30 Walmart Toys That May Not Be Babysitters, But They'll Still Give You A Few Moments Of Peace
It's all about fostering that independent play.
1. A cottage playhouse so your kids can visit this pretend vacation house...and you can take a little mini brain break while they entertain themselves.
2. A TonieBox starter set that comes with Mirabel, Elsa, and Moana, which has been a staple in our home for YEARS now — my kiddos love choosing what music and stories they get to listen to, and the Tonies (sold separately) come in all of their favorite characters.
Walmart
Promising review:"I bought this for my 3-year-old and she loves it! It's super easy for her to change out characters. I love that this set came with three characters to choose from. Love that the characters sing and tell stories. Makes it very entertaining for her age. Love how easy it is to power on and control the volume. Love that it comes with app for the parents." — amber
3. A Kinetic Sand set for those moments when you're stuck inside with bad weather, but you and your kiddos would much rather be at the beach.
Walmart
Promising review:"Our son loves this set. It came with a good amount of sand and it's good quality. The toys are a great mixture and he sits and plays for hours each week with it!" — CC
Price: $21.23
4. This simple magnetic maze game that's not only super entertaining, but can also help with fine motor development.
Walmart
Promising review: I had to take a road trip with my four kids ages 3 months to 8-years-old by myself; it was 13.5 hours without stopping. Needless to say, it took us 18 hours. This was a hit. I got it for my 3-year-old, but my older two loved it as well!" — CB007
5. A Little Tikes pretend pizza-making kit, which features ingredients made out of a reusable, moldable material — making the experience more tactile and realistic for your aspiring chefs.
Walmart
6. A play kitchen so cute you might even get design envy — but those feelings will be washed out by relief when your kids independently play with this MVP.
Walmart
7. A wooden train set for your cutie conductor. While your little is developing engineering and building skills and imagining a small world, you can keep the other trains running on time... you know, like planning dinner, etc.
Walmart
9. A bag of 25 balloons (for a grownup to blow up!) because after playing with Bluey figurines, your littles will be asking you to also play "Keepy Uppy."
Walmart
Promising review: " If you have a toddler who loves Bluey, you know about this game. Lots of fun for a low price. Vibrant colors and they don't pop easily." — Perla
10. A complete 140-piece set of Crayola markers, crayons, and colored pencils that will hold the attention of mini Monets and petite Picassos for a very long time.
Walmart
Promising review:"This art case is jam-packed with Crayola markers, crayons, colored pencils, and paper. The case itself is sturdy, keeping the art supplies neat and contained. My grandchildren love this set and have enjoyed hours of craft fun with its contents. This is a great gift for kids, and the price is right!" — marmey
11. A water table for hours and hours of outdoor fun. Sun's out means baby buns are out! Of course, whenever there's water involved you need to keep a good eye on them, but you'll feel zen as you sit back and watch this cuteness.
Walmart
Promising review:"Perfect water table! My 1, 5, and 7-year-olds all love to go out and play with it together. I love all the pieces to it and how the colors are more muted than the other loud colors water tables usually have." — anonymous
12. A cute 17-piece tea set from Green Toys to get a play party started, and you can possibly enjoy a real cup of tea. This eco-friendly set is also food-safe and can go in the dishwasher, so the imaginative play can include real treats!
Walmart
Promising review:"I was looking for the right tea set for my 5-year-old daughter. She had a ceramic one which was great but very delicate and had already broken, chipped off in many places. This one is perfect: it's a good size, has lovely colors, and my daughter loves to pretend play and makes tea for all of us :). We are an environmentally friendly family, so we love that its green and made with recycled material. Also love the fact that its dishwasher-safe!" — Walmart Customer
13. A 37-piece set of Magna-Tiles, which will be a staple in your house for years to come. Pro tip: Rather than buying different types of building sets, keep adding new Magna-Tiles to your collection. My kids have had them for five years, and we're still going strong and adding more!
Walmart
Price: $59.99
14. A play couch that can be anything they need it to be: a pirate ship, a fort, a reading nook, and also extra bedding for kiddos during sleepovers!
Walmart
Promising review:"Holds up amazing and washes extremely well. All the stains wash right out! My kids have had it since Christmas, and it still looks brand new! Couldn't recommend more." — Amanda
15. An absolutely darling magnetic dress-up set, which will be a hit at home and when you're traveling. You can make more than 200 different outfits with this self-contained kit, so get ready to see them get creative.
Walmart
My kids LOVED these kits (and anything from this company, really) when they were little.
Price: $22.94
16. An indoor doorway gym set for kids, perfect for those days when you would go to the playground, but for some reason, you just can't. (Reasons including everything from bad weather to you not feeling like it.)
Walmart
Promising review:"Adjustable lengths. Strong enough for an adult and fun for toddlers. Just read the instructions on how it fits in the door jam, not the whole door frame. There's videos showing set up and installation too." — Fi
17. An LCD doodle tablet to inspire some serious creativity — and help you save paper. I can't be the only one constantly picking up paper scraps, right?
Walmart
18. A set of hand puppets so the show can go on, and on, and on. Next thing you know, they've forgotten all about their tablet, and they're making scenery out of a cardboard box.
Walmart
Promising review:"Perfect set of hand puppets! I need the Zebra for some homeschool work, and so because of the awesome value for the whole set, I opted for this. It didn't disappoint! Good quality, great price!" — Elyse
Price: $29.99
19. An 80-piece chalk set with stencils, a spirograph kit, and a nifty carrying case for storage that is so fun it might bring all the neighborhood kids to your yard. You got the kids to spend time outside AND work on their fine motor AND explore their creativity? Chalk that up to good parenting.
20. A set of binoculars made for kids to encourage them to start exploring the amazing world around them, whether that's inside your house or in the backyard. And you? You can sit back and enjoy the view of your kids playing independently.
Walmart
Promising review:"Omg, my great-granddaughter likes to play pirate, but she doesn't know how to close one eye to look through a telescope, so the binoculars are perfect. She loves to look at the moon and when airplanes fly by she gets so excited looking at them now. Loves to see the stars at night. This is a great idea for little ones that love adventures." — Jennifer
21. This two-piece balance board system which can help restore balance to your day if your kid needs something to concentrate on. It's not just a one-trick toy — it has so many uses!
22. A set of Stomp Rockets that are out-of-this-world fun. They get to play outside, and you get to sit and watch the good times. Big jumps only!
Walmart
Promising review:"This provided so much fun for the entire family...I can't believe how much time my family spent outside Christmas Eve playing with this rocket. It was a gift for my 5-year-old and his cousins (ages 6, 9, 14), my husband, my brother, and my dad had the most fun with this!" — EDemp
23. A Barbie Dreamhouse Pool Party house because you mean BUSINESS. This house is so cool it'll have you pulling up Redfin and daydreaming about moving... maybe it's time to call up Realtor Barbie.
Walmart
Promising review:"The coolest dream house I've ever seen. At almost 30, I'm wildly impressed and jealous of my 6-year-old. It's so neat! The attention to detail and neat traits it has — like an oven light, stovetop sounds, functional doors, toilet sound, and a whole elevator! Very cool. It's easy to put together but will take a little time just because it's a lot. Also, it's huge. Prob 3 feet high and 3 feet wide." — Charlene
24. A Mr. Potato Head, which is just plain silly and classic for a reason. Your favorite tater tots will sprout smiles and get a real kick out of having his hands come out of his head and his eyes where his mouth should be!
Walmart
Promising review:"My child can easily put pieces in and out of it. Toddler-friendly toy that lets him develop fine motor skills. The toy has been every day since purchase and has not worn out yet. That was my concern with things you push together and take apart. For the price it is great!" — anonymous
25. A Hot Wheels City motorized raceway play set because you know this toy has some serious staying power and will inspire the next generation of gearheads. Do you still sometimes wish you still had your own set? Yes, yes, you do. Buckle up for a good time!
Walmart
Promising review:"Purchased this for my grandson's fourth birthday. He loves the small cars. So fa,r he has enjoyed this set very much and is constantly playing with it. The set was received as advertised and promptly. All parts seem to be durable. I would recommend this set. My grandson is 4 years old." — marcus
26. A classic 150-piece set of wooden blocks that will stack up against any other toy. Littles love building their own cities and towers... and you love watching them knock it all over as you knock out your to-do list.
Walmart
Promising review:"The blocks come in different shapes, colors, and sizes. They are perfect for little hands to hold. My 1-year-old grandson and I have had a great time building and knocking over blocks. I'm looking forward to playing blocks with him for the next several years." — Patricia
27. A LeapFrog 100 Words book which will teach your little words in English AND Spanish — all while they're happily playing and learning names for things. That's a win-win.
Walmart
Promising review:"This interactive children's book is fantastic! The activities and illustrations keep kids engaged, and it's packed with interesting content. While there are more words than expected, it's great for sparking conversations and encouraging early readers to explore new vocabulary. Perfect for curious minds!" — Axel
28. A wooden Melissa & Doug magnetic daily calendar that is super fun to play with but, as a bonus, might help you convince the kids later that they do, indeed, need a jacket, and no, it's not shorts weather.
Walmart
Promising review:"I love this Melissa & Doug calendar. I'm using it for homeschool and speech. It's great. My daughter is learning all the months, days, seasons, temperatures, activities, feelings, and holidays. This is great for speech because there's so much language to learn from it." — zippy
Price: $14.49 (originally $27.99)
29. A kid's flash guitar with a mic and stand, so your small Swiftie can get enter their own songwriting and singing era.
Walmart
Promising review:"Our 3-year-old LOVES it. It has push buttons that play rhythms along with the melody of prerecorded tracks. She plays along, sings into the mic and has us join in. I wish the built in strap was adjustable but she doesn't mind as she often walks around with the guitar hanging across her torso looking for her next duet! Great family fun!!" — Zee
Price: $24.99 (originally $49.99; available in six colors)
30. A Furby allowing kiddos to experience the same thrill of staring into those big, wide eyes and communicating with this chirpy creature that you did as a kid. But these Furbies have had a serious glow-up — they even come with mindfulness exercises now!
Walmart
Promising review:"Love this new version of Furby. My favorite features are the light show and calming (I can't remember the actual name right now) sessions. The calm part is great bc it takes you through breathing exercises and relaxes you. This Furby also comes some old beloved antics." — Panda1213
Price: $34.95+ (originally $69.99; available in two colors)
Need ingredients for all your new recipes? Shop each recipe directly through the app, or check out Walmart's grocery selection to get veggies, meat, seafood, and more delivered right to your door.
BuzzFeed
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
5 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
How Well Do You Really Know The "Gossip Girl" Characters And Their Love Lives? Lets See...
This post has not been vetted or endorsed by BuzzFeed's editorial staff. BuzzFeed Community is a place where anyone can create a post or quiz. Try making your own! · "You know you love me. XOXO, Gossip Girl."
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
"I'd Rather Look A Little Extra Than End Up On An Episode Of '20/20'": 29 Women Share The Dating Safety Tips They Swear By, And These Just Might Save Your Life One Day
I do not think that, in any way, shape, or form, it's an exaggeration to say dating as a woman in 2025 is hell. Sure, dating apps make meeting people way they also make it super easy to have back-to-back awful dates with the worst people you've ever met. Whether there's just no chemistry or you're getting total creeper vibes and fear for your safety (which is, unfortunately, not an uncommon occurrence), it can feel like an uphill battle to even convince yourself to put yourself back out there again. @kyylien / Via Twitter: @kyylien All that being said, I asked women of the BuzzFeed Community to share the dating safety tips they swear by. From simple things that just might save your life to routines that make going on dates even a little less nerve-wracking, here are 29 pieces of advice they shared: While these tips and tricks were shared by women, they, of course, apply to anyone, regardless of gender or sexuality. Safety is safety, folks! 1."Always let a friend know where you are going and who you're with. Tell someone the guy's name and phone number before the date, his car info when he picks you up, where he's taking you and when you arrive, when you leave, and when you get home. A couple of times in my dating years, this practice helped me and helped my friends out of uncomfortable/dangerous situations." —Anonymous "I always tell a friend or family member before I go on a date. I give them a screenshot of the guy's profile, his phone number, his full name, and the exact location and time of where we're meeting. I also share my location via cellphone." —Anonymous 2."Always meet in a public place and remember that if they make you uncomfortable, don't stay silent. Make a scene so people are aware. They most likely enjoy the power play in making you feel awkward, so flip the situation and publicly shame them!" —Anonymous" "Once they are in your can let anyone in, get to your drinks and food, and even access your medications. Use public dates until you really feel safe, and even then, have them leave at the end of the night. Get your own water and such." —Anonymous" 3."I always buy my own drink (cocktail, coffee, etc.). With that, I can leave whenever I want to, whether it is because we aren't vibing or it starts to feel unsafe. Because I bought my own drink, I'm under no pressure to stay 'because they bought me a drink.'" —Anonymous "I always pay my share on the first two dates to ensure the person was not 'expecting' anything transactional out of me or would try to guilt me if I did not want to move forward with anything. This happened one time to me in college, and after that, I ensured to pay my way or for the whole thing if the date was especially bad. Angry, entitled men in a situation like that is not fun." —Anonymous 4."I now always avoid suggesting places that I go to frequently for the first couple of dates. I had a bad first date at one of my favorite coffee places, and then the guy showed up there two times after that date, possibly to see if I was around. My friend worked there and told me about it." —ebennet71 5."Always carry cash, so he can't grab your last name off the card and track you down." —Anonymous "I used to use my debit/credit card on dates, but after one especially horrible event where the man looked at my card when the waitress returned it to the table while I was in the bathroom, I now only ever use cash. He did not steal the credit card information, although that is a possibility, too. Instead, he got my full name off the card, found out where I lived via the internet, and then showed up at my apartment. It was super scary, and after that, I NEVER used my card again whilst dating." —Anonymous 6."Look up the phone number for the place you're going and save it in your phone beforehand. If your date is extra sketchy and you're not comfortable trying to flag down a staff member in front of them, you can go to the bathroom and call from there for assistance." —ssketchator1 7."I work as a bartender, and there was a girl who showed up early for a date and told us that if she ordered a Manhattan, then she was uncomfortable. I've heard of 'angel shots' before, but think this is better, especially if it's in earshot of the date." —tiger24___ 8."Instead of using a code phrase or word that someone else might be able to catch on to, my friends and I add three exclamation marks to our text if we need an out or are getting bad vibes on a date. For example, a text would say something like, 'Having a great time!!!' We don't usually text like this, so it's a red flag if we do, and likely wouldn't alert the person we were out with if they saw." —Anonymous 9."I recently saw a TikTok where a girl explained that if you live in an apartment complex and feel like someone is following you home, you shouldn't turn the lights on right away when you get inside. If you do, it can tip them off as to which exact unit you live in, because that window will suddenly light up. Instead, wait a little bit, and then turn it on." —Anonymous 10."Before you leave for a date, leave your apartment lights on. Whether they're driving you home, you're taking a rideshare service, or you're afraid they might follow you, it prevents other people from figuring out which apartment you live in if they wait around outside afterward to see you turn on the lights. If they're able to see the door you walk up to, it'll make them think there's someone else, like a roommate or family member, home as well." —Anonymous 11."Try out a date that forces both of you to interact with others, such as karaoke. That way, if the other person starts getting weird, you'll have a whole room full of new friends who can help out." —Anonymous 12."If you're exchanging your social media with someone instead of your phone number, give them a backup account and block them on your main account. That way if things go south, they can't find your main account and use it to contact your family or friends who may follow you on it." —Anonymous 13."Take a dummy purse with you that you don't care about and keep your ID, card, phone, and keys on your person. If you have to bail, ask your date to 'watch your purse' and go. It will buy you a few extra minutes, and losing a thrifted bag with a lip balm in it is no big loss." —Anonymous 14."On first dates, don't go for a long dinner. Opt for something short, like grabbing a coffee at a cafe. If you like the person, you can extend it into a meal. Another one I like is mini golf — if you don't like the person, once the round ends, you are free to leave." —Anonymous "Dates with no established end time, in my experience, can drag on and on, and it can be really tough to come up with an excuse to leave on the spot. I went on a date with a guy a few months ago and immediately realized I felt no chemistry with him (although he was perfectly nice), but because we didn't set an established end time to the date, I ended up stuck talking to him at the bar we were at for like 4-5 hours when I would've preferred to leave after maybe 2 hours. Always say you have plans 2-3 hours after the date starts so you have an established out!" —violetgate 15."Get a 'Flare Bracelet'. The bracelet is cute and has a small, discreet button on the side. Press it once, and it will trigger a fake phone call from a script you selected to give you an excuse to leave. Press it twice, and it notifies the contacts you've selected of your location and that you're in trouble. Press it three times, it calls the cops and gives them your location (which is an optional feature)." —Anonymous If you, like me, were today years old when you learned that Flare Bracelets exist, allow me to be the first to tell you that they also come disguised as scrunchies, athletic bands, keychains, and initial necklaces to keep you safe and stylish. 16."Trust your instincts and get out if you don't feel safe or if you sense something is 'off.' It just might save your life. One time, I went on a date with someone, and they were constantly looking across the room. I thought they were looking at the clock, which was weird, and I took it as an offense. I decided to get up and leave, but I realized soon after I got up that he was staring at a guy sitting in the booth across from us. He was a big, muscular guy with just an iced tea. He'd been sitting there for the whole date and walked in maybe five minutes after we did." "They gave each other this weird 'Go get her,' look when I got up, so I turned around and said, 'Hey, my friend is outside; he just got back from the gym. I'm gonna go say hi.' As soon as I was out of their range of view, I ran to hail a taxi and never saw him or the guy again." —Anonymous 17."If you're meeting someone from an app, I recommend having at least a 20- to 30-minute phone call first. It gives you far more information than texting back and forth on a dating app does. If something feels off, it's way easier to get off of a phone call than an in-person date, when you might be feeling more nervous or distracted." —Anonymous 18."For a first date, I always meet them at a public place. After the date is over and I am leaving to go home, I deliberately turn the wrong way. It takes longer, but at least I can tell if I am being followed or not." —Anonymous "If you think someone is following you, take a right turn four times in a row, so you go in a circle. If the car continues to follow you, you are being followed. Pull into the nearest police station ASAP." —Anonymous 19."Do not let them push you into meeting them at their house the first, second, or whatever time, until you are comfortable. I've had way too many guys refuse to meet at a public place for the first meeting. That's an instant red flag and block. It's a simple request, and if they can't respect my wishes to meet in public, then they definitely won't be respectful of me down the road on other things." —aliheck90 20."I insist on driving myself and park in a well-lit and populated area. I typically try for a daytime date on the weekend, where restaurants and coffee shops are busy, and it's still plenty light outside. I also avoid more than one alcoholic drink and never leave my beverage alone (like if I go to the restroom). " When I leave, I always fudge about where I'm going — meet my roommate, girls night, etc. and take lots of wrong turns before actually heading home. When in doubt, call a friend to meet you or let an employee know you feel uncomfortable. I'd rather look a little extra than end up on an episode of 20/20." —Anonymous 'I no longer meet for first dates after dark, I do not let dates pick me up, and a family member is always able to track my location. Safety first, always." —Anonymous "DO NOT LET HIM PICK YOU UP. Keep your address to yourself until you know more about this person. If he has any respect for you, he will understand. If he doesn't understand, RUN." —bloodwynne 21."Google the person's phone number, look them up on LinkedIn to confirm location, age, and identity. Check their social media to see how old their photos are. Do a lunch or coffee date and see how a guy reacts — if he is bitter or wants to only go to a bar, you have your answer." —Anonymous 22."If you're getting dropped off at home by your date or a cab/Uber/taxi/Lyft, tell them you're staying with or getting dropped off at a friend's house. That way, they won't think you're going home to an empty place and will believe — if anything should happen — that someone is expecting you and will notice your absence immediately." —Anonymous 23."Remember that it's OK to have firm boundaries and to say no to things, even if you're interested in someone. A big part of dating is putting yourself out there, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice things that make you feel safe or comfortable for the sake of another person's opinion." "If someone is pressuring you to swap phone numbers, for example, and keeps doing so after you recommend using social media instead, you don't owe them anything. If someone is truly interested in getting to know you, they won't mind waiting a little longer or swapping memes on Instagram instead of via text for a little while." —Anonymous 24."Always meet at a public place, and buy something with one of your cards while you're there. Should anything happen, your bank history will give an idea of where you were. Places with cameras are even better so they can match up time stamps with whomever you met, if it goes bad." —Anonymous 25."I always, ALWAYS ask for a person's last name if we met on a dating app. If someone isn't willing to tell me, I won't go on the date. In case the worst should happen — I at least have the full name of the person. Also, I can't tell you how many people I have met on dating apps that want to either meet at my home or theirs before meeting in public — also an automatic NO. I watch too much true crime to do that." —lesliec21 26."I have a recording of a guy friend pretending to be my dad having a conversation with me on the phone. I play it when I feel unsafe in a car like Uber or any other uncomfortable dating situation so the other person 'knows' I have someone expecting me. It plays a ring tone three times and has pauses in between for me to respond to sound as realistic as possible." —Lalalace1640 27."Do not ever, ever, EVER!!!!! leave your drink unattended. Even at my favorite bar, when I go to the bathroom, I either finish my drink or pass it to the bartender or barback, and they keep it back there, out of the reach of others, until I come back. I don't give a fuck if it makes me look 'paranoid' or if they give me the side eye. You've gotta stay safe." —f4bul0u5 28."If your date appears to be standing you up and a 'nice person' just happens to be nearby and wants to 'save your night' or strikes up conversation about being stood up, never fall for it. Some people do this so they appear to be the good guy even if they aren't, and some do this to make it easier to play on your emotions. Get out of there." —samanthah4d80e78de finally, "Whether this is your first time ever on a date or you're a seasoned pro at this, don't overestimate your abilities. You may think that you're able to scan out every scenario and handle every issue that comes your way, but it's better to be safe than sorry." —Anonymous Do you have a first date safety tip you swear by? If so, tell us about it in the comments below or via this completely anonymous form. Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity. Solve the daily Crossword
Buzz Feed
10 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
27 Budget-Friendly Products That Make Parenting Easier
An LCD doodle tablet that will inspire some serious creativity — all while saving paper. We keep ours in the car, and it has saved our sanity at plenty of restaurants! Promising review: "My son is 4-years-old, and once he got it, he played with it for two hours. We played Pictionary, tic-tac-toe, and practiced his writing. Great for being stuck inside. Just wish I bought more for gifts." —Mindy CiglarGet it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in four colors and two sizes). A bottle of Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater spray, which will take those spaghetti sauce stains right out of their clothes. Don't forget to take a picture of their sweet self covered in that will last longer than those stains. Promising review: "I recently tried Miss Mouth's stain remover spray, and I am impressed! This spray effortlessly removed tough stains on my clothes, leaving them spotless. This spray has removed oil stains from cooking, baby formula, breastmilk stains from newborn spit-ups, and many other stains — the list is long. We have yet to find a stain that this spray doesn't tackle. Its pleasant scent and quick action make it a must-have for anyone dealing with messy eaters or accidental spills." —Tiffany it from Amazon for $7.40+ (available in multipacks) A touchless forehead thermometer, perfect for those dreaded sick days and nights, so you don't have to wake your sweetly sleeping dragon to check their temperature after they have FINALLY gone to sleep. A behind-the-seat car organizer because your kids love to ask you for things while you're driving. This organizer has enough pockets to hold everything your little one needs for a car trip — whether that's a quick ride to the grocery store or a long haul to visit the grandparents. Promising review: "Exactly what I didn't know I needed! After being fed up with the constant chaos of toys, water bottles, and miscellaneous items all over the car, I installed this in my car, and BOY WHAT A DIFFERENCE. Everything has a place, and there's a place for everything. It's not bulky or cumbersome. Spacious enough to fit a bunch of things. Worth it. I recommend it." —Ashley Get it from Walmart for $11.96+ (also available in a two-pack). A pack of Crayola Globbles fidget toys to get the wiggles out and keep little hands busy. Just think about those times when you have to bring your kiddo with you to something "boooooring" (like the DMV, or really any sort of appointment). No judging if you happen to snag one or two of these for yourself — they're great! Promising review: "These are great! Kids love them! I love them! They do NOT leave that stain on your wall, and when they get dirty, you wash them off, and they are sticky again! 10/10" —Elizabeth it from Amazon for $11.99. A fruit and veggie divider that is going to chop time off prepping lunch and snacks for the kiddos. With this in your tool belt, you'll be ready to make some fancy after-school crudités! Promising review: "Ever since we got this, it has been used quite frequently!! We have two young kids at home (5- and 3-years-old) and by using this fruit/veggie cutter, we have increased their fruit and veggie intake! We would give them fruits/veggies to cut, and they would cut and eat them! It is very easy to cut, as our kids can do it by themselves (with adult supervision). It cuts small cucumbers with ease. It is also very easy to clean!" —A&PGet it from Amazon for $9.60. A Welly first-aid kit, which fits perfectly in your bag because all parents know the importance of a bandage when it comes to boo-boos. And these colorful ones especially apply to boo-boos that don't technically even need a bandage. Promising review: "I love these bandages. This tin is a perfect addition to a diaper bag, purse, car, etc. These bandages stay on in water, dirt, mud, and any other thing you can throw at them. They stay on when you need them and come off easily." —LbruGet it from Target for $6.99. A super durable and leak-proof kids' Bentgo box that will actually help you organize your brain and figure out what you need to put in there. (Pssst — if you want to include a sweet treat, M&Ms look pretty cute in the circle compartment.) Promising review: "I purchased two of these, one for each of my elementary children, and they work wonderfully. I can easily pack a sandwich, veggies with dip, fruit, and a snack in the box. If they would like chips or crackers, I simply place those in the lunch box, along with an ice pack, to keep things cool. The Bentgo Box, a slim ice pack, and a small bag of chips or crackers easily fit in a child's lunchbox. The gaskets work well, and dressings/liquids do not leak to other compartments. So far, so good!" —ErinGet it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in eight colors). A 30-foot roll of road play tape because life (aka your entire house) is a highway, and your kids are gonna be cruising to a good time. Did you just set yourself up for 30 minutes of uninterrupted time? Promising review: "Sticky level is about equal with painter's tape, so there's no worry about restricting where to use it. It's great for cars, pretend play, etc. A perfect rainy day distraction!" —Jennifer HorneGet it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in four patterns and quantities). A TikTok-famous grape cutter that will seriously ~cut~ down on your prep time — and your anxiety — when you're feeding your littles. It can also be used on tomatoes! A car seat buckle release tool, which was actually featured on Shark Tank, to make unbuckling so much easier on your hands. So go ahead and get that self-care manicure without the fear that you're just going to chip it immediately. A cute large storage basket that will make picking up oh-so much easier... even if it's you doing the picking up and not your kids, like you had planned AND asked. Sigh. Get it from H&M for $24.99 (also available in a smaller size). A snack bag with a built-in ice pack so you can ensure their food stays nice and cool without adding extra bulk to the backpack. We have these and use them all the time, even on the weekend for day trips! Promising review: "10/10 recommend! I put yogurt, fruit, apple sauce, and whatever else I want. I did a five-hour test at home before I sent it with the kids to school, and it passed my five-hour test. At the five-hour mark, everything was still refrigerator-cold! Give it a try, you won't regret it." —Kim StewartGet it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in eight patterns). A pack of sink extenders, which will save your back each time you need to lift your kiddo to wash their hands. And let's be real, that's a during cold season! A truly brilliant cup catcher that attaches right to a high chair, car seat, or stroller, because playing a game of throw-it-down-and-pick-it-up with a baby isn't quite as charming when you also have to chase around a toddler. A space-saving bottle drying rack to help you maintain some order in your kitchen — and in your life. It will grow with your family as you go from bottles to sippy cups (and then more bottles and more sippy cups!) and then water bottles. Psst... it's also helpful for drying glassware. Promising review: "I bought this product a month ago, and it does not disappoint me. This stuff is great. It works for small spaces. It looks more organized, and it doesn't get in my way when I'm working in the kitchen. I could fit five Dr. Brown's bottles with all their pieces. And it's durable. It looks like it's going to last a long time for me. I recommend it. It's a little more expensive than other bottle drying racks, but I would get this one." —JariGet it from Amazon for $15.93. A portable white-noise sound machine and night-light for those moments when you're out and about — like, for example, when you're getting coffee with a friend and you DESPERATELY need to talk to another grown-up. Just throwing that out there. S&H Co. is a small business founded by a nurse-turned-entrepreneur who sells unique, useful, and aesthetic child and parenting products from her farm in Montana. Promising reviews: "Using it myself. Very happy with it. Lots of different sounds to choose from." —Peggy J."Great quality, matched description, very happy with the merch. Highly recommend!!!" —MariaGet it from S&H Co. on Etsy for $28.99. A pack of spill-proof Munchkin snack catchers that are the MVP of snacking with young kiddos. Trust us, the backseat of your car will thank you. A kid-friendly Sonicare electric toothbrush with a timer (and a very motivating app!) so that when you ask if they've brushed their teeth, you can know for sure that those pearly whites got a proper scrubbing. Promising review: "Not only do my 7-year-old's teeth look so much cleaner than they did when he was brushing them without an electric toothbrush, but he really looks forward to brushing and is motivated to brush twice a day!!! As a mom, this is very exciting. No more excuses from him since he uses the toothbrush app, gets to brush along with his fuzzy, cute friend, and earns virtual prizes. Wow! I do need to give him an extra minute before school and bed to brush along with his app, but it is more than worth it!!! Thank you!" —kristenGet it from Amazon for $29.96+ (available in four designs). A universal stroller caddy because your stroller is basically an extension of your home, and it's going to have to hold a LOT of stuff. Bonus: This caddy has two insulated beverage holders — one for your caffeine (or grown-up juice) and the other for your baby's bottle. And then, when it's time, a baby's bottle and a toddler's sippy cup. Promising review: "Versatile and durable stroller organizer that doesn't add too much weight to the back end of your stroller. It is made of quality materials and doesn't budge when strapped on. It doesn't get in the way of folding my stroller, either. The insulated drink pockets are a nice touch, and I appreciate that the center console is large enough for my phone." —Kierra|Practically PurchasedGet it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in eight colors). A colorful timer that will give everyone a visual reminder of how much (or how little!) time they have to get those teeth brushed and shoes on. Start using this, and hopefully, everything will be sunshine and rainbows! Promising review: "My toddler struggled with transitions from one activity to another, so we got this little timer. She loves it because it's cute, and now we transition easily. When she hears the beep, she says, 'That's the timer,' and moves on from what she's doing. I'm honestly amazed at how well it works. It's small but mighty and easy to carry around the house with us!" —Kimberly SGet it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in five colors). A bottle of this fantastic conditioning detangler from the Honest Company, so doing hair isn't the thing that puts a tangle in your morning routine. I love the way it smells, and it makes brushing my daughter's long hair nice and easy! Promising review: "This stuff is great. I wish it came in a much bigger bottle because it works so well on my daughter's super-fine hair. It has a nice, light scent, doesn't leave residue on her hair, and makes getting her hair ready for school much less of a battle." —Jessica it from Amazon for $5.92 (available in three scents). A four-pack of Re-Play divided plates to make feeding your littles even easier. This is the brand my family has used for more than five years, so I can personally speak to their durability, and let me tell the real deal. Promising review: "Just bought another set! I love these plates. I already owned probably about 10 of these and just bought the earthy colored set. These are the best! The ones I've had for YEARS still look new/great! They are not just toddler plates. Even my 6-year-old uses them, and they're still big enough for him. Kids of any age can use these. I can't brag about these plates enough. They are hands down the best." —amberlar96Get a four-pack from Target for $9.99. A mini waffle maker that is not only sweet but — more importantly — will get breakfast on the table very, very quickly. Make a few extras and put them in your kiddo's snack bag for later! Promising review: "The mini size of this waffle maker is what makes it easy to use, store, clean, and create many recipes effortlessly. It's a no-mess waffle maker because all you need to do is pour the batter. Once the maker is ready, you wait until it's done. A crispy/crunchy/munchy treat that's ready to devour. No fuss of too many settings, buttons, or learning whatsoever! This is as easy as it can be. Such a good quality, durable, versatile product at a reasonable price. Worth every penny!" —An average human. Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 17 colors and styles). A wooden Melissa & Doug magnetic daily calendar to help you all keep track of what day it is. This will help keep routines going, even during school vacations! Promising review: "This is a great idea to get kids involved and learn about days of the week, months, the weather, events, etc. We start each day with it before leaving for school, and the kids love it!" —Cindy SGet it from Amazon for $14.79. An over-the-door weekly clothes organizer so you can avoid the "I have nothing to wear" meltdown 15 minutes before you need to leave to be somewhere. Come to think of it, ordering one for yourself might not be the worst idea... Promising review: "My son started kindergarten, and this is a big help for my husband and me. It's so nice having one less thing to stress about in the morning. It also helps my son to recognize the days of the week and how many days we have left. The sleeves are a good size for smaller clothing, pockets seem pretty durable. I had some issues with the door, which was hanging on closing, but I then moved it. Easy to use and a good value." —DeannaGet it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two colors). A universal weather shield for your stroller for those moments when you HAVE to get outside for a reset ASAP — wind, rain, or shine. Not only will this keep the wind and rain out of your little pumpkin's sweet face, but it also keeps them from touching every single thing in sight. Promising review: "So this product is great for afternoon showers at the theme parks, but recently, with COVID, I have been able to put it to great use when having to be out with my toddler in public. She is protected and not touching everything. I clip a battery-operated fan on her stroller under the plastic for circulation and give her videos for entertainment. Makes grocery shopping for parents much safer and easier!" —traceyGet it from Walmart for $17.18
