Best Classic Children’s Play Clothes for Summer

fashion, kids

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly like and recommend. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.

There’s something so sweet about classic children’s clothes. I grew up in the 80s and 90s in the South (Houston, Memphis and Asheville, to be exact — my family moved a lot!), and if my mother didn’t sew the clothes herself, she always made sure my two older brothers and I were dressed in classic children’s clothing, especially for special occasions!

Now, you might be asking…

What is classic children’s clothing, anyway, and why should I dress my kids this way?

Classic children’s clothing embodies the innocence of childhood while featuring a soft color palette, clean lines, high-quality fabric and simple designs. These timeless pieces can include smocked dresses, oxford shirts, sweaters, and elevated design elements like monograms, appliqués and embroidery.

When I started having children 5 years ago, my mom would mail me products, along with texting me photos and links to adorable classic children’s clothing. But, to be honest, I wasn’t quite sold yet. I thought the style looked “old-fashioned” and like an 80s grandma was dressing my children! But, then, when it came to dressing my children for special occasions, like their first Christmas, Easter or Baptism, I started thinking about those moments in my childhood and maintaining tradition felt important to me. I thought of the photos of those special moments that we’d look back on year after year, and it became clear to me why so many parents love classic children’s clothing. It never goes out of style and always looks cute and appropriate for their age and the occasion! On top of that, the quality of classic children’s clothing is typically very nice, so the items can be passed down to siblings or kept as heirlooms. Classic children’s clothing is more sustainable than fast fashion. Now, as my kids are getting older and not growing as fast, I love that they can wear some of the same pieces year after year without going out of style. Not only that, but I love that dressing my children in classic children’s clothes helps preserve this short-lived sweet time of their lives. They only have a few short years of childhood to wear these sweet clothes, and they have the rest of their lives to dress like adults. 

What are the best classic children’s play clothes for summer?

This summer, we have some fun family vacations, events and activities coming up where I’m excited to dress my children in sweet outfits from Mud Pie, a female-founded and family-operated company that specializes in everyday classic children’s clothing, along with clothing for women, home decor and gifts. Mud Pie has so many cute classic children’s clothes options for baby through toddler for everything from playdates to special occasions.

My babies in their red, white and blue from Mud Pie

Best classic children’s clothes for July 4th holiday:

Nothing is more quintessential summer than Americana themed clothing, and I adore these toddler pieces from Mud Pie, below, featuring an American flag, USA colors and sailboats, along with smocked embroidery, applique details and comfy jersey fabric. These casual classic children’s clothing pieces make me want to take the family on a sailing excursion followed by a New England style clambake! These outfits are going to be perfect for our Memorial Day celebrations, annual July 4th pool party, and all the fun summer moments in between!

I’m the type of person who loves to wear Americana themed clothing all summer long, not just on holidays! Below are some more of my favorite USA themed outfits from Mud Pie for your kids to wear while having fun in the sun!

I’m in love with the bow straps on this sailboat dress!

Nothing is more American than denim!

The details of this red and blue seersucker swimsuit are perfection!

How cute would a little baby girl be in this classic seersucker swimsuit with ruffles?!

Best classic children’s play clothes to wear to camps and country clubs:

Our kids are just now getting old enough to participate in summer camps, and I’m so excited that they’ve taken interest in hobbies at our country club (just like their parents!), where they’ll be doing their first golf and tennis camps! Mud Pie’s tennis and golf prints are perfect for your little sports enthusiasts’ upcoming camps or any playtime this summer.

Ready to play in her Toddler Tennis Dress

I’m a big tennis fan, and my daughter adores being like mommy, so we’re both loving this adorable tennis print that comes in a dress for toddlers, as well as a baby longall, sunsuit and sleeper. Check out all the cute tennis outfits from Mud Pie, below!

Lucy is wearing a size 4-5T, which is a smidge large for her at the moment, but I’m excited for her to wear it for multiple summers!

Your kiddo can dream of tennis in these adorable pajamas!

How cute is this sunsuit?! Makes me want to have another baby girl!!

Seersucker is so classic and perfect for summer!

A cute tennis themed romper for the boys!

My 5-year-old son is doing his first golf camp this summer and he’s so excited to be on the course like his golf-loving dad. Whether your child is on the greens or not, the whole family will love Mud Pie’s precious golf themed outfits for kids – everything from a short set, t-shirt set, t-shirt jersey dress, bodysuit, sleeper set and swimsuit. Below are some of my personal favorite Mud Pie outfits for your kids to wear around the pro shop this summer!

This golf cart crochet detail is to die for! Wish my son was still little enough to wear this!

Shoes can be just for fun!

At the beginning of this post, I shared about an important characteristic of classic children’s clothing is that it’s timeless, so it can be passed down for generations without going out of style. One way for your children to easily express themselves or have fun wearing something trendy is with shoes and accessories! My kids are obsessed with Mud Pie’s Light Up Toddler Sandals!

I know we’re going to have so much fun wearing them this summer! Can’t wait for them to make memories watching fireworks while their sandals light up the night!

Let me know which of these Mud Pie summer outfits you’d like to see your little one wearing! What other children’s clothing brands do you like? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more fun family-friendly products and ideas!

XO Maggie

Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Gift Guides, Holidays, Lifestyle

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly like and think you will, too. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.

Father’s Day is around the corner, and if you don’t have a gift for dad yet, it’s not too late! Believe me, I know it’s not a good feeling when you wait until the last minute to get someone a gift, but, hey, it happens! And, let’s be honest, dads can be really hard to shop for! If the dad in your life is the kind of guy that either has everything or says he doesn’t want anything, I got you! I’ve pulled together a list of the best last-minute Father’s Day gifts for every kind of dad, from the frequent flyer to the home bartender to the golf enthusiast, below.

For more information on these unique products, tune in to my KTLA Morning News segment about last-minute Father’s Day gift ideas below!

Top 5 Last Minute Father’s Day Gifts

Rollink Flex 360° Spinner

A collapsible suitcase that’s great for the frequent flyer!

If dad is always on the go, make his traveling easier with Rollink‘s collapsible suitcases! Rollink is the world’s slimmest, collapsible suitcase that is trendy, sustainable, durable, and practical. Upon returning home, dad simply collapses the bag and conveniently stores it away for the next use without occupying a lot of closets or hotel room space — you can even stow it under a bed! Rollink suitcases are made with sturdy polycarbonate hard shells, come in three different carry-on and checked bag styles, multiple colors and collapse to 2 inches thick! Rollink’s newest line is the Flex 360° Spinner Collection, and it is the most versatile for your traveling dad. It’s impact-resistant, plus the silent and smooth 360° double spinner wheels provide optimal maneuverability! Rollink’s suitcases are available with 2-day shipping via Amazon Prime, so shop now to get it in time for Father’s Day!

Bushnell Golf Tour V6 Shift Rangefinder and Wingman GPS Speakers

Level up dad’s game with the best golf tech!

Don’t let dad return from the golf course complaining of his missed shots again! Bushnell is the #1 trusted optics brand in professional golf that will help dad improve his game. If you’re not familiar with golf rangefinders and GPS systems, these tools take the guesswork out of how hard dad should hit the ball, informs him on what club to use and helps him improve his overall golf skills. Trusted by 98% of Tour players, Bushnell Golf products will make dad feel like one of the pros!

Debuted earlier this year, the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift is the newest, best performing model with exceptional optics, accuracy, and consistency. It features Bushnell’s patented Slope Technology, which gives dad an idea of the distance between him and his target while taking into account how much yardage there is with the terrain in front of him. The Tour V6 Shift also features improved PinSeeker with Visual JOLT where the PinSeeker algorithm has been enhanced to give golfers even greater confidence that they have locked onto the flag or their intended target. Another plus of this rangefinder is its integrated “BITE” magnetic cart mount which allows the laser rangefinder to be secured to the golf cart without the need for any aftermarket accessories. You can pick up this rangefinder at your local DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Roger Dunn Golf Shops, or get it in 2 days with Amazon Prime.

Bushnell also launched two new GPS speakers earlier this year, the Wingman View and Wingman Mini, that are great additions to dad’s golf game. Combining GPS and Bluetooth technologies and featuring an all-new LCD screen, the Wingman View provides dad audible and visual front, center, and back distances, and up to six visual hazards per hole, all while listening to the music of this choice through mobile applications. A removable magnetic BITE remote seamlessly secures the remote atop the Wingman View unit and provides GPS Distances, full music control adjusts, and plays 1st tee introductions and custom messages at a touch of a button. The Wingman View is available locally at DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy and Roger Dunn Golf Shops. At the time of writing this, the Wingman View was available on Amazon but not with Prime 2-day shipping.

A more affordable option, the Wingman Mini packs a big punch in a small speaker. Ideal for both walkers and cart riders, the Mini features audible GPS distances, first tee introductions and custom messages, integrated BITE magnetic cart mount, water resistant IPX7 construction, 10-hour battery life and carabiner clip to easily attach to your golf bag or belt loop. Snag the Wingman Mini in store at DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy and Roger Dunn Golf Shops. You also can get 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime.

You also can get all of Bushnell Golf’s products in time for Father’s Day when you select overnight or 2-day shipping at checkout on bushnellgolf.com.

Crafthouse by Fortessa Cocktail Shaker Set and Smoking Box

The best bar tools for dads who love craft cocktails!

Dads know the benefit of having the top-of-the line tools for any job, whether its woodworking or taking care of the lawn, so make sure dad has the best bar tools from Crafthouse by Fortessa for his at-home cocktails! These finely made tools will look great on your home bar and make it easy for dad to create professional-level cocktails regardless of his mixology experience! Designed by Charles Joly, world-champion bartender and creator of Crafthouse Cocktails, and made in collaboration with Fortessa, a world-renowned designer of tableware, these bar tools celebrate the bold spirit of handcrafted cocktails. Every cocktail enthusiast needs a solid Shaker Set, and I love this this one from Crafthouse by Fortessa because its well designed and includes everything you need: a two-piece Boston shaker, Hawthorne strainer, jigger and beautiful walnut wooden muddler. To get the Shaker Set in time for Father’s Day, it’s available for pickup at select local Williams Sonoma stores or you can get it online with 1 or 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime.

Help dad really impress his friends with a fancy Smoking Box for infusing cocktails with savory smoky flavor. The Smoking Box includes handheld smoker with smoking wood chips. The clear glass design adds a level of showmanship, allowing dad to flaunt his professional-level cocktails as they are being smoked. This product isn’t just for finishing off your favorite drink, it also works great for smoking your favorite foods! The Smoking Box is available online or in-store at Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table or online with fast shipping from Amazon Prime.

Den Mother Wellness Box

Modern self-care for the wellness enthusiast or dad who needs to destress

If you have a dad that needs some stress relief or if your dad loves staying up-to-date on the hottest wellness trends (hello cold plunging!), give him the Wellness Box from Den Mother, a healing house on Abbot Kinney in Venice devoted to techniques and therapies from ancient cultures. Created special for Father’s Day, Den Mother’s Wellness Box features a curated selection of the best supplements and herbs for the wellness dad that will ease muscle aches, reduce inflammation and improve digestion. Products in the box include Evil Bone Water for pain relief, Onsen Saru Bath Fizz for relaxation and to aid sleep, Salt N Stone high performance deodorant, Tame the Flame gut supplement, Royal Rest supplement. Add an optional gift card for a cold plunge + sauna session ($85 for 30 minutes or $145 for 1 hour) to really help dad relax! Everybody is talking about cold plunge and sauna “contrast” therapy which is one of the most sought-after therapies for circulation, inflammation, relaxation and healing from injury.

Den Mother is one of the hottest wellness spaces in LA with a treatment menu designed to help regulate the nervous system for our modern day living. Treatments include everything from massage to acupuncture to neuromuscular testing. Dad also can enjoy plant-based meals and snacks from The Butcher’s Daughter restaurant (located next door) on Den Mother’s patio post treatment.

Pick up this wellness gift set in a masculine branded box for around $150 at Den Mother, located at 1209 Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice Beach. I recommend calling ahead of time to reserve your box: 310-310-8905.

Nanoleaf Elements

Upgrade dad’s man cave with smart wall art lighting!

Help dad transform his home office or man cave into a sophisticated space with an elegant and organic feel with Nanoleaf Elements Hexagons. It’s like glowing artwork for his walls! These wood-like LED smart panels provide a warm light that’s perfect for wellness, work and living spaces. They respond to music and touch, which will leave guests and Zoom colleagues in awe. Nanoleaf provides design recommendations, or he can create his own. They’re simple to operate from the touch panel or from his smart phone. He can create unlimited color schemes or he can use others’ designs within the app. Nanoleaf Elements are in stock at select Best Buy stores or you can get one-day shipping with Amazon Prime.

Which of these products would be perfect gifts for the dads in your life? I know my husband would love the Bushnell Golf V6 Shift Rangefinder to improve his golf game! Let me know what you think of these products in the comments below or connect with me on Instagram and TikTok!

XO Maggie