracy — but for a different, more natural vibe, check out these bamboo wind chimes!

Promising review: "I purchased the rose colored chimes. I've been outside daily, working on the yard. Yesterday, I noticed a feeling of calm as a small storm moved in. It was the chimes, without noticing, they played in the background and moved me into a relaxed state." —Pegi

Get it from Amazon for $24.79+ (available in eight colors and three sizes).

These are water-repellent and stain-resistant, too, with a handle on the side that makes them easy to carry.

Promising review: "These are too cool!! The fabric cover is sturdy and really nice; the colors are bright and vibrant. Ordering more for the patio and son's play area. And wherever else! Note: Gotta put the inflatable part in the cover before you inflate it LOL. I didn't read the instructions first." —Jennifer S.

Get one from Amazon for $32.99 (available in two sizes and many styles).

Seed Needs is a family-owned small business in Michigan that makes seed packets.

Promising review (for the sunflowers): "Great seeds. I bought these a few years ago, and they were beautiful. I just planted some a few days ago, and they are already starting to sprout after only four days." —Daniel Miller

Promising review (for the wildflowers): "I bought this package hoping to attract butterflies. It did not disappoint. I have the opposite of a green thumb, and this was super easy. I couldn't tell you the names of any flowers, but we have at least six different types. I overseeded a smaller area, so I will probably make the area larger or only do half the seeds next year. We can go outside at any time and see our beautiful flowers and SO many butterflies! 10/10" —Tesa Taylor

Get them from Amazon: the sunflower mix for $8.99 and the wildflower mix for $9.99.

Reviewers note that you should remove the bulbs before stringing up the strands and then install the bulbs.

Promising review: "I am loving my new lights! Just got them up in time for hanging out on the back deck for springtime. They give a great outdoor cafe feel to my back deck. I advise purchasing extra light bulbs when purchasing these lights. It comes with one extra, but they are extremely fragile/delicate. We ended up breaking four total during the hanging process." —charlee harris

Get a 29-foot strand from Amazon for $14.39 (available in four styles and seven lengths).

Since these are solar-powered, you'll need to place them in the sun to get them to light up. Five to eight hours of sun exposure will work if you want roughly eight hours of light. And if you don't want to do that, no worries, because they have a spot for an optional battery if you'd rather power them up without the sun.

Promising review: "I purchased these solar lights last weekend for my front porch space redo, I absolutely love them! They are high-quality and work great. I like that they have an on/off switch on the underside of the lid, so I can turn them off when I’m finished using them for the night. I’m very happy with my purchase and will definitely recommend these to anyone." —Deb

Promising reviews: "I absolutely LOVE THESE!!!! They’re so colorful and bright...I’ve said 100 times I wish I could put them all over my front and backyard. My favorite Amazon purchase all summer!!!!!" —Misty

"Love it! Looks beautiful at night, and guests love them! Planning on ordering more soon! Works in all weather, rain, snow, heat! Just need sunlight! Only con is probably not a con, but they only stay lit at night for approximately two and a half hours. That’s fine because we head to bed, so it’s perfect for us! Highly recommended!" —Damon R. Jackson

It comes with two chairs and a small matching table.

Promising review: "It’s very beautiful! The blue color is absolutely stunning on the green grass, and there is literally no assembly required. Just unfold and you’re done! The quality is also amazing (no surprise 😂), no scratches on it, and I got the color I wanted, and the size is PERFECT. I put it in a really small area and it fit! I definitely recommend!" —Hilina Aferu

Get it from Amazon for $99.99 (available in six colors).

Note: Because the watermelon ball is full of water, it's heavier than other types of balls, so many reviewers warn against throwing it at people's heads!

Promising review: "We have all kinds of toys and floats for the pool, but this is the one thing that they never get tired of. We love playing the game when we have friends over (it's kind of like tag football or keep-away under water) but the kids and I also just really like passing the ball around underwater and bouncing it because it's fun to see how it moves. It also becomes a great water bomb that my kids think is hilarious to surprise each other with (it's just a ball, so it doesn't hurt, but it's heavy enough that it has some force behind it). I am really impressed by the quality of the ball too. It's a very thick plastic that has held up very well all summer. Ours stays in the pool all the time, so I realize it may not last as long over time, but so far it seems to be holding up great (just a slight bit faded by the sun). It was very easy to fill and I've only had to add air once this summer." —Sandra McLeod

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two sizes and three colors, including a glow-in-the-dark version).

The complete kit includes a misting line, wall clips, 20 brass mist nozzles, a 3/4-inch brass adapter, six additional replacement nozzles, and two replacement T-connector misters. Reviewers also recommend installing an inline filter to lessen sediment and calcium buildup in your misters, which helps them last longer and require less cleaning. 

Promising review: "Put these up in Arizona, and it makes the outdoors quite lovely. You can make them as long or short as you want, and just put the end piece on it to customize it how long you would like. I took a picture of my outdoor thermometer, it was 109 degrees out, and after running these for 10 minutes, it was reading under 80 degrees." —Brendan

Get it from Amazon for $16.14+ (available in five lengths and two colors). 

Promising reviews: "These chairs are really cool looking with all the swooping and even tall people can fit on them comfortably. My husband said they were simple enough to put together directions were easy to follow. Overall, we are pleased with this product. We’ve been looking for years for polywood-type sundeck chairs with stainless steel to go in a salt pool. We have ruined six different kinds of chairs over seven years from rusting in the pool; hopefully these last a few years." —Kimberly

"These chairs are very comfortable and durable. They aren't bulky and aren't too heavy. Not to mention the versatility of being able to just put these directly on the concrete surrounding the pool or if you have a sun deck pool area, they can easily go there. They come with a sandbag that is attached to the chair. I will definitely be buying more!!" —PGetz

Get one from Amazon for $145.79+ (also available in sets of two, three, or four). 

Promising review: "These had great reviews and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much given the price. I had been eyeing similar styles on Serena & Lily and Frontgate, but since I live in Florida with tropical storms, I really didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg knowing I’ll have to replace them every couple of years, regardless of quality. These are really fun and add a resort-like flair to any backyard setup. They seem to be great quality for the price. Overall, they’ve withstood many thunderstorms this past month and all three are holding up well. If you’re looking to add a lot of character to your patio or pool area while on a budget, I definitely recommend these." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $75.99+ (available in 11 colors). 

Promising review: "I collect cool or different unique decks of cards and I saw these and I just had to at least buy them and see I mean really. Let me just say they are by far the most unique deck I have so far. They are completely waterproof and you can play away with them in the pool, hot tub even that bath if you want. Pretty cool and a must- for summer vacation." —Beks

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Plus, finds from Etsy, Ikea, Lowe's, Walmart, and Wayfair.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: Our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Note: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.