I’ll start off by saying that I’m not a big fan of summer time. Like, if I could just get rid of a season, it would almost certainly be summer. All that suuuuuun….BLECH! Welp, I guess you can hit the *back* button, right?? …WAIT! Hold up. Just because *I’m* not summer-obsessed doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate all the fun stuff that comes along with the season. It’s just that the heat and humidity get me down. In fact, they make me down right cranky and cause my fibromyalgia flare up like a hangry bear coming out of hibernation. So, let’s keep things cool & cute with my Top 12 Target finds to beat the heat!

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My Top 12 Target Finds to Beat the Heat: Splish Splash!

My go-to items during the summer usually involve water in some capacity. Honestly, if I didn’t provide some sort of organized water activity during the summer months, the kids would figure out how to do it on their own. Sounds great, right? But no…that scenario can only end badly. Like with the three year old stuck in a giant mud hole the size of my six year old filled with dog kibble and frogs (I’m speaking from experience, here). I happened to scroll past this Wet & Wild Light Show Sprinkler and had to take a closer look (I mean, how can you ignore anything that begins with “Wet & Wild”?!).

Paired with this too-adorable-for-words watermelon pool, the kids will lose their minds with the spinning, sprouting, silly super sprinkler for hours on end!

Game Time!

I’m always looking for ways to get the kids outside. While they are good about going out to play and explore, it’s nice to have different options I can pull out at any given time to shake things up during the summer. We are a “no bored zone” here, and lawn games are a favorite of our crew.

I have very vivid memories of playing croquet in the summer when we would visit my grandparents. Growing up in Colorado, we would make one trip a year out to the Midwest, usually during the summer months. My grandparents were avid gardeners, canning enough food to share with family and friends. Their garden made me feel small – I would hide between the well-tended rows during quick games of hide and seek.

I remember the heaviness of the summer heat and the smell of the air around their covered porch — a mix of old wood and sweet tea. The croquet mallets felt heavy in my hands and it seemed as if I spent hours creating my own games to pass the time. I was lucky to be able to keep that croquet set after my grandparents passed and it brings me right back to those long, lazy summer days. It’s pretty incredible that a lawn game could make such a lasting impression. This sweet croquet set has that same nostalgic vibe that I love so much about my own. The nostalgia continues with this badminton and horse shoe set.

Let’s Lounge!

Now that the kids (and adults, let’s be honest) are having a ball in the water and playing all the games, let’s keep the good times rolling and get our lounge on! I was definitely feeling a watermelon theme when I was piecing together this group. I couldn’t resist pairing these two lounge chairs in watermelon and teal.

Because the summer is well known for, well, the SUN…it’s a good idea to protect yourself. With what, you ask? How about a matching umbrella (along with an appropriate SPF lotion, I might add)?! I know, it’s almost too much. Add in a couple of these color matching towels in this multipurpose large tote and you’re pretty much set for all the summer fun you can stand.

Create a Lively Summer Vibe!

It’s hard *not* to add in a touch of decor to any space — and it doesn’t take much to spruce up your outdoor living space. I love these string lights that come in matching colors! String lights add a fairy garden-like ambience to outdoor spaces. It doesn’t matter whether your outdoor space is a large, professionally manicured country garden out of Better Homes and Gardens or a quaint and simple porch affixed to a high-rise in the city. Adding string lights makes any outdoor space feel magical. Speaking of magic, adding a potted faux plant can bring life to any space, big or small. Target has been on their faux plant A-game in recent years and this breezy palm checks all the fun plant boxes for me!

Enjoy planning for the summer (even if you hate the heat like I do). Lifelong memories are created in these spaces that we create for our friends and families. Croquet brings back that summertime magic for me — tell me what summertime memories are sacred for you? Until next time, peace, love, & light!