10 beautiful blankets for every summer situation

Whether you're a city-dweller always on the lookout for a sweet tanning spot or you're lucky enough to stroll down to the beach every night, one should never be without the perfect blanket in the summer. As a mom of two boys under three, I always carry one in the stroller for impromptu park hangs and a few spares in the car — because ice cream disasters. In fact, my blanket stash contains one for every occasion and they all get well used. If you're looking for that perfect blanket to throw down absolutely anywhere — or the perfect backdrop for all your picnic instas this summer — these are the most beautiful blankets to snap up right now. Best part: all machine wash, tumble dry!

The music festival blanket

The designs for this company's many Instagram-famous cheeky blankets are based on illustrations and paintings by founder Kerry Stokes. If you already know their "Good at Naps" and "You're Such a Babe" throw blankets from last year, you'll enjoy their new offerings, which are warm and lightweight and make for a really good "general" summer blanket that is on trend right now.

Rainbow and Raindrops Knit Throw Blanket, $129, and Moon Phases Throw Blanket, $142, calhounandconyc.com

The cutest beach blanket

It was difficult to pick just two of these quirky, colourful, oversized terry cloth towels from ban.do, one of the internet's most Instagrammable product shops. These two are a great mix-and-match duo for setting the most stylish scene at any park or beach this summer. The circle towel is 60 inches in diameter and the classic shape is 72 inches x 40 inches, so you can get your whole fam or girl gang on there.

"No Bad Days" All Around Giant Circle Towel, $90, and "Wish You Were Here" Giant Towel, $50, ban.do

The food blanket​

Sometimes you just need the cutest possible version of the most practical thing and this is it. Available in blue or red classic picnic check, this extra large outdoor blanket has a waterproof side that can be used face up for easy wipe downs or face down to keep you dry while you sit cozy on the fluffy side. The whole thing folds up to a portable little package with handles.

ALLWA XXX-Large Plaid Outdoor Blanket, $25.95, amazon.ca

The cozy blanket

For mornings on the back porch or dusk at the dock, this super soft fleece blanket is perfect for slinging over your shoulder and wrapping around you anywhere. It's as comforting as the throwback floral grandma pattern would suggest, and perfect for travelling with because it's lightweight.

Amped Fleece Printed Throw Blanket, $72.00, urbanoutfitters.com

The lunch break blanket

This light cotton blanket can be thrown into your everyday bag along with your laptop and other daily essentials, which makes it the perfect blanket for Vitamin D-rich lunchtimes on any patch of grass. The long rectangular dimensions allow for room for a friend.

Paint + Petals Picnic Blanket, $148.00, anthropologie.com

The security blanket

Put your pet's our your favourite person's face on this hilarious custom made blanket by Toronto company, Shelfies, if you want to take them wherever you go for comfort. Maybe your beach naps will feel better against hundreds of Brad Pitt's face in 100% fleece? It can't feel bad.

Your Face Custom Blanket in cuddle size, $94.99, shelfies.com

The campfire blanket

This quilted no-fuss polyester blanket is bright and pretty and perfect for wrapping around your shoulders or legs at the cottage bonfire or when you're camping. It has a shiny outside and a soft inside and the filling will keep you warm on cool summer nights.

PS 2017 Throw Blanket, $29.99, ikea.ca

The conversation starter park blanket

If you don't have a dog to help you start conversations at the park on a packed Saturday or Sunday, opt for an eye-catching blanket, like this Princess Leia and Han Solo tarot card design. You can talk OG Star Wars, debate the merits of the newest movie, whether or not you believe in tarot, and so on. You can also get almost any of the artwork on Society6 printed onto one of these polyester and sherpa fleece blankets.

The Lovers Throw Blanket, $49.99, society6.com

The classic Canadian blanket

This more economical, lightweight, 100% cotton version of the heavy wool iconic point blanket is perfect for taking to picnics, outdoor concerts and festivals. This is definitely a dry-ground only one, though it is machine washable.

Hudson's Bay Company Luxe Cotton Knit Throw, $149, thebay.com

The everywhere blanket

While most of the blankets on this list work both indoors and outdoors, this design has more of that indoor boho feel, which makes it great for a fancier outdoor sit-down, like a romantic date night in the park. It's deceivingly pretty but also really practical — the cotton woven fabric dries quicker than a terry towel, so it can also be used at the beach as well.

Sunny Beach Blanket, $69.95, billabong.com

Amanda York is a digital producer, mother of two and the founder of YorkAttack Inc.