We crave the oasis that is summer vacation because of the things that make summer, well, summer. The rush of balmy air that warms your skin as you leave the airport. How your eyes water and sting when you sit too close to the campfire. The slippery feel of your fingers after eating boardwalk funnel cake and greasy fries.   I know I can’t sit still in class waiting for summer. So if you’re like me, why not start planning now? By that, I mean you should start packing your summer bag! Any will do—backpack, tote, or purse. The best things to pack are the things that amplify what makes summer special. Here are five things I’m packing to do just that.

Disposable Camera

Recently, the vinyl record, scrunchies, and low-rise jeans have all made astounding comebacks. For the latest revival of ancient trends, I propose the disposable camera. While you realists are welcome to continue using your iPhone 16 Pro Maxes, there’s something charming about pulling a disposable camera from your bag. As soon as you pull out that school-bus yellow Kodak or that bright green Fujifilm, watch the magic that happens. Everyone’s face lights up as they gather round the lens, and you always know that the smiles in the picture are real. The photos always come out well, with just the perfect amount of grain, and somehow, the magic of the photos is only enhanced by waiting for them to develop. For those who want to romanticize everything, including memories of beach sunsets and sitting by the campfire, the disposable camera is for you. 

I’ll be packing the Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof Disposable Camera.

Waterproof Speaker

Who else can’t survive without music? I know I can’t. When I’m by the beach or pool (as I know many of you will be this summer), or tanning in the backyard, or sipping a sweating Diet Coke, I need music thrumming in my veins as much as I need a pulse. Music is just one of those things that makes summer magical—especially when shared with a healthy amount of friends. AirPods work, but a good speaker gives the perfect song the respect it deserves. My waterproof JBL Clip 4 has already gone triple platinum in my shower, and I know it will go triple platinum again at the beach this summer. A waterproof one is recommended—music seems to go hand in hand with bodies of water under the sun, so don’t be worried about yours getting wet. Get one that’s easily portable, like the Clip 4, so you can throw it in your bag and bring the good tunes with you.

I’ll be packing the JBL Clip 4 from JBL.

Handheld Fan

Obviously, summer is the world’s hottest season, and who doesn’t love the crackling heat? It is the bringer of suntans, short sleeves, and days by the pool. Of course, too much of a good thing can quickly become a bad thing. As always, apply sunscreen, stay in the shade, and keep a well-iced drink nearby. But if you still can’t seem to beat the heat, pack a handheld fan in your bag. It’s the perfect way to reap all the benefits of air conditioning without having to stay inside on a beautiful, blue-sky day. With this in your bag, you’ll ensure maximum comfort wherever you go—and why shouldn’t we self-indulge this summer?

I’ll be packing the Deluxe Handheld Misting Fan from O2Cool.

Drawstring Bag

A lot of us are going on vacation this summer—aren’t you excited? One of the best things about summer is the windfall of time you have to explore new places and make new memories. Travel is, after all, the ultimate summer activity. Once you get there, you’ll of course want to explore—whether you immerse yourself in a foreign city or diveare diving into the ocean waves.  If you need to bring a few things on your excursions, you won’t want to carryaren’t going to want to bring your entire backpack around all day. Remember, summer is all about maximizing your comfort—you deserve it. So, before you travel, throw a drawstring bag in your bag. It might seem silly, but a drawstring bag is especially useful if you only need to carry around select items from your bag—in other words, bring the best and leave the rest. Your back will thank you later.

I’ll be packing the Nike Brasília Drawstring Pack from Nike.

Tide Stick

For whatever reason, food is a quintessential part of the summer. Maybe it’s that ice cream is just better in soft-serve form, or that a sandwich is just tastier on a salt-air beach, or that summer never really starts until a crackling Memorial Day barbecue. Maybe it’s all of these things and more. No matter the method of your munch, the universal truth is that you can’t have summer without a delectable bite to eat. Unfortunately, another universal truth is that you can’t have a delectable bite to eat without a stain to show for it. Ketchup, red sauce, and watermelon juice are the primary culprits, so don’t get caught red-handed—throw a Tide stick in your bag to remove stains in a pinch. 

I’ll be buying the Tide To Go Instant Stain Remover from Tide.