37 Things That'll Make You Want To Put Your Phone Down And Get Outside

Buzz Feed

26-04-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
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Sure, TikTok is fun, but have you ever tried making your own kaleidoscope?
1. A Sun Bum hair lightener made with pineapple and lemon to lighten up blonde to medium brown hair with the power of the sun. Just spritz on this banana-scented spray and let the sun help you achieve a fresh, summery look.
You can also use a blow-dryer to increase the effects of the heat-activated spray.
Promising review: "I LOVE this product! I usually buy it at the beginning of the summer to help lighten my already natural blonde hair. It really helps get rid of the growth and darkness of winter. The summer sun and saltwater at the beach already naturally help lighten my hair, but this product really accelerates the process and give it that extra oomph. I spray it pretty liberally all over my hair and just use my fingers to distribute it. The key is making sure you spend a good amount of time out in the sun. It only takes a couple of sessions to really start seeing noticeable lightening. It still has hydrogen peroxide in it, but in small amounts, so it's not extremely damaging. Also, use a purple shampoo occasionally to help bring out the highlights and remove some of the brassiness." — Ninar
Get it from Amazon for $15.79.
2. A set of lights with flexible goosenecks so you can grill late into the night without having to grope around blindly for your tools. The battery-operated lights are magnetic — just pop them onto the hood of your grill.
Promising review: "Absolutely LOVED this product. I purchased them as a gift for my brother when we were all using cell phones to see the grill one night. They are sturdy, provide sufficient lighting, and are high-temperature resistant. Be careful because when they are on the grill, they do get hot on the outside, so take them off with some protection (gloves, towel, etc). I loved them so much I ended up purchasing a pair for my grill as well." — MVega
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in black or silver).
3. A DIY mini golf kit complete with nine holes, four balls, and a dry-erase scorecard so you can design the ultimate putt-putt course at home. Strategically place the flags by trees or on top of hills for an extra challenge, then decorate the space with toys and garden statues to complete the experience. And they said my giant Bigfoot stake was a bad investment.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Set comes with nine holes, four golf balls, and a dry erase scorecard. To play at night like the reviewers above, grab some light up golf balls. And don't forget clubs!
Promising review:"We tried to set it up in the grass, and that's not really ideal but on a patio or down a hall — it's so much better. The silicone molding is so light-weight and the little flag centers are marvelous to make you feel like you are more than a new learner! The set is complete with four foam balls and a score board that you use a dry-erase marker on. GREAT to use only a few of the pieces for a short game for kiddos or the entire set for a more competitive experience." — Momakookie
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
4. A bottle of Coppertone shimmering sunscreen offering just a subtle sprinkle of glitter, meaning people might briefly mistake you for a vampire. Plus, the SPF 50 will ensure you just sparkle like a Twiligh t vampire instead of burn like a True Blood one.
Promising review: "Great product — not overwhelming. I used it on top of my sunscreen just for a beautiful sparkle and it's perfect. Yes, the glitter sticks but it washes off." — Lupita
Get it from Amazon for $10.39.
5. A rainbow-colored saucer swing you can hang inside or out to give your little ones a fun place to chill. After watching them take a couple of turns on this, you'll wanna try it yourself — and you can, because it can hold up to 900 pounds!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "We've had this swing hanging in our tree out back for two years now. Our kids, and their friends, LOVE it. I love that it's large enough to accommodate a number of kids/people, and that it's held up so well over time. Would totally recommend." — Krystal
Get it from Amazon for $44.96 (also available in four other colors).
6. A pack of waterproof playing cards capable of withstanding whatever environmental hazards you expose them to, whether it's an unexpected spring rain, a splash from the pool, or a dirty camping ground.
Promising review:"These playing cards are a HIT. I take them out with me for social events and when visiting people, even to the beach. We just play and play. So you can get them wet, and they won't soggy up and tear. It just becomes a little hard to shuffle. It is so cool that they look like you can see right straight through them, but you can't." — Tabitha
Get them from Amazon for $5.99.
7. A teeny-tiny portable watercolor kit so you can feel like a mouse-sized Monet when you're out adventuring. Just add paint to the wood palette, fill the brush pens with water (from your water bottle or a nearby stream), clip the palette to your sketchbook, and start painting!
Amazon
This set doesn't come with paint, so grab some here. Oh! And grab some binder clips here.
Promising review: "I got this to paint with my 89-year-old mother, and we both loved it. Easy to travel, so we painted at the local coffee shop. Tons of supplies provided. Very happy and well worth it." — Robin
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 13 styles).
8. A glowing softball because it's finally warm enough to toss around the ball, but the days aren't quite summer equinox-long yet. It has the same size and weight as a standard softball, so it's perfect for practicing for games. Just don't hit it with a bat or you might mess up the battery.
www.amazon.com
The battery *is* included!
Promising review: "Fun to look out in the evening and see only this streak of light arching up and over and back again. Very bright ball! I got the green one. They really enjoy it. It gets dark so early, but this keeps them able to enjoy playing catch after dinner. Recommend." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $33.44.
9. Hummingbird feeder rings so you can feel like a Disney princess who routinely has birds coming to pay a visit. These lil' friends won't help you get ready for the ball, but they WILL help you take some next-level photos.
When filling up your rings, go for a 1:4 sugar ratio using pure sugar (no honey!). Always make sure the nectar is fresh and the rings are properly cleaned to avoid making your new friends sick.
Promising review: "This product really works. My husband was able to feed them from his finger the first time we tried it!" — D.301
Get two from Amazon for $6.99 (also available in a pack of four).
10. A smokeless tabletop firepit if you love cuddling up next to a nice bonfire but hate the smoke burning your eyes and stinking up your clothing. S'mores, anyone?
Amazon
This is a great option for smaller areas like balconies and gardens. You can burn wood or pellets with its built-in pellet adapter.
Promising review: "As a piece to provide some warmth and entertainment to friends or guests outdoors, this is a great product. As someone who once owned a Biolite camp stove, I was a believer that the only way to efficiently and completely burn wood to fine ash was by using the airflow fan of the Biolite camp stove. Well, by golly, Solo Stove has proven me wrong. Fans and electricity have been proven to not be necessary. The Solo Stove Mesa is able to burn wood incredibly efficiently. A very solid product overall. I look forward to buying a wood-burning cooking stove from Solo Stove sometime in the future." — William J Blackburn
Get it from Amazon for $69.94+ (available in three sizes and nine colors).
11. And a set of extendable skewers for squeamish campers who'd prefer not to inject their marshmallows with stick dirt. Personally, I think that adds to the experience, but to each their own! The double tongs are perfect for skewering hot dogs, shrimp, and the fabled DOUBLE marshmallow.
Promising review: "This is a repeat purchase for me. I like mine so much, I bought more sets as welcome gifts for new neighbors (as part of a s'mores kit I put together). They are telescopic and long. You can spin the stick without spinning the handle. Plus, they're fun. If you like to roast things over fire, get a set of these." — Kelly C. Cochran
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $9.99.
12. OR if you're not planning on cooking anything, Mystical Flames — a cool invention that turns your boring old fire into a rainbow fire. Camping has never felt so rave-like.
Once again, just don't use these packets if you're planning on roasting food.
Promising review:"Mystical Fire Colorant is amazing. For a really fun experience, get some of these for your next camping trip. As if a campfire needs improvement... but this stuff is really neat. I'd say the adults love it even more than the kids. We only used one packet, and the colors were so good — it seems like they lasted at least 20 minutes. There was even color left in the ashes the next day. We will never go camping again without several packs of Mystical Fire on hand." — TeNe
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $6.94.
13. Waterproof and shatterproof solar-powered outdoor string lights so low-maintenance, you'll forget they're there until they dazzle you at night. Drape these over trees, wind them around railings, or hang them from rafters to create a chic bistro-like vibe at home.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Brightech is a small business in Los Angeles that sells indoor and outdoor lighting for the home.
Promising review: "I have had these lights up since the end of September 2022. They lit up right out of the box. They have been through a snowstorm, ice storm, and massive rain and are still perfect. They are pretty easy to hang. They are shatterproof, which I love. — D Kelly
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in warm or soft light).
14. A showstopping inflatable dinosaur water play center sure to score you a coveted "you're the best parent ever." The impromptu mini waterpark features a slide with a landing pad and a movable dinosaur arch water sprayer to keep littles cool on warmer days.
Promising review: "Was looking for something to keep us busy and cool in our backyard. This is incredible, and my son (20 months) absolutely loves it! There's so much to keep us busy, from the ball toss to the misting slide. I even laid on it to sunbathe, and it was comfortable, lol. Really excited to use this for the summer and have people over to enjoy it with us!! If you're on the fence, let this be your sign to buy! ☀️" — Ashley Edberg
Get it from Amazon for $51.
15. A classic hook and ring game, because why should bars get to have all the fun? Even though this game is as simple as trying to toss a ring on a hook, you'll find it almost impossible to stop until you win.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Tiki Toss is a small business!
Promising review: "We all love this game. Everyone who comes over cannot stop playing Tiki Toss. So simple and so fun. Quality and design of product is fantastic. Also makes a great gift." — jzek
Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in six styles).
16. An inflatable lounge chair that's easy to store and even easier to set up at a moment's notice: Just unfurl and whip it around in the air; no pump needed! Reviewers love the many color options and air mattress-level comfort.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Just make sure you have ample room to do your little spin. I've definitely accidentally sprayed people with sand in the past. 😬
Promising reviews:"I'm not a small person, and I wasn't sure how it would hold me, but this chair is wonderful. I have used it all over! I took it camping, I took it to the beach, and I even sometimes blow it up and use it in my living room while watching TV. The hardest part is getting out of it gracefully!" — Limoncello
"We took it backpacking (because it's so lightweight), and it was so amazing to be sitting on a couch with friends high in the mountains. Delightful. I even slept on it one night because my air mattress popped! Also used for outdoor movie nights. We love how quickly and effortlessly it fills up with air. Great product." — Jesse
Get it from Amazon for $39.98 (available in 20 colors and patterns).
17. A giant bubble kit with a two-handle wand so you can all compete to make the biggest bubble. Just make sure no one tries to trap the dog in a soap ball prison.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The kit comes with the giant bubble wand, two pouches of bubble concentrate, and a booklet to help you become a skilled bubble creator!
Promising review:"Love this!! Easy for kids to use — my six-year-old son figured it out pretty quick — and fun for adults as well (my husband and I might have played with it as much as our son did...) Makes amazing bubbles. The bubble mix it comes with is fantastic." — Thomas Durant
Get it from Amazon for $15.95+ (available in seven styles).
18. A durable Rumpl outdoor blanket beloved by campers and picnickers across the country for its durability, soft material, cool patterns, and portability. The recycled polyester insulation makes this thing light but warm, so it's just as nice to lie under it as it is to sit on.
Rumpl is an Oregon-based small business that you may recognize from Shark Tank for their outdoor blankets. Check out our full Rumpl puffer blanket review for more details.
Promising review:"This is my second Rumpl blanket. I like to keep one in my home to snuggle with my cat (he loves these blankets) and one in my trunk with my camp chair for impromptu beach days." — Carmel C.
Get it from Amazon for $96.96+ (available in two sizes and 26 colors and patterns) or from Rumpl for $99 (available in 21 colors).
19. An Intex outdoor swimming pool in case you've always dreamed of having your own pool, but haven't won the lottery yet. This rust-resistant PVC and polyester option can be set up in just 30 minutes, so grab your goggles. And don't worry about its durability: One reviewer said this thing survived a hurricane.
Promising review: "I mean, I originally bought it for my granddaughters aged 3–8; they all are obsessed with it. And that's fantastic. My daughter and I can lay out on the deck and enjoy some peace while the girls all enjoy a pool day. Then we set them up with snacks and take over the pool with some pool floats to cool off a bit. As the summer continues to heat up, the water gets to bathwater temperatures some days. Then, it's fun to go out at night and just float on my back in the warm water and look at the stars. I had to purchase a pool filter separately and a ladder for the kids to get in and out. Adults can easily get in and out without the ladder. I also purchased a floating chlorine basket thingie. Great buy." — @angelamichelle
Get it from Amazon for $140.69+ (available in four sizes).
20. A glow-in-the-dark capture the flag game sure to be a hit on temperate nights. This game can accommodate two teams of five and is great for all ages, so even your neighbors can join the fun.
Amazon
The starter set comes with two orbs (flags), four territory lights to mark the team zones, and two jail markers for players who have been tagged. The complete set comes with two orbs, eight jail markers, five territory lights, and eight team bracelets.
Promising reviews:"This was truly a game of fun for our whole family! The kids had a blast, and so did the adults. Definitely would recommend this for any family who is looking for an outdoor summertime game for after a BBQ or take it out for camping." — Sabrina T
"This game was a huge hit with our 11- and 9-year-old boys and other neighborhood kids of varying ages. They figured it out themselves and had a blast for 90 minutes until kids had to go in for the night." — Michelle Pfefferle
Get it from Amazon for $39.90+ (available in two styles).
21. A portable shower that holds up to five gallons of water so you can get squeaky clean, even when you're miles from civilization. If you find yourself missing the joy of a hotel shower with hot water, you can set the bag out in the warm sun to heat it up to 110 degrees. Reviewers say the water pressure is surprisingly adequate, making this invention a reasonable replacement for indoor plumbing.
Promising review:"Absolutely perfect for car camping. Just find a remote place off of a nature trail, hang the bag, and have the most satisfying shower of your life. It's made with high-quality material, and I have had no problems with leaking. The product works well heating up in the sun, but feel free to leave it on the heated seat of your car with the black side down for a warm shower in a pinch. The 2 1/2 gallons was perfect for a five-minute shower. The nozzle opens and closes easily, and the carrying and hanging strap works great!" — henry
Get it from Amazon for $35.98+ (available in four sizes and two styles).
22. A Yeti Tundra 35 cooler beloved by campers everywhere (check out the 4.8-star rating on Amazon). Thanks to its sturdy construction and ability to keep drinks super cold, it'll be an awesome stand-in for a mini fridge.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This is the best cooler I have ever owned! It's quite expensive but well worth the price. I have used it for beach days and camping several times and I love it!" — Gruber
Get it from Amazon for $220+ (available in nine colors).
23. And since every good mini fridge has light: a cooler light so you can see what you're grabbing once the sun has set. No one wants to go for a can of Coke and end up with a Diet Mountain Dew.
Amazon
The rechargeable LED light stick provides up to 55 hours of white light and 30 hours of red light. It boasts a IP68 waterproof rating, meaning it's fine to hang out in your melting ice all day.
Promising review: "Amazing. Works perfectly. Never knew how much I needed it, and so far three of my friends have also purchased the same ones. Opening the cooler at night makes it appear like a cartoonish treasure chest of adult beverages." — josh b.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
24. An outdoor bungee hanging tug toy to keep your hyper dogs wildly entertained without having to worry about them digging, fighting, or bugging you to throw the ball again. Bonus: This is also entertainment for YOU as you watch them jump and wiggle.
You can easily mount this onto almost any tree by wrapping it around the trunk, hanging it from a branch, or a combination of the two. Also, reviewers note that it's easy to swap out the included rope toy with a new one if need be.
Promising review:"My pitfall puppy has destroyed every 'tough' and 'durable' toy possible, but this little guy? Lasted us almost a full year. Our older pitbull/lab is incredibly strong, and it still hasn't broken under his weight. It tired them out, too, which is great. I also found it's great for training the dog to drop/leave it because they can't run away with the ball, which makes it easier to train." — Ashlyn
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two colors).
25. A flexible, adjustable sprayer that recreates the unreal relief and joy of walking under a mister at a theme park. Now, you can experience the cooling delight from the comfort of your own home with no lines or overpriced concessions in sight.
The mister will cool the surrounding area by 20 degrees, and it comes with an interchangeable flower-shaped misting head for a fun, whimsy detail.
Promising review:"Works exactly how I want it to. Provides a fine, cool mist on the patio, allowing us to enjoy the backyard until sunset without breaking a sweat. Easy to set up. It was out of the box and cooling us off within minutes." — Debra L. Kusek
Get it from Amazon for $23.50 (also available in multipacks).
26. A folding bamboo picnic table so you can feel like you're at a fancy vineyard instead of sitting on the ground at the park. It even has places to keep your wine and glasses. Cheers!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Used this camping, and it got lots of comments. I like that it has rings for different size wine bottles. Tray isn't very large. For sure it will be great at concerts in the park." — retrotraveler
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in three sizes).
27. A giant stacking game that'll make you and your friends feel like Godzilla if he was actually very apologetic and wanted to rebuild the skyscrapers. The set comes in 3-, 4-, or 5-foot versions, so make sure you stand back when it's your butter-fingered friend's turn.
www.amazon.com
Giantville is a small business that designs oversize versions of classic children's games.
Promising review:"Perfect game for the family! Everyone really enjoys it. Perfect size and quality." — Julka
Get it from Amazon for $35.95+ (available in seven size and color options).
28. A DIY kaleidoscope kit so your little adventurer can collect items on your nature walk to create mesmerizing views later. You can add leaves, flowers, sea shells, and more to the inside of the magnetic lid to create unique kaleidoscope images.
Dreamer Kids is a family-owned small biz that sells unique wooden toys for kids.
FYI: This kit requires some assembly and includes 10 plastic flowers.
Promising review: "We love it! We enjoyed the plastic flowers that came with the kit, but had the most fun when we started putting in natural objects — flower petals, tiny ferns. Lots of creative play ahead." — martharich3
Get it from Dreamer Kids on Etsy for $57.73 (available with custom text or with two quote options).
29. And a SunPrint paper kit that lets the sun join in on outdoor fun. Place any items you collected on your hike onto the paper and leave in direct sunlight. The resulting prints will commemorate your fun time outside.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This works like magic! It's easy to use and makes a beautiful gift from the kids!" — Sj773
Get it from Amazon for $20.19.
30. Banzai Bump N' Bounce Body Bumpers to turn your children into human bumper cars. Children ages 4–12 will have a blast running full speed into each other — and you'll have a blast filming it for the family group chat.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
PSA: Make sure helmets are worn during bump-offs.
Promising review:"Great for the kids. The kids have been playing with this for hours. One of them even asked if they could sleep in it. It's great for winter indoor fun. I highly recommend this product." — RyanAndFaith
Get it from Amazon for $26.98.
31. A croquet set perfect for anyone who wants their backyard to feel like Veronica's house from Heathers. Now, you just need to supply everyone with a gigantic blazer to complete the look.
This set includes six 28-inch hardwood handles, six 8-inch hardwood mallets with caps for added protection, two 18-inch hardwood ending stakes, six 2.8-inch weather-resistant molded balls, nine steel wickets with vinyl coating, and a nice bag to carry it all in.
Promising review:" This croquet set is artfully made and really such a steal for the money you will pay! The sticks and mallets are all made out of durable hardwood, and the mallets have a rubber sleeve that goes on each end to help protect the mallet from damage over time. The balls are on the heavier side, as they should be. They are resistant to weather, so there is no need to pick them up if you didn't finish your game; the same goes for the wickets. All of this comes in a nice carrying case that can actually handle the weight of the set itself! The colors are vibrant, so there will be no question about which ball is yours, and genuinely, I do not feel like they will fade or lose their quality. I would absolutely buy this again!" — Dido
Get it from Amazon for $41.99.
32. Or a ring toss game that requires less time to play, but will be no less competitive. We are not liable for any fights that break out when Cousin Steve starts his throw from over the starting line.
JnJ Handmade is a family-owned Etsy shop in Wisconsin that specializes in a variety of handmade items, including yard games, home decor, and DIY kits.
Promising review: "Better than I thought it would be! This is a great game to get the family going at a backyard gathering!" — Ayoka
Get it from JnJ Handmade on Etsy for $49.99+ (available in three stains).
33. A mini tiki bar you can set up in half an hour, meaning you can be slinging jungle birds and blue Hawaiians that same day. The waterproof furniture set comes with four chairs and plenty of storage for booze or juice. Is your backyard the new Margaritaville? Time to break out the blender and find out.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
If you're looking for something more understated, nab this affordable option.
Promising review: "The tiki bar and chairs are now the highlight of our inground pool deck. The product is good quality and should last for many years to come. Assembly is slow but doable with one person. Looking forward to our next friend get-together. It is sure to help bring some memorable good times by the pool." — JoeN
Get it from Amazon for $729.99.
35. A "disposable" camera that offers the same spur-of-the-moment fun, but without the waste. The camera is made with recycled materials, has an automatic flash, and shoots on 33-mm film. Just take your pics, mail the camera back for reuse, and wait for your photos to develop!
Fototo
Get it from Fototfoto for $32.99 (available in four colors).
36. A pickleball set — with two paddles, four balls, and a bag — in case you're looking for a new warm-weather hobby. Hit the courts in style!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"These are, hands-down, the cutest paddles on the court! I thought I was seeing things when I saw Sonix was selling pickle ball paddles!!! I come to Sonix for all my phone cases because they have the cutest and most interesting designs, but looks like now I'm going to buy a few more paddles!
Come on, look at this photo (pictured above, left) everyone has these boring paddles. I don't ever have to worry about someone mixing up their paddles with mine! (but also have to make sure no one steals them cuz they're so freakingggg cute!!!!) I've been getting into pickleball, especially now that the weather's getting better. But now I just want to order more to match with different outfits, how cute would that be?!" — Helen
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in 27 colors).
37. A tie-dye kit so you can add some cheerful color to any of your boring white clothing or bedding. Backyard = your new art studio.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This is a one-step kit so no need to pre-soak your clothes in soda ash! You can do up to 30 projects.
Promising review:"This tie-dye kit is life! Like all DIY projects, be careful — dye is permanent! Price is amazing. Would recommend for a fun friend project! We all did different techniques, and it even looked cool over vintage white tees. Very vibrant! Be sure to use 100% cotton." — Devyn
Get a five-color kit from Amazon for $19.99.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.