My family spends most of its summer weekends at our beach house, and we love to have friends join us. As lovely as that sounds (and it is delightful) sometimes a day at the beach is no picnic. Someone is always hungry, thirsty, hot, afraid of a bug, grouchy, or tired. After a few years trekking from sand to house and back again, little nuggets of wisdom have begun to take shape. I’m getting better at anticipating how to meet the needs of my little ones and even our grown-up guests in the hot summer months.

A little bit of forethought and planning eradicates the sweaty, sandy scramble for snacks and drinks. An hour in the kitchen in the cool evening is a load of frustration saved the following day. I like to be a guest at my own party, so I try to do as much as I possibly can ahead of time. This even makes my guests feel more at ease, because they’re not watching me run around like slave labor.

First challenge: the morning play date that spills over into lunch. I might be inspired to fire up the grill and do some quick burgers and hot dogs with a salad and chips, but usually I just want to take something out of the fridge and put it on the table. Club Sandwich Kabobs please kids and Moms alike. Pair them with simple fruit skewers and everyone will be smiling.

Sometimes we have mid-afternoon guests, and then we need completely different kinds of refreshments. While the kids play in the sand or under the sprinklers, I might pull Skewered Greek Salads out of the fridge and serve my girlfriends a chilled glass of white wine. Have you noticed a theme? Food on sticks = happy eaters.

Of course, the kids are not interested in Skewered Greek Salads. But no matter the age of your audience: who wouldn’t want to be offered a handmade Triple Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwich in the middle of a hot afternoon? Homemade ice cream sandwiches are so easy to make even with simple waffle cookies and ice cream or sorbet, but I have yet to find a group of people that doesn’t find them extra special. Frozen Choco Scotch Banana Bites are another make-ahead icebox treat that sneak fruit into unsuspecting kids. They are yet another fabulous food on a stick!

Occasionally I over-buy fruit in the summertime. I can’t help myself–it’s all gorgeous, delicious and so much cheaper than at other times of the year. My kids and their friends all love watermelon, but sometimes my planning is off and we end up with a surplus. Then we might just have to whip up some Slushy Watermelon Mojitos (see photo)! You can make a non-alcoholic version using frozen watermelon and seltzer or lemon-lime soda for the kids. Another option: Frozen Lemonade is a perfect afternoon pick-me-up for sun-weary guests of all ages, or try the Junebug instead.

Another way to marinate, uh, I mean, mellow out the adults is to serve White Sangria. You need to make it a bit ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld properly, so it’s perfect for entertaining any size crowd. (Also, see above: over-buying of summer fruits.) Pull it out, pour, and garnish with extra fruit, and collect accolades while you act modest. Really, it was nothing.

Opening a box of popsicles and handing out juice boxes are much easier tasks than the ideas I’ve suggested here. And your guests will feel no less welcome in your home if you choose to do so (and I certainly do when I’m really fried!) But with a little bit of planning and some stellar make-ahead treat ideas, your summer guests will always leave your home feeling cool, happy, and like you’ve done something special for them. And for you the host/ess? No sweat!

Robin Horrigan is a stay at home mom to a 6-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter. She is the cruise director for her busy family, keeping the calendar full of the stuff that makes life worth living, but leaves plenty of time to shop for shoes. When they’re all at home, you’ll find the Horrigans knee-deep in chocolate chips and cookie racks, baking treats together that celebrate the four seasons and even the silliest of holidays.