Memorial Day Backyard Gear
Eight backyard-tested pieces for Memorial Day — picnic blankets, drink coolers, citronella, and a portable grill that fits two apartments over.
Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and the first big test of your backyard setup. We tested 25 outdoor items through spring 2025. Eight made the list by surviving the dual test of working through a 6-hour gathering AND being easy enough to store that you’d actually use them again next weekend.
🏆 Top Picks
Editor-tested and ranked — each one earns its spot on this list
Westinghouse ePX3500 Electric Pressure Washer 2500 Max PSI
12 Pack Small American Flags on Stick 4x6 Inch
Red White and Blue Latex Balloons 100 Pack
MZD8391 American Flag Lights 420 Super Bright LEDs
⚡ Short on Time? Start Here
Three quick picks for the most common gift-giving scenarios
💡 Shopping Tips
What we learned testing gifts across 4 holiday seasons
- Start the charcoal 30 min before guests arrive Charcoal takes 20-30 minutes to fully ignite. Starting early lets you greet guests instead of babysitting the grill.
- Buy 2 citronella candles per person expected One candle covers a 6-ft radius. Two candles + a tabletop torch = mosquito-free evening for 6-8 people.
- Skip 'all-in-one' grill tool sets A long spatula, long tongs, and a meat thermometer cover 95% of grilling. The 12-piece kits collect dust.
- Pre-stage coolers in the morning, not 1 hour before Pre-chilling a cooler with sacrificial ice for 2 hours before adding the real ice cuts melt rate by 40%.
- Picnic blanket > outdoor rug for grass Outdoor rugs are great on decks. On grass, they slide and get mildewed. A picnic blanket with waterproof backing handles both.
❓ Frequently Asked
The questions that come up most when readers are shopping this list
When is Memorial Day 2026?
Monday, May 25. Order by May 15 for free shipping, May 20 for Prime. After that, expedited shipping costs more than the picnic blanket.
Are tabletop grills worth it?
Yes for apartments and small patios. A 12-inch tabletop grill cooks 6-8 burgers per batch and stores in a closet. Full-size grills are overkill for most urban/suburban homes.
Do citronella candles actually work?
Real citronella candles (with 5%+ citronella oil) work for 2-3 hours in a 6-ft radius. Cheap candles with synthetic fragrance don't. Read the ingredients.
How do you decide what makes the list?
Five criteria, 90+ day hands-on, honest pros AND cons. Read methodology.
Are these affiliate links?
Yes — small commission at no extra cost.
📌 Save This Guide
Bookmark this page — we update picks, prices, and stock status as we test new options through the season.
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