If You Feel Like You Spend All Your Time Indoors, These 31 Backyard Products Will Get You Out Of The House More

If You Feel Like You Spend All Your Time Indoors, These 31 Backyard Products Will Get You Out Of The House More

BuzzFeed-Shopping·2025-05-30 05:06

1. A multi-functional fire pit to bring all your friends and family outta the house for some s'mores and scary stories. And if a fire is the last thing you want to do in the heat, then you can fill it with ice to keep your drinks cool as a cucumber. 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I love the functionality of this fire pit so much! To just sit by the fire or to decide we want to do a quick barbecue on it is just so wonderful! I appreciate the cover that comes with it to protect it from the elements. Assembly was quite easy. I look forward to having this for many years to come. I highly recommend this product." —Kimi

Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors).

2. And a flame colorant that could be described as cool, legit, and dare I say... 🔥FIRE🔥 since it makes your fire pit totally Instagram story worthy. 

www.amazon.com

FYI, if you’re making s’mores (or any food), don’t throw these on until *after* you’re done cooking with the fire.

Promising review: "Watching these burn is absolutely peaceful and mesmerizing! They actually last for a good 20 minutes as well." —Stella

Get six packets from Amazon for $7.20.

3. A three-piece furniture set to make your backyard THE place to be. The soft cushions and glass top table are little details that make this set a perfect place to enjoy your pre-dinner glass of wine. Plus, you'll appreciate how these are durable enough to withstand rain and heat.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Great set for the price! I needed a smaller chair and table set for my front porch, as it is not very wide, and this was perfect. Sturdy build and comfortable. Not hard to put together: all pieces were included, and the instructions were easy. Can’t wait to sit outside with a cup of coffee and watch the cars drive by." —DEBBIE JACKSON

Get it from Amazon for $85.49+ (available in five colors).

4. A folding balcony bar if you don't have room to spare for a full outdoor table set. This lets you get some function out of that fence railing, and it even folds down when you're not using it! 

Pure Wood Design / Etsy

Pure Wood Design is a small business run by carpenter Ömer, who has over 40 years of woodworking experience.

Promising review: "Best idea for a balcony. Really well-made product, and I could not be happier. Heavier and stronger than what you're thinking." —Scotty Smith

Get it from Pure Wood Design on Etsy for $68.60+ (originally $98; available in 11 sizes and 10 colors).

5. A stunning glassworks wind chime that'll make you want to sit outside with your morning cup o' joe and listen to the charming tinkling sounds as you enjoy the subtle breeze.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This is definitely the most beautiful wind chime I've ever seen, and I love the sound, too. The packaging was nice; all the glass pieces were well-protected. I will definitely consider buying again as gifts." —Anita J.

Get it from Amazon for $24.95 (available in six color combinations).

6. A 4-in-1 inflatable pool float you can use as a hammock, a chair, an exercise saddle, or just a regular floatie. Don't be surprised if you spend the foreseeable future floating on this in your pool with a cocktail in hand. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Got this on a whim after reading some reviews. I didn't expect it to immediately become the fam's new favorite! Lay back, and you are half in, half out of the water, so you aren't baking from above or freezing below — just what we wanted. It holds your head well out of the water and feels very supportive/stable. I've had it for about a month now and only had to blow it up the first time; the plastic is fairly thick and doesn't lose air through seams or the nozzle. We have a full-body foam float that costs about $120, and it never gets used anymore. Everybody takes turns on this one. Great deal for the price; I just bought three more of various colors. Go ahead and try it." —DIY Guy

Get it from Amazon for $12.49+ (available in six colors, multipacks, and a two-person style).

7. A set of color-changing inflatable pool balls to add a pop of color to your pool. Plus, they're solar-powered and last up to eight hours on a single charge — perfect for night swims, backyard hangouts, or just making your pool look ridiculously cool after dark.

Amazon

Each light cycles through red, blue, white, and green.

Promising review: "My pool is so old school and boring that I bought these to liven it up, and what a difference!! My pool went from 'meh' to WOW! The balls are easily inflated by mouth like a beach ball. Once inflated, a few hours in the sun and they are charged and ready to go. They light up after dusk ( it has to be rather dark). There is no manual way to power them on or off; they glow all night long. The changing colors are vibrant and very beautiful. They have a loop at the top if you would like to hang them. They would be magical hanging in a tree or from a pergola. I really liked how easy these were to fill and charge, and I like the solar power and the amazing color display. They make my inner child happy." —J. Matheson

Get a set of four from Amazon for $69.99.

8. Some weatherproof outdoor string lights that will make you want to spend all hours of the day and night in your backyard. Give your outdoor space a cozy ambiance by simply hanging these babies, and you'll be set for all those long summer gatherings. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I live in Arizona where we get monsoons (harsh winds with heavy rain), and since I've bought these, I've had two monsoons, and the bulbs somehow are all still working! I recently accidentally hit a bulb throwing my dog's ball in the yard, and one bulb went out (my fault obviously), but it's awesome they included four replacement bulbs. As for the brightness, they aren't too bright or too dull, which is exactly what I was looking for. If you're looking for something with mellow, not overpowering backyard lighting that still lights up your yard, these are definitely it :)" —Nanzilla

Get them from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven lengths and six colors).

9. Or a pack of solar-powered waterproof deck lights to place under your railings, stairs, fence, or wherever else that needs a little extra light. This is a small addition, but it will make a big difference when you're chilling outside and need a little extra light after the sun goes down. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These lights were easy to install and look great in on our deck. We just had a pool built and needed some light on the steps of the deck so we could see walking up the steps at night. They're beautiful without too much light." —BJ

Get 16 from Amazon for $29.99 (available in white or multicolored versions).

10. A Jumbo Pong set so you can really show your friends who's boss and wipe the competition in real life, just like you do in GamePigeon Pong. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "The quality of the cups and balls is impressive; they're sturdy and built to last. Setting up the game was a breeze, and we were able to jump right into the action. It's perfect for those sunny afternoons in the backyard or a day out at the park with friends and family." —Antonio

Get it from Amazon for $59.99.

11. A garbage guard (lasting up to four months!) to stick to the underside of your trash can and release an odorless vapor that prevents bugs and insects from swarming around your garbage.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Got an outdoor can, the kind the mechanical arm on the garbage truck picks up and tips over, with the lid opening by gravity. Placed this on the inside of the lid, near the hinge, to lessen the chances of it being scraped off during emptying and no flies/maggots! No apparent odor. Just seems to put a big hurt on the fly party that used to be my trash can (litter box contents, remnants of meat, etc.)" —Michael E. Bradley

Get it from Amazon for $9.84.

12. A high-voltage bug zapper since the warm weather also welcomes nasty lil' buggers like flies, gnats, and moths to your backyard. This will attract any insects within one acre, so you can enjoy the outdoors without the buzzing in your ear.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "We live in the woods on a lake in Bluegrass Country in Kentucky. The bugs were ridiculous when we first moved here! I bought one of these last spring as a test and was so impressed I purchased two more. They absolutely crush the flying insect population in short order! This spring, we have noticed a huge decrease in bugs, which we suspect is due to the significant depopulation of the breeders last summer. We leave ours on all year round and some are zapped even in the dead of winter, but during the spring and summer? My gosh! We have to use a leaf blower to clean up under the units nearly every day! Even our nearest neighbor (about 200 feet away) says they've noticed a big fall off in bugs in their yard since we put up our units." —Paul

Get it from Amazon for $63.99.

13. Or a bat box to give a safe little home for those bats that work hard to keep the mosquito population near your home at a low. This weatherproof box is designed to hold dozens of bats and is easy to install.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The boxes are available in three different colors, which correspond to different regional weather temperatures. Check the map in the product listing to see which color box is best for where you live.

Promising review: "I could not be happier with this bat house. The first thing we noticed was the wonderful cedar smell as soon as we opened the box. The box is so well built and sturdy. The instructions were easy to read and install. We had to modify where the hardware had to be placed since we have a family of squirrels living right above where the box was placed. Every night for the past 3 years we’ve watched bats come out at dusk to get the bugs for the night. Nothing makes my family happier than to know we might have our own place for the bats soon!! Thanks for making this product for both us and the bats…" —Elizabeth Kitt

Get it from Amazon for $25.49+ (available in three sizes and three colors).

14. A discrete outdoor Wi-Fi extender so you can do your work from the backyard and actually enjoy the sunny weather instead of just looking at it through your office's windows. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I must say, I was a bit skeptical when I first purchased this, but after setting it up, I was absolutely amazed. I hooked it up just outside the back door at our main house, and I have incredible service in the garage apartment. Can run all computers, TV. It really is a wonderful device and definitely worth the money!" —Texas 

Get it from Amazon for $34.99

15. A grill caddy to always have ready to grab and take outside so you can have everything you'll ever need — paper towels, utensils, condiments, grilling spices — when enjoying a meal in the backyard with your buddies. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This fits ALL of the accessories needed to grill like a pro. Spot for the spatulas, seasonings, oil, aluminum foil, etc. This ensures we have everything we need in one spot (when we need it) and don't have to make multiple trips in and out of the indoor kitchen. Highly recommend. He loves it!" —JulieATX

Get it from Amazon for $35.99.

16. And a pair of magnetic grill lights so you can still see your steaks on the grill even when the sun isn't shining anymore. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Just bought a new grill and needed some decent lighting since most of my meals are done at night. These two lights attach only to the lid of my grill because the side tables aren’t magnetic, but the flex necks make the lighting very versatile. The light is bright and illuminates the grill well. The color of the light is good, too. I'm very pleased so far. Seems durable. I plan on keeping it in its storage when not in use and hope to get plenty of use out of it." —Ryan Smith

Get a pair from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in black or silver).

17. A tree swing, which all the neighbor kids will be lining up to use since it's fun, comfy, and relaxing all in one. It's easy to install, and it might even intrigue the adults to come swing on it too — and they can, since it can hold up to 900 pounds!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "This swing is so worth it! I recently bought my first house and bought this for my nieces/nephews. Not only do the kiddos love it, but so do us adults!!! I’m about 130 pounds and have sat on it with my nieces and swung with no problem. My fiancé and dad have both sat on it as well. It’s very sturdy. Easy to put together. It will keep your household entertained anytime you go outside." —Angelina

"Fun for grownups, too! We purchased this for our little grandchildren to enjoy and then discovered that with the high load capacity, we could swing with them, too! The product is sturdy and easy to assemble, hang, and adjust the lengths of the ropes. It’s a great addition to our front yard and immediately became a neighborhood kid magnet, too! It’s only been up for a couple of weeks but has enjoyed hours of playtime." —Richard S

Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in four other styles). 

18. Or a hanging curved lounge chair that's got comfort written all over it. It's made for lazy afternoons with a good book, and doubles as your ultimate work-from-home upgrade. Tired of your desk? Take your laptop outside, kick back, and casually change that Slack status to "Lounging."

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "The only problem I have with this chair is that I only have one of them, and the whole family now fights over it! Seriously, it is THAT comfortable and relaxing. Pretty easy to put together. My husband got it all assembled in less than an hour and then proceeded to open up a beer and fall asleep in it next to the pool. HA! I like to take my laptop and work on it as the moveable umbrella shades my screen. Love love LOVE it!!" —Erin S

Get it from Amazon for $259.99 (available in 16 colors).

19. OR! A hammock chair to add a little touch of White Lotus luxury to your backyard without actually having to spend a bajillion dollars. (And without all the drama and murder, ya know?) Plus, it has pockets for things like snacks and your phone.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

This can support up to 320 pounds.

Promising review: "No assembly required, super easy to put up, and adds so much character to our backyard. It's also very comfortable to sit in. I'm only 5 feet tall, so I'm able to sit cross-legged with extra room." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (available in three colors).

20. An inflatable pool for some instant fun in the sun. Whether you're gonna be relaxing on the built-in bench or splish splashing around, you'll be so glad you have this thing for those very warm days. Plus, it's got built-in cup holders on the edge so you can sip in the sun all day long.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Good size. I'm 5'4" and I bought it for my 3-year-old and 2-year-old for the spring and summer. I didn't need anything huge; I have a nice size deck and we spend a lot of time on the deck so I wanted something big enough for them to have some wiggle room to keep cool but not too big so it wouldn't take up to much room. I also purchased an outdoor grass rug to put it on to protect the bottom of it and keep it from getting splinters (just a suggestion if you plan on using on the deck). It has a drain plug so cleaning and getting fresh water is not hard at all." —Majestic 0220

Get it from Amazon for $59.88.

21. A slatted 6-foot tall cedar privacy screen with built-in planters to hide any garbage cans, AC units, or other clutter you'd prefer not to show your guests when they come over. Plus, it adds some stylish separation, so you’re not making awkward eye contact with your neighbor every time you step outside. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "We have a neighbor who keeps her Christmas light on year-round. This gives us privacy on our patio but doesn’t completely block it, which is fine with us. I love the idea that I can plant my garden." —Sandy912

"I normally hate assembling things, but the instructions were so clear, and the pieces fit so perfectly, it really was a breeze. The screen is well-made and sturdy. I hung flower pots on it as well as putting pots in the bottom. It’s holding up extremely well to the four or five times a week the flowers get watered. Hasn’t tipped or moved despite some recent high winds. Very happy with the look and quality!" —Lynn L.

Get it from Amazon for $179.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors). 

22. A bocce ball set if you want your kids to ditch the controllers and computers and have your family actually touch some grass once in a while. This might be a game, but you mean business when it comes to beating your older siblings at any chance you can get.   

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I have wanted a bocce game for a while but didn't want to pay a fortune. Balls are good and heavy. The measuring rope works great. Any age can play this game. It's fun, colorful, and the storage ball is perfect." —Jessica

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

23. An outdoor drink stakes set, which give your drinks a safe place to be besides balanced between blades of grass, only to be knocked over by your friends. Everything from that adult drink in your red solo cup to your big tumbler will fit in these!  

Amazon

Promising review: "These are great. They are large enough to hold large drink tumblers like a Yeti, they will hold a beer with a thick foam koozie, they will hold a giant Fosters can, and yes, it is large enough to hold a bottle of wine. They are made out of metal and seem pretty durable. Each one is two pieces that screw together, and they have a small tab to help you push them into the ground with your feet. The only thing I would improve is to make the foot tab a little larger. Otherwise, they have my stars." —Jamawama

Get a set of four from Amazon for $18.74.

24. A giant inflatable dinosaur sprinkler so you and your friends can have a rawrin' good time outside without overheating.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Hours of humongous fun! I purchased the dinosaur for my 3-year-old son! He loves it! Easy to inflate. This thing is huge! My item arrived with 3 stakes to secure in the ground. There are three sleeves with holes off the side of each leg and tail to insert the stake. I live in Florida, and with the winds we had, this didn’t blow around. I was shocked at how far and wide the water sprayed. Highly recommend." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $61.16.

25. Twister Splash — dare I say a fun ~twist~ on the classic indoor game since each colored circle splashes water at you until you're able to cover it with your hands or feet. 

Amazon

Promising review: "In July, my sister and I, aka The Grandmas, had a week that we were challenged to keep four kids between the ages of 5–11 busy and motivated. We wanted just a really fun time for little to no extra cost, hence the purchase of Twister Splash. I bought it on a lark and just hoped it would absorb one hot morning or afternoon. Well, it lived up to the hype. Those kids could not wait to play. Hours spent in the sunshine screaming, laughing, and getting soaking wet while trying to reach the right color with the left foot. Hilarious! They wanted to play every day. It was economical, fun, and so easy to set up and take down!! The kids have already requested we have it next year and we are looking forward to more fun in the sun with Twister Splash!!" —Melissa Applewhite

Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in an XL size for more players).

26. A set of metal geckos that puts the FUN in funky outdoor decor. Wherever you put these little guys, you just know you're gonna wanna enjoy the warm weather with them by your side. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These are adorable for the price. You can hang them up or just set them on the table. They come in different colors, which are bright and vibrant. Also, these are fun and goofy with bulging eyes. I live in Hawaii, and we have tons of geckos. These fit with my theme on my patio great." —Melissa

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $13.99 (also available in a six-pack).

27. A pair of gardening gloves that have our green thumbs up of approval because they're made from an anti-scratch material and have a durable palm for better gripping and gardening. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These super comfortable gardening gloves are soft inside, durable and keep my hands from getting wet and dirty while keeping up my landscape. I’ll be ordering a few other patterns for my mom and siblings when we need to do some landscaping! Beautiful garden? Check! Equally stylish and usable gloves? CHECKKKKKK!" —Angie

Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 2 sizes and 11 patterns).

28. A cooling pad because your furry pal wants to soak up the sun with you, but you want to make sure they don't get overheated. It can keep your pet cool for up to three hours, and reviewers say it's a game-changer for warm, sunny days. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

It takes about 15 to 20 minutes of non-use to reset.

Promising review: "Really happy I purchased this mat. I was on the fence last year due to the price, but it is well worth it. My Aussie loves to be outside no matter how hot it is and, after a swim, likes to lay on the cool garage floor. Now she's a bit more comfortable and cool! Once she comes inside, I bring the mat in and she still likes to lay on it inside. The mat is very easy to brush off with a hand broom or a towel!" —Kat M.

Get it from Amazon for $27.98+ (available in five sizes and two colors).

29. A sunshade triangle designed to block up to 95% of UV rays so you can enjoy some shade and try to keep cool while the sun does its thing. Reviewers love how expansive it is and how it's perfect for creating shade over a pool or a patio that normally doesn't get any.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "My pool is awesome when it gets into the 100s of degrees here in California. We decided to grab a 20x20x20 triangle and holy cow does it do a number on the backyard! Not only does it keep my pool better-shaded, but it also keeps the sun off of my back patio during the hottest part of the day." —The Tiki Lab

Get it from Amazon for $29.98+ (available in a variety of colors and sizes).

30. A high-velocity rechargeable outdoor fan because sometimes it can feel like the breeze is nowhere to be found on a hot day. 

www.amazon.com

It takes two and a half to three hours to charge fully, and one charge can last from up to 24 hours, depending on what speed it's running at and the size of the fan you purchase. 

Promising review: "Love it. I will probably buy a second one. Easy to move around — porch, backyard, etc. Easy to recharge and will run while recharging. Like the indicator lights to let you know how much charge is left. Very quiet. Puts out plenty of breeze for a small unit. Plan to take it to the beach house with us when we go to use it on the deck." —A.P.

Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in three sizes). 

31. A set of giant dice made from water- and weather-resistant materials so you can use them outside, by the pool, and anywhere else you want some screen-free time. And it comes with a carrying case for when you want to bring your fun on the run! 

Swooc Games / Etsy

Swooc Games is a small business that started in a garage in Delray Beach, Florida in 2015. They specialize in fun, original games and have partnered with TREES, a nonprofit that provides farmers in Africa with seeds, tools, and training to plant forest gardens and develop sustainable farming methods.

Promising review: "Great product! Can’t wait to use it for summer parties." —Sheila

Get it from Swooc Games on Amazon and Etsy for $39.99.

Wait, where can I find you? You:

Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF

Harpo Productions

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

……

Read full article on BuzzFeed-Shopping

America Lifestyle Technology