6 helpful tips for outdoor entertaining with kids to make it fun and stress-free

This multi-use sensory table has two recessed and removable bins that can each hold up to 10 lbs of play sand or a half gallon of water. The included umbrella keeps them protected as they play. And with the table plank in place it doubles as a place to paint, color or snack!

Generously-sized and durable enough to last, this multi-use canopy tent offers protection from sun, mosquitos and even a passing shower. You can use it with or without the netting and without a lip at the bottom, it ensures little people (and let’s be honest, day drinking big people) won’t trip on their way in or out.

Camp chairs are great and will certainly get the job done, but these outdoor bean bag loungers create a cozy and kid-friendly party vibe. (Not to mention you’ll sit in them all summer long!) They come in a ton of colors and patterns and best of all, when they get smeared with ketchup, you can throw the covers in the washing machine or just hose them down.

While there’s nothing relaxing about kids and bonfires, the ambiance and marshmallow roasting fun is undeniable. One of the safest ways to check all the boxes is with the Solo Stove and their clever Surround accessory. The fire pit itself is designed to keep smoke to a minimum and with the 360° protective Surround barrier in place, you can have a little more peace of mind. (Of course you’ll also need relentless supervision, regardless!)

On a dollars to fun ratio, Stomp Rockets may be the best toy investment I ever made. I mean, who doesn’t love the satisfaction of stomping something into space? Kids will spend literally hours setting them up and chasing them down, experimenting throughout the process with direction and force. This particular set includes three different styles of rockets, adding an additional layer of STEM learning. Trust me when I say you’ll be asking for a turn yourself.

Simple, timeless and endlessly entertaining, there’s nothing better than a big ol’ box of sidewalk chalk. We’ve tested dozens and dozen and can attest to the fact that nobody does it better or brighter than Crayola. This well-stocked box has 36 colors including six super bright and vivid tropical hues for creating all kinds of masterpieces.

Every kid who has ever played with bubbles has likely cried over spilling bubbles. That’s why we love the spill-proof (and shareable!) bucket o’ bubbles from Fubbles. The oversize re-fillable bucket comes with three wands and enough solution to last you a good long while.

Tiny thrill-seekers will love this kid-powered coaster which will send them (safely) sailing across the backyard. The durable set comes with a high back coaster car and 10.75 feet of track, providing endless opportunities for developing gross motor skills, balance and learning to take turns. The track is made up of three separate pieces which are easy to assemble and take apart for storage (but we don’t think it will be put away too often!)

If this crazy contraption can’t tear them away from screen time, not much will. At four feet tall and eight feet in diameter, the planet-like giant inflatable dome rocker can be climbed up, bounced on, rocked and rolled by up to three kiddos at a time. It’s bringing me all the American Gladiator vibes and could be an epic way to settle sibling disputes, IMHO.

While a good old fashioned water balloon fight is one of the most fun summertime activities, it all comes to an abrupt end the second you ask the kids to pick up the mess. (Not to mention there’s a good chance those tiny colorful pieces end up in places they shouldn’t.) I’ve got three words for you. Reusable water balloons. The soft silicone design features embedded magnets around the rim that keep water inside. Then, ready, aim, FIRE! They burst open to soak the intended target. Not only are they better for the planet (and your sanity!), they’re also so much easier to fill than actual water balloons. Just dunk in a bucket and they seal themselves. No more “Mom! Will you tie this?” every 20 seconds. For that, we’d pay double.

Here’s a fact: Kids love water tables. Not as daunting as an entire pool, a water table allows babies and toddlers to belly up, splash around and engage with all the bells and whistles these tables typically offer. In fact, they’re so engaging, I’ve actually enjoyed a full conversation and glass of rosé while my kids kept themselves busy enough not to interrupt the entire time. So let’s just call them what they are–magic.

Nothing beats a slip and slide. We’ll never really know why a wet piece of plastic on grass is so much fun—it just is. And while there are hundreds of versions available online, the WOW Super Slide is our resounding favorite. Why do we love it? First, the bumpers. I’ve tested others and my kids were always careening off the sides of the slide before the reached the end (the lighter the kid, the higher the likelihood of this happening). Second, the WOW is made of ultra-thick PVC plastic that is far more durable than its competitors, which means it will actually last for multiple summers. Plus, it comes with handy connectors that allow you to attach multiple slides together. If that doesn’t sound like fun, we don’t know what does!

If you really want to knock it out of the park, set up a mini waterpark in your backyard. There are myriad options on the market, but the Little Tikes Rocky Mountain River Race Inflatable Slide Bouncer is our top pick. It’s incredibly durable–and it needs to be! Kids are going to be racing up and down the climbing wall, slipping down the slides, splashing in the pool basin, and Little Tikes’ ultra-thick plastic can withstand the wear and tear and doesn’t bend or lean when being used by multiple people. Chock full of diversions, the dual-slide design is a lifesaver if you have more than one kiddo (no pushing at the top of the slide!) and the shallow pool at the bottom is ideal for babies and toddlers to splash around in.

Tip: Getting these suckers dry is a conundrum, and if you store them wet, you’ll have a mold issue. Combat this by deflating and emptying out the water, then re-inflating and letting the slide dry in the sun while it’s taut.

These focus-free kid-friendly binoculars magnify 2x and are designed with big comfy eye pieces to make them easy to use. We also love how durable they are because let’s face it–they’re going to get dropped. Often.

From bug-catching and bird-watching to leaf investigating and tree identifying, this fun kit has something for everyone. Rally everyone around a nature scavenger hunt or just set the tools out and let them explore on their own!

Older kids will love making sun prints from the amazing objects nature has to offer. Just place things like ferns, flowers, leaves and sticks on top, hold in place with a clear piece of acrylic and wait. Within minutes they’ll have a unique piece of art to take home!

The highly rated Anker mini projector has remarkable clarity and contrast, as it’s comprised of technology that makes it perfect for nighttime movie nights. With projection up to 100 inches, this projector includes a 360° speaker, and can run streaming and media apps flawlessly. A single charge nets you 4 hours of playtime.

One of the best perks about this mini projector is that it comes with a tripod and a bag to carry it all in. Easily connects to Android, iPhones and other devices. It features HD quality and built-in speakers but it also has extra ports to add a speaker. (Best of all it’s currently on sale for 65% off!)

Not only is this projector screen affordable but the thousands of reviews also attest to the fact that it’s pretty great. It features a lightweight design and a wrinkle/crease resistant fabric. There are grommets on the corners that make it easy to set up with hooks, nails, or rope. Pack it away when you’re not using it and easily set it back up for the ultimate outdoor movie night.

The perfect bean bag doesn’t exi—. If you haven’t heard of Yogibo’s outdoor bean bags then let this be your introduction. The Yogibo Max is their bestseller and it can be used as a chair, a bed or a recliner. It completely contours to your body so there’s no weird pains! The removable, machine-washable cover makes it even more awesome. Choose from a variety of bright colors.

The classic red and white design of these popcorn buckets is sure to bring on the nostalgia. Fill ’em up with popcorn and get ready for your outdoor movie night to transform. They’re easily foldable so you can tuck them away until you use them again.

Give pizza and a movie night an instant upgrade! The Pi Pizza Oven from Solo Stove not only makes incredible artisan-level pizzas, it makes the process truly memorable. (After all, what’s better than backyard family hangs with homemade pizza?) The compact design is easy to set up almost anywhere and the included pizza stone ensures the heat is evenly distributed for perfect crust every time.

If you’d rather absolve yourself of the constant fill, freeze, eat, repeat of smaller molds or you’ve got to whip up a big ol’ batch for a backyard barbecue, the disposable Frozip molds are perfect. A DIY version of the (questionably) technicolor freeze pops that we all grew up devouring, these BPA-free, zip top bags can be filled with juice, smoothies or even thinned yogurt or kefir. The set comes with 125 pouches and a convenient funnel to keep messes to a minimum. They’re also durable enough to use a few times. Just turn inside out, wash and hang to dry!

If you’re all about the classic style, you can’t go wrong with this set from PopsicleLab. The set comes with everything you need to get started on that Popsicle empire you’ve always dreamed of: a silicone mold that makes 10 popsicles at a time, 50 wooden sticks, 50 popsicle storage bags and a silicone funnel to make filling easy. With the lid in place, you can count on mess-free, perfect stick placement and when you’re done, just pop it in the dishwasher!