10 Genius Outdoor Solutions to Keep Your Backyard Parties Going

With cookout season in full swing, it is high time to grab your dogs, burgers and buns and get everyone outside to soak up that summer feeling! But, yeah, between the heat and the bugs and the general trouble of finding a place to put everything, entertaining outdoors can bring its share of major hassles. Who can enjoy a good grill-cooked dinner with mosquitoes flying while wilting in the relentless sun?

Well, it just so happens there are numerous genius products on the market tailor made to make your backyard summer fun better and more convenient than ever — misting fans to keep guests from overheating (and keep kids entertained), pergolas to keep the harsh sun at bay, outdoor speakers to ensure the music plays on, and, yes, even bug zappers so you don’t get overwhelmed by mosquitoes. And that’s just the start. Your quests will never need to worry about where to set their drinks with a set of outdoor drink stakes on hand. 

We dug up some of the most ingenious inventions out there geared toward taking the hassle out of backyard entertaining. This year, your outdoor game is going to go up a notch. Check out our finds below. 

These drink holders conveniently stake right in your yard and hold everything from wine glasses to cans and bottles. This set of 10 includes six drink and four goblet holders. 

This handy prep station gives you a place to get organized while firing up the grill. It includes a stainless steel top and weather resistant resin cabinets below, with hooks for all your summer utensils. It also comes with a spice rack, paper towel holder and bottle holder.  

These waterproof outdoor Bluetooth speakers are made to look like lanterns and come equipped with LED mood lighting.  

This ingenious oscillating misting fan will cool up to 500 square feet of outdoor patio space. Just attach your hose to it and feel the cool, misty breeze. A summer must have.  

Extend your outdoor living space with this sunshade pergola. It easily mounts to a wall and comes with four supporting rods to stand independently. The material protects from harmful UV rays and can withstand light rain.  

When spending time outdoors, getting swarmed by mosquitoes can really put a damper on things. This lantern style bug zapper uses nontoxic ultraviolet light to eliminate mosquitoes, gnats, biting flies and other insects over a one-acre area.  

Keep trash out of view with this 30-gallon trash can that is decorative and functional. Constructed of durable resin.  

Lift the lid of this stylish, oil-finished bench and you’ve got a cooler for keeping your beverages cool.  

And if you need a little extra chilling space for beverages, this deluxe outdoor refrigerator has you covered.  

Last but not least — keep things lit with these outdoor light poles that can hold your string lights. .