“The sun seems more brutal,” I heard someone say the other day and had to agree. With so much construction in the cities and suburbs, there are fewer places to find shade. With less rainfall, the world is getting drier and we feel more parched. Which is why a personal cooling device may be just the thing as you venture forth into the searing, energy-robbing days of summer. There are a number of individual size, battery-operated fans on the market and some of them offer bursts of mist. The Misty Mate isn’t a fan, but it weighs less than two pounds and has a built-in pump that pressurizes the 16 ounces of water it holds into a cooling mist, which makes the air temp feel 30 degrees cooler! It fits in the bottle holder of a bike and comes with a carrying strap ($24). The O2 handheld cool water misting fan with strap and clip ($17) has safe foam blades and can double as a drinking water bottle. Basically, it’s a 16-ounce pump spray bottle with a fan attached; you pull the trigger for a hit of mist. Brookstone’s Cool It! fan (pictured) is a little powerhouse that runs on four AA batteries and ships in three colors ($22.) Need something lighter? You might prefer a mini water misting fan with carabiner clip ($11). It runs on 1 AA battery, fits easily in your hand and clips to your clothing or carrying bag. Or get this little powerhouse of a necklace/desk fan ($15). It requires little energy to operate, has a fold-out stand to place it down in front of you or a cord for transporting it around your neck. The only thing it lacks is mist. If you plan to work outside this summer and need more than a little fan/mister to combat the heat under your collar, check the selection of around-the-neck cooling products at Heat Relief, which also sells a number of cooling vests and hard hat coolers and sweatbands. With climate change under way, they’re not just for contruction workers anymore.

The sun gives a “healthy glow” and a daily dose of vitamin D. It also burns and irradiates our skin if we don’t protect ourselves. Those who have already dealt with skin cancer or “precancerous” carcinomas, not to mention premature aging, know the importance of covering up with a good hat. The rest of us need to take preventive action now. In other words, don’t leave the house without a sun hat tucked into your bag or your car or tied around your neck. The everyday cotton hat from Coolibar — the online store claims to be the only site recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation — offers excellent shelter from ultraviolet light. With a four-inch brim and hidden drawstring for a custom fit, it boasts a 50+ percent UPF rating, meaning it will block 98 percent of the sun’s harmful rays ($30; available in eight colors). Outdoor Research’s Seattle Sombrero from REI won an award from Backpacker magazine. Made of waterproof Gore-Tex, its brim can be turned up and secured on both sides to VELCRO tabs ($50). For those who need extra protection for their necks and ears, there’s the Bimini cap from Patagonia ($30). You probably won’t win any fashion awards, but your sweating, roasting companions will envy your cool composure, and the rear flap is removable. Tea in the Sahara, anyone? Or let your head go uncovered while protecting your face in a Naples women’s hat by Physician Endorsed Hats ($33). This one works as a visor when you unzip the removable crown. “But I want to look pretty,” you say? Anthropologie’s wide brimmed monochrome sun hat ($38) and Yucca hat ($88) will do the trick and make you look like a fashion sophisticate. There are lots more face-saving wide brimmed sun protection hats for women at Sun Grubbies, such as the extra-wide brimmed canvas Bella ($48; pictured). And parents: Don’t forget a hat for your kid.

If you’ve decided to take your kids fishing this summer but don’t have much fishing or boating knowledge, get started at Take Me Fishing. Sponsored by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, a nonprofit group whose aim is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, the site has select-your-state sections on getting a fishing license and boating and fishing, along with the all-important guide on how to fish and a “fishopedia,” which lists and describes many types of fish. Once you’ve garnered some basic knowledge, you’ll need some equipment. Happily, Cabela’s currently has an online sale for fishing gear, such as the four-piece travel spinning rod (now $40, down from $50) and the more advanced Fish Eagle XML casting rods ($70, down from $140). For the kids, a Pirates of the Caribbean spincast kit includes rod, reel and small tackle box ($7). A good fishing trip wouldn’t be complete without the right apparel. Orvis’s “fishing best-sellers” include a classic fishing vest called the Super Tac-L-Pak ($89; pictured). Real fly fishermen always wear waders; these Silver Label Stockingfoot waders have neoprene gravel guards and an inside storage pouch ($189). Finally, a tackle box will keep your flies, hooks and other materials clean and organized. This classic Wheatley metal fly box , is handmade in England and can be personalizedand ($59 to $98). If that’s too steep for you, Wal-mart has a perfectly serviceable six-tray tackle box ($20).

The beach tote is many things to many people. Some women actually use them for towels, swimwear and sunscreen and take them to the beach or pool. Others use them as holders for toys, sippie cups, extra sets of children’s clothes and other things young mothers need. Still others find them handy to transport workout clothes or the magazines or papers from the office. Fashionistas who want their bag to be a statement of their style level should look no further than Tory Burch’s Printed Tory Tote. This $225 canvas tote has printed leather trim and two interior zippered pockets. For those of us who wouldn’t be comfortable taking such an expensive bag to the beach, Parrott Canvas Company sells more affordable beach totes in many colors and sizes, such as the Barrier Island Tote Capris, which can be monogrammed ($14 to $23). Simply Bags has this clever black-and-white striped canvas beach tote, which can be embroidered with your name ($30). Lands’ End’s blue paisley beach tote (pictured) has an antimicrobial finish that’s perfect for hauling damp towels or swimsuits ($59.50), and you can also order matching towels ($26.50); both the tote and the towels can be monogrammed. PB Teen from Pottery Barn sells these brightly colored Bahamas Stripe totes for $39. Cafe Press lets you inject some humor with this “I’m a Shore Thing” beach tote, featuring a bikini-clad girl ($20). For guys, the “Beach Bum” beach tote helps it all hang out ($19).

You’ve heard it before: All work and no play make Johnny a dull boy. That’s because play is more than just a good time. It actually engages parts of the brain needed for certain cognitive, social, physical and emotional abilities, while giving rest to our overused “work” brains. If you can’t afford to play hooky from your job, Shopperati’s evening and weekend experts urge you to take up at least one recreational pastime this spring. Here are some suggestions and some gear to go with them. Softball: Great to play with coworkers and friends as it heightens your enjoyment of the outdoors and sharpens the senses. If you haven’t played in years, invest in a nice new game-improving glove such as the DeMarini Diablo Slow Pitch 13-incher ($49.99). The Sorbothane shock-absorbing palm cushions the pain of fast, hard throws. Golf: Rolling green courses, birdsong, plenty of walking and ample opportunities to work on eye-body coordination. If you get hooked, pick up a set of handsome Wilson Golf Neoprene Iron Covers ($9.99) and keep your irons unscratched. While you’re at it, we also recommend the Samsonite Trunk Golf Organizer ($29.99), which has pockets and compartments to keep your golf shoes, grips, jacket, gloves and more stowed neatly in your car trunk. Biking: Good for the heart, the leg muscles, the circulation - and good for the planet as an alternative to driving. You can even get one that folds up inside a travel bag, for taking on a plane, from Bike Friday. While you’re splurging, treat yourself to the award-winning CamelBAK Mayhem 100-ounce Hydration Pack ($90) and say goodbye to reaching for a bottle while riding. This one has an outer mesh pocket for holding gear, and it supplies more than three hours of water. Camping: The opposite of sleeping indoors close to the TV and computer, on a soft bed you know so well you don’t even notice you’re worrying again. Look at the stars and moon instead! Listen to the night! Sleep better than ever inside Columbia’s Bugaboo Family Dome Tent ($128.28 plus free shipping). It’s large enough for up to five people and features a remote control light, skylights and a venting system for fresh air all night. Plan to play, and you’ll work better when you get back.

For many of us, ’tis just about the season to break out the grill, mix up some marinade and start feasting upon the flavors of fire-roasted veggies, fish, beef and fowl. If you never venture farther than charbroiled burgers, chicken and hot dogs, we believe you’re missing out on a world of succulence. Still, Charcoal Companion’s 5-In-1 All Purpose Spatula/Tongs ($9.99) will come in handy. Use them to flip those burgers, tenderize your steak, tong—is that a verb?—and cut. The long rosewood handle will keep you out of the heat, but please bear in mind: a customer review says that these aren’t the best for petite or delicate “female” hands, due to their size and weight. For slathering on the barbecue sauce or tangy marinade, forget about a brush. The all-cotton Sauce Mop ($6.95) can service an entire grill’s worth of food without leaving bristles behind, and the long wooden handle protects your hand and arms from getting scorched. Goes well with the Barbecue! Bible: Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades, Bastes, Butters, and Glazes, by barbecue guru Steven Raichlen ($10.36 at Amazon). A grill topper, like this non-stick grilling grid ($12.95), is just the thing for delicate fish or sliced vegetables. The Weber rib rack helps maximize your grill space by allowing you to stand up slabs of ribs or chicken quarters ($15). But you really ought to try making kabobs, those delectable arrangements of meat and veggies. There’s no prettier or plate-friendlier skewer for the job than the Companion Group’s Circle Kabob Skewers (set of four for $8.95; pictured). Because they’re semicircular, the items stay on better and take up less room on the often overcrowded plate. For wood-smoked flavor, visit the Wood Chips & Bisquettes page at Yard & Pool company. They’ve got apple, hickory, mesquite, maple, and oak products to choose from. Happy grilling!