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Discovery Channel has nothing on the actual outside. Have you been in your backyard lately? That place is great.

I have been a BuzzFeed Shopping writer since 2017, with a focus on unique, practical products, up-to-date parenting finds, and up-and-coming home decor.

Promising review: "This was highly recommended to me by an avid hiker as the med kit to get for one person. It has a great assortment of medical supplies in a small package. I always have it backpacking, hiking, or mountain biking, along with some Lukotape P sports tape added to the bag, which stays on when wet." —Zach The Outdoor Addict

Promising review: "I've only gotten to take this backpack out on a few trips, but I've come to really love it! At first, the fit was a little bit tricky, but once I figured it out, it's worked quite well! I really enjoy the roll-top closure system as well, and REALLY enjoy not having to fidget with a pack brain anymore. I've only used it in wet environments, so the mesh on the front has come to be really useful for drying my socks out when the dew attacks! It's super lightweight, but you already knew that. It's quickly become my favorite pack. When I do a thru-hike, I'll definitely be reaching for my Windrider!" —Pierce K.

Get the 40L model from Hyperlite Mountain Gear for $395+ (available in four lengths, three volumes, and two colors).

Promising reviews: "I hiked the Narrows at Zion National Park in these shorts! They held up well. They got wet from water and dried out fast. I did not chafe. I would definitely recommend these!" —Michaela P. 

"I wore these hiking in Arches National Park and RMP — performed excellently! I loved the side zipper pocket that was big enough for my iPhone 13 Pro Max. Very comfortable, cool, and I felt good in them. I will be buying more!!" —J. Poterof

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in sizes XS–3XL and eight colors). 

Promising review: "Genius! Lit immediately, and our wood was soaking wet! It’s a must-have for all camping/firepit events! No more newspapers, boxes, or lighter fluid!" —Mcee

Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $49.99 (available in two pack sizes).

Rumpl started SMALL, and thanks to founder and CEO Wylie Robinson, the Kickstarter success has become a go-to shop for nature lovers looking to stay cozy in the great outdoors. The company is now based in Portland, Oregon.

Promising review: "At first, when I felt the fabric, I was skeptical that this towel was going to work. I should’ve known better since it’s made by Rumpl. The drying power of this towel is quite remarkable! It’s lightweight and easy to pack, and dries quickly after a shower. I purchased it for camping in particular, and needed something that wouldn’t take up a ton of space when packed. It even has a built-in strap that snaps together as a loop for drying. You can literally wrap it around a thin tree branch. The print is awesome as well, since my husband and I are national park fanatics." —April&Izzy

Get it from Amazon for $39 (available in seven styles) — check out their Amazon landing page for other sizes and styles.

BTW, this is safe to spray on cotton, wool, and nylon, but avoid putting it directly on synthetic fabrics like spandex. 

Promising review: "This is hands-down the best repellent on the market. If there is a mosquito within a mile of me, it will find me. Same goes for tics, spiders, horseflies, or any other pesky bug. Unless I have this on. I have a bottle in each of my cars, bottles in my shop building out back, and in the house. IT'S A MUST-HAVE FOR ME IN GEORGIA!" —Lori D

Get it from Amazon for $8.19 — check out Repel's landing page for larger sizes and different styles. 

The kit comes with the giant bubble wand, two pouches of bubble concentrate, and a booklet to help you become a skilled bubble creator! It's my family's #1 favorite summer activity. It's easy enough for our toddler to make giant bubbles with a little help. She loves chasing them, and it always brings a big crowd of kids over to play!

Promising review: "Love this!! Easy for kids to use — my six-year-old son figured it out pretty quickly — and fun for adults as well (my husband and I might have played with it as much as our son did...) Makes amazing bubbles. The bubble mix it comes with is fantastic." —Thomas Durant

Get it from Amazon for $15.95+ (available in seven styles).

Promising review: "We absolutely love this mud kitchen! My 2-year-old and 3½-year-old have used it every single day since we bought it, and they will play together for hours at a time — honestly, with zero fighting, which is a huge win in our house. 😂 My kids are very messy players — we’re talking water everywhere, glitter, pasta, mud, and anything else they can get their hands on — and this kitchen has held up incredibly well. The quality has been fantastic so far and it still looks great despite daily heavy use.

I also love the design. It has excellent storage space, with lots of shelves and a solid base, making it easy to keep all their play items organized. There’s plenty of room for both kids to play comfortably at the same time without getting in each other’s way. It fits perfectly on our porch and has quickly become one of the best purchases we’ve made for outdoor play. I would absolutely recommend this mud kitchen to anyone looking for something durable, engaging, and worth every penny!" —Skylar Robinson

Promising review: "We absolutely love this water table! Great quality, very sturdy, and beautifully made. It has provided hours of entertainment for the kids! We have purchased from this company multiple times, and this is one of our favorites for sure!" —Emily B.

Get it on sale from Avenlur for $229 (originally $299) — check out Avenlur's Amazon landing page for more splurge-worthy pieces!

Promising review: "I have owned this device for over three months now, and its performance is excellent. I've gone over 120 miles with this, hiking through slot canyons in Zion, Utah. Never once has a message failed to send. Sometimes it takes a few minutes to deliver the message, but the point is, it works. I did an 18-mile solo hike and checked in with my girlfriend every night, and got her replies back within minutes. After playing with the default settings, I still got around 30 hours on this device on a full charge. I would prefer the buttons to be glow-in-the-dark or come with a backlight because using this device at night can get tricky." —GoneHiking

Note: Do not roast marshmallows or cook food over flames that have this colorant.

Promising review: "Love these, have purchased a few times and will now buy the 50-pack because they really add a ton of fun to my bonfires. Depending on how much your fire is raging, they will last 30-60 minutes. I use two or three packets at a time. Highly recommend." —JAO

Get a 24-pack from Amazon for $15.99 (available in multiple pack sizes).

Check out a TikTok of the Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar in action. 

The AAD recommends using at least SPF 30 and reapplying as needed for skin protection. You can read about sunscreen myths and facts from dermatologists for more information! 

Promising review: "NO WHITE CAST! I've been looking for a stick sunscreen, and this was just exactly what was needed!! I'm a medium-toned black woman, and looking for something without a white cast is always a challenge. I have applied it on my bare skin, and there isn't a white cast at all! It's a 'soft matte' finish, for sure, and looks like natural skin; like you're not wearing anything at all." —Martina

Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in two formulas). 

Promising review: "I am a T-2 paraplegic and a water baby at heart, and have always wanted a kayak, but my lack of trunk control and balance has kept me from enjoying one. This boat is AMAZING! It is completely stable and gives me no worries of flipping over. I was able to unpack it, inflate it, get in it, and go in no time at all. The material is super tough and feels very solid. Once inside the cockpit, you feel nice and snug, and the skeg gives you great control over the craft. I plan on spending as much time on the water as possible with my new favorite toy! This is a great product!!" —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $129.99+ (available in two styles).

The board supports up to 400 pounds, and reviewers love how beginner-friendly it is.

Promising review: "We are avid paddle boarders and were pleasantly surprised by this board. It is easy to inflate, very firm when fully inflated, does not banana, it holds its pressure for days, and is easy to launch and retrieve from the dock. The paddle is decent and easily adjustable. The board paddled reasonably well. Our only complaint is that, like other inflatables, it is so light it does not track really well, particularly in the wind or waves. That is the trade-off for the convenience, and it is completely normal. It packs nicely and travels well. We're very happy, it met our goals." —Larry A

Get it from Amazon for $209.95 (available in 12 colors).

Promising review: "My girlfriend and I love outdoor activities, and these sunglasses have been a great accessory to help us make the most out of this summer. She is very sensitive to light and has used them on long hikes and kayak rides on very bright days with no discomfort. The hands-free audio is also super convenient when we have our hands full walking our dogs. I've taken them out on a few Jet Ski rides, and I love the snug fit even when hitting top speeds. Looking forward to winter to try these out while skiing. Overall, this is a great product — we both recommend!" —Anonymous

Get them on sale from Lucyd for $169 (originally $199; available in two colors).

Promising review: "Wow, just wow. Surfing with this has made a huge difference!!! I use this on my 2014 Moomba Mobius LSV. I now fill both the rear bags even to 900 lbs. each on both sides, and this thing throws a clean long wave to whichever side it's not mounted to. I don't have to list the boat anymore, making it much easier to drive and so much faster to switch riders from different sides. It looks exactly the same as the picture shows, and it floats. I've never had it fall off during surfing, and even forgot to remove it once and came up to speed 20+ mph before I realized it was still on, and it never came loose. It floats, so if you accidentally drop it while mounting it, you don't have to worry about it sinking to the bottom of the lake. I wish I had bought long ago!" —Joel

Promising review: "This is perfectly and expertly detailed. This jacket is so well-crafted and has such high quality, it feels like it should be $1k. Just, wow! I'm so excited for more from this brand." —Megan

Get it from Hikerkind for $188 (available in sizes XS–3XL and in three colors).

You'll get stainless steel knives, forks, spoons, dinner plates, cotton napkins, and wineglasses for four people. It also includes a cheese knife, bottle opener, salt + pepper shaker, plastic hopping board, and water-resistant blanket. 

Promising review: "I got the two-person, which has ample room for food and beverages. The blanket is surprisingly soft and has a soft plastic side for waterproofing. Great little pockets so you don't lose your keys or phone. I got the brown one. It is very elegant looking. I showed my aunt and bought three more, one for her, her daughter, her husband, and her son and wife. Great for all kinds of uses. Definitely would buy again." —Margaret

Get it from Amazon for $56.99+ (available in 2- and 4-person sizes and five colors).

Promising review: "This is the cutest picnic basket! I have used it for various events. It's super cute, and the quality and storage are a plus." —Pamela Guerra

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in three styles).

Promising review: "I use these for hiking, exploration, and just overall when I am camping or walking around somewhere and want to see things far away. I really think the compact size and the quality of the image are unparalleled. Definitely worth the price for me." —Kyle Giffin

Get them from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in four styles).

Promising review: "This was the best gift for my son! It's the perfect toy. Setup wasn't too difficult, and the size works well for us since we store it in the house and didn't want it taking up too much space. The battery life is great. My mom lives about a quarter mile from our house, and my son always wants to drive over to see his grandma. He'll do up to six laps at a time from our house to hers just so he can wave to her and honk his horn. The longest we've gone is a three-mile walk, and it didn't die.

The 'fast' speed setting is perfect for us as it matches a comfortable walking pace. The slow speed is great when we get to an open area, so he can practice steering the wheel on his own. I have my son control the gas, and I just use the side-to-side buttons on the remote to help control the steering wheel. Maybe when he's two, he'll figure it out on his own, but it definitely comes in handy now. 

The radio works well, as do the headlights. It has been in daily use since it was delivered. I imagine he'll continue fitting well in the car for a couple more years. I'm very happy with this purchase, and so is my son!" —Nicole Ross

Get it from Amazon for $169.98+ (available in eight colors).

Promising review: "My husband and I bought this as a gift for our son because he’s super into science and space, and it ended up being a great choice. It was easy to set up, lightweight, and beginner-friendly (he’s only eight), which made it perfect for him to learn the basics without getting overwhelmed. The clarity honestly surprised me because you can really see the moon and stars with solid detail. I love that it comes with everything he needs to understand the different parts and how a telescope actually works. It feels sturdy, well-made, and not like one of those toys that break after a week. If you have a curious kid who loves space or STEM stuff, this is 100 percent worth it, and I would definitely recommend it." —Jaii

Promising review: "This works like magic! It's easy to use and makes a beautiful gift from the kids!" —Sj773

Promising review: "I purchased the double hammock for myself because I'm a bigger guy. I was always seeing people in these, and I really wanted to get one for myself. It is very strong, durable, easy to set up, and super comfortable. I found it very easy to get into and get out of! It seems to stay nice and cool while lying inside, too, which is a GREAT feeling while the wind is blowing." —Brandon Wright

Get it from Amazon for $31.99+ (available in three sizes and 10 colors).

Promising review: "This tent was just what I needed for camping. It was large enough for my cot and very cozy. It kept me and my bedding completely dry during a heavy rain." —Paula Cantrell

Get it from Amazon for $129.99+ (available in four styles).

This set includes eight bocce balls (two red, two blue, two green, two yellow), 1 pallino, one measuring rope, and a carrying bag. 

Promising review: "As my first and only bocce ball set, I am impressed with the durability and ease of storing the set. We kept the box to go inside the storage bag because it keeps it firm and sturdy. My son has dropped these balls on concrete, and I haven’t ever noticed any damage! We have played a lot this summer, and love them!" —Chad J. 

This includes a four-piece fly rod, line, backing, and leader, a rod case, a rod box, 12 flies, a spare leader, a zinger, a nipper, and a carrying case. 

Promising review: "This is an awesome fly rod combo for the money. You get a nice four-piece carbon long pole, rod bag, rod case, fly box with flies, line cutter, fly line, line backing, and leader. The rod feels really good; it has a nice flex to it as well. The reel feels good, and the bearings are smooth. I highly recommend this combo if you're looking for a nice fly rod combo without wanting to spend too much money. Heading out to go fishing now!!" —GoldLeaderFPV

Get it from Amazon for $69.97+ (available in four styles).

Promising review: "I've had SO MANY beach chairs, and I can say this one is definitely my favorite. VERY sturdy with nice material that doesn't stretch out when you lie in it. And can I just say the padded face area for lying on your stomach is AWESOME! Definitely a good buy, and I can see myself using this for a good long while! Can't wait to take it to the beach next month!" —Brandy

Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in 13 styles).

Shakalo is a  San Diego-based small business founded to figure out a way to help people, especially parents, remove sand before leaving the beach. The soft fabric pouch allows the powder to remove the sand without scattering everywhere.

Promising review: "We recently moved to a beach area, and we are constantly there. This item has changed our entire lives! It lasts decently long (depending on how much you use it), it smells super good (not at all like baby powder), and it's super effective. It has saved me from vacuuming my car at least 1–2 times a week. I even use it on my dog's paws and bellies to make sure they're taken care of. I will definitely be buying the refill and another bag to have exclusively in the car." —Gabbs Uresti

Promising review: "I discovered this game at a bachelor party and immediately came home and purchased one of my own. The game is a really fun alternative to the standard backyard games you commonly see. Easy to set up, easy to play, and easy to score. Overall a great experience. Highest of recommendations." —Loleta Pritt

Get it from Amazon for $219.97 (available in three styles).

Looking for something that costs a little less? This RTIC 15 can version is a review hit and under $60! 

Promising review: "Took this thing out on a float trip for two days at the end of summer in Oklahoma, loaded up with ice, and a bunch of seltzers. When I got home, the drinks were still cold. The ice had melted, but the cold water kept everything at the perfect temperature. It's pretty idiot-proof, too, which is great when you're supplying drinks to drunk people on a river. A drunk person may only close one side before giving up, but they won't break a zipper and render the whole cooler useless." —Britni Peel

Get it from Amazon for $275+ (available in two styles and several colors).

Promising review: "I brought this with me on a camping trip in the Colorado mountains. Once the hummingbirds discovered the feeder, they were around it constantly. After one day, they would come to the single-ring feeder held in our hands. It was so fun getting to see the hummingbirds up close." —Debbie B.

Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in eight colors and in sets).

This has foldable legs, an adjustable net, and comes with three balls.

Promising review: "We play this any time we are at the beach. It takes about 5–10 minutes to set up and take down. It’s very durable, one of our friends landed on it and it got squished but survived." —Macy

These chairs are designed to support up to 300lbs. It comes with a carry bag, and has a seatback pocket, and cup holder.

Promising review: "I highly recommend buying these beach chairs. After scouring Amazon for weeks looking for the perfect beach chairs for our vacation, I stumbled upon these. They were cheaper than most beach chairs, so I was a little nervous. I ordered two anyway. When they arrived, I was thrilled!! They are compact, easy to set up, and comfortable to sit in. They also have a built-in cup holder that is very handy! The colors are bright and are exactly as advertised. They are easy to fold up and put away in their carrying bag, which makes it easier to bring on longer walks to the beach." —Jen Stone

For additional gadgets and gizmos, including different stove sizes, check out Solo Stove's homepage! 

I have a Solo Stove, and it is SUCH a hit! We use it on our back porch almost every night. My husband and I have been remodeling our kitchen, and we use the stove with the pizza oven and wok attachments to make dinners outside. We also love that we can take it with us when we go camping. Don't hesitate...you want this. 

Promising review: "This is really great. So nice to be able to sit anywhere around it and not have to deal with smoke in your face. No more moving your chairs around to avoid the smoke." —Kelly Ciccocioppo

For additional gadgets and gizmos, check out Solo Stove's homepage! 

A few years ago my husband and I did some restoration work on a home from the 1840s and used Solo Stove's products nearly exclusively while living in said home (with a *very* non-functioning kitchen). The image on the right is the stove on the back porch. The pizza it makes? Perfection. 

Promising review: "This is a very good wood fired pizza oven. With minimal effort and nine minutes per pizza we made 12 pizzas that were fantastic! Tip: use good dry, hard wood like oak or hickory to get a hot oven and add wood as necessary. The crust was wonderfully smokey and charred with beautiful professional color on top and bottom." —George D.

Get it from Amazon for $249.99+ (available in three styles).

I bought these for my daughter waaay before she was old enough to care, because I wanted to play with them myself! They're solid, made of high-quality materials (not plastic), and owned by a small business. Now that my kiddo is older, these have become a staple in our diaper bag on days at the park. We'll spend ages looking for special pieces, seeing if they fit, testing out different configurations, and then have a blast with some imagination play (these little critters get up to a lot of mischief!). Whether you're totally into playing fantastical, made-up games with your kids or need clear directions to create a little whimsy, these have got your back. I recommend them to every parent I know (and now, even those I don't — hi from me!).

Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in six options).

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.

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.