Planning a Summer at Home With Kids
A summer at home can feel like a long stretch of unstructured days, and the difference between a good season and a frustrating one often comes down to a few planning decisions made before school lets out. Start with the space you actually have. A backyard with room for a play structure, a patio that suits water play, or a single living room that must handle rainy afternoons each call for different purchases.
It also helps to separate what kids will use every day from what they will use for a week. Outdoor gear gets the most wear in July, so check sizing, assembly needs and where it will sit in sun or shade. Indoor entertainment matters most when the weather turns. Reliable internet, a streaming subscription your household already trusts, and a few open-ended building sets tend to earn their keep. Handle the basics first, then add the extras.
How to Choose the Right Summer Purchases
Start with criteria that match your home. For outdoor play equipment, look at footprint, height, anchoring needs and whether the structure works on your lawn, deck or patio. Check the age range printed on the box and think about the children who will use it most, because a set that suits a six-year-old may feel too small for a nine-year-old. For building toys, pick sets by piece count and difficulty so kids can finish a model in a session or two, and keep a bin of mixed bricks for open-ended play.
Casual shoes and home refreshes involve trade-offs between cost, durability and time. Slip-on shoes are easy for quick outdoor trips, but they offer less security for climbing or a full day of running, so consider closed-toe styles for play structures. For home refreshes, specialty paint can update cabinets, doors or furniture, but surface preparation decides the result. Clean, degrease and lightly sand glossy surfaces, and test a small area before committing. Check drying and cure times as well, because a finish that needs days to harden will disrupt a busy household.
Measure your yard and your Wi-Fi before you buy, because the best summer purchases fit the space and habits you already have.
From the editors
For rainy-day entertainment, compare what you already pay for. Many families need a streaming service, a reliable home internet plan or both, and a bundle may already cover what you need. Check your current speed and data limits before adding a plan, and confirm that a subscription allows the number of profiles and screens your household uses. Common mistakes include buying the largest play set for a small yard, skipping assembly time, and choosing shoes by looks alone. Measure the space and read the return policy before you order.
What to Actually Buy
For each item we name a store where you can start comparing.
Backyard play structure
A playhouse, swing set or outdoor playset gives children a dedicated place to climb and play outside. Choose the size based on your measured yard and the age range of the children who will use it most.
Search termsoutdoor playset · kids playhouse · backyard swing set
Our recommendationstep2.comBest for backyard playWater play table
A water table keeps younger kids busy in warm weather without needing a full pool setup. Look for a model that drains easily and fits on the patio or lawn you actually use.
Search termskids water table · outdoor water play · summer water toys
Our recommendationstep2.comBest for backyard playBuilding set
A medium-sized building set with clear instructions suits a child who can finish a model in a few sessions. Mixed bricks are useful for open-ended building once the set is complete.
Search termsLEGO building set · construction toys · kids building bricks
Our recommendationlego.comGreat for rainy daysCasual slip-on or closed-toe shoes
Easy-on shoes handle quick outdoor errands and short play sessions well. For playground climbing or full days outside, a closed-toe, supportive shoe with grip is the safer choice.
Search termskids casual shoes · slip-on sneakers · closed-toe play shoes
Our recommendationseavees.comEasy casual shoesStreaming subscription
A streaming plan with movies, shows and documentaries covers rainy afternoons and quiet evenings. Confirm how many profiles and simultaneous screens it allows before you subscribe.
Search termskids streaming service · family movies · documentary streaming
Our recommendationdisneyplus.comRainy-day streamingHome internet plan
A reliable broadband plan matters when several devices stream or video chat at the same time. Compare speeds and data limits against how your household actually uses the connection.
Search termshome broadband · internet plan · family internet speed
Our recommendationverizon.comInternet for streaming
Where to Start Shopping
Begin with the outdoor space, since it sets the budget and timeline. Measure the area you can use and decide which play equipment fits. Then look at step2.com for playhouses, outdoor playsets, water tables and wagons sized for different yards. Next, plan indoor days. Building sets from lego.com give kids a project for slow afternoons, and a sturdy bin keeps pieces organized. For rainy weather, compare broadband plans at verizon.com before you add anything, so streaming and video calls do not slow down when several people are online. Finish with smaller items, such as a pair of casual shoes for quick outdoor runs and any paint projects you have been postponing. A simple weekly calendar helps match purchases to what the family will actually do.
Before you order
- Measure the outdoor area, including clearance around any play equipment.
- Check the age range and assembly requirements listed on each product.
- Test your current internet speed during busy evening hours.
- Confirm how many profiles and screens a streaming subscription allows.
- Review the return policy before ordering large outdoor items.
- Prepare surfaces thoroughly and test a small area before painting.
- Choose closed-toe shoes for climbing and playground days.
The stores at a glance
step2.com
Best for backyard playStep2 offers playhouses, outdoor playsets, water tables, wagons and ride-on toys that suit a range of yard sizes and age groups.
Recommended for Backyard play structure and Water play table
lego.com
Great for rainy daysLEGO building sets and bricks give kids a long-running project for slow afternoons and open-ended play indoors.
Recommended for Building set
seavees.com
Easy casual shoesSeaVees carries slip-on and casual sneakers for quick trips outside, though closed-toe styles work better for climbing equipment.
Recommended for Casual slip-on or closed-toe shoes
disneyplus.com
Rainy-day streamingDisney+ provides movies, TV shows and documentaries that can cover downtime when the weather turns.
Recommended for Streaming subscription
verizon.com
Internet for streamingVerizon offers broadband internet and television services, which matter if your current home connection struggles with several devices in use.
Recommended for Home internet plan
allinonepaint.com
Home refresh paintHeirloom Traditions paint can update cabinets, doors and furniture for a simple home refresh before or during the summer.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a backyard play set worth it for a small yard?
It can be, but a compact playhouse, wagon or water table often fits better than a large playset. Measure the footprint plus clearance around swings and slides, and check that the ground is level and drains well.
Do I need a new internet plan for the summer?
Not always. Test your current speed during busy evening hours and count how many devices stream at once. Then check your data limits before paying for a bigger plan.
Which shoes work best for playground days?
Closed-toe shoes with supportive soles and grip are the safer choice for climbing and running. Slip-on shoes suit quick trips outside but offer less security on play equipment.
Can I paint kitchen cabinets myself?
Yes, with careful preparation. Clean and degrease the surfaces, lightly sand, apply thin coats and allow the full cure time before heavy use, as the instructions on the can recommend.
TransparencySome links to stores may be partner links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission – the price stays the same for you. We choose the stores independently. How we make money
