1. A reusable sand eraser that'll easily dust off all that stuff stuck to you when you're finally being dragged away from the beach. Now you won't have to worry about making your car (or shower) feel like a sandbox and deal with an uncomfortable journey home. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

I actually just bought one for myself because I love going to the beach. But living in New York City means I have to ride a ferry or a subway to and from the beach. So it's even better to get as MUCH sand as possible off of me before my hour-long journey home. Always worth it, though!

Promising review: "This is a great product and gift for a beach lover. Works great and is a decent size for brushing away the sand after an amazing day at the beach! Going to buy it as a gift!! Easy to use and affordable!" —Sue Krauser 

Get it from Amazon for$13.99. 

2. A set oflimited edition wildflower Band-Aids so you can cover up all kinds of scratches from "exploring" in the woods behind your house with your toddler. Though, it was full of more sticks than wildflowers. This'll be a cute solution! 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "If you’re looking for a cute Band-Aid that has flexible fabric, these are it! I only use flexible fabric Band-Aids because they’re way more comfortable and stay on better. Bonus that these are a cute design!" —Jessica

Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for$3.77. 

3. And a pack ofDr. Frederick's Original Better Blister Bandages made with hydrocolloid to not only avoid rubbing existing blisters, but also to help heal them. 

www.amazon.com

Here's what BuzzFeed staffer Emma Lord has to say about them: "As a blister-prone human, I swear by these. A few years ago, before I invested in these running socks that prevent blisters, I got a blister on my big toe so unspeakably large and painful that I am cringing even TYPING about it, and no amount of rest from running seemed to heal it; it just kept coming back. I finally used one of these bandages, and the pain was virtually gone from the moment I put it on. It was also so airtight that nothing got inside, and it didn't loosen in the shower. You're supposed to take it off when it loses adhesive so it can come off gently without disturbing the blister if it hasn't fully healed yet. After using two of these in a row over the course of a week and a half, my blister was finally healed up enough that it stopped coming back."

Promising review: "I got a big heel blister while breaking in some new work boots. It would have been painful to keep wearing the boots with a traditional Band-Aid. These Dr. Frederick's heel bandages work like magic. They are literally like a padded extra layer of skin. Put one on and you can't even feel the blister anymore. Could put the boots back on and go right back to work. And they fit so well, that towards the end of the healing period I forgot and even took a shower with it on and still stuck on fine. Like I say, like an layer of temporary skin." —Kevin Weatherman

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in four varieties). 

4. A tinted lip balm you'd SWEAR is Clinique's $25 "Almost Lipstick" Black Honey for the lovely, sophisticated hue it'll turn your lips. This is great for people who 1) always want a little lip color, 2) hate a sticky feel, and 3) love a bargain. Sometimes you just need a liiiiiitle something besides your trusty ChapStick to keep you from feeling like a zombie!

www.amazon.com

My colleague Emma(who's a fan of the original) has and loves this: "I bought this because I crave that Black Honey and will buy it until the day I die, but I am always paranoid of losing it, so I almost never let it leave my bag. I have tried probably five or six "almost" versions of Black Honey that came close, but this one genuinely spooked me. It has the same easy glide, same buildability, and the same refreshingly hydrating effect. It was a two-pack so I gave one to my BFF, another Black Honey fan, who also could not detect the difference!"

Promising review: "Better than Clinique! I bought this one on a whim but never liked the real Black Honey Almost Lipstick by Clinique, since it tends to run red on me. This shade, in my opinion, is exactly what Black Honey SHOULD be, as it looks more like Black Honey in pictures. For the price, it can’t be beat, so I’m buying more." —HAC 

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (also available in the pink honey version, and in a two-pack that mixes both!). 

5. A Creamy Coconut fragrance rollerball that'll capture the $25 Sol de Janeiro fragrance in those moments on the go when you realize that your perfume has worn off and you're starting to smell yourself. 

www.amazon.com

Kuumba Made is a small business that's TikTok–famous and specializes in luxury scents at affordable price points. 

Promising review: "AYOOOO this is perfect, literally smells exactly like that Sol de Janeiro spray #71 — the perfect beachy, vanilla, and coconut mix, I’m obsessedddd!! I put it on to test on my skin and hours later, it smells like I JUST applied it!" —Isabella Jimenez 

Get it from Amazon for $9.94 (available in six scents and three sizes). 

6. Lanolips SPF 30 lip balm for a nice, light, pineapple-y treat so you don't get back inside after a picnic and start wondering why your lips feel so tight. Your lips needs sunscreen too! But with this, it doesn't taste like you're wearing sunscreen. 

Ulta

This stuff JUST dropped and after trying what feels like every last lip product with SPF on the market, this is probably the first that made me forget I'm wearing sunscreen. It doesn't have that sunscreen-y taste at ALL! (Psst, AAD Guidelines recommend using sunscreen with at least SPF 30, so this meets that recommendation!)

Get it from Ulta or Amazon for $14.

7. A "boardwalk"-scented spray SPF 30 in case you find yourself on an actual boardwalk during a go-with-the-flow Saturday...or just sipping some wine on a patio where you're DEF in direct sunlight. Oh, and it's in a vegan, water-resistant formula made to protect you for 80 minutes. 

Skylar

What does "boardwalk" smell like? It's a combo of vanilla, cotton candy, and coconut milk. If you wanna get deeper, here's the scent breakdown:

Top notes: Aquatic Accord, Watery Apple, Juicy Raspberry SorbetMiddle notes: Water Lily, Guava Flower, Coconut MilkBase notes: Cotton Candy, Vanilla, Solar Amber, Musk

I'm normally not into super sweet smells, but I'm VERY into this. 

Get it from Skylar for $25.

8. Or if you prefer a cream, Neutrogena Dry-Touch SPF 70 Sunscreen because sunscreen is ALWAYS a good idea and this formula is designed to be matte and quick-absorbing. Plus, it's fine for your face and body! 

www.amazon.com

Note that 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: "This sunscreen is well worth it. I used it all summer and never got burnt. It lasted tanning, swimming, and walking around outside every day. I would reapply it every hour or so to ensure coverage. It is really lightweight and doesn’t feel like a thick sunscreen. It had a nice, subtle smell that wasn’t overpowering. I am happy I got so many bottles to last the summer, and the slim packaging was nice to take in a bag. I will be getting it again!" —Savannah

Price: $8.88+ (available in multipacks, SPF 100, and SPF 30 versions) 

9. Laneige's Neo Blurring Powder that'll stop shine in its tracks without having to dip into a coffee shop bathroom to touch up your makeup. It walks that fine (perfect) line of blurring and keeping you matter without making you look dull. 'Tis the season for your skin to come out of its dry cave and it's always a bit tough to find that perfect in-between!

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I loved this setting powder, it blurred my pores and blended my makeup so well that even my husband noticed. Wow! I will be buying more before people find it and sell it all out, hehehe." —Charlotte Laim 

Get it from Amazon for $25. 

10. A  can help soothe rosacea, eczema, rashes, sunburns, and other skin irritations for when your skin is just not cooperating thanks to hypochlorous acid (it's in your white blood cells and helps soothe inflammation). Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray is also what some call a miracle in a bottle. But Briotech is in a cheaper bottle you could buy in multiples for each bag. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Check out aTikTok of the Briotech spray in action. 

Promising review: "This spray is amazing. I had a rash on my face and it disappeared after one use of this spray. I had a stye in my eye and the skin around the eye was irritated. This spray fixed not only the irritation but the stye went away as well. Any sort of blemish or acne is taken care of with this simple inexpensive spray. Great for after-sun care or workout redness. Everyone loves Tower 28's expensive SOS spray. TheSOS spray contains hypochlorous acid, which is the exact same ingredient in the Briotech spray for much less money. It’s a miracle worker." —Squid466

Get it from Amazon for $16.49+ (available in four sizes and in multipacks).

11. A SPF 50 Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar for a K-beauty sun fix you can safely throw in your bag and then reapply on the go. It has a slightly curved bar for easier application (like in the GIF!) and matte effect, and won't leave a white cast in its wake. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

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

Note that 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 $17.02. 

12. A Revlon volcanic stone face roller to remove oil and shine from your face. And unlike oil-blotting sheets, the ball can be popped out and washed so you can use this over and over and over again.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. Not only is it affordable, but it's also washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful. It felt like the holy grail had been delivered to my front doorstep. After my first use, I was in love. Now, it doesn't pick up everything but it does make it more matte and gives you a natural look. I am so excited this product exists and I already feel more confident." —Kelsey B.

Get it from Amazon for $8.88.

13. A stick of Gold Bond Friction Defense can stop chafing caused by sweat before it even starts. It's sooo good and better than any other competitor in the thigh-saving category. Toss this in your bag and apply before you go on that long, lovely beach stroll.

Amazon

My former colleague Ciera Velarde is a huge fan! Here's what she has to say: 

"I've used it for about 12 years now and it's the only thing that I can trust to prevent that dreaded chafing after a sweaty day of walking around. It glides on perfectly, it's unscented, and it doesn't melt away when you start to sweat. If it's a particularly hot day out, it can start to fade after a few hours, so just make sure to bring it with you to reapply. In addition to preventing chafing between my thighs, I've also applied it on my arms where my sports bra rubs against them when I run and it works like a charm!"

Promising review: "Whoooo sometimes I feel as if a fire is going to start between my fat thighs, but with this stuff they just glide right on by each other, it has been a summer life saver. Only thing is you have to pack it on and reapply maybe 4 hours in, so bring it along for the ride. I will be buying again." —Ash

Get it from Amazon for $6.

14. Lumify Eye Drops beloved by the masses who've tried other redness-reducing eye drops before. Yes, these are a bit pricier than other versions. But reviewers say it's totally worth it! Oh, and don't forget that it's also made to help relieve dry eyes. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it. No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." —Angela Leonard

"Two drops in your eyes and all day, they look perfectly white and healthy. I would definitely buy these again." —Kelley

Get it from Amazon for$11.97. 

15. Dae's Hair Cactus Fruit 3-In-1 Styling Cream & Taming Wand for when you realize in the work bathroom (under HARSH lighting) that your ponytail isn't nearly as slicked-back as you previously thought when you left the house. This lil' guy can help you zero in on flyaways and smooth frizzy spots. (OK, I'm talking about myself here.) 

Amazon

Dae is a small business that specializes in haircare and styling products. 

(It goes without saying that you don't need to lay your edges if you don't want to, but this is a handy option if you do.) 

Promising review: "I’ve tried numerous products for taming baby hairs, especially post-partum, and this is hands down the best thing I’ve tried. It also smells incredible! Love the size of the styling wand!" —Completely happy customer! 

Get it from Amazon for $18. 

16. A bug bite suction tool that'll help you out with existing bites to remove the irritating venom, and help reduce itchiness, pain, and swollenness. Plus it works on other insect stings. Think about all the scratching you could've saved yourself!

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I am a magnet for bites of all kinds and carry topical and medicines with me at all times — so I figured this would be a good product to see if it really works. It arrived on Monday and on Tuesday morning I woke up with a bug bite on my arm. I used this little tool (3x per the instructions) and documented with photos. Immediately after using, it stopped itching! And less than 24 hours later the bump/bite was gone! There is a very faint red mark from using the thing but a small price to pay IMO. Bottom line: it’s awesome. I’m carrying it with me everywhere!" —Rebecca

Get it from Amazon for $9.95.

17. A bag Liquid I.V. electrolyte drink mix that I can attest actually does capture that nostalgic, sweet flavor of a firecracker popsicle you always got at the gas station or ice cream truck! Keep one of these handy if you've hit a mid-afternoon slump and realize you've barely had any water today. Pop one of these into a glass of water to help feel hydrated, especially because your neighbor just texted asking if you wanna drink wine on her deck later.

www.amazon.com

FYI, depending on your situation, water may be enough to rehydrate you! Read more about electrolyte-enhanced drinks and hydration at Cleveland Clinic. 

Promising review: "Love them. Tastes exactly like melted Firecracker Popsicle. My boyfriend and I have tried my Liquid IV flavors and this is one of our favorites. It is definitely sweet, so if that's not your thing you might not like it." —Samantha McClain

Get a 16-pack from Amazon for $23.62(available 16 flavors). If you'd love another nostalgic flavor, the cotton candy flavor also hits that sweet spot.

18. A rechargeable handheld fan for hot times spent outside your car's AC — it might just make you think about all those times you said "I wish I had a fan." Well now you will. Just be prepared to buy one for each kid. 

www.amazon.com

It has three speed settings and folds up by the handle for easy carrying. It also operates on a 2600mAh battery which comes with the fan.

Promising review: "It's very useful and portable anywhere at any time. The battery is good and the air is cool. It is very handy and lightweight. I love it. Summer days and nights have become so easy now. Plus, it comes with a charger!" —Sammi

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five colors).

19. A *foldable* wide-brim hat for helping you keep the sun off of your face, make your outfits look even cuter, and easily fit in your bag without crushing it. Sometimes you realize you need a hat later in the day!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Guys. If you’re going on a trip and need a cute hat but don’t want to worry about it getting smashed…look no further. I bought this hat last summer. It’s been as far as The Maldives, all over Europe, and I wear it on the reg in southern California. It’s totally kept its shape, and I’m not shy of shoving it in bags. 10/10 recommend! I’m sitting on a bus in Croatia right now thinking how awesome this hat has been and decided to write a review, as I rely on reviews for my purchases on Amazon. Hope this helps someone!" —Lyra S.

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in 22 color combos). 

20. ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starr 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray if you have a lot of requirements for your made-up look. Like, you wanna actually dip in the pool but stay looking matte while you lounge poolside beforehand. Psst, it comes in a mini size perfect for your bag!

Sephora

I've gone through several bottles of this stuff and let me tell you, if you want your makeup to stay put and the price is right for your budget, get this. 

Promising review: "This setting spray locks my makeup in. Great for menopausal women too because the makeup doesn't fade off. I sweat on my forehead and nose area, and my makeup stays on all day." —shelop

Get it from Sephora for $17+ (available in two sizes; vegan and cruelty-free).

21. A set of DEET-free handy mosquito-repelling bracelets in case the thought of putting something else on your skin besides SPF (like smelly bug repellent) sounds like a total nightmare. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Check out a TikTok of the mosquito-repelling bracelets in action. 

Promising review: "I moved last year from Southern California to North Carolina. Bugs of all types have always been attracted to me but the amount of bites I got last summer was WILD. Someone gave me one of these types of bracelets to use one day and it seemed to work SOOOOOO I decided to buy myself an arsenal to prepare for this summer. I read the reviews and about 99% of them had great results. I've only used this bracelet twice but both times I was outside and un-touched. Delivery was very quick so that was a plus. I'm not fond of the smell, I'm hyper sensitive to smells, but I'd rather have the odor than being chewed alive." —Tracey Agopian

Get a 10-pack from Amazon for$8.49. 

22. A set of sunscreen reminder stickers to pair with your body sunscreen so there's someone besides you and your pal who're wading in the waves to remind you that, uh, yes, you do need to reapply! Oh and they last for 12 hours. Once a sticker turns colors, it's time to reapply. 

www.amazon.com

Check out a TikTok of the sunscreen stickers in action. 

Promising review: "Just used this product on a recent trip to Florida. I made sure to wash my skin before application and it lasted about two days on my skin without coming off. When out of the sun or behind UV glass, like in a car, the spot turns clear. As soon as you step into the sun it turns purple. If you use a sunblock it starts to become clear or semi clear. After being on the beach and having gone into the water a few times the spot started seeing purple and I applied sunblock again. In a minute the spot was clear again. So this is very effective In alerting me when to reapply." —RGTorque

Get two 16-counts from Amazon for$25.99+ (also available as a 48-count). 

23. AnI Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo that'll tackle greasy roots without the aerosol formula. AND it comes in six colors, so if white dry shampoo has never quite worked for you, this is worth a shot. 

Amazon

Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again." —Teresa

Get it from Amazon for $18. 

24. A Hairbrella can easily fold up and be ready for those days when you look like you have GREAT weather. Then, all of a sudden the sky opens up and starts pouring, ruining your perfect hair day. 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business that has been creating fashionable hats that protect hair from all kinds of weather since 2016. 

Promising review: "If you have natural hair that you wear in a silk press… you need the Hairbrella! If you have natural hair that you wear curly… you need the hairbrella! If you have relaxed hair… you need the hairbrella! Basically after losing my umbrella and resorting to the dreaded grocery bag over my head… I found Hairbrella on Amazon and I bought one for myself and two other relatives. We chose not to chemically straighten our hair, so humid or rainy days can be a choice to return to our beautiful curls if an umbrella is not handy. So imagine our excitement to find a stylish, lined waterproof rainbonnet that won’t have me looking crazy with a grocery bag on my head as I enter buildings.

Buy this…. You won’t be disappointed!" —Sherry

"Would definitely buy again. It worked wonderfully." —Latrice B.

Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in nine colors).

25. A set of cooling patcheswill work some soothing magic for a variety of uses including (perhaps most importantly), sunburn. But it'll also help with itchiness from bug bites and poison ivy. And! They're TSA friendly. So you can probably leave your aloe vera gel at home for your next vacation. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Used these on a sunburn on my back, and they were very soothing. Also provided padding when leaning back in my seat. I stuck one on my shoulder also to keep my seatbelt from rubbing the sunburn there. I bought them to use on the back of my kids' necks to help prevent heat exhaustion on a very hot day outside but ended up just using them for burn relief." —Joanna

"These saved us on our vacation with our little that is sensitive to sun!" —felicia faith

Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $14.99. 

26. A pair of retro-style oval sunglasses your nemesis might mistake for the $400+ Miu Miu ones, which is fine. Let 'em think that and put that extra cash toward whatever else you want. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I absolutely love these sunglasses! They suit my face beautifully and elevate any look with their stylish design. The gold details on the sides are such a stunning touch — reminiscent of high-end Miu Miu sunglasses but at a fraction of the cost. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and feel durable. I’ve received so many compliments already. Highly recommend these for anyone looking to add a chic accessory to their collection!" —Arsalan sheikh

Get it from Amazon for $11.99(available in five styles and two packs). 

27. A set of Sea Bands with a little nub that targets the acupressure point on your wrists meant to help reduce nausea. This'll be especially great on car rides, boat rides, or in the chance that you got a little too adventurous with your brunch order last night and a wave of nausea hits you mid-afternoon. 

www.amazon.com

Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Promising review: "FLIGHT ATTENDANT APPROVED! They work. 100% of the time." —Jessica

Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.43.

28. A 40-pack of zero-sugar Margaritaville drink mix packets you can simply add to water solo OR used to make an impromptu margarita with water and tequila when your fave neighbor drops by your picnic with some good gossip about the HOA president. Spill!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Flavor is really good. I like to mix a small amount of one flavor with a small amount of another flavor and create different combos. Perfect to add a little tequila to and have a margarita at home." —S. Clark

Get them from Amazon for$10.98.

29. A dog water bottle for your paw-tner in crime, because while you two are out running some errands you're going by the park anyway. You might as well stop for a short stroll. Plus, it comes with a bowl that snaps onto the bottom!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My local dog park has a fountain for the large dogs, but not for the small, so I always take water for him. This bottle works great! BPA-free and has a large mouth to fill the bottle with — it fits perfectly in my fridge water dispensing area! Has a one-button pop-open top for pouring, and even has a clasp to lock the top to ensure there are no spills. What's best in the silicone bowl it comes with! It fits snugly on the base and is easy to remove and re-insert. Also a breeze to wash! The bottle also comes with a short carrying strap and a built-in pre-formed handle, which makes for easy carrying! Very happy with this item!" —Console

Get it from Amazon for $16.32+ (available in two sizes and two colors).

30. A 10 x 9-foot sand-free beach blanket made so sand will roll right off of it. Plus it's big enough to help you lay claim to a good amount of beach space for you and your pals (up to seven adults)! It packs up pretty small so it's a great bet even if you have to ride public transportation to get to the beach (i.e. ME). You're gonna love it for park days too. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Absolutely excellent. I’ve taken this to the beach three times now, and it’s awesome. Absolutely massive, and sand doesn’t stick to it. Sure, if you step on it with sandy feet or push sand onto it, it’ll sit on top, but it just brushes off or shakes off without working for it at all. Ideal fabric for laying out at the beach. Great value, a must-have!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $34.95 (available in blue or orange).

31. A compact eight-compartment pill organizer so you'll have space for all the emergency allergy pills and pain killers when last night's happy hour(s) of white wine on a patio is rearing its ugly head on a Wednesday morning at your email job. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." —Jacqueline

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $8.97.

32. Some Bunzee Bands are made for Afro puffs, locs, dreads, and thick ponytails to help keep your hair off your neck now that it's no-jacket weather. They're super strong and built to last up to two years (that's a really long time for a hair tie), but they won't harm or painfully pull your hair. Plus, the adjustable bands mean that they'll stay put. It's never a bad idea to keep an extra hair band (or four) in your bag!

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Though they may not be very visible with some hair styles, these hair bands are super cute and come in some vibrant shades!

Bunzee Bands is a small business dedicated to providing pain-free hair ties for people of all hair shapes and sizes. 

Promising reviews: "Sent from the HEAVENS!! This. Is. Everything. During the summer time my hair was placed in time out. The curls that came out in the morning from my braid out would succumb to humidity the minute I stepped out. So I was left to just do puffs, and I'm was used to using the typical headband to do so. It would cause major headaches and being prone to headaches, it wasn't fun. So this product was a complete godsend! I can rock my puffs on my busy class days and forget I even have a puff in because there's no headache! 😍😍" —Mikaylia

"I absolutely love this. It does the trick. My locs are long and thick and so rubber bands take too much to try to get them on, and usually I can't get them tight enough. Finally I found something that works." —Karen

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $18.95 (available in eight colors, a single pack, and a smaller size). 

33. A pack of Melissa & Doug Reusable Water-Reveal Activity Pads with pens that you can fill with water and then be used to "color" in the pads over and over again. No more worrying about messy crayons or markers while your kid needs something to do on the go that won't make a huge mess. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My family and I went on a 27-hour road trip for the Christmas holiday. Needless to say I was a bit anxious over the idea of traveling with a 4-, 2-, and 1-year-old. These things were a life saver! I had bought quite a few other activities for them to do, but they kept returning to these. I love that there is no clean up, and they are reusable. I also thought the pen storage was a really nifty idea. The pages are a thick chipboard-like material so that there is no water leakage between pages. We still use these- Sometimes, I pull them out while I'm getting dinner ready and it keeps them occupied." —Dina

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $17.76.

34. A quirky Sasquatch 12-in-1 multitool that'll lend a hand (and Big Foot) the next time you need to pop open a bottle. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Each tool includes a 1-inch ruler, 1.5-inch carabiner, bottle opener, cord cutter, flat head screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, butterfly wrench, can opener, and four hex wrench positions.

Promising review: "No joke, I was out with my husband after I got him this multitool. Three different times guys came up complimenting him on this and asked where he got it and talked a few for how handy this Big Foot tool is. 10/10 would buy for him again." —N. Bower

Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in dozens of styles). 

35. A UV-protective mini umbrella for all those random seasonal showers and beyond. It fits into a compact carrying case so it won't feel like a thing to carry it around with you.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Perfect, affordable, useful. Comes in attractive, carrying case. Has a protective sleeve. Opens to a good size." —Holly West

Get it from Amazon for $10.77+ (available in 19 colors). 

36. A scented bag dispenser that'll easily clip onto your diaper bag so you can more easily dispose of stinky diapers. They have baking soda and a lavender scent to help with the odor situation. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Best. Buy. Ever! Recently went on my first road trip with my baby and these were pretty handy. The scent is so strong you can't smell the dirty diapers. It clips onto the diaper bag and isn't in the way or something else packed inside." —amber jo nicole mason

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

37. A JBL portable speakerthat's both waterproof *and* dust-proof to clip onto your beach or camping chair in case whatever you're doing needs a background beat.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Has a built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery with up to 10 hours of battery life.

Promising review: "This is an amazing speaker for traveling or going to the beach. It's portable, and you can hang it so it doesn't get dirty with sand or dust around you. It is very useful in hiking because it is light, which makes it easy to carry as you can see in the picture. The battery life is really good. I've used it three times and still doesn't need to charge, so it's about 10 hours of music. I really liked the sound quality and my friends say that they liked it, too." —Tifanny Angulo

Get it from Amazon for $79.95 (available in 16 colors). 

38. A set ofwaterproof "wet bags" that'll fold up SO tiny but will be a HUGE help in case you decide to take a dip a the beach, get caught in a rainstorm, or just need to transport wet clothes home for a number of possible reasons. 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "These are my best value summer purchase. I take my kids to the splash park all summer long and these come in so handy for their wet clothes. It's waterproof, roomy, and a cute alternative to using a plastic bag." —Brenda

Get a set of two from Amazon for $19.95 (available in 22 color sets). 

39. A waterproof pouch for those moments when your pal has the great idea to rent some paddle boats at the park, but said friend ALSO loves to splash for fun. Slip your phone into this pouch to keep it nice and dry. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

It fits any phone up to 100 mm x 170 mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). It's also a great fix for keeping out sand and dirt. With these, I find that they're good for about a day due to condensation if you're at the beach or doing a straight-up boat day. So, for a trip, I'll buy two to three. I've used this case to take underwater pics, on boat rides, and have worn it with the lanyard jumping off a boat into water. So, I really trust these!

Promising review: "I purchased this case in July for an upcoming canoe trip with a friend, and as luck would have it, we flipped our canoe. I just assumed my phone would be discovered a thousand years from now and placed in a museum as an ancient artifact. Fast forward to this week. I was contacted via FB by an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office diver and guess what he found? Yup, my phone case with all of the contents intact and dry as a bone! He had to cut the case open, but there was not one single drop of water in it, and he ended up purchasing a case for himself because he was just that impressed!" —Julie McDonald

Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in 14 colors).

40. A Java Sock in case you thrive on iced coffee and are barely without one while you're on the go. BUT hate condensation. Keep one of these in your bag and, according to reviewers, it'll keep your coffee cold and paws dry for hours. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I was hesitant to buy this but I absolutely love it! It keeps my drinks cold for hours, the ice stays solid without watering the drinks down, and it prevents condensation. Perfect for iced coffee, soda, or any glass cup. The patterns are adorable as well. I loved it so much I had to order another for my other car!" —Marta

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three sizes and several styles).

41. A travel urinal any parents with a potty-training will appreciate out and about when everyone has to use a "strange" bathroom. 

www.amazon.com

Watch this mom's review on TikTok. 

Promising review: "I purchased this for my son and our long car trips. How many times can we pull over to potty on a three-and-a-half hour car trip? Ask my 4-year-old. When I saw this, I couldn't resist. We brought it along, and when he had to pee, no problem. It's only a little gross when you dump it later. Well designed, definitely recommend." —Evan

Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in eight colors).

42. Or a Frida Baby fold-and-go potty seat so when your toddler's gotta go in a public bathroom, it's a lot less you've gotta think about. 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

My colleague Heather Braga swears by this: "We're in the midst of potty training my toddler, and the hardest part has definitely been his need to pee whenever we're out of the house. I ordered this seat, and it's become an essential item in any bag I carry. It folds up nice and small; it's not bulky to toss in a tote bag or the diaper bag. I can whip it out quickly (ideally before he has an accident) and pop it onto any toilet seat. So far, we've used it in the airport, at my parents' house, and in several stores and restaurants. I wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe after we use it and move on to the next chaotic moment of our day."

Promising review: "My toddler loves her little training potty but would not sit on regular toilets at home or elsewhere. I purchased this foldable potty seat and started using it at home so she would get comfortable with it, making her comfortable using it outside of the home. I love that it puts a barrier between her and public bathroom seats. It is a very good quality design. It's easily foldable and stable. It has a rubber lip around the edge to keep it from slipping on the toilet seat when my toddler sits on it. No leakage or complaints. It's easy to clean or wipe down on the go. Would 100% recommend to all my mom friends." —Jess

Get it from Amazon for $10.48.

43. A Neutrogena makeup eraser stick that'll let you do a quick touch-up when you realize that your "waterproof" mascara is starting to slide a bit down your face in the heat.  

Amazon

Promising review: "Why didn’t someone think of this sooner? For years, I’ve been using cotton swabs dipped in makeup remover to remove little goofs or mistakes. This is so much better and portable! Erases waterproof mascara marks around my eyes easily. Must-buy product!!" —Katherine Riordan

Get it from Amazon for $7.97. 

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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