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27 Useful Amazon Products Parents Say Last For Years

27 Useful Amazon Products Parents Say Last For Years

Buzz Feed12-07-2025
A well-priced jogging stroller that'll have you zooming around with ease without dropping close to $700 like other brands. The three-wheeled design makes mobility so much easier than standard four-wheeled strollers — saving you the primal rage that comes from trying to round a corner and one of the wheels sticking.
Promising review: "It's been two years and it's still works like it's brand new no issues would buy again daughter seems to stay comfortable in it." —billyPrice: $129.48
A wagon for lugging around *allofthegear*. From sports events, to beach trips, to walking to the park, throw everything — including your kids! — into the wagon so you're not the pack mule for once.
Promising review: "I bought this wagon a year ago after looking at quite a few different ones, I use this for travel sports. So I like how deep it is and the taller sides because I have a cooler, two big bags, 2–3 chairs and sometimes a canopy in it. So nothing is falling out of this wagon when I'm pulling it. The longer handle is nice because it's easier to pull and it won't come for the back of your heels like other wagons will.Recently the strap that wraps around the wagon and Velcro's broke. I reached out the company and they offered to refund me some money and what to search for on Amazon to replace it. How awesome is that! Definitely great customer service and I'm glad this is the wagon i purchased." —K.MillerPrice: $99.99 (available in two colors)
A Hatch sound machine and nightlight that connects to your phone for optimal control and years of use. For babies, it plays gentle sounds and for toddlers learning not to wake up at 3 a.m., it can be programmed as an OK-to-wake light. My kids have used an older version of the Hatch for five years and since I have a perpetually sub-6 a.m. riser with an underdeveloped understanding of time, I still love it as much now as I did then.
Promising review: "I have been using the 1st Gen since my baby was a newborn and she is now 2 years old. I still use it for every nap and during the night. It helps to eliminate noises from outside and from other parts of the house. The Bluetooth capability is so nice. You can control everything from your phone and makes it very convenient. I also like that you can choose any color from the color wheel and the sound options are great also. I just purchased the 2nd Gen for my sister's new baby. So excited to pass on this great product!" —Amber ChapmanPrice: $69.99+ (also available in another version)
A closed-circuit baby monitor so you can keep an eye on your little one. This easy-to-use monitor has sound activation, cry monitoring, and two-way audio AND doesn't require you to download yet another app. Plus — if privacy is a concern — the camera is on a closed circuit, meaning it doesn't operate on Wi-Fi and is completely private. You're probably going to be using a monitor for longer than you'd expect, so you might as well invest in something that lasts.
Promising review: "This monitor has been wonderful, works consistently and have used it while camping lots and lots of times. It does not need wifi and makes it so there is no delay. Very user friendly and my daughter is now four years old and have not had to replace or do anything but we would buy it again." —Monique HunterPrice: $39.95+ (available in five versions)
A convertible car seat that'll grow with your little one over the first few years of life. Rather then having to change the carseat at every life stage, get one that'll still be comfortable as they grow.
Promising review: "I've had this car seat for many years and still love it. It's so safe and comfortable for my two kids. I have two and both fit great in our back seat. I couldn't recommend more. One of my favorite things (as I'm a clean freak) is that it's so easy to take apart and clean (once you get the hang of it). It washes so well, then looks brand new! Also, very easy to take in and out when need be." —MichellePrice: $229+ (available in seven colors and in another version)
And a car seat unbuckling tool for protecting your nails when your baby is little and still great when your school-aged kids want to unbuckle themselves during drop-off. It's also super helpful for caretakers with arthritis — making it an excellent gift.
Promising review: "This is our second time buying an UnbuckleMe because it really is a game changer. We have had one in our primary vehicle for a couple of years that our son has used to unbuckle himself in the car rider line at school. We bought one recently to keep in our other vehicle for the same reason. It has given him a sense of responsibility in our morning drop off routine which can sometimes feel rushed. He's able to get unbuckled and be ready for his teacher to open his car and walk him to the building quickly." —BethPrice: $14.24+ (available in seven colors)
A Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy — quite honestly the best baby toy out there. It's somehow not annoying, portable, and I don't know why, but literally every kid is obsessed with the thing. It's so durable that it'll last whether you're planning on one-and-done or working your way to a soccer team.
A nursery chair that doesn't have to look like a nursing chair — which means maybe actually using it in your living space once your babies are grown. Rock easily knowing you didn't have to sacrifice aesthetics for comfort.
Promising review: "This chair was incredibly easy to put together, which is important while pregnant. It's also really comfortable and offers good support while bottle feeding or breastfeeding. It has been the only chair in my now-toddler's room and we still use it every single day, almost two years into her life. I'm sure we will grow out of it eventually, but I will be keeping it for every baby I have." —Emma OrnsteinPrice: $185.39+ (available in four colors)
A set of snack cups so snacks stay in the cups and your toddler doesn't turn crackers into confetti. My kids are STILL using theirs after seven years of use since the handles make for easy snack transportation.
Promising review: "I absolutely love these. They are easy to use, my kids love them, and they are great for preventing spills! The lid has a unique silicone type opening that the kids can just squeeze their hands through and grab some snacks. I would recommend this due to its versatility for road trips, events, etc. I am writing this review after owning these cups for YEARS. I have purchased them over and over again. They're fantastic. Never broke either, I've ordered more as I lost the original, so great investment for help with a mess free life.Size: fairly small. Doesn't fit in a cupholder but very close." —Amazon12xPrice: $5.96 for two cups (available in two color combinations and in a four-pack)
A durable kids' table and chairs for eating, crafts, art time, tea parties — you name it! This table folds up easily and can be stored in a closet when not in use so that you're not tripping over yet another kid-size piece of furniture that escaped your sightline.
I have had this table for almost seven years and love it over fancier-looking tables because I can store it in the closet, and this thing is HEAVY DUTY. It also wipes super easily, meaning I don't have to worry about paint, Play-Doh, or food spills. This table truly stands the test of time. Promising review: "I've been meaning to write this review for literally years. We have two of these awesome tables that we bought for use with our two grandsons. We bought one and I was so impressed that after a couple of months, decided to buy a second one for flexibility. We've had them over five years and they have survived paint, pizza sauce, Play-doh, peanut butter, crayons, markers, and everything the boys have had to offer. The table is very sturdy and stable, especially considering that the legs fold up. The size was perfect from about 2-years-old to 7 or 8. Our older grandson is 8, and he is kind of tall for the table now, though he can still use it. There is a slight channel around the edge of the table top that helps to keep some things from rolling or sliding off. The surface is resistant to all kinds of things and cleans up easily. The great Costco quality of their adult products is also obvious in this child's table. The top surface is slightly pebbly rather than completely smooth, which hasn't been a problem, just something to be aware of. When they are doing drawing or writing with a pencil, we just put down a couple of pieces of paper to smooth out the surface. The folding legs and the 2 x 2 foot size make storage easy. The table top color is a nice off-white color so when we are doing art, the boys can clearly see their project. I can't imagine a more functional, better table for the years we've had this. We've used it in the house and on the deck. We used a couple of chairs with these tables that we bought separately. Can't get a better table." —WdvlanniePrice: $44.97
A cart to store art supplies, toys, or whatever else you need a little organized access to. Reviewers have used it as a pumping station, as a homeschool art, to store toys and art supplies, and to help organize bathrooms. The possibilities are endless!
Promising review: "I got one years ago and needed another one, since I accumulated more stuff i needed more space. This was easy to build, didn't take long at all the instructions were clear and I love that it came with the little baskets and hooks, it definitely helps more with storage." —tatianaPrice: $22.36+ (available in seven colors)
A durable step stool that is 1,000x better than lifting your kid up to help them wash their hands. Unlike wooden ones, this step won't hurt them if they trip onto it and it's light enough so that they can move it around when they get older — saving you time and energy.
Promising review: "Perfect stool for potty training, perfect height and comfortable for them to use. its pretty thick plastic and great quality for a great price. My kids have been using this stool for years and its still standing. Highly recommend." —Casey WPrice: $19.97+ (available in four colors)
A stroller fan for keeping everyone cool during the hot summer months. This small, battery-operated fan has a flexible tripod clip for keeping it secure and has three speeds, which is perfect for when you've had enough of the heat and want to cool yourself off for a change.
Promising review: "We bought these for our tiny humans last July as we made the Uncle Sam-mandated journey from Alaska to South Carolina in the absolute worst heat of the summer. They kept our little Alaskan babies cool (for the most part) all last summer and this summer. These guys may be little but they are mighty! A year later they're still going strong! Today I left my car door open for 6 hours in a down pouring thunderstorm, came out and my car was SOAKED. After blotting as much as I could up with towels, I decided to put these little fans to work trying to get the rest to air dry. And what do you know! In less than 30 min they had most of the water gone!! (Maybe a little help from the SC heat, but it's 11pm! There isn't a super ton of that out rn.) I will 100% be buying again if these lightweight, strong little guys decide to kick the bucket." —Denae GrimlawPrice: $21.32+ (available in six colors)
An on-the-go potty seat that can make an adult seat the perfect size for little tushes. Save your back from holding them up off the seat in public restrooms so they don't fall in. The bare minimum of success here means no peeing toddler clinging to you while bringing your face inches from a public toilet.
Promising review: "We are on our second of these, having lost the first one in between children potty training. The seat is easy to use and sticks well to toilet seats. I have taken to using a plastic wedge/lever to unstick the suction cups from the seat for sanitary reasons. Most importantly, the setup is quick and easy, while sanitizing it later on is just as simple. The included bag really helps when you can't spray down the seat after use. The little ones find it pretty easy to sit on the narrower opening and not fall in like a standard toilet seat as well.The first toilet seat held up well over a years worth of constant use and was only replaced when we lost it in storage. Hope this helps those on the fence!" —A. BerardinelliPrice: $14.95 (available in three colors)
An electric nail buffer because clipping nails honestly does not get easier for YEARS. Thanks to the swappable heads, this buffer can trim those paper-thin baby nails, avoid clipping a wiggly toddler, and make the experience more enjoyable for big kids.
Promising reviews: "Bought this almost three years ago and still using the same one. Great quality and lasts a long time." —OctiKracken"This was a game changer when I had a baby! I was so scared to trim my daughters nails at first but this thing has made it so simple and easy. It's gentle and doesn't irritate the skin at all. I've been using this on my daughters nails for over a year at this point and still works perfectly. It makes what I thought would be a stressful task, stress free." —AshleyPrice: $7.99+ (available in nine colors)
A Melissa & Doug ice cream station with play money included to train up your little entrepreneur. My own kids have played with ice cream sets for literal years and still love bringing me some sort of icy concoction they've dreamed up. And because this set is wooden, it'll stand the test of unsteady motor skills and constantly dropped ice cream creations.
A weighted stuffed animal that'll give them a stuffed friend when they're not feeling well. This stuffy can be warmed in the microwave for heated pressure OR kept in the fridge for when they need a buddy to help heal that little ouch. It includes a hint of lavender scent to offer extra calming comfort.
Check out the whole collection of stuffed friends here.Promising review: "This is my toddler's comfort animal. We warm him up before bed every night and he goes on adventures with her. Still smells like lavender, but very faintly now. We even bought a second one as 'backup.' P.S. she named him Dug. 🥰 Update two years in: still going strong despite many accidents. We've had to buy a couple of replacements when she loses them, but have never had an issue with quality or durability." —FredPrice: $21.56
A touch-free digital thermometer for when you want to obsessively check for a fever ("Are they warm? They're warm. Let me just check — oh wait, no they're fine. But ARE they? Let me check.") This thermometer reads in ONE second and can even be used to check room temperature, making it even more useful.
Promising review: "I highly recommend this for anyone. I used it while working as a contract nurse. My patients loved not having something poking them under the tongue. It's perfect for children as well. Would definitely buy again if needed. I've had mine for over a year and it's still working perfectly!" —DeePrice: $15.99+ (available in six colors)
An out-of-this-world night-light that totally levels up the peel-and-stick stars of yesteryear.
Promising review: "This night light has been with us for almost four years now in six days. We absolutely love it. It still looks beautiful and new and it works great. It's very functional and easy to use. My children operated themselves. I like that you can select how bright you want it to be and how the colors of the light that you want. It was very easy. It was assembled too. Overall great value for my money." —BNPrice: $15.99+ (available in eight designs)
A sensory swing for when kids need a quiet, calm space or a place to burn some energy — or both! This indoor or outdoor swing gives gentle, calming pressure to the user, can help block out overstimulating light, or can be used as a regular swing for when your kids just need to burn some energy. It's a total win, especially if you have a kid who's sensory-sensitive.
My daughter's occupational therapist suggested a sensory swing for our family and WHOA the use that thing gets. Both of my kids use it literally every day for resting, relaxing, swinging, or climbing. This particular one comes with all mounting gear and holds up to 220 pounds — meaning it's going to get years of use.Promising review: "It's been 1.5 years since we bought this swing. My 2- and 5-year-old have played with it (and fought over it lol) almost every single day.We also bought a Swedish ladder around the same time thinking they would love that too. They barely touch it.But this swing… best purchase we have ever bought for them.It's held up well and fits both of them. The only advice is to make sure you put it far away from the walls. It sounds obvious but we put it in a corner with what we thought would be enough room. But it can swing out pretty far. We put our Nugget mats underneath for a soft landing if they fall out. Highly recommend!" —valerie bowdenPrice: $39.48+ (available in four colors)
An LCD writing tablet and doodle pad that gives your kid something to do without having to keep track of 47 crayons, 12 markers, and tons of wasted paper. It also stores easily for an awesome toy for on-the-go and is super durable — making it an activity bag staple for years at a time.
A toy organizer because it's about time those small toys have somewhere to go. These bins are easy for kids to use, fit into almost any room, and make cleanup so much easier. And since it's not tied to a character, this neutral setup will get use beyond when they decide that their favorite show is suddenly for "babies."
Promising review: "I loved this the day I bought it, and two years later, it's exactly like it was when I bought it. Super sturdy, goes well with anything children, keeps things easy to find, and not heavy at all." —PattyPrice: $60.08+ (available in 123 colors)
A screen-free alternative to story time: a Tonie box starter set. Each figurine plays stories, songs, and between 30 and 45 minutes of content, giving you plenty of time to get something done for a change. They're going to love all of the options, playing with the figurines and kicking that tablet to the curb (for a little while, that is).
Promising review: "Our almost 5- and almost 10-year-old have been using their Tonies for about four years now and they still love it. For Christmas this year they got four more stories and we bought another one today. We like the set because it gives you some options to start with. We didn't use the song one much — they prefer stories. The lullaby one is one we want to try though.The sound is good — we have not used headphones. The sides need more of a smacking than I originally thought they would to change the stories/songs.We have only used it plugged in so I can't attest to how the battery works.The volume goes down to a good level for night time stories and play. Our kids like to fall asleep listening to them.We have recommended this to others, and we would recommend it to you. We had no idea it would be such a hit for so long. Very worth the money!!" —The B'sPrice: $99.99 (available in two colors)
An explorer couch that doubles as a place to sit and the world's most imaginative fort. Explorer couches are absolutely made for imagination and your kids will love building, crashing, and rolling for years.
Promising review: "This is our second Lunix couch. The first one is still holding up great after a year of hard use. The kids love it! My son builds all kinds of things with it. His favorite is an obstacle course. We got another so he can have one in his room. I've sat on it numerous times and it's still holding up its shape well. Highly recommended!!" —LindseyPrice: $159.97 (available in five colors)
A set of plastic knives perfect for introducing your kids to cooking and kitchen safety. These knives are effective enough to cut a variety of foods well, but safe enough to not have to worry about little fingers getting cut. Next stop: culinary school.
A pair of noise-canceling headphones for neurodiverse kids or those who just don't like loud noises. These headphones are great for canceling out background noise without completely blocking out everything and for protecting ears at loud events.
I have a sensory-sensitive daughter and these are the only headphones she'll wear. Let me tell you: these babies are the absolute best. We have so many pairs — in the car, in two locations at school, and at home. They've been all over Disneyland and other theme parks and have even been worn on a few loud rides (with ride operator permission, of course). They're tight enough to stay on, comfortable enough to keep on all day, and gentle enough to not bother her sensitivity to touch. Our original pair is two years old and literally shows no signs of wear. We even got a pair for our non-sensory sensitive daughter for fireworks and she loves them, too — your kiddo doesn't need to be neurodiverse to benefit from a little hearing protection. I could hug whoever invented these headphones for all of the meltdowns we've avoided over the past few years. Promising review: "Have had these for my son for a little under two years! They are very durable! And adjustable so he has been able to grow with them and expand the headband. Highly recommend. He also has tossed them several times where they have broken and you can easily fix them and pop the cushions back in." —anelPrice: $9.47+ (available in 18 colors and styles)
A space-saving loft bed that'll give them some storage and room for a desk for art, homework, or gaming — or just a place to play! This sturdy bed will stick around as their interests change and will open up "SO MUCH ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES."
Promising review: "Last year for Christmas, we bought this bed in grey for our son. We have been so happy with it, so this year we got it for our daughter in white. For the price, you really can't beat it! The quality is just as good as some of the beds we saw in showrooms for four times the price! This time, my husband and I built it together, but last year my husband was out of town for work and I was able to build it myself in half a day. It helps to have a power screwdriver for some of it, FYI. Also, you can put the shelves and/or the ladder on either end. We built the beds as mirror images of each other." —Music TeacherPrice: $416.48 (available in three styles and in three colors)
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It's a great resource for building early argumentative writing skills. As 5-year-olds start learning to read, practicing sight words becomes a large part of the process. This game provides a fun way to reinforce those words and improve their reading fluency. When a word is called out, the first to swat the correct fly wins. In our guide to the best kids smartwatches , the TickTalk 5 is our pick for the most fun. Exciting features for younger kids include music streaming and the ability to send GIFs and e-greeting cards. Parents will appreciate that it allows kids to call home and has superior GPS tracking, making it a little easier to part with them while they're at school or camp. Robust parental controls—including pre-approving contacts—keeps it safe. For kids with long-distance family members, this is a great way to keep in touch, too. For kids who love to steal your phone to take pictures, a camera of their own can make everyone happier. My daughter has been using her VTech KidiZoom PrintCam for years, and it's so fun to see life from her perspective. They can print their pictures out instantly, and the camera is pretty easy for kids to use. Bitzee is an interactive toy that kind of reminds me of a GigaPet or Furby. Kids interact with the toy to unlock new characters. This Harry Potter version features new characters arriving on the Hogwarts Express as well as iconic scenes from the films like Ron playing Wizard's Chess and Harry playing Quidditch. If your child isn't into Harry Potter, there are other Bitzee versions , too. Though it might seem like a blast from the past, walkie-talkies give kids a chance to talk to their friends or siblings without a phone or other high-tech device. In all honesty, they're likely more resistant to drops and rough play than other, more expensive smart devices. This affordable set comes with three units, so your kids can communicate with you or each other. Mierzejewski recommends Chompsaw, a power tool kids can use for cutting cardboard. Whether they love to design their own art projects or simply enjoy deconstructing things, they can have at it with all the cardboard boxes you don't know what to do with. The tool is designed so that it doesn't pinch kids' fingers, so they can independently create to their imagination's content. 'The Chompsaw has been a big hit with my youngest who is obsessed with creating things and being a 'maker'. I love that it's safe so I can let her use it by herself without worrying,' says Forbes Vetted baby and kids gear editor Esther Carlstone. This workbench is a step up from the smaller tool set your child may have had as a toddler. It's a 58-piece set that allows kids to create and experiment, learning about many STEM concepts. It also comes with an app to help walk your child through their discoveries. This beautiful lantern is a fantastic structured project for kids. Once completed, it can light up their room at night or accompany them on a nighttime nature walk. The kit also includes educational information about why leaves change and how the seasons work. Amazon Crayola Inspiration Art Case Coloring Set Don't let this basic coloring set fool you. It's full of creative potential with markers, crayons and colored pencils. It provides an easy way to keep their supplies organized so you don't have broken crayons all over the house. I've also found that there's enough room in the case to store loose paper or a thin coloring book. Amazon Kinetic Sand Squishmotion Kinetic sand has long been a go-to open-ended toy for little kids, and this set has a unique squishy foam that makes it look like the sand is growing and moving. Caregivers will appreciate the storage case that makes clean-up easy. Other popular themed sets include the Mermaid Crystal Playset and Treasure Hunt set . Amazon Fat Brain Toys Hey Clay Animals According to Gummer, craft sets are a great way to help kids strengthen the hand muscles they'll need for writing. Since kindergarten often involves plenty of writing, molding clay and other hands-on activities can build those muscles in advance. Whether they design their own animals or follow the step-by-step instructions that come with the set, kids will have fun letting their creativity run wild. For a 5-year-old who is headed off to kindergarten or away from home, this locket is just right to give them an adorable accessory and help them have a little piece of home. You can choose to upload a photo to have it permanently placed in the locket, or you can add a photo yourself. My daughter has been wearing this locket lately, and she loves to open it up and look at the picture. One of my daughter's favorite things to do is listen to the Yoto Daily Podcast every night before bed. It's a nice routine for her, and she learns quite a bit from it, too. The Yoto Player is a screen-free audio player, and kids can play the podcast, music and pre-loaded cards filled with stories and songs. You can also record your own cards—I like to have friends and family record stories for my kids and then I add them to our Yoto cards for a special surprise. This starter set comes with the player and six Disney-themed cards. Mierzejewski recommends plush dolls to help provide emotional comfort, and Squishmallows are all the rage. My daughter told me that the unicorn Squishmallow is the most popular at her school, but lean into your child's interest when picking one out. These super plush and squishy stuffies are available in a wide variety of animals and designs, including an ostrich, a sugar glider and a praying mantis. If you're ready for 24/7 concerts throughout your home, a mini karaoke machine is a great gift. You can play songs via Bluetooth for your 5-year-old to sing along to, and there are two microphones so siblings, friends and family can join in on the fun. Khan shares that kids can use action figures to act out real-life or fantasy scenarios, which helps support their emotional expression and social understanding. All three of my kids have played with these Marvel action figures for years, and they've proven to be extremely durable and high-quality. They often use them to act out scenes from movies or in their own creative play scenarios. This Sticki Rolls pack features the ever-popular Stitch. What's especially cool is that the beads on the necklace and bracelet are rolls of stickers that kids can pull off to share with their friends. It's a playful way for them to show their personality and practice sharing. The Forbes Vetted baby and kids gear team has been following toy trends, attending toy fairs and testing toys with our families for years. We frequently publish toy and gift guides, including the best gifts for 4-year-olds , the best dinosaur toys and the best toys for 6-year-old boys . The author of this article, Alicia Betz , is an experienced parenting journalist and mom to three. She follows the top toy trends and stays up to date on new releases and toy updates. She also regularly tests toys with her kids. , is an experienced parenting journalist and mom to three. She follows the top toy trends and stays up to date on new releases and toy updates. She also regularly tests toys with her kids. The editor of this article, Esther Carlstone has been reporting on parenting topics for the past decade and is a mom to three. She also regularly attends toy fairs and trade shows and has owned many of the toys on this list. has been reporting on parenting topics for the past decade and is a mom to three. She also regularly attends toy fairs and trade shows and has owned many of the toys on this list. We interviewed three experts: Dr. Zishan Khan , a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist at Mindpath Health; Ali Mierzejewski, editor-in chief at The Toy Insider ; and Amanda Gummer , a research psychologist specializing in child development and play, and founder of Good Play Guide. They provided insight on what toys are best for 5-year-olds, what stages of development 5-year-olds are in and how play can support that development. What Should I Get A 5-Year-Old Who Has Everything? Any time you need to buy a gift for a 5-year-old who already has tons of toys, I recommend something consumable, practical or educational. From our list of top toys, the Crayola Inspiration Art Case Coloring Set and Who Would Win?: Ultimate Showdown are great options. If they already have Legos or Magna Tiles, an expansion pack is a great idea. What Should A 5-Year-Old Play With? 'At this age, children benefit from toys that encourage imaginative play, physical activity, problem-solving, and social interaction. Quality toys should be robust, age-appropriate, and have enough flexibility to be played with in different ways,' says Gummer. Remember to choose toys that align with their interests. What Do You Buy A 5-Year-Old Boy? When shopping for a 5-year-old boy, consider his interests. 'By now, they'll have a slew of favorite on-screen characters, so anything featuring their big screen besties will be a hit,' says Mierzejewski. Some of our top picks include the Lego City Police Car, Guardian Bike and Marvel Avengers Ultimate Protectors Pack.

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