How I Organize Summer Gear (Beach Bags, Pool Toys, Sunscreen, AND MORE!) Leave a comment
Summer is here—and so is the chaos. Between pool days, beach outings, park picnics, and spontaneous splash pad visits, this mama is in full go-mode. With three littles (yes, including one still in diapers!), I’ve had to master the art of summer gear organization to keep my sanity intact.
Today, I’m spilling all my busy-mom secrets on how I organize summer gear so we’re ready for sunshine fun in a flash—without forgetting the sunscreen, goggles, or snacks!
Get ready for Amazon summer finds, budget-friendly mom hacks, and fun seasonal must-haves that even your kids will love to help pack. ☀️💦🌴
🌴 1. The Ultimate Beach/Pool Bag That Stays Ready to Grab & Go
Mesh Beach Bag, Large Beach Tote with Zipper Pocket
This bag is a LIFESAVER—huge, waterproof, and mesh so sand shakes right out. I keep ours always packed with beach towels, sunscreen, snacks, and a few toys so we can hit the water without scrambling.
Mom Tip: Assign one mesh pocket to each kid for their own towel, hat, and water bottle = fewer “MOM, where’s my stuff?!” meltdowns.
🧴 2. Clear Caddy for Sunscreens & Sprays
Lazy Susan Turntable Organizer with Dividers
This spinning caddy sits right in my mudroom. I toss in sunscreens, bug sprays, aloe gel, detangler spray, and mini fans. I just grab it and go!
- FOUR REMOVABLE SECTIONS: Excellent for storing smaller items that you want to keep separated from each other. Each secti…
- CLEAR AND CLASSY: Transparent design lets you see everything the turntable cabinet organizer is holding and also enables…
- ROTATING 360 DESIGN: Smoothly turns a complete 360 degree allowing easy access to all your items, while saving space and…
Fun Mom Tip: Let kids decorate mini spray bottles with stickers for their “personal sunscreen”—they’ll be more excited to use it!
🏖️ 3. Stackable Totes for Pool & Water Toys
Sterilite Stack & Carry 2 Layer Storage Box
From squirt guns to dive toys and puddle jumpers, I store pool toys in a labeled two-layer tote—one for dry toys, one for wet. Easy to rinse and reload.
- 14 3/8″ L x 10 3/4″ W x 7 3/4″ H
- See-through latched layers allow easy access to items enclosed
- Handle on lid provides ease in carrying to and from locations
Why Moms Love It: Say goodbye to soggy toys in your trunk and hello to neat, grab-and-go bins! They’re stackable AND affordable.
🍉 4. Summer Snack Station on Wheels
3-Tier Rolling Cart Organizer
I roll this snack cart from the kitchen to the car. Top tier = granola bars, trail mix, and squeeze pouches. Middle = water bottles, juice boxes. Bottom = wipes, napkins, reusable snack bags.
- Easy to Install: This 3-Tier Kitchen Storage Carts comes with required tools and simple assembly instructions, you can e…
- Effortless Mobility: Equipped with 4 wheels (2 lockable) and handle design make it easy & convenient to keep the multifu…
- Perfect rolling carts with wheels: 3 large storage baskets with elevated edges prevent items from falling down when the …
Budget Bonus: Buy in bulk and refill each week. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!
👒 5. Over-the-Door Organizer for Hats, Towels & Sandals
24-Pocket Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer
This isn’t just for shoes! I hang it inside our coat closet for sun hats, swim diapers, goggles, flip flops, and microfiber towels.
- Store 12 pairs of shoes or 24 pairs of sandals without taking up valuable floor space
- Mesh fabric pockets allows your shoes to breathe
- Pockets are 8.8″ tall x 4.5″ wide, total dimensions are 67.2″ tall x 18.9″ wide
Seasonal Hack: Label each row with a kid’s name and fill with their summer essentials. They’ll feel independent and you’ll stay organized.
🎨 6. Car-Ready Wet Bag for Messy Moments
Reusable Waterproof Wet Bags
Throw wet swimsuits, sandy clothes, or even muddy sandals in here post-beach day. Keep one in your car all summer long.
- Fashion , Reusable&Waterproof , Durability －A trim and attractive design. ALVABABY wet/dry bag are made from waterproof …
- Longevity Zippered － TWO Zippered compartments for keep wet and dry things separate. Each bag contains a “wet” section t…
- Enough Space－30cm x 36cm (approx.:11.5 in x 14.5 in)，Holds approximately 5-7 cloth diapers. Light weight, easy to carry …
Kid Fun Factor: Let kids pick their own prints (they come in dinosaurs, unicorns, and more!).
🏄♀️ 7. Foldable Outdoor Mat for Spontaneous Summer Fun
CGear Sand-Free Outdoor Mat
Beach, splash pad, or backyard = this foldable mat lives in our trunk. It’s sand-resistant and kid-tough.
- The Original Sand-Free Mat: Constructed with layers of high-density weaving, sand, dirt, and debris easily filter throug…
- All of the Adventure – None Of The Mess: Our unique design utilizes layers of high-density weaving that allows sand, dir…
- A Better Camping Mat Equals An Even Better Life: Built to last a decade, our mats are made with polyethylene to keep san…
Why Moms Love It: It folds flat, fits in your beach bag, and keeps kids off hot pavement or itchy grass.
🧊 8. Insulated Cooler Backpack for Snacks & Drinks On-the-Go
TOURIT Insulated Cooler Backpack
Toss the bulky cooler aside and go hands-free! This backpack keeps drinks cold for HOURS and fits snacks, ice packs, sandwiches, and even baby bottles.
- 600 Oxford, high-density foam, and leak-proof liner
- Imported
- Leakproof Cooler Backpack: High-density Insulation material and leak-proof liner inside the insulated backpacks work tog…
Why Moms Love It: No more juggling coolers + toddlers. It’s perfect for beach days, splash pad stops, or summer road trips. Bonus: Comes in cute colors dads don’t mind carrying!
Kid Tip: Let them each pick one special treat to pack for the trip—it keeps them excited and involved!
🎧 9. Travel Entertainment Pouches for the Kids
Zippered Mesh Pouches, 6-Pack
Each kid gets a labeled pouch filled with small toys, coloring books, a fidget popper, or headphones. I keep these in the car, ready for road trips or wait time at swim lessons.
- [Quality Mterial] Pencil bags are made of thickened mesh material, waterproof and moisture resistant. Smooth Metal Zippe…
- [Transparency Design] Zipper mesh pouch with moderate transparency can identify what the stuff in the bags. Easily class…
- [Easy Organization] Pencil pouch Make it easy to organize and classify items of various shapes at work and home, Such as…
Fun Tip: Let kids decorate their pouch with fabric markers or stickers for extra excitement.
Mom Win: Less whining, more quiet car rides. 🙌
🧽 10. Hose-Friendly Backyard Bin for Outdoor Messes
Rubbermaid Roughneck Storage Tote with Lid
Designate a bin near the back door for muddy shoes, wet towels, chalk, water balloons, or bubble wands. I hose it down at the end of the week—easy cleanup!
Why It’s a Mom Favorite: No more tracking sand or wet mess inside. This keeps your porch tidy and your sanity intact!
💡Bonus: Seasonal Add-Ons I Keep Ready
- Mini Fans with Misting Spray – Keeps the toddlers cool on hot zoo days.
- Cooling Towels – Great for sports games or park trips.
- Bug Repellent Bracelets – Less mess, no spray, and fun colors.
- Sunglasses Organizer – I keep one hanging by the door. No more hunting down lost shades.
🎉 Final Thoughts from One Busy Mama to Another
When summer hits, it’s all about having fun without the frenzy. By organizing your gear just once and building easy grab-and-go systems, you’ll spend less time packing and more time playing.
Whether you’re chasing toddlers through a splash pad or enjoying a spontaneous beach day, having your gear ready makes summer SO much smoother.
And bonus points? Your kids will love being involved and packing their own things like little summer superstars. 🌈
