What to Stock in Your Summer Apparel Shop for Kids

Updated by Anne Dorfman on 6/25/2025

Attention, t-shirt shop owners! Get ahead of the game with our curated list of summer essentials for kids. Find out which trendy clothing, versatile headwear and necessary accessories are sure to fly off your shelves, making your store the go-to destination for fashion-forward parents and their little adventurers.

Graphic t-shirts are a core item for summer camps, groups and other fun, unforgettable experiences for kids. These custom shirts build excitement and help kids feel part of a group. Beyond that, stocking summer-themed shirts in your shop will attract lots of people who want to buy their kids shirts with ocean, nature and animal motifs and messages. Some of our fondest summer memories are from our childhoods and teens, so kids will often keep favorite shirts for years, even after they’ve grown out of them. 

Here are some of our top product recommendations:

• The Next Level Apparel Girls’ Cotton Princess T-Shirt (style #3710) is made from super-soft 100% combed ringspun cotton fine jersey in fashion colors like Light Pink, Hot Pink, Purple Rush, Tahiti Blue and Raspberry. The shirt is fabric laundered for reduced shrinkage for a better, long-lasting fit. As a selling point for eco-conscious consumers, Next Level Apparel has a recycling program for all fabric waste collected from the cutting process. All fabric scraps are sent to a recycling company that cleans and processes them to be used for cushion filling, rugs, etc. To date, a whopping 24.3 million pounds of fabric have been recycled!
  
• For those hot beach days, we like the side-seamed unisex Bella + Canvas Youth Jersey Tank (style #3480Y), made of 100% combed and ringspun cotton in colors like Neon Blue and Neon Pink. Let eco-minded buyers know that Bella + Canvas uses sustainable manufacturing processes with Blue Sign certified dyes, efficient dye houses that adhere to the state of California’s EPA regulations around wastewater treatment and usage and cutting facilities in Los Angeles that run on partial solar power with comprehensive recycling programs for paper waste and fabric scraps.
• For a long-sleeve t-shirt option with 15-39 UV sun protection, look no further than the feature-packed Youth Cool & Dry Performance Long Sleeve Top (style #8622Y). This performance shirt offers superior moisture wicking for comfortable workouts, and it’s also got stain release and odor resistance for easy care. The shirt (which offers a super-smooth printing surface!) comes in great colors like Columbia Blue, Navy, Red and Pastel Charcoal.

Shorts pair perfectly with t-shirts, for camps, sports, organized activities like hikes and for those fun summer adventures to the beach and beyond. Choose shorts that combine comfort and style, especially items that offer a relaxed fit and casual feel. They’re a welcome addition to your online store, whether a camp wants to order in bulk or a parent wants affordable, imprinted options for their kids. Show how a buyer can pair the shorts with awesome graphic t-shirts for complete outfits on your product pages to make more sales.

Here are some of our top product recommendations:

• The 100% polyester Youth Octane Shorts (style #1426) has it all: moisture wicking and easy-care shorts they can wear all season. Available in core colors like Black, Graphite, and Navy! 
• Another feature-rich option, the Youth Zone Performance Shorts (style #TT11SHY) offers moisture wicking and UV 40+ protection, that will last all summer long and beyond.
  

While the hoodie seems more of a cool-weather item, people still wear this super-comfy and casual layering piece in lots of summer settings. Early mornings and evenings can be cooler, even outside, so a lightweight, but warm hoodie can be the perfect add-on. Many indoor locations, like malls or movie theaters, can be chilly from air conditioning, so a hoodie can keep you comfortable. Finally, people with sensitive skin or those who want a more modest look will choose light, breathable hoodies to cover up.

Here’s our top product recommendations:

• The lightweight, team-fit Team 365 Youth Performance Hooded T-Shirt (style #TT41Y) will become a wardrobe staple. Made of 100% polyester, the hoodie offers moisture wicking to stay cool and comfortable, and all-important UV protection. The hoodie, made with cationic dyes for superior brightness and excellent colorfastness, comes in hues like Sports Light Blue, Sport Graphite, Sport Red and Sport Forest.
• Here’s one for every kid’s summer wardrobe, the Bella + Canvas Youth Sponge Fleece Full-Zip Hoodie (style #3739Y), made of ultra-soft Airlume combed and ring spun cotton. This full-zip-up hoodie is designed with side seams and a retail fit. 
• Eco-conscious people will love the Hanes Ecosmart® Youth Hooded Sweatshirt (style #P473), made from reclaimed and recycled polyester plastic water bottles in a patented, low-pill, high-stitch density PrintPro XP fabric. This hoodie, which has an extra-large front pouch pocket, comes in core colors like Deep Forest, Deep Red and Deep Royal.

No beach trip, picnic or day at camp is complete without the right back to carry all of your essentials. Bags are great daily-use items with a huge canvas for graphics, messages or logos. You can offer customized and personalized bags with names for events, camps or gifts. Bags rank high on the list of summer must-haves, so be sure to stock a variety in your shop!

Here’s our top product recommendations:

• If you’re getting ready to head to the beach, grab the cotton canvas Liberty Bags Seaside Cotton Canvas Tote (style #8867), with an open front pocket for essentials. The Seaside tote has a Natural body with stylish contrasting handles and bottom; choose Red/Natural or Royal/Natural.
• We love the on-trend look of the cotton/poly twill Artisan Collection by Reprime Denim Tote Bag (style #RP998), generously sized at 17" L x 15" W, with contrast stitching in either Black Denim or Indigo Denim.
  

Beach and other towels are a definite summer essential. Soft, colorful towels with graphics, logos or messages will fly off your virtual shelves if you stock high-quality items with widespread appeal. Even better, premium towels last the test of time and can be great “promo items” for businesses, camps, brands and more. 

Here’s our top product recommendation:

• The Carmel Towel Company Classic Beach Towel (style #C3060), made of soft 100% cotton velour with hemmed edges, should be a staple in your summer shop.

Just like hoodies, blankets are a must-have item for summer outings such as picnics, concerts, outdoor movies, beach days, and bonfires. They provide a comfortable spot to sit on the ground while also keeping you warm. Parents can easily purchase individual summer blankets for their children, while summer camps and other groups can offer customized blankets for their campers and participants. These versatile blankets enhance the experience and ensure everyone can relax and enjoy their favorite summer activities!

Here are our top product recommendations:

• The Gildan Heavy Blend Fleece Stadium Blanket (style #18900) is a great year-round blanket for taking everywhere you road. Made of USA cotton and polyester, the 50” W x 60” L fleecy ground and lap cover comes in Sport Grey, Navy, Red, Sand and Charcoal.
• A great gift item, the Rabbit Skins Premium Jersey Infant Blanket (style #1110) for babies is made from super-soft 100% combed ringspun cotton premium jersey. The 30” wide x 40” long comes in Pink and Light Blue. You can customize or personalize these premium blankets with names, dates and more!

This summer, you can provide a wide range of essential items for kids during the warmest (and most fun!) season. From trendy t-shirts and comfortable shorts to hip headwear, cozy hoodies, versatile totes, and must-have towels and blankets, your store can become the go-to destination for fashion-forward parents and their adventurous children. Get all of these high-quality, stylish, and practical products at CSO! You’ll enhance the summer experience for your customers, making their outings, camps and beach days more enjoyable and memorable. 

With our affordable collection of stylish t-shirts in different colors, fabrics and fits, you can add a lot of personality to your wardrobe or the pieces you’re decorating to sell. Shop Clothing Shop Online's t-shirt styles, shorts, hoodies and more – our retail products at wholesale prices are great for decorating with graphic or text-based designs and wearing everywhere. Make your t-shirt shop the online destination for parents and kids alike to find everything they need!