16 Random-But-Useful Finds to Take Pool and Beach Days to the Next Level

Wrangling kids into bathing suits is enough of a workout; make applying sunscreen just a bit easier with this silicone applicator. Fill it with your go-to SPF, twist on the cap, then use the foam brush to easily rub it on. (I love that it has a foam brush instead of a roller ball, as the roller-ball styles tend to jam up easily.) The applicator is refillable, and it holds 3 ounces of sunscreen, making it OK to toss in your carry-on ahead of your next trip.

Ever had really gritty sand just stick to your skin, and no amount of rinsing in the salt water or toweling seems to remove it? (Cue the kids crying that they feel sticky and sandy the whole way home.) This little pad looks like a bean bag, but it's filled with a cornstarch-aloe-vitamin E formula that helps gently—and quickly—wipe away sand. Plus, it's reusable and comes with a waterproof pouch to pop it in when you're done, so it doesn't get the rest of your bag soggy.

At 118 by 108 inches, this blanket is larger than a California King-size bed, meaning you don’t have to stitch together half a dozen beach towels so everyone can hang out together. It’s made from heat- and water-resistant nylon, so it won’t get scorching hot under the sun (oh, and sand won’t cling to it either). Plus, it comes with stakes to keep it in place, and it folds up to fit in one hand.

Hear me out: This isn't for a beach workout (though you could totally sneak one in). If you tend to put towels on your beach chairs, then spend half your lounge time wrestling to keep them in place, grab a towel or resistance band. Place the towel where you want it, then stick the band around the top of the chair to hold it in place. You can order towel bands specifically made for this, like the ones shown here, though I've also used a Blogilates resistance band in a pinch.

While my husband will happily use sunscreen like hair gel for a day at the beach, I prefer this 'do-preserving mist, which easily blends into your hair without leaving a greasy residue (even baby fine strands!) and has prevented me from many a scalp burn, since I'm not the best at wearing hats outdoors. It provides a solid SPF 30, and is enriched with vitamin E, so my hair doesn't feel straw-like post-swim.

Admittedly, I've been seeing these all over TikTok and wondered if they were just a twee accessory, but PureWow assistant news editor Danielle Long has convinced me to give it a shot: "Why can't we see our screens in the sunlight?!" This gadget provides some much-needed shade, so it's easier to glimpse that notification. (Though, if you're on vacation, maybe switch things to Do Not Disturb.)

You need a place to rest your drink without it tipping over—or getting all sandy. That’s where this seven-pack of cupholders comes in handy. Each person can choose a color to remember whose drink is whose, and when you’re done, they’re stackable for easy storage.

Is it a cooler? A tote? Can’t it be both? In this case, it totes can (c’monnn). The recycled plastic lining is easy to wipe clean, and after owning it for two years, I'm happy to report it's held up remarkably well. It's roomy enough to hold a few water bottles, snacks, and most of your beach essentials. (I usually roll up two towels and pack them vertically—anything to reduce the number of bags I'm hauling.) But it could also easily stow an ice pack and four bottles of wine. Whatever your priorities are.

Yes, it’s inflatable, but it’s surprisingly sturdy. And the whole thing—pump and oar included—collapse to fit in a backpack (a large one, but still). It’s best for lakes, gulfs and calmer waters, unless you want a serious core workout navigating choppier waves. I've had mine for four years now, and it's been puncture-free (though we have had a few close calls).

I'm all about these collapsible buckets, which let kids build the sandcastle of their dreams…without overtaking the backseat of your car. Plus, this set comes with sand shovels and a mesh bag to stow everything in.

While many beaches have outdoor showers you can rinse off in, if you're headed someplace more secluded—or your local beach's have a perpetual line (or are perpetually out of service), this portable camping shower is worth a closer look. It has a pressurized water tank, thanks to its pump handle, and all you have to do is fill it with water and pump a few times—then you're ready to spray off and go.

The moment I discovered backpack beach chairs, all other styles were dead to me. They're just so convenient for hauling to the beach, and this style reclines, has a padded headrest and includes a cupholder (which, for a beach person, is like finding a dress with pockets).

If you're serious about your time outside, you need to check out Shark's new FlexBreeze HydroGo. It can run cordlessly (for up to 12 hours) and comes with a travel bag, so you can take it anywhere. Better yet, it can spray an ultra-fine mist that the brand says can cool you by up to 5 degrees. It's also powerful enough to send gusts up to 70 feet in range, so everyone won't be huddling within two inches of it. (Just maybe start on the low settings, so you don't blow sand in your face.)

As someone who has impulse-bought a questionable waterproof phone bag on a snorkeling trip for twice the normal asking price, I implore you: If you think you'll be swimming and splashing about, pack a phone pouch. Case-Mate's has an IP68 waterproof certification, meaning it's designed to protect your phone even if it's submerged one meter (3.3 feet) deep. The case also floats, so if you lose your grip, you won't be doing a deep dive to recover your cell.

No matter how well you brush yourself off and how many towels you coat your seats with, sand will get everywhere. What better way to justify spending $35 on this Tiktok-famous car vac? It comes with a full car detailing kit, if you want to go all out post-surf.

Water shoes can come in all kinds of bulky styles, but these are relatively sleek. Made with a fast-drying polyester and a tough rubber sole, they'll help protect your toes as you explore uncharted waters. "I've become an aquasocks person in recent years," PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint admits. "Not sure if it's because my beaches have become more rocky, or my feet have become more sensitive, but increasingly, I like to wear a protective layer (even if they look dorky)."