These Fun Outdoor Items From Costco Are Great For A Thrilling Summer Vacation

Summer is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. If you're in your adventure era, you might be feeling inspired to try out some new exciting hobbies. Paddle boarding, kayaking, and surfing are all great ways to stay cool in the summer heat. Hiking and camping provide the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. No matter what activities spark your interest, Costco has you covered with some excellent budget-friendly gear. 

The beloved members-only warehouse store has some great deals on outdoor recreation equipment, camping gear, and everything else to make this summer unforgettable. We browsed Costco's website, read reviews, and scoured social media to bring you the best of the best when it comes to summer fun. We discovered boogie boards for catching waves with the kids, kayak packages to explore wild rivers, hiking gear for the trails, and so much more to help prepare you for a summer filled with endless adventures. Read on to discover our favorite products from Costco that will help make your next outdoor getaway even more exciting.

If you're looking for a fun new hobby this summer, Costco is selling an affordable SUP board. Stand up paddle boarding (also known as SUP) has exploded in popularity over the past 20 years, and is now the world's fastest growing water sport. SUP actually has ancient origins. Indigenous people from around the world would stand in small handmade watercraft and use paddles to propel them forward. Thousands of years ago, Peruvian fishers would stand on a vessel crafted from reeds and use the waves and a paddle to navigate the Pacific Ocean. Stand up paddle boarding and stand up paddle surfing began to gain popularity as a sport in Hawaii when surf instructors would use long paddles and stand up on their board to get a better few of their students in the 1940s. 

Stand up paddle boarding is easier to learn than traditional surfing. It's also more accessible because the sport can be enjoyed on most bodies of water. Rivers, lakes, and the ocean are all wonderful places to try paddle boarding. Some adventurous souls like to practice yoga while out on the water. The wobbly board helps yogis engage different muscles and focus on mindfulness. If you're interested in trying out SUP yoga, you'll need to invest in some gear.

Costco is selling the perfect beginner package. The Body Glove Oasis  package features an inflatable paddle board that is 10 feet long and 2.8 feet wide. The bottom of the board features a deck that has a yoga mat-like grip. It comes with a paddle, a carrying bag, and a pump to inflate the board. The entire set up costs $239.99, so it's an affordable way to ensure endless hours of summer fun.

Indigenous people in Arctic regions invented kayaks — small lightweight boats crafted from either driftwood or whalebones covered with animal skins. Kayaks were perfect hunting boats because they were fast and easy to maneuver. In the 1800s Europeans began to enjoy kayaking as a recreational pastime, and in 1936 kayaking was included in the Olympic games for the first time.

Today's kayaks are built with plastic or fiberglass, but they're still super fast, maneuverable, and so much fun. Kayaking is a great activity for people of all ages, and a perfect way for families or groups of friends to enjoy the outdoors together. There are tons of kayaks on the market. They can be quite pricey — especially if you're purchasing a whitewater kayak. Costco offers several affordable options that are perfect for beginners.

If you're looking for something super portable that you can take with you on a road trip, you'll love the Tobin Sports Breakwater Pro inflatable kayak. It's 12 feet long and weighs just 35 pounds. The set comes with a paddle, a pump, two removable fins, and a carrying bag for the deflated kayak. At the time of writing it is on sale for $299. The Lifetime Tundra kayak is a durable sit-in option crafted from polyurethane. It has an adjustable seat, foot braces, and bungees for storage. It's easy to carry with handles on each end and is just over 10 feet long. At 52 pounds, it's still relatively lightweight. The package comes with a mounting system to transport it on your vehicle, fishing rod holders, and paddles for $549. The Lifetime Recruit Youth Kayak is perfect for little ones. It's a sit-on-top kayak that's 6.5 feet long. It comes with a paddle and costs $200.

Surfing takes a lot of practice. You'll need to work on your balance, and it's a good idea to take some surf lessons if you're a beginner. Bodyboarding, also known as boogie boarding, is a great alternative that is much easier to master. It's the perfect way to dip your toes in the world of surfing without investing in expensive lessons or equipment. Kids as young as three or four can participate in bodyboarding, as long as they're comfortable in the water and have a proper flotation device.

Surfboards which are larger and made from a mixture of fiberglass, foam, and resin whereas bodyboards are smaller and made of foam. They hurt a lot less if you fall off and happen to get hit with the board. They are usually ridden lying down on your belly, but some people also ride on their knees. The lower center of gravity makes it easier to balance and stay on. It's also easier to catch a wave because you can stand and jump into the wave onto your board.

Costco has a few bodyboard options. The Wavestorm 42.5" Hypermax Bodyboard comes in a pack of two for $80 and according to reviews they're well worth it. "These boards were a perfect buy for my two daughters. We were vacationing in OBX and knew we needed some boards to shred some waves. Turns out the adults were able to use them effectively as well. Once that was realized the boards were constantly in use. Great product and durable for up to at least 250 lbs. Highly recommend this product and Costco for all your needs and desires," wrote Costco shopper Mark Caputo.

Camping is the ultimate summer pastime. Nothing beats a night spent sleeping outdoors under the stars. Moments spent around the campfire swapping stories are the perfect opportunities to unplug and connect with friends and families. When you're equipped with the necessary camping gear, the world becomes your oyster. Choose between well-maintained campsites at some of the most beautiful places in America's state and national parks, or head off the beaten path and plan a wild camping excursion. You can even find free camping in many national forests.

The only things you'll need to begin camping are a few key pieces of gear, all of which you can find at Costco. One of the most popular camping items Costco sells is the CORE tent. It's absolutely worthy of its social media hype. There are six-person and 10-person options, both of which have built-in LED lighting systems. They're instant tents, so setting up your campsite is a breeze. Costco also sells CORE's 4-person bell tent, and a smaller four-person tent package that comes with two camp chairs. Prices range from $120-$300.

If you're not a fan of sleeping on the ground, check out Costco's SEALY AlwayzAire Tough Guard Quilted Topper Air Mattress. The queen size air mattress is $140 and has a headboard, a built in pump, and a USB port to charge your devices. Other camping essentials like coolers, camp chairs, camp stoves, and battery powered lanterns are also available at Costco.

If you're someone who loves to immerse yourself in nature's beauty and experience the most awe inspiring views planet earth has to offer, then you're probably a big fan of hiking. Hiking is a wonderful way to get exercise and spend time outdoors, and there are wonderful trails located all over the world. Whether you're a newbie who is looking to try some scenic beginner hiking trails, or a seasoned adventurer in search of new places to explore — Costco has some of the best hiking gear on a budget.

Hiking poles are a great investment. They help improve stability and balance on uneven terrain. They also engage the upper body so you get a better workout. Costco's Cascade Mountain Tech 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles have a cult following among experienced hikers. They're strong but lightweight and cost just $82 for a pair. "The build quality is fabulous, the cork handles are premium, and so lightweight. I consider these the best bang for the buck for carbon fiber poles," wrote Spokes, a Costco reviewer and avid hiker.

A great backpack is another must-have item for hiking. If you're just embarking on a short hike that lasts a few miles, a small daypack like the Highland Tactical Major Backpack works perfectly. The backpack costs $40 and has plenty of compartments to store your snacks, water, and other necessities. For longer treks or short overnights consider the Alpine Elite by Timber Ridge 40L Hiking Pack which costs $60. There's also the $70 Fieldline Tactical Delta 65L Internal Frame Pack which is great for multi-day expeditions.