Summer Essentials for Kids in 2022

Now that the kids are out of school, it’s time to keep them busy busy busy. Tons of kids are going to camps and others are traveling, but there’s always a bit of downtime in there, and that’s where you’ve really gotta have something to battle the screen addiction. Lucky for you, we’ve found some amazing gadgets and gizmos to keep the kids smiling all summer long. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to enjoy some of the fun too. Here’s 10 of the best summer essentials for kids.

Dust! Sweep! Mop! From Melissa & Doug

Put them kids to work this summer! This wooden set includes a broom, mop, and duster so they have all the tools they need to do a thorough job cleaning up their own messes this year instead of expecting the magical mess fairy to take care of it. Best of all, this gives them a level of responsibility and ownership at home. It may not seem exciting as the adult, but kids often do love getting jobs to do — especially if they earn something from doing it. 

Bug Bite Thing

Bugs are often a common part of summertime activities. This thing removes insect venom, saliva, and other irritants left under the skin using suction. By removing the irritant, the body stops producing the reaction that is causing you to itch & swell, helping kids (and adults) enjoy the outdoors longer. The Bug Bite Thing is a suction tool that extracts the irritant and helps alleviate the itching, stinging, and swelling that occurs with bug bites and stings.

SOL Camp Critter Kit Bear

The SOL Camp Critter Kit is the perfect pal to pack on the next outdoor adventure with all the survival essentials. When it’s time for the kids to hit the trail for the first time, make sure they are prepared for the unexpected. Each critter has an emergency whistle, thermal heat reflective blanket, compass, and 3 feet of paracord. Pack in their favorite snack and you’re all set to hit the trail. Hang with the triangle carabiner from their pack or belt to show off their favorite trail pal.

Osmo - Genius Starter Kit

Osmo blends digital games with a physical component for a very cool, interactive experience. The Osmo Genius Starter Kit comes with everything your kids need to play five different mind-molding games, including Tangram, Masterpiece, and Newton. It may take some encouragement to get them to try this instead of running to their usual digital diet, but it’s very much worth it. 

Gravitrax Starter Set Marble Run

Creatively curious kids will love GraviTrax — a cool kit that enables them to design and build their own marble runs. There’s no electronics here, just good ol’ science in the form of gravity, magnetism, and kinetics. Kids will spend hours designing different track systems to discover which is the fastest and most fun. The starter kit includes more than 100 pieces and 18 different construction elements, including junctions and a magnetic cannon. Additional add-on sets can be purchased to create even longer marble runs, and make great gifts for future birthdays and holidays. 

KidiZoom Creator Cam

If your kids are on the cusp of internet stardom, or just wants to create their own home movies, this camera makes it easy for them. Plus, parents can feel safe knowing that it doesn't connect to the internet on its own, so they have ultimate control over who gets to see the final products. (It can connect via a USB cable if you do want to share.) They can create their own awesome videos on this HD video camera with a built-in microphone and special effects like time-lapse videoSwap in 20+ animated backgrounds to get chased by a T-Rex, go to outer space or become invisible with the included green screen fabric. Comes with easy on-camera editing, creativity tools, a tabletop tripod/selfie stick and a wrist strap.

Good Housekeeping Amazing Science

The budding scientists in your home will love the 83 hands-on experiments in this book, which are led by the scientists from the Good Housekeeping Institute. The book goes from room to room in the house and explains the scientific concepts behind the phenomena you might find there, like why bathroom mirrors get foggy or what makes sweaty sneakers so stinky. Then, the experiments let them dive deeper into the concepts.

GoSports Outdoor Stacking Game with Case

This is where champions are made. These solid pinewood blocks stack all the way up to five feet, but good luck lasting that long! This behemoth of backyard fun is perfect for patios and anywhere kids like to play, and it’s ready to roll for anywhere between two and 4 players. The set comes with a dry erase board too, so someone can keep track of the house rules and scores.

Joyin 4-Players Potato Sack Race Bags Outdoor Lawn Game

If you want your kids to get the same fun that many of us grew up on, this is the best kit to make it happen. Nobody’s got potato sacks laying around, and you definitely don’t want to waste eggs, but this kit makes classics like Potato Sack Races, egg races, 3-legged races and more possible. This is a great way to get kids active and away from screens and to make sure they have fun. Bonus points if you’re able to make it into an annual family tradition with prizes.

JBL Clip 4

Any kid older than six loves to jam to their own tunes. Let them take their tunes on the go with them with this powerful bluetooth speaker. The Clip 4's ultra-portable design goes great with the latest styles, and its colorful fabrics and expressive details make it look as great as it sounds. Just clip it onto a belt, strap, or buckle and they’ve got their own soundtrack to explore the world to. Don’t worry too much about wear and tear — it’s waterproof and dustproof.

Bonus: A Highlights Subscription

Give them the gift of their very own monthly magazine subscription. The Highlights motto is “Fun with a Purpose.” In every 44-page issue, kids explore new topics, investigate fascinating subjects and find out about the world. A Highlights magazine subscription for kids will bring them 12 months filled with stories, games, puzzles, riddles, science experiments, craft projects and activities that are as entertaining as they are educational — meaning it’ll be fun long after the sun sets on summer.