Summer Birthday Ideas and Gifts That Beat the Heat

If your birthday falls in June, July, or August, you have probably had at least one celebration where half the guests were on vacation. Summer birthdays come with unique challenges, but they also open up gift ideas that do not work any other time of year.

Outdoor Gifts

A quality cooler. Brands like YETI and RTIC make coolers that keep ice for days. Perfect for beach trips, picnics, and backyard hangs. Not the cheapest gift, but it gets used all summer.

A portable hammock. Two-person hammocks from ENO or Wise Owl pack down small, set up in minutes, and cost between $25 and $60. Great for parks, camping, or the backyard.

A good pair of sunglasses. Not gas station sunglasses. Something with proper UV protection and a style they actually like. Knockaround and Goodr make great options under $35.

Water-Friendly Gifts

A waterproof Bluetooth speaker. The JBL Flip or UE Wonderboom series can handle pools, beaches, and rain without missing a beat.

An inflatable pool float. Go for something fun or ridiculous. A giant flamingo, a pizza slice, a donut. Pool floats are cheap, entertaining, and perfect for the season.

A dry bag. For anyone who spends time near water, a roll-top dry bag keeps phones, wallets, and keys safe. Costs about $15 and saves hundreds in potential water damage.

Experience Gifts

Concert tickets. Summer is festival and outdoor concert season. Tickets to a show they have been talking about will be more memorable than almost any object.

A day at a water park or amusement park. Buy two tickets and go together. The gift is the experience, not the stuff.

The Easy Move

Check their Send Me Your Gifts wishlist first. If they have one, it takes the guesswork out entirely. If they do not, send them the link and ask them to set one up before their party.