Summer Saviors
survive the hottest days of the year with tools even jeff probst would love
As the final weeks of summer sizzle with intense heat, we’re here to show you how to embrace these last lazy days with some favorite helpers from online retailer Food52, one of our go-tos for their vast selection of indoor and outdoor entertaining accoutrements. When the last summer camp has ended and all the parents need a nightcap, when heading to the beach seems more like a survival challenge than a treat, when you just can’t bear to hear the Bluey theme song one more time, keep your cool with our round-up below.
To entertain the kids
Late summer can stir feelings of total desperation when it comes to keeping kids entertained. When they’re bored and have officially hit their screen-time limit (for the hundredth time), get them excited for the pool with inner tubes in super-fun prints, or send them out into the yard with life-size lawn games. Keep the AC-inclined young ones engaged with kid-safe, scaled-down versions of kitchen tools and teach them to meal prep at the same time. You can even get the littlest tots involved by helping them create their own popsicles with silicone molds in cute shapes.
To survive the beach
There’s nothing worse than a sandy packed lunched on the beach. Keep PB&Js safe from the elements with an easy-to-transport folding table that has a hole in the middle to accommodate your beach umbrella. Earn extra style points for your set-up with a vintage-inspired umbrella with a fringe trim (it’s also UV, mold, and water resistant, so it’s more than just an ornament). To avoid the dreaded equipment lug through the sand, enlist The Get Out Cooler backpack with adjustable padded straps for maximum comfort, and carry the much more reasonable Turkish beach blankets in your arms. They’ll provide plenty of surface area for your whole crew to relax.
To host the grown-ups
When the sun goes down, delight your adult guests with ambient lighting, durable yet elegant tableware, and chic serving accessories. Take inspiration from your indoor tablescapes and invest in quality linens for outdoor dining, which will feel extra luxurious. We like the scalloping detail and hand-blocked prints on this select. Take the pressure off of hosting duties with an artsy drink dispenser for guests to serve themselves (who won’t sweat over breaking a glass thanks to fluted acrylic glasses). Complete the harmonious blend of comfort and convenience with indoor/outdoor lanterns. You’ll look so great in the warm glow, you might just forget about the mosquitos.
To stay cool indoors
When the summer sun becomes too intense, shift your fun indoors while maintaining the spirit of the season. Organize a campfire-themed night with a personal-sized fireplace (you can actually make s’mores with it) and get competitive with endless hours of Monopoly around the fire. Explore your inner confectioner by trying ice cream recipes that capture the essence of summer flavors, or dive into gardening sans sun with a wall-mounted LED grow light with a sleek, modern frame. With a bit of imagination, you can infuse the indoors with the same excitement and joy that summer brings outdoors.