9 Things You Need for the Best Summer Ever
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After months of rain and cloudy days, spring turns into summer, and most of us begin having visions of sun-soaked days by the pool and cool evening walks while the sun sets. However, all that fun comes with risks. To help ensure that your entire family has the best summer ever, let’s walk through some essentials that can help you avoid warm-weather disasters and enjoy everything the season has to offer.
For a Day in the Sun
Tubby Todd’s Face and Body Mineral Sunscreen Kit should never leave your bag. I always start with the liquid formula to get the whole family covered and rely on the stick formula when it’s time to reapply. The sunscreen stick is the easiest, fastest, and cleanest way to do touch-ups on the go. I also appreciate that I can relax at the beach knowing this formula is reef-safe and designed for sensitive skin.
Spray sunscreen has its place too, and it’s easy to see why Espieve’s spray formula is one of the brand’s best-sellers. Kids and husbands alike will avoid so many more burns with this light spray formula and it’s nice to know this formula is free of parabens, sulfates, and dyes. Even better, there is never a white cast or greasy residue after application.
When it comes to little ones spending time in the water, don’t forget to pack a swimsuit that works overtime. SwimZip’s long-sleeve swimsuit blocks 98% of UVA/UVB rays with built-in UPF 50+. Because your baby can’t use sunscreen until they are six months old (chat with your pediatrician about a timeline that works for your baby), this fabric sun protection is a must. The zip front makes changes a breeze, which will help keep mom and baby calm, cool, and collected.
You don’t stop to ask yourself how certain baby necessities work their magic. Now that I’m a mom, I want to do my part to keep everyone in the pool safe by avoiding unpleasant leaks without exposing my baby to harmful materials. I love that the healthybaby Our Swim Diaper is made with organic cotton and is free from harmful chemicals, all while being completely reusable. The snug fit ensures nothing yucky sneaks out, so you can relax and focus on those swim lessons.
Mom deserves to get in on the sun safety action, too. I always wear a cotton coverup when I’m not in the water to help protect my skin from damage and burns. I am a huge fan of all the flattering swimwear and coverups from Bromelia and find myself returning to the brand summer after summer.
Of course, kids need extra sun protection too. There is no way I can trust my squirmy toddler to stay wrapped in a towel or under an umbrella while we’re in the sun. With the help of Weezie’s super soft and absorbent kids’ cover-up, I know he’ll have extra coverage that actually stays on.
Dehydration is a serious summer risk that can lead to fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and even heat-related illnesses, especially in young children and older adults. Optimize your water with a quick electrolyte boost. Quince’s Everyday Hydration packets are convenient for travel and add four essential minerals to your water with no artificial ingredients.
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To Keep Bugs Away
To avoid mosquitoes from chomping down on our family, we’ve had a lot of luck this spring and summer with the Hello Bello Mosquito Repellent Spray. The DEET-free formula is easy to spray on and relies on plant-based ingredients to protect you from bites.
Should they find the chance to bite us, we rely on Oilogic’s Bug Bites & Itches Roll-On. We live near a creek, which means mosquitoes are often lurking in the summer. I plan to keep one of these bug bite roller balls in my diaper bag at all times. All of the Oilogic products my family uses are very calming and soothing, and this bug bite solution is no different.
For Long Travel Days
Losing your passports or IDs while traveling can lead to some major safety issues — think: identity theft or getting stuck far away from home— and at the very least will lead to one big headache. If you married an airport dad like I did, let me spill the beans on this year’s Father’s Day gift early. My husband will be getting a Leatherology Family Passport Holder that keeps all of our passports in one convenient spot. He gets a bit anxious while traveling and likes to hold onto all tickets and passports when we travel as a family, so I know this will help him avoid getting flustered at the airport.
When traveling with little ones, it’s impossible to bring all the baby gear you count on at home to keep your kids safe. Not having access to a high chair while traveling can lead to falls and choking hazards. This Liuliuby Compact Travel High Chair is small enough to throw in a purse or diaper bag and makes dining out or at a family member’s home so much easier.
From dusty state fairs to outdoor concerts to long hikes in dry locales, there is no shortage of ways for your child’s air quality to suffer in the summer. The cordless Pure Enrichment PureBaby On-the-Go Air Purifier easily hooks onto travel cribs, strollers, and carseats for a cleaner, safer breathing environment for your baby. This air purifier eliminates 99.97% of airborne pollutants with its two-stage HEPA filtration system.
For Sleeping
I didn’t realize until I had a baby just how important it is to help regulate their body temperature while they sleep, especially in the summer. Overheating can increase the risk of discomfort, disrupted sleep, and even sleep-related issues like SIDS. Having the right sleep sacks on hand makes nights easier and safer. That’s why I love the ergoPouch 0.2 Tog Jersey Sleeping Bag. It’s a great warm-weather option because it’s made from lightweight, breathable organic cotton and designed to help regulate your baby’s temperature naturally. It also provides a safe, snug alternative to loose blankets.
Before our son was born, I spent a lot of time and energy finding him the right bedding and pajamas made of organic cotton to help protect his sensitive skin. Recently, I realized my husband and I deserve the same care and attention when it comes to our bedding. Enter the Antipodean Home Regenerative Organic Cotton Sheet Set, which is breathable and non-toxic. As the weather heats up, we found ourselves overheating at night until I switched out our bedding for all-cotton options.
Feature Image Credit: AleksandarNakic/ iStock
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Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer based in Northern California who graduated from the University of California Irvine with a degree in Literary Journalism. She has written on a wide range of topics including finance, travel, and wellness for publications such as Elle, Coveteur, The Everygirl, and Apartment Therapy. When not whipping up articles, she works with consumer brands like Gorjana, Voluspa, Underclub, The Well, and St. John to help tell their brand stories.
This article is for general informational purposes only.
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