The first day of spring 2024 is here! Welcome the season with these essentials

The first day of spring 2024 is here, and it looks pretty different depending on where you are in the country. Some of us are practically ready to hit the beach while others are still brushing off snow. Either way, warmer weather is bound to come eventually, and you can prepare for higher temperatures no matter where you reside.

Aside from preparing for the change of weather, there are lots of ways to celebrate the coming of spring and the signs of new life in nature. Whether you want to go camping, host a gathering in your backyard, or just gear up for what’s to come, here are all the essentials you’ll need to enjoy the first day of spring and beyond.

When is the first day of spring 2024?

This year, the Spring Equinox (a.k.a. the first day of spring) in the Northern Hemisphere takes place on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

What is the first day of spring 2024?

The first day of spring, at least astronomically, coincides with the vernal equinox, which is when the sun is directly over the equator, and night and day are the same length. This differs from the first day of meteorological spring, which is based on weather patterns and begins on March 1.

How many days until spring 2024?

The long winter is finally over, and spring has officially arrived today. While it may not feel like spring weather in all areas of the country, it's bound to come your way soon.

Products to buy for the first day of spring 2024 and beyond

1. A Solo Stove bonfire pit

A bonfire will keep your guests comfortable if you're looking to have an outdoor Equinox party. Plus, it's a great source of light (not that you’ll need it now that Daylight Saving Time has begun). The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is one of the best fire pits we've ever tested as it is smokeless, easy to clean, and fast-burning.

2. A fitness tracker

Looking to get back into a workout routine this spring? Use a fitness tracker to help make the process easier—not to mention, more fun. The best fitness tracker we've tested is the Fitbit Charge 5. It earns this distinction because it's comfortable, easy to use, and tracks a lot of pertinent health info like heart rate, restlessness, and estimated oxygen variation.

3. Hiking boots

With warmer weather comes more opportunities to explore the great outdoors. If you're in the market for new boots, we recommend picking up the Men’s Thermo Chill Mid Waterproof Merrell Hiking Boot. These hiking boots are beloved on Amazon for their support, comfortability, and their price.

For women's boots, there's the Merrell Women's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe, with over 9,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. Reviewers report that these shoes are comfortable, warm, and waterproof.

4. Camping gear

Before you go out camping this spring, make sure to take a quality tent with you. The Coleman 4-Person Skydome is the best tent you can buy, with over 1,800 five-star reviews attesting to its quality. The value is great and it's very easy to set up and use.

If you're looking for a sleeping bag to pair with it, whether for use at the campgrounds or in your own backyard for a night under the stars, we recommend getting the Sea to Summit Basecamp. Reviewed editor Séamus Bellamy swears by this sleeping bag, citing its roominess and warmth.

5. An air purifier

An air purifier will help you enjoy spring even if you have seasonal allergies, as their filters can capture the pollen and other irritants in the air throughout your home. Of the air purifiers that we've tested, we found the best to be the Blue Pure 311i Max thanks to its quietness, excellent filtering, and intuitive controls.

6. A bathing suit

It might be a bit too early for a dip in the ocean or lake for many states across the country, but it's not too early to at least make sure you have a bathing suit in the closet.

When the time comes, you can hit the beach in style this year with Summersalt bathing suits. Made from recycled materials, these bathing suits come in various styles that are all comfortable, beautiful, and durable.

For swim trunks, we recommend the knee-length volley swim trunks from Speedo. While the brand is mostly known for its tight briefs, they also make a mean pair of trunks. Reviewers love the trunks for their durability, fit, and stylishness.

7. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a must-have to protect your skin from increased exposure to the sun as the days grow longer. Mineral sunscreens are great for those worried about harsh chemicals and we've done extensive testing on these sunscreens to determine the best one. Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk SPF 50 Sunscreen is our winner thanks to its protection, pleasant smell, and lightweight feel. Plus, unlike other sunscreens, it doesn't leave a white cast on your skin.

8. Luggage

If you're planning on taking a trip this spring, we recommend carrying your belongings in the best carry-on luggage, the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Checked Luggage. This luggage is sturdy, easy to maneuver, and easy to open.

9. A smart sprinkler

A smart sprinkler makes it easy to maintain your yard throughout the season thanks to its automatic functions—just connect it to your irrigation system and you're golden. The best smart sprinkler controller we've tested is the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller. It's easy to install, even easier to use, and comes with a host of impressive features.

10. A lawn mower

With the snow melting and the sun shining once more, you'll have to start mowing your lawn again and we know just the thing that can get the job done: the Ego Power+ LM2135SP. We've named this beast of a machine the best lawn mower thanks to its power and comfortable handling.

11. Gardening gloves

If you've got a green thumb and want to grow flowers, fruits or veggies this spring, remember to pick up a pair of quality gardening gloves. The Showa Atlas 370 are the best pair of gardening gloves as they're waterproof, breathable, and resistant to light wear and tear.

For something a bit more durable that can withstand rocks and thorns, we recommend picking up the StoneBreaker Gloves Gardener, though beware: they are not waterproof.

12. A grill

The first day of spring is the perfect time to break out the grill after the long winter. If you prefer the convenient and less finicky temperature control of a gas grill, we recommend getting the Weber Spirit II E-310, the best gas grill we've tested. It’s a sturdy grill that cooks evenly and sears perfectly thanks to its impressive heat.

If you prefer the smoky taste of charcoal, you should pick up our favorite charcoal grill, the Napoleon NK22K-LEG-2. Its large surface means you'll be able to evenly cook a lot of food at once.

13. Rain gear

May brings flowers, but to get them you'll have to deal with the April showers first. Whether you're the type of person who enjoys singin' in the rain or you immediately find shelter whenever it starts drizzling, you'll be a lot happier with some quality rain gear to help you stay dry.

As far as rainboots go, the best ones on the market are the Hunter Women's Original Short Rain Boots. Available in dozens of different colors, this rain boot is durable, waterproof, and made from premium materials.

You'll want a quality umbrella, too. For a budget-friendly option we recommend checking out the Totes Titan umbrella. It comes in several designs, is portable, and offers good rain protection.

14. A portable air conditioner

The freezing cold will give way to sweltering heat before you know it and to prepare, you should get an air conditioner ready to install. Of the portable air conditioners we've tested, we found the Whynter Elite ARC-122DS to be the best thanks to its great cooling capabilities and even greater value.

15. A water bottle

You'll want to take care to make sure you're staying properly hydrated as the warm weather starts to roll in. A great way to do this is to carry around a reusable water bottle. The best water bottle we've tested is the Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle because it has a leak-proof lock, it comes with multiple sipping options, it features a filter that gets rid of odors, and its insulation keeps water cool for up to 24 hours.

16. Cleaning supplies

With the right tools, spring cleaning might be something you look forward to instead of dreading. You can get started with our favorite mop, the Rubbermaid Microfiber Reveal Spray Mop Floor Cleaning Kit. We love this mop because it has washable pads, a scrubber for tougher stains, and it’s lightweight, too.

For surfaces that the Rubbermaid can't clean, we recommend using our favorite vacuum cleaner, the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift-Away which picks up a good amount of dirt and has a canister configuration for hard-to-reach spots.