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.
1. A LeapFrog 100 Words Book that'll interact with budding scholars and help build their vocabulary in English and Spanish.
Promising review: "This may be my favorite LeapFrog toy yet!! So much to teach children, two languages, and it has actually kept my 1-year-old's attention for more than 60 seconds!!! It’s a must-have toy in my opinion!" —Megan Hennegan
Promising review: "Our 18-month-old toddler loves it! Clear words makes it easy for babies to repeat. A must-have toy 👍" —Zaida
Get it from Amazon for $14.29+ (available in two packaging options).
2. And a pack of bright laminated flash cards to help little Einsteins soak up their ABCs, 123s, shapes, and colors. They're like knowledge sponges at this age, so why not start them early?
Promising review: "My 2-year-old recognizes all her number and alphabets so she needed something to challenge her. These cards are it. Shapes, colors, number, counting animals — there is so much to learn, and so many games you can make up. A must-have for any toddler." —IG: Pink_confession
Get a pack of 58 cards from Amazon for $12.99 (also available for babies).
3. A pack of sink extenders for saving your back the strain of hoisting your little one over the sink. Not to mention they'll love the independence of washing their hands all by themselves.
Promising review: "Must-have for toddlers and small children! LOVE this! My 1- and 3-year-old love washing their hands now, and my back gets a nice break. Adding the faucet extenders and a stepstool to our bedtime/morning routine has been a godsend. Great bargain for the price." —TeaBea21
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $10.95.
4. And a pack of ingenious light switch extenders with an easy to grab moon-shaped handle so kiddos can turn the lights on and off ~all by themselves.~ The best part? These glow in the dark.
These install in minutes on standard light switches.
Promising review: "Must-have for toddlers! Perfect solution! As my toddler's independence soars, so do frustrations. This light switch extender pack was a great buy. He can now turn on the lights in his room and bathroom. Installation was easy and works as expected." —AW
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $14.99.
5. An EZPZ silicone mini training cup and straw combo designed by a pediatric feeding specialist to teach toddlers to safely drink from an open cup and straw. It'll fit perfectly in chubby little hands (thanks to the weighted bottom) and make the transition from the bottle to the cup, well, easy peasy.
EZPZ is is a woman-owned biz that creates developmentally focused, minimalist tableware for little ones.
P.S. The cup and straw are made from 100% toxin-free silicone (no BPA, BPS, PVC, latex, or phthalates). The food-grade silicone is safe for your toddler’s developing teeth + gums and dishwasher safe.
Promising review: "Must-have! I had been concerned that my 1-year-old wasn’t picking up straw drinking easily. The day the straw training cup arrived, she began drinking from a straw!! Yay! Made me so unbelievably happy! Of course, the cup is darling and the design detail is excellent. The speech pathologist who constructed the cup knew exactly what she was doing. I highly recommend you get this cup!" —Rachel
Get it from EZPZ for $17.49.
6. A value pack of reusable 500+ puffy stickers that'll keep easily bored toddlers engaged for hours (which is nothing short of a miracle, TBH). Plus, they're easy for little ones to peel, stick...and restick all by themselves.
The stickers feature letters, numbers, vehicles, butterflies, deep-sea life, animals, fish, dinosaurs, and more.
Promising review: "I love that they are removable. They don’t leave marks on your window. You can even place them back on the plastic sheet and use them again. I have a busy box for my toddler and these stickers are in there. She peels them off and puts them on the lid of the box and then peels them off again and puts them back. She creates scenes with them. She puts them on windows at home. I peel them off and put them back. They really are fantastic stickers." —Elizabeth A. Zapf
Get a pack of 20 sheets from Amazon for $7.99.
7. A pack of Crayola Globbles so your mini whirlwinds can run around the house hurling these sticky globs at the wall or ceiling. Don't panic, parents, reviewers say they don't leave a sticky residue.
Promising review: "Amazing toys! My 1- and 2-year-old LOVE them! They scream 'sticky balls!' and run around throwing them on the fridge, windows, cabinets, walls, etc. Easy to wash and air-dry, and don't lose their stickiness! My new go-to gift! Love them!" —Rachel
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $8.98.
8. A leave-in conditioning spray for curly hair to help restore your little one's curls to their former glory once more! It's also free from any toxic stuff including parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
Reviewers say this spray will leave wavy or curly hair (from 2a–4c hair) shiny, soft, and bouncy.
Promising review: "A must-have. Best product I’ve found for my little one's hair." —Jose Orellana
Promising review: "You need this! My 2-year-old daughter has curly frizzy hair. And I have tried sooo many leave in conditioners to tame her hair. Nothing thus far has worked. But this stuff is amazing! Truly defines her curls without any hold or crunch. Soft bouncy curls. The smell is quite strong, but it does smell good. If you are sensitive to smells you might want to prepare yourself ahead of time for this. I will buy this again and again. So glad I found something that works for my toddler's curls." —mike
Get it from Amazon for $8.39.
9. And a detangling brush boasting flexible bead-less bristles that'll glide through knots to turn your kiddo's daily hair-brushing ordeal into a painless experience minus the *ouchies or tears* (for both of you). Just trust the 30,000+ people who gave it a 5-star review.
Reviewers swear this brush works on all hair types: straight, wavy, or curly (from 3a–4c hair).
Promising review: "Brushing hair was a nightmare for my toddler. She is so happy with this item, She brushes her hair by herself now. This is a must-have brush, especially for mixed kids or Afro hair." —pelin ercan
Get it from Amazon for $12.49 (available in six colors).
10. A pack of silicone dino ice pop molds that'll take homemade popsicles to a ~dino-mite~ level, y'all. Just fill them with juice, yogurt, or smoothies to make healthier versions of store-bought ones.
Promising review: "Toddler snack must-have. I absolutely love these molds. The silicone is good quality because it peels off the pops easily and I use them quite often — they are pretty durable. Both my toddler and preschooler love them although the pop portion size is generous for my younger. The bone holders are hilarious and the yogurt we use looks exactly like a dino as expected after frozen. These work great and are really fun shapes so I highly recommend." —TXFan
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $9.99.
11. And an ingenious sandwich cutter and sealer so you can make your own Smuckers Uncrustables copycats at home without spending nearly $10 for a box. Prepare for your life to be *utterly butterly* changed.
Promising review: "Where have these been all my life? These things are awesome! My toddler enjoys Uncrustables and I was looking for a different option so I didn’t have to keep buying them, when I stumbled across these. They work so well and I still have a very happy toddler!" —Ashley
Get it from Amazon for $15.26.
12. A Summer Infant potty training toilet that looks just like the "big potty" to help them transition confidently to the real thing! Plus, they'll adore the realistic flush sounds, lights, and music to reward them for a job well done.
FYI, it also has a built in wipe compartment, a removable easy clean bowl and a clip on splash guard.
Promising review: "Pretty much everything on this cute little potty is likeable. It’s small size makes it ideal for toddlers, it’s flushing noise mechanism makes it fun for the kiddos, and it’s relatively easy to wipe down and clean, just take the removable potty to the bathroom and flush the good down and give it a quick rinse in the shower. My 2-year-old loves this potty over a few others we purchased and I’m glad I paid the few extra bucks because it’s helped him potty train quicker and more effectively because it’s more realistic and he actually enjoys sitting on it. Plus it’s the got pee trapper adapter for boys making sure there are no extra messes for parents and caregivers!" —MssyNorX
Get it from Amazon for $38.22 (available in two colors and also available without lights and music).
13. And a potty training chart that'll provide positive reinforcement (aka a dino sticker) each time they successfully use the "big potty." A little bribery never hurt anyone...right?
The set includes four weeks of training charts, a step-by-step visual chart to using the potty for the kiddos, and eight-page potty training guide, two celebratory crowns, a certificate of completion, 200 stickers, three cards, and an erasable marker.
Promising review: "This sticker chart is a must-have for potty training. My daughter is already making so much progress with this sticker chart. Amazing!" —Bailey Rowland
Get it from Amazon for $9.95.
14. A pair of GeoSafari Jr. binoculars specifically designed for toddlers who would love nothing more but to look at birds, planes (and other fascinating things) up close!
15. A personalized superhero cape perfect for the spunky little superhero in your life who never ceases to amaze you.
Capes and More is a small biz owned by a brother and sister duo who started making started making superhero capes for their kids. Once they realized other people wanted them as well, they started to sell them at affordable prices.
You can get a cape in your choice of 12 colors with a shape and letter sewn on! To personalize the cape, enter your choices for cape color, shape, shape color, initial and initial color at checkout.
Promising review: "I bought two of these, one each for my two nephews ages 2 and 4. They loved them and didn’t want to take them off! The fabric is nice and light so it billows behind them when they run around, perfect for the superhero look! Would definitely buy again for more nieces and nephews in the future." —Amy Turek
Get it from Capes and More on Etsy for $18+ (also available in various packs with mask, wristbands, and belt).
16. A bath toy organizer with 10,000 5-star reviews (!!!) that reviewers swear will actually stick to your wall, tidy your bathtub, and keep toys dry and within arm's reach. What more could you ask for?
Promising review: "This has been a game-changer for the whole bath toy tub time mess problem. The toys hang on the bath wall and dry in the mesh bag. It's great and holds a lot of toys! And it doesn't take up any space in the bathroom. Definitely a must-have for any toddler!" —Katie V.
Get it from Amazon for $10.49+ (available in two sizes and pre-stocked with toys or by itself).
17. A bug bite suction tool invented by a mom that's worth the Shark Tank hype. This ingenious device sucks out all kinds of bug bites, instantly relieving itching and swelling, so your kids aren't left scratching all day.
Promising review: "This is a miracle-worker for my toddler. I bought this after receiving a spider bite on my foot, that was already healed when it came in. Two days after delivery, my 2.5 year old got stung by a bee or wasp and was screaming and in tears. I broke this out, and he immediately went from screaming to laughing as I used it. It was amazing. He got his second sting today, and the same thing happened—instant pain relief. I don’t know what I would do without this thing. Plus, he likes to play with it afterwards which further calms him down. A+++" —Briley Black
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two colors).
18. A cult-favorite stain remover especially great for knocking out stubborn stains like grass, oil, or blood. You can count on on this concentrated spot treatment to make messes from your kids' clothes disappear.
Promising review: "A parent's secret weapon. This solution is magical!! I ran into this in Annapolis, Maryland, at a Muse paint bar and again randomly in TJ Maxx (I love the spray bottle for bigger stains), but since I'm a mom of a toddler this is ideal for clothing and spot treatment in the house or on the go. If you don't have this in your house hold then this is your sign. GET IT!!" —Lauren Ruffin
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $11.89.
19. A 3-in-1 sprinkler, splash pad, and wading pool that'll not only have your munchkin *soaking up* their ABCs and animals but will also make you say, "dang, my toddler's living their best life."
Promising review: "I cannot say enough good things about this product. Love the bright color of it! The minute I took it out of the box and set it up my son was hooked and wakes up every morning asking if he l can go play in the 'wa wa.' So easy to set up and such a fun activity for spring / summer in AZ! Thanks SO much SplashEZ for making such an incredible product. This is a MUST BUY!!!" —Grant Cragun
Get it from Amazon for $24.96.
20. A canvas growth chart so you can keep track of your little one's height (who is growing up waayyy too fast 😢) without marking up the walls. Reviewers love that it can be rolled up and stored away as a cute keepsake.
Promising review: "The designs on this are adorable and look great in my toddler's room. It's soooo tall, too. You'll be able to measure even your giant kids before they go off to college. It rolls up nice and small so it will be easy to store and take out when they are too big for the cutesy designs but you still want to torture them with your parental nostalgia." —Justina Schneeweis
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in two colors).
21. A Whiskware pancake batter mixer with a BlenderBall wire whisk that'll let you whip up a batch of pancakes at lightning speed on hectic mornings — no separate mixing bowl, messy spoons, or batter-coated countertops. Simply add your ingredients, shake, and pour from the spout. Breakfast's ready 😋!
(You can even store leftover batter in the bottle and pop it in the fridge for a time-saving weekday breakfast!)
Promising review: "My 2-year-old loves waffles for breakfast but I was getting sick of the mess it was making each morning. It’s been so much easier to make a batch of waffle mix and store it in the fridge and get several days use out of it. Now I’m not cracking eggs and using a bunch of bowls and utensils every day. I haven’t had any problems with the bottle leaking. So far I think the convenience has been worth the price." —CaitM
Get it from Amazon for $13.98.
22. A set of nonslip educational placemats for helping them practice their ABCs, 123s, shapes, and colors during meals — WAYYY better than watching toy unboxing videos on YouTube, right?
Promising review: "My grandson uses these to learn his colors, shapes, alphabet, and numbers! He was so excited when they arrived and picks out which one he wants to use! Thank you so much! This is a must-have for toddlers! They can learn and make a mess all at the same time!!!" —Rita Russell
Get a set of four from Amazon for $16.97.
23. Or a nonslip Montessori silicone placemat designed to enable your toddler or preschooler to develop some serious life skills through setting the table independently. It's also chemical-free, eco-friendly, and dishwasher-safe.
Kid's House UK is a small biz based in London founded by a mom who specializes in Montessori products to help nurture independence at home.
Promising review: "My 2-year-old loves being able to set the table. He makes sure the silverware and cup are lined up perfectly. I love the independence it gives him. The placemats clean easily, store nicely, and are of great quality." —Beth Steele
Get it from Kid's House UK on Etsy for $21.01.
24. A set of washable dab and dot markers so you can encourage little Picassos to ~dabble~ in painting without making a huge mess with drippy paintbrushes.
The set comes with eight paint markers and a downloadable 101 Easy Dot Marker Activities PDF.
Promising review: "A must-have for toddlers. My son started using this when he was 2 and now he is 3. We've used this everyday and he never gets tired of it. He just loves doing dab and dot with letters and numbers. I also love the free printables included and I love how easy it is for my son to hold it with his tiny hands. I definitely recommend it." —Heriberto Mendoza
Get a set from Amazon for $16.99.
25. A Melissa & Doug activity book with a pair of safe scissors to channel destructive, um, busy energy into a creative activity that'll put their fine motor skills to the test.
Promising review: "Must-have for toddlers. My 3-year-old loves doing these cut outs and I enjoy them as well. The pictures are vibrant and pleasing. The puzzles are fun. The scissors are wonderful for small hands." —Holly
Promising review: "Must-have for your toddler needing to learn scissor skills! And they actually cut, so long as you are holding the scissors straight (which teaches your child proper form). Will have to eventually move onto a bladed scissor, but these are perfect for learning." —L. Anderson
Get it from Amazon for $6.99.
26. And a Melissa & Doug magnetic calendar for teaching them the days of the week, months and the weather in a hands-on, interactive way. They'll jump out of bed eagerly to update it every morning.
Promising review: "Great for curious toddlers. Almost-3-year-old loves it. After getting this he’s now asking me 'today’s Tuesday mom?' And 'it’s winter now?' He likes the holiday magnets and trying to figure out where to put the arrow for the temperature each day. It is sort of heavy, so I would recommend using a nail to hang it or Command strips around the rope so you don’t damage your wall. I used a Velcro heavy weight Command strip and it has held up for a few months now. We tried attaching Command strips to the back of the wood and it wasn’t holding to that material. This is a must-have for toddlers." —Steph
Get it from Amazon for $21.24.
27. A sleek touchless forehead thermometer with a built-in sensor to help measure your kiddo's temperature in seconds without disturbing them while they're sleeping.
28. And a stick-on fever indicator you can stick on your child's forehead to monitor their fever for up to 48 hours (it changes color to indicate temp). If your kiddo hates having their temperature taken constantly, this might come in handy.
Note: These stickers aren't a replacement for a thermometer. But, if your kid has a temp, these will help you keep track of whether their fever is spiking or going down.
Promising review: "We had a stressful day of trying to keep our 3-year-old's fever down and he was exhausted. I had these in the cabinet and stuck one on at bedtime. It immediately lit up N, which matched the thermometer. While putting him to bed I saw it go to 99 so when I checked on him in 30 min I brought the thermometer '99.3.' We used it throughout the night to monitor whether or not we should wake him for more medicine. I think of it as a peace of mind sticker. He loves stickers and got a big kick out of it. He’s had it on about 13 hours now with no complaints. There’s a shiny N there now, and this paranoid mama still checks with a thermometer occasionally to make sure it’s accurate." —Nateric
Get eight stickers from Amazon for $6.45.
29. A pack of multi-purpose safety straps for childproofing your fridge, toilet, washer, and dryer...basically anything your tiny troublemaker enjoys tampering with. These won't budge, despite their Hulk-like efforts. The best part? No drilling required, just peel and stick.
Promising review: "These things are awesome! Super easy to install. I didn't think they'd actually work, because my toddler is a beast, but we have them on our fridge and a few cupboards, and they keep her out. :) She pulls pretty hard, and they don't budge. They're pretty easy to unlatch; my 7-year-old doesn't have a problem with it. Great purchase!" —Angel Starr
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $9.95.
30. And a pack of inconspicuous corner guards to give you peace of mind as your wobbly new walker zooms around the living room (and comes precariously close to a sharp coffee table).
Promising review: "Must-have for small children. When my toddler was running one day and smoked the corner of the island I knew I had to do something. These were perfect. They stuck on the corners great and most importantly will prevent the need for stitches if your child doesn't make a wide enough turn." —Tev
Get it from Amazon for $9.98.
31. A pack of toilet seat covers you'll be SO glad you decided to carry with you when you're out and about with your potty-trained toddler, who insists on getting their hands ALL OVER gross public restroom seats.
Promising review: "Must-have! If you have a toddler these are a MUST! We travel and it gives us peace of mind knowing that no matter where we are, as long as we have these covers we can safely take her to the bathroom and everything is ok. Before we found these, I used to be super stressed when she would ask to use the bathroom and we were out and about but not anymore. They have cute colors and are big enough." —Dayanna Pita
Get a pack of 24 covers from Amazon for $9.99.
32. A pack of spill-proof Munchkin snack catchers featuring flexible flaps that'll allow easy access for little hands BUT prevent Cheerios from *flying everywhere*. Not having to clean your toddler's trail of snacks? These deserve a gold medal, if you ask me.
Promising review: "These are a must-have for a small toddler and their snacks. The top is soft and flexible so I don’t have to worry about my little guy scratching his little hands when he’s digging around in the cup. Very easy to clean and they’re priced well. Buy them now!" —Wooty
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.95 (available in two color combos).
33. And a snack spinner for enticing even the pickiest of eaters to add more foods to their *rotation* at home or on the go.
Promising review: "My 2-year-old loves it, he gets excited every time he pushes the button and sees it spin. He spins it grabs a piece of strawberry spins it again grabs a blueberry keeps him entertained. It’s easy to clean and compact for easy on the go snacks. Great product!" —Noe G.
Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in three colors).
34. A whale-shaped bath spout cover to help prevent bonks on the head when little ones are having a ~whale~ of a good time in the bath. Plus, it comes with an adjustable strap to fit snugly on any faucet.
Promising review: "My 1-year-old was always getting close to the faucet to play with the water and would end up crying all the time because he would end up bumping his head. But this saved him from that. Now he gets to enjoy the water without bumping his head, and if he does it won't hurt him since the whale is made of rubber. It's a plus that I can hang the spray tub lower and not have to stretch in my tippie toes every night. It's adjustable, so it fits pretty much all the faucets. This is a must-have if you have little ones." —Sam
Get it from Amazon for $10.39 (available in two colors).
35. A Wiwiurka triangular rope ladder you can hang from the ceiling or a tree branch to provide endless opportunities to swing, do acrobatics, or yell: "I'm taking off in the spaceship!"
Note: mounting hardware not included. The climber is capable of holding up to 175 pounds.
Wiwiurka is a Mexican woman–owned business based in Tepoztlan, Mexico, that creates handcrafted and sustainable wooden toys using water-based paints and nontoxic materials to enhance imaginative play.
Promising review: "My kids LOVE their tree climber. It was easy to put together and it's like a magnet for my 3-year-old who gets bored easily and wanders." —Brynn
Get it from Wiwiurka for $185 (available in two sizes and three colors) or from Wiwiurka on Etsy for $185 (available in two colors).
36. A set of plastic knives if you'd like to enlist your mini sous chef's help with dinner prep. While these do a pretty decent job of chopping, they're not sharp enough to slice a finger.
Note: Children still need supervision while using them, of course.
Promising review: "Great for cooking with my toddler! My toddler enjoys using these SO much. They are about as sharp as disposable plastic knives. They definitely cut well and make her feel included. She has used them to cut: tomatoes, bread, cucumbers, peppers, etc. She will get excited when she sees me prepping food and run over to her stool crying out "Mommy, i want my knives!" For reference, she is 2.5yrs old. If you have a toddler or younger kiddo who is enthusiastic about cooking and you want to encourage it, get these! So worth it!" —C. Almond
Get a set of three from Amazon for $9.95.
37. A scavenger hunt that'll keep them busy by sending them on a mission to discover *treasure* AKA toys, books, clothing, furniture and other objects around the house.
Promising review: "A must-have. My 2-year-old son is obsessed. Always asks to play the 'find you' game LOL. Then we play it and every option on the game he actually thinks really hard then says 'come on mommy' and runs me through the house to find the object. Highly recommended from a mom of four." —Britney bansley
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
38. And for slightly older toddlers, a wooden puzzle equivalent to playing Tetris but in tactile form that'll ~exercise brains~ without any screentime.
Reviewer's say this is a great toy for all ages — from 3 to 12.
Promising review: "Excellent for learning! Must-have! Such a wonderful toy/puzzle! Similar in some way to tangrams. Great for stimulating thinking and problem solving. My 3-year-old's teacher was blown away by her working the puzzle so easily." —tigerhax
Get it from Amazon for $8.49.
39. An inexpensive gate that's super easy to install — just pressure mount, you don't have to drill holes into your walls — and even easier for adults to open with one hand. But rest assured, it'll keep your toddler from taking a tumble down the stairs.
Pssst, this gate has 40,000+ 5-star (!!!) reviews and is capable of expanding to fit openings between 29-34 and 35-38.5 inches wide. This gate will not fit an opening between 34-35 inches. It also stands 30 inches tall. Make sure to measure your opening before you buy to ensure proper fit.
Promising review: "We love this gate! We have two toddlers and you'd think "Danger" was their shared middle name. This is the one thing they haven't figured out yet! (Trust me, they can undo the baby locks on the cabinets and refrigerator.) It took a minute to get used to the design of the lock but even my 7-year-old could easily lock and unlock the gate. My toddlers, however, find it too high to climb over and still too difficult to unlock. It's sturdy and isn't too bulky. " —
H&J Mads
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
40. A travel-sized antiseptic and pain relief spray because it'll work fast to treat ouchies when you're out and about with a rambunctious kiddo in tow.
Promising review: "I bought this for my toddler, she's only been walking for a few months and falls. So this is great to have on hand at all times! I have the NeoToGo version of this in my diaper bag! I really like having this foam cleanser for my little one to clean any boo-boos without stinging her! I like that it helps her skin heal quickly. This is a must-have for any first aid kit! Highly recommend!" —Kelly R.
Get it from Amazon for $7+ (available in three sizes).
41. A pack of durable and moisture-proof toddler shoe sticker helpers if your little one gets a little confused about which shoe goes on which foot. These will show them which is the right and the left shoe, so you can get out the door faster in the morning.
Erin Roberts Creative Co. is a small biz based in Pasadena, Maryland that specializes in stickers and stationary.
Promising review: "So far the stickers have stayed in my daughter’s shoes. We no longer have to leave the house with shoes on the wrong feet!" —sirena cheung
Get a two sheets of stickers for 8 pairs of shoes from Erin Roberts Creative Co. on Etsy for $8.50 (also available in larger quantities).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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