38 Parenting Products That'll Help You Avoid Those 'I Should Have Seen This Coming' Experiences

Buzz Feed

02-04-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Expect the unexpected should really be a universal parenting motto.
1. A Munchkin Night Owl Stroller featuring a built-in light that'll guide you through nighttime adventures — perfect for anyone who travels often but has a kiddo that doesn't fall asleep easily (fact: on a trip to Maine, my husband had to bundle my son up and walk him to sleep in the hotel parking lot every night). It's easily folded up, comes with a carrying case, and fits in the overhead compartment of a plane (and, of course, your trunk!).
BuzzFeed writer (and mom!) Samar Hadri is a big fan, "As someone who takes over a dozen trips a year, this stroller is absolutely perfect for my family. After traveling with a baby and suffering through the pain of having to juggle a child and a suitcase while walking to baggage claim — this stroller, which fits in the overhead compartment, was perfect. I can carry it in it's accompanied carrying case, and when it's time to use it, it can easily unfold! Plus I love the lil' lights, which comes in handy when I'm trying to take nightly walks and don't feel like carrying up my phone in flash mode to see the road ahead of me."
Get it from Amazon for $254.13.
2. Or a Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller 2.0 for anyone who, despite just having their first kid, hopes to eventually expand their family *and* stroller set-up. Two-under-two is not for the weak, but if you're in the same boat as me, you'll want a reliable double-stroller option!
I have this stroller at my parents' house and recently tested it out in single and double mode — it's, honestly, awesome. So many double strollers are bulky and cumbersome, but this one has an easy one-handed folding option, making it a cinch to stow away when we're not in town. I love that it can be easily changed back and forth between a single stroller and a double when my toddler isn't coming along for a walk. It's also super easy to clean, has a deep basket for storage (blankets, snacks, etc.), and had a very smooth ride throughout the bumpy streets of my parent's neighborhood. It comes in a bunch of colors, which is great when taking it somewhere like Walt Disney World (where it meets their guidelines!), so you won't lose your stroller in a sea of similar-looking ones.
Promising review:"Literally did so much research on a double stroller that was affordable and worked with my life! Couldn't have asked for a better stroller. Love that there are different positions for the seats and how much you can carry in the basket!" — Sarah O.
Get it from Mockingbird for $450 (available in five colors, two patterns, and two frames).
3. A Bentgo kids lunchbox with an excellent seal and separate compartments to ensure the orange you carefully peeled 1. won't mix with the pretzels you *you* also packed and 2. won't leak out into your kid's backpack.
My son has this lunchbox! It's SO efficient at sealing shut that, honestly, sometimes I have a hard time closing it. The compartments are big enough to fit multiple snacks and an apple sauce pouch (most of which he *does not* eat. That being said, it's sturdy and has held up to being toted around for nearly a year!
Promising review:"The perfect lunchbox! It has a compartment for everything my children need for lunch and fits perfectly in their lunch bags, leaving room for drinks and snacks. The durability of these is great. My son has been using his for four years and is still in perfect condition. It's easy to use, and my toddler can open and close it herself. Highly recommend it if you're looking for a kid-friendly lunchbox that holds up over time!" — Hillary Combest
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in 28 styles).
4. A portable MyBaby white noise sound machine you can attach directly to your baby's car seat or stroller in hopes they'll *fingers crossed* get an excellent nap in and be delightful for the rest of the day.
Amazon
Promising review:"Our newborn photographer had one at my son's newborn shoot, and it calmed him down, so we bought one and started using it. He's now 19 months and we use it for every nap and every night at bedtime. There are multiple sounds on it including a lullaby, a heartbeat, white noise, and I believe the ocean. We only use the lullaby on it because it works for my son. The great thing about it is that it has a setting where you can choose to have it on continuously (basically until you turn it off or the batteries die), or you can click a button to change it so that it goes off after 15 min, 30 min, or 45 min. So, if your LO only requires the sound to actually fall asleep, you don't have to try to sneak into their room to turn off the sound. And you also don't have to try to sneak into the room to turn it back on. I simply love this thing and can't say enough good things about it. I have recommended it to friends as well. And for the price, you can't beat it!" — NurseBS88
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
5. A travel busy board packed with activities that'll keep your toddler from asking you a zillion questions like, "Is that a red light?" "Why are we listening to your music, Mom?" "Why is the sky blue?" while you're trying to drive. They'll keep their head down and their fingers busy so you can enjoy some peace.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"Perfect for a long car ride or desk play. My son was very entertained by it. Perfect for my 5-month-old and 4-year-old. Stuff for both of them to use and share. They've been playing with it for months, and everything remains intact." — Danielle Blackwell
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two styles).
6. And/or a Melissa and Doug On the Go Water Wow! Reusable Water-Reveal Activity Pad you'll want to tell all of your parenting friends about. Keep one of these with the pen filled in your tote or diaper bag, and you'll *always* have a way to keep your kiddo entertained when you're in a bind.
These activity pads have become one of my go-to parenting products! My son will sit and "color" for a decent amount of time, and I love that he learns while he does. All you have to do is fill the pen with some water, then securely twist the back onto it so it doesn't leak out all over (been there). I packed one as a surprise for a recent flight, and my toddler was *SO* excited. It kept him busy and didn't make a mess — big win for Mom!
Promising review: " This kept my little one entertained on a 5-hour flight. I especially love how it can be used over again once it dries back up! Great price!" — morenog
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in six styles).
7. An outlet light for anyone who has accidentally walked into a wall one (or two) times too many when getting up in the middle of the night with a sick tyke or a kiddo asking for a zillionth cup of water. This lil' gadget will subtly light your way without the need for a bulkier option.
Amazon
Promising review:"I don't like night-lights because they take up the wall outlet, so this was the perfect solution. I put it in the guest bath, and at night, with the bathroom door open, this provides just enough light to guide a person to the bathroom without blinding them. I ended up putting two on my hallway switches as well. What a great product." — LMK
Get it from Amazon for $22.98+ (available in four colors and three sizes).
8. A bottle of Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator to add to your shopping list even if you *don't* have a pet — it's a must-have for potty training parents with kiddos who are still having accidents left and right throughout the house.
Angry Orange is a small business!
Promising review:"This odor eliminator is truly amazing and a fantastic solution! With a toddler who is potty training, we faced challenges when she had accidents on the carpet. Toddler urine is notoriously hard to remove, and even after using a vac-style rug cleaner twice, the smell lingered. However, this product covered it up beautifully. Even after it dried, the odor was barely detectable unless you got really close to the carpet. I believe that a few more sprays over time will help eliminate it entirely. Plus, it has a pleasant citrus scent that doesn't smell harsh or chemical-like. All in all, I'm really impressed with its effectiveness; it's the only product that has worked this well for us!" — Collin M.
Get it from Amazon for $17.96+ (available in three sizes).
9. Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater Spray you'll be very glad you bought after you let your kiddo eat spaghetti in public for the first time — trust me.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"My 1-year-old has taco meat stains ALL over the sleeves of his shirt. The stains were 2–3 days old, too. I sprayed the shirt, let it sit for about 15 mins, and then washed the shirt with regular laundry soap. Almost every bit of the stains came out. Definitely buying bulk in this product!" — Sloan Avery
Get it from Amazon for $7.97+ (available in a variety of quantities)
10. A jar of internet-beloved The Pink Stuff, which is an all-purpose cleaning paste that'll help you tackle all of your kid-made messes but make it *~pretty in pink~* at the same time. Your kiddo's attempt at Piccasso-ing your walls won't scare this cleaning product. 😅
Promising review:" A must-have for toddler moms! My 3-year-old recently decided to channel his inner Van Gogh on our stairwell wall, and red crayon was EVERYWHERE. I tried every possible cleaning solution, and nothing was getting it off. I heard about the Pink Stuff on TikTok and decided it was worth a shot. This stuff is a miracle worker! With a sponge and some elbow grease, I was able to remove all the crayon within 10 minutes. There's absolutely no trace of the crayon left, and it didn't ruin my paint!" — Casey Blaine
" If you have toddlers, this is a MUST! This stuff is amazing. It gets out crayon, ink, permanent marker, literally whatever way your toddler decides to unknowingly destroy your home — this stuff cleans it up. Will be giving this to all expectant parents as a gift from now on. Forget that cute onesie. They need this. 10/10" — Diana
Get it from Amazon for $5.97.
11. A pack of Tide To Go pens, because even if you already own one you'd absolutely benefit from stocking up and keeping one in every bag you own — no more worrying about ruining your favorite pants when your toddler squeezes their juice box so aggressively it squirts out all over you (sigh).
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I used this on my daughter's doll that couldn't be put in the washer due to having a voice box. She's had this doll for a while, it's had juice applied on it, the dog has stolen it a few times, plus the material just attracts dirt and fuzz balls. Holy crap what a difference! Saved me from having to go buy a new one." — Chery
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $6.49.
12. A portable car vacuum that'll help you battle the seemingly endless amount of dirt, sand, and cracker crumbs that have made themselves right at home in the hard-to-reach crevices of your toddler's car seat. Yuck.
Promising review:"I bought this product for my mini van and the messy little humans that ride in it. It does an EXCELLENT job cleaning up after them. This product can get in the little crevices and tiny places and it comes with a brush that I used to be able to round up all the hair and random things that a normal vacuum would leave behind. It's easy to empty, easy to clean and it does a great job." — Jillian Barr
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
13. Plus a handheld Dirt Devil vacuum so lightweight you'll be able to clean and dance around your living room to the endless loop of Ms. Rachel songs your kiddos are watching without fear of tripping over a cord.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This vacuum makes me feel like a magical wizard! I used to lug around our upright and use the hose for those annoying corners and stairs, it was awkward and bulky to move around the house. Now I use the upright then follow with this handheld for all the little cracks and crevices the upright can't get. Its also great for those dusty shelves and high up places. I also leave it plugged in at all times cause I have messy kids. Instead of lugging out the upright to clean up crumbs they leave behind I just pull this baby out and clean up whatever mess they make on the spot. This is a must have for parents of small children! Just beware, its powerful! It can pull light/small objects 4–6 inches away from the nozzle and suck them up with ease with its powerful suction." — Nava
Get it from Amazon for $34.
14. A stainless steel cleaner you can count on to help you (temporarily) banish all of those sticky little toddler-sized fingerprints that have somehow made their way across your fridge and dishwasher....
This plant-based cleaner will remove streaks, smudges, and fingerprints from all stainless steel surfaces — sounds very therapeutic to me! Additionally, Therapy Clean is a small business!
Promising review:"This is by far the best stainless steel cleaner I have ever used. So easy to apply and I wipe it off with a clean microfiber cloth. It lasts months and I have twin toddlers that are always touching my appliances. No finger prints at all. I highly recommend. Completely safe , no chemicals. Great product." — martha
Get it from Amazon for $19.95.
15. Puracy enzyme-based spot cleaner that'll have your little one's clothes looking like you just pulled them off the rack in a store instead of out from under a car tire.
www.amazon.com
You can also use it on carpets, bedding, cloth diapers, etc.
Promising review:"I just purchased this. It took stains out of baby clothes and I used it on the fabric on a toddler chair and it looks brand new. I wish I would have taken before and after photos! Love it already! I had read some reviews about it leaking during shipping but I received it with a tight lid in a bag with a spray too lid separate so no leaking!" — Brianne
Get it from Amazon for $22.49.
16. Grandma's Secret, a spot remover to remind you of all the concoctions your own grandma used to whip up to banish stains from her home. It'll make blood (!!!) pet stains, oil, paint, and other pesky substances vanish into thin air.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This stuff is so amazing. I'm a witness. My 2-year-old baby wrote all over my white leather couch. I tried many different things and nothing worked but Grandma's Secret Spot Remover. I love this stuff." — L. Nix
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99.
17. A travel urinal — a saving grace for when your child, once again, has to pee even though you *JUST* asked them 10x if they had to go.
Watch this mom's review on TikTok.
Promising review:" I purchased this for my son and our long car trips. How many times can we pull over to potty on a three-and-a-half hour car trip? Ask my 4-year-old. When I saw this, I couldn't resist. We brought it along, and when he had to pee, no problem. It's only a little gross when you dump it later. Well designed, definitely recommend." — Evan
Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in eight colors).
18. Or a Frida Baby fold-and-go potty seat that'll bring you peace of mind, knowing your toddler's tush never has to touch a grime-filled public toilet. It comes with a travel bag that'll fit easily in your diaper bag or regular tote bag if you're just running a quick errand with your toddler.
We're in the midst of potty training my toddler, and the hardest part has definitely been his need to pee whenever we're out of the house. I ordered this seat, and it's become an essential item in any bag I carry. It folds up nice and small; it's not bulky to toss in a tote bag or the diaper bag. I can whip it out quickly (ideally before he has an accident) and pop it onto any toilet seat. So far, we've used it in the airport, at my parents' house, and in several stores and restaurants. I wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe after we use it and move on to the next chaotic moment of our day.
Promising review:"My toddler loves her little training potty but would not sit on regular toilets at home or elsewhere. I purchased this foldable potty seat and started using it at home so she would get comfortable with it, making her comfortable using it outside of the home. I love that it puts a barrier between her and public bathroom seats. It is a very good quality design. It's easily foldable and stable. It has a rubber lip around the edge to keep it from slipping on the toilet seat when my toddler sits on it. No leakage or complaints. It's easy to clean or wipe down on the go. Would 100% recommend to all my mom friends." — Jess
Get it from Amazon for $10.48.
19. A sand removal bag filled with a talc-free, reef-friendly powder to help remove the pesky particles your kiddo will likely have all over them after rolling around in the local playground's sandbox....lovely.
Amazon
See it in action on TikTok.
Shakalo is a San Diego–based small business that started to figure out a way to help people, especially parents remove sand before leaving the beach. The soft fabric pouch allows the powder to remove the sand without scattering everywhere.
Promising review:"We recently moved to a beach area, and we are constantly there. This item has changed our entire lives! It lasts decently long (depending on how much you use it), it smells super good (not at all like baby powder), and it's super effective. It has saved me from vacuuming my car at least 1x–2x a week. I even use it on my dogs paws and bellies to make sure they're taken care of. I will definitely be buying the refill and another bag to have exclusively in the car." — Gabbs Uresti
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two sizes).
20. A baby butt spatula you'll either laugh or cringe at but will thank your lucky stars that you thought to purchase it when you see how much nicer it is to apply diaper cream to your baby's booty with it instead of your finger. It has incredible suction on the bottom, so you can keep it right next to your changing pad without fear of it being kicked over by your unruly tot.
Both my mom and my mother-in-law poked fun at me for getting this lil' spatula but I have ZERO regrets. I love my kids more than life itself, but I am more than pleased to not have to put my finger in their butts after they've recently pooped and I think that is OKAY! I'd like to think they're also happier to have a lil' spatula do the job ANYWAYS! That being said, this lil' tool is fantastic as it's super easy to clean, doesn't waste any product, and suctions onto my changing table with ease.
Promising review:"If I could give this little tool 10 out of 5 stars I would!!! It makes the whole process of applying diaper rash ointment SOOOOO much easier. And this thing cuts down on how much diaper rash ointment is wasted because your fingers are not getting covered in ointment. I HIGHLY recommend this product to anyone with a baby!!!" — Hazel-91
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
21. A 3-in-1 Frida Baby Infrared thermometer with a built-in sensor that'll make taking your tyke's temperature a breeze. You can also remove the tip and use it as an inner-ear thermometer and use it to take your own as well! Perfect for any parents who err on the side of caution and find themselves checking their kiddo's temp anytime they look a bit flushed (ahem, me).
My son is prone to getting *very* high fevers, so I've always needed to have a reliable thermometer on hand. I truly love the Frida Baby one (and, honestly, everything the brand makes), as it can be used in more than one way. I like having the option to take his temperature on his forehead and in his ear, then compare the two to feel like I have a pretty accurate reading. It lights up green if the temperature is good and red if it's a bit too high (or low!). It's so easy to use. My 2.5-year-old has learned how to use it on his own (he likes to check his stuffed animals for fevers, haha). I've literally never had to change the batteries, and I've had it for over a year!
Promising review:"So easy to use!! Popped it straight out the box and was able to use without instructions. In fact even my 3-year-old was able to use it on her own without my help. Definitely a must have!" — Nichelle
Get it from Amazon for $29.99.
22. Plus, Frida Baby Natural Vapor Bath Bombs filled with eucalyptus and lavender, so when your little one inevitably does get sick, you'll be ready to go with a soothing bathtime edition that'll help clear their sinuses and relax their little body.
Amazon
My poor kids visited the pediatrician basically weekly the past winter thanks to a variety of illnesses (you name it; we probably had it). I tried quite a few products to help get them feeling a bit better when they were feverish, snotty, coughing, etc, and these vapor bombs did the trick. I would toss one into a pre-bedtime bath and let the soothing scent open up my kids' nostrils/soothe their achy little bodies. My toddler wasn't a fan until I let him pop them into this " magic brush" and encouraged him to "paint" with the fizzy bubbles. Whatever works, amiright?!
Promising review:"Will forever be keeping these on hand! My daughter loves her 'bath fizzy' and requests them now. Bought them originally when she was sick with RSV to help open her up before bed but they have become essential around here. She definitely seems to sleep better when we use them during bath/before bed! The smell is great and not overwhelming." — B Reese
Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $19.99.
23. A battery-operated stroller fan with a flexible handle so you can adjust it as needed to keep your mini-me at the perfect temperature while heading out on a summer stroll. Honestly, buy two so you can *also* enjoy some sweet relief — you're the one pushing that stroller up hill, after all!
Reviewers have also attached it to their little one's cribs and car seats for extra airflow. I personally used one on my stroller during my son's first summer (he was about three months old at the time) and bought a second one when my daughter was born. Now both kids enjoy a nice lil' breeze when we walk in warmer weather.
Promising review:"This little fan has changed my life! I bought this for Disney and now I use it all the time. I had gotten this fan for the stroller and four little handheld fans. If I had the space, I would have bought four of these. It is lightweight, easily attached, has flexible legs, a powerful fan, and Bluetooth, too! I set it up as a phone stand for the kids while they waited for food, cooled everyone off all day, and charged it at the end of the day. We used it off and on daily, not continuously. Now I use it in my girls' room when it's stuffy and set a timer if needed. It has speed controls, too. It's a great product 100% recommend to every parent or anyone needing a portable fan." — Robert
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in six colors).
24. An Oogiebear tool that's confusingly kinda cute even though its purpose is *a bit* gross — to remove earwax and boogers safely from your little one. Does my daughter fight us like she's starring in Gladiator when we try to use this on her? Yes. But does it get the job done faster and more easily? Also, yes!
I use this little tool to remove boogers from my kids' noses (which they absolutely hate). It's not an easy task because babies are VERY squirmy, but the Oogiebear definitely helps make the process go a bit more seamlessly. Absolutely recommend.
Promising review:"I mean does my child love it? No. But does it take less than a second to use and get the boogers I'd expect Shrek to possess and not my 3-month-old baby? Yes it does! He's happy as soon as it leaves his nostrils, which again only takes a second. And it's easy to clean!" — Kaitlyn Spires
Get it from Amazon for $9.98.
25. Bumkins washable bibs that'll turn mealtime into a fashion show (hehe) while also protecting your little one's clothes from all kinds of gross baby food stains. Pop culture fans, look no further! These come in so many fun styles you won't know which ones to order first.
My son has these bibs in a variety of styles: Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, and Mickey Mouse. They're super cute and make for silly photos, but best of all, they can be easily rinsed off or thrown into the washing machine. I've put the bibs in with his regular laundry and then dried them on cool — they come out nice 'n' clean. I've loved them so much it was a no-brainer to get my daughter her own Disney Princess set!
We also have a Bumkins Nintendo-themed splat mat I simply could not live without, as it catches all the food debris my son tosses over the edge of his highchair.
Promising review:"This is easy to put on and easy to clean. We just rinse, wipe and dry. I can see our son may be able to take it off one day, but that's part of the process. I like how light it is compared to the silicone bibs we have." — hmfan24
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in 22 styles and sets).
26. Plus, a Magnetic Me bib older tykes can put on themselves and relish in their newfound independence while you enjoy 1. doing *one* fewer thing during mealtimes and 2. knowing their clothes won't be covered in yogurt or peanut butter.
I recently snagged one of these for my toddler, and he calls it his "magic bib." He's in that fun phase where he wants to do everything independently but is surprisingly level-headed enough to recognize he needs a bib when eating messy foods. He loves this bib so much that he insisted we take it on vacation with us! It's easy to clean (yay, silicone!) and can even be thrown into the dishwasher. I'm going to have to order one in another color for my daughter!
Get it from Magnetic Me for $20 (available in three colors).
27. A shopping cart cover to create a barrier between your kiddo and all of the unseen germs lurking around — certainly can't hurt and will also prevent them from, literally, sucking on the cart itself (babies are wild).
I used this cover with both of my kids (pictured above) and am *very* glad that I did. As you can see from my son's first time in a shopping cart at Target (left), all he immediately wanted to do was chew on it — which is disgusting and germy! The cover protected him from sucking on unknown grossness...thankfully. It was an excellent item to stow away for baby number two, and as you can see (right) we're making use of it!
Promising review:"Love! I was in the market for a nice shopping cart cover. My newest baby definitely is one that puts everything possible into his mouth, so a shopping cart cover was a must this time around. It's easy to unfold and fold up. A little tricky to put on the first time, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. It seems to be fairly padded. Covers a standard Walmart cart thus far. I believe it will work for high chairs as well. I do wish it came with its own toys. I would definitely recommend for children who are comfortable sitting up on their own." — Alicia
Get it from Amazon for $24.49+ (available in three styles).
28. A dual cup holder that'll ensure you always have a spot for your emotional support coffee *and* your phone — attaches easily to strollers, bikes, wheelchairs, and scooters (one reviewer even attached it to their lawn mower!). It's so sturdy your drink won't go flying even if you absentmindedly roll over a HUGE bump in the sidewalk.
One of my mom besties had this on her stroller and I immediately was like, "Welp, NEED." I ordered one and never looked back — it attaches tightly and can be adjusted to any angle. In a desperate attempt to keep both my baby and my toddler content I spent the majority of my maternity leave on walks around my neighborhood — it was ESSENTIAL to have a solid spot to put my drink and also my phone (we needed music, of course). This one was so great I've already ordered a second one for our other stroller.
Promising review: " I ordered this with low hopes because I feel like stroller cup holders are always so flimsy. I'm extremely impressed with the quality of this cup holder! You can attach it to any bar, no matter the direction it goes as it is adjustable. It was easy to attach. It holds my large 42-oz cup with no problem. I do have to remove my wallet from my phone to put in the phone compartment. I'll be ordering another for our leisure stroller!" — Jeanette Rojas
Get it from Amazon for $9.98 (available in 26 colors).
29. A custom name-stamp tool to label your tyke's coat in hopes it'll stop getting mixed up with their daycare bestie's jacket that just so happens to be the exact same color. Their teachers will thank you too.
Amazon
It'll also work great on lunchboxes, backpacks, and water bottles! The ink is nontoxic, odorless, and will stay put on clothing being put through the wash several times. Label Land is a small business!
Check out Amazon reviewer's video review to see the stamp in action here!
Get it from Amazon for $11.95 (available in nine styles).
30. A car seat buckle release tool that'll save both your nails and your precious time! No one wants to struggle to open those (thankfully) extremely secure buckles while their kiddo is hitting a pitch that could likely break glass.
Chandni Reddy / Buzzfeed, Amazon
This gadget doesn't attach to the car seat, so no need to fret about kiddos unbuckling themselves while you're driving. UnbuckleMe is a small business!
Promising review:"Love that my kindergartner can unbuckle himself. It makes morning school drop-off SO MUCH EASIER! And he likes the independence of being able to do it himself!" — Lauren
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven colors).
31. A leave-in conditioning spray for curly hair free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates you can count on to revive your mini-me's precious curls after an eventful night of rolling around like a wild thing. (How do they get such intense bed head?!?)
www.amazon.com
Reviewers say this spray will leave wavy or curly hair (from 2a–4c hair) shiny, soft, and bouncy. SoCozy is a small business!
Promising review:"This leave-in conditioner spray has worked so well with my daughter's hair. It smells amazing after her showers! Definitely a must-have." — Diana Beger
" This stuff is fantastic for curly girls! I spray it in my daughter's dry hair in the morning, run my fingers through her ringlets (never ever comb or brush curly hair dry), then clip the top back. It smells amazing, and the price on Amazon is better than other national retailers I've found it at. The price is worth it. Minimizes frizz and keeps curls soft and natural-looking. My daughter has soft/fine thick hair." — Carolyn Smith
Get it from Amazon for $7.97 (also available in a two pack).
32. A grape cutter because who on earth wants to spend their precious time cutting grapes??? This lil' gadget will ensure your kiddo's favorite fruit is the perfect size without costing you an entire afternoon.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews:" Must have if you have toddlers. Wish I knew of this sooner. Has made it so much easier to cut grapes for my toddler. Now can do it one-handed when my LO won't let me set him down to cut the fruit. I have also used it to cut blueberries and blackberries." — Crystal Albertin
"If your toddler loves grapes, this is a MUST-HAVE! So much easier than cutting into 4ths with a knife." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $8.38.
33. And an apple corer and cutter for when your oh-so-precious toddler says "I don't want grapes, I want apple!!!!!" It'll pop out 16 snackable slices with just a push — a must have for any apple lover, TBH!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Good for anyone who cares for children! I love this thing! Makes preparing lunches and snacks so much faster! It was hard to find this size, but my kids prefer the smaller apple slices and this works great. Just center over the apple and push down; when it gets close to the bottom flip the gray part under it, set it on the counter, and push down. Perfect apple slices pop out easily!" — mom of 3 busy kids
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in four colors).
34. A pack of spill-proof Munchkin snack catchers so your kiddo can grab a lil' treat whenever the mood strikes without making a crumbly mess all over your rug or car.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
I swear by these! I rarely leave the house without one of these filled to the brim with Cheerios to stave off my tykes' endless need for snacks. My son can typically be found with one of these in hand while hanging out in his car seat. And now that my daughter is also a snack fiend (but doesn't yet understand how to reach into the cup and take a snack out) I fill one for her as well and toss it into my bag, knowing nothing will spill out of it while we're on-the-go.
Promising review:"After having my 18-month-old crush her graham crackers in the bag and then toss it all up in the air covering herself and everyone and everything in graham cracker powder (including the interior of my car), I had enough. These cups are a godsend! They are the perfect size for her hand and she can't just yank the top off. She likes the independence they grant her and my husband likes not having to strip her car seat and have the car detailed over cracker crumbs." — Shawny
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.96+ (available in three color combos and in two count sizes).
35. Or a snack spinner with five compartments for kids who like to diversify their palate when on the go, and by "diversify," I mean they want Goldfish, graham crackers, cereal, yogurt bites, *and* fruit all at once. Why is it so hard to satiate a toddler?!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
GoBe is a small business!
Promising review: "A friend told us about this and it saved us on our first flight with our 1-year-old. Not only is it great for holding a variety of snacks, it served as great entertainment also. He loved watching it spin and pressing the button, and opening and closing the door. It entertained him for a lot longer than any other toy we had. A must have for traveling with a toddler, we won't go on another trip without it." — Nicole A.
Get it from Amazon for $27.95+ (available in two sizes and seven colors).
36. Some reusable pouch tops that'll fit any you've purchased from the store — yes, even that VERY specific brand that's the only one your kiddo will seemingly CONSIDER eating. It has a no-spill control valve, so when your tyke eats one in the car, they won't be able to squeeze it with all their might and create an apple sauce volcano in your back seat.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
ChooMee is a small business based in Northern California, owned by a mom, that specializes in innovative products that solve everyday feeding challenges.
Promising review:" A MUST-HAVE FOR TODDLERS. My son is a little over 1-year-old and I wish I got these sooner! He gets moments of extreme excitement when it squeeze's the crap out of his pouches and it gets EVERYWHERE. Since having these I have had zero messes! I ended up buying four more because I wanted to keep one in every possible place I'd need one. It seems pretty darn secure if you do it following the directions. It fits Plum Organics, Earth's Best, and Happy Baby pouches for sure." — Amazon Customer
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $7.99 (available in five color combos).
37. A steering wheel desk for anyone who often finds themselves trying to quickly catch up on some work while being nap-trapped in the car after desperately driving around in circles in hopes their cranky toddler will *finally* get some rest. Don't you DARE wake that baby!!!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Works perfect for a working mom!!! Picked this up knowing summer is around the corner and I will be no longer be utilizing a nanny. Figured I'd save money and work from the car as needed during sports and take calls when needed. Worked like a charm!" — Ashley Seitzer
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in five colors).
38. And, of course, Lumify Eye Drops, which are *so* beloved on TikTok they've been selling left and right on Amazon! Reviewers adore them because they reduce redness in their eyes nearly instantly. They're an absolute must-have if you have a jam-packed day of meetings and need to get rid of your bloodshot eyes in a snap (shout out to the night of NO sleep your baby gifted you).
www.amazon.com
Learn more about different kinds of eye drops and what they can do at Cleveland Clinic. Note that eye drops can potentially mask symptoms of eye conditions, so you should talk to your eye doctor about what's right for you. And according to Mayo Clinic, you should avoid redness-reducing drops if you're looking for dry eye relief.
Promising review:"I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it. No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." — Angela Leonard
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.