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1. Jumbo Crayons even the tiniest of hands will be able to grasp and create absolute masterpieces with — by which I mean scribbles that *hopefully* end up on paper not your walls.
Promising review: "My 1-year-old has drawn on our cabinets and a variety of other places. I was able to wipe away easily with baby wipes. It’s also a great size for my son's little hands and writes as well as any other crayon that is not washable. Highly recommend" —jalisa
Get a pack of 18 from Amazon for $9.34.
2. A pretend makeup kit for the diva who can't help but try to get in on the action whenever you're applying your face for the day — now they can play along!
Beverly Hills Doll Collection is a small business that primarily sells dolls and doll accessories.
Promising review: "I got this for my 1-year-old for her birthday. She has been obsessed with my own makeup kit, and likes this one just as much. She does not have the dexterity to open each little case, but she sure loves taking everything out, pretending to put on lipstick, and putting everything back in the case. Total win." —94riotgrrl
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
3. A personalized name puzzle that'll help toddlers work on learning letters, colors, and how to pronounce that very unique moniker you've given them — it'll also look super cute on display in their room!
Personalized Favors is a small business! While I don't have this *exact* puzzle, I received a similar one as a gift before my son was born. It looked adorable in his bedroom and has become a beloved toy as he's grown into using it! First he enjoyed just moving the pieces around, but now he's actually practicing how to say each letter of his name.
Promising review: "My 1-year-old grandson loves playing with the letters. We tell him the letters and colors so this is pretty and an educational tool as well." —CassRN
Get it from Amazon for $11.95.
4. 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.
Promising review: "My 1-year-old has taco meat stains ALL over the sleeves of his shirt. Stains were two to three days old too. I sprayed shirt, let it sit for about 15 mins and then washed 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 $7.99+ (available in a variety of quantities)
5. 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?!?)
Reviewers say this spray will leave wavy or curly hair (from 2a–4c hair) shiny, soft, and bouncy. SoCozy is a small business! See a mom put it into action on TikTok.
Promising review: "This product is amazing. I got it for my 1-year-old daughter. Makes her thin and curly hair look gorgeous. Tried it on my thick and wavy hair — added some curl back and still looked great. No overpowering smell. Does not make hairy sticky or stiff. Controls fizz. Inexpensive and lasts a long time. Will stop looking for the perfect curly hair spray. This is it." —Lauren Greene
Get it from Amazon for $8.20 (also available in a two pack).
6. A galaxy projector light in the shape of an astronaut that'll totally gain you some *~cool points~* with your kids — whether you break it out at bedtime or bath time your entire fam will agree this lil' guy is out of this world.
7. A bubble machine that'll have your toddler scoffing at the old handheld bubble wands they're used to seeing — this one will take playtime to the next level without filling the house with extra noise.
See this bubble machine in action on TikTok here.
This bubble maker includes: bubble gun, two bottles of bubble solution, a rechargeable battery, a charger, and a plate to place the bubble solution. My sister got it for my son for his birthday and we've been using it through all the seasons — bubbles don't discriminate! We broke it out during a Labor Day BBQ with a bunch of toddlers present, and they were all bursting with excitement! I mean, just look at the GIF above — the bubbles really come atcha!!
Promising review: "My 1-year-old daughter loves this and it’s incredible how many bubbles it blows out!! So glad we got this for her." —Morgan parker
Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in six colors).
8. A whale bath toy that lights up and sprays water like a magical fountain and will turn your kiddo's nightly bath into a disco partaaaay 🪩.
Promising review: "Saw a TikTok with this product and had to get one for our 1-year-old. We plopped it in the bathtub and she couldn't wait to get in. Works great and she had a blast. (pun intended) Great suction and turns off automatically when there is no water. Great for me so its one less toy I have to remember to turn off." —Vanessa Roman
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three colors).
9. An ingenious cup catcher you can count on to save you from endlessly bending down to grab the cup your surprisingly strong tyke has thrown with the strength of The Hulk across the room (which never fails to be quite impressive, TBH).
Watch this mom explain why "you need this" cup catcher on TikTok.
Promising review: "The cup catcher has become an absolute staple in our household. My 1-year old is constantly dropping things on the floor. With the cup catcher, we are able to secure cups, bottles, and toys to my son's high chair, stroller, and car seat so that his things don't wind up on the dirty floor. We currently have two: one for the car and one that goes between the high chair and stroller. I am considering buying a third." —Matthew & Julia G.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 13 styles).
10. A food and juice box holder for any parent who has made the grave error of handing their toddler a pouch or juice box only to watch them squeeze the contents all over — this holder let them feed themselves without the mess.
Watch this mama's review of the flipping holder in this TikTok. Flipping Holder is a small business!
Promising review: "My 1-year-old loves pouches and also enjoys squeezing them out everywhere. We’ve tried three different pouch holders, and this one is definitely the easiest to use! The pouch just slides in and locks into place, much faster than the other styles where you have to open the container and stuff a pouch inside." —MM
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in eight combos).
11. And, a pack of silicone pouch lids that'll fit any one 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 you'll thank your lucky heavens for when your little one is eating in the car.
Check out why a mom calls this pouch topper the "coolest thing" in this TikTok.
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: "I saw these on a TikTok and so glad I purchased them! My 1-year-old is able to feed herself pouches without squeezing them everywhere which is awesome! If you squeeze really really hard, the tiniest amount of purée does come through but my kiddo hasn’t been able to squeeze it that hard so far. They’re very easy to clean as well. Highly recommend for toddler parents!" —Austin Hann
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.99 (available in five color combos).
12. A silicone finger puppet toothbrush to start teaching baby how to properly brush their adorable little chompers — the soft bristles will also gently massage sore teething gums.
Watch these cute toothbrushes brushing a little one's gums in this TikTok.
Promising review: "Our 1-year-old enjoys this toothbrush. The silicone is soft on her gums but the bristles are short enough they actually clean her tiny tooth. The finger tube is thick enough to protect your finger against accidental bites too." —cameron schwisow
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three colors).
13. A JellyCap you can pop onto most regular bottles and will magically transform it into a makeshift sippy cup.
Find out why this parent calls this is one of their "coolest" Amazon finds in this TikTok.
Promising review: "I purchased these for my 1-year-old who loves to drink from water bottles like her older siblings. These were great and worked as they should! She doesn't spill any water as she drinks, she can use a straw if she wants, but the best is using it in the car. I can't help her with the bottle as I drive, so having this on the bottle allowed her to keep her bottle, drink as she pleases, and there is no spill! Win-win!" —Courtney C
Get a three pack from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two color options).
14. 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.
Watch a mom quartering grapes in a flash with this tool on TikTok.
Promising review: "Bought this as I take care of my 1 year old grandson a few days a week, and he LOVES fruit....especially grapes! For safety's sake, I always cut them, but when I saw this, I thought I'd try it. It's amazingly sharp, and super easy to use!!! It also comes with a safety cap so you can take it with you if you'd like without the risk of slicing your fingers! Great buy! Wish I'd had one when my kiddos were babies!" —AmyLynn
Get it from Amazon for $11.95.
15. A LeapFrog 100 Words Book that'll interact with your eager-to-learn little one and teach them all kinds of useful words in both English and Spanish!
Find out why this parent calls it "one of our favorite toys for our son" on TikTok.
Promising review: "This was a recommended product I saw on Facebook and again on TikTok — so I had to see if the hype was worth it. IT IS WORTH IT! My toddler (almost 2) loves the book for the sounds and names of all the categories in the book. This is a great book to gift to others with toddlers or to help your little one develop. I love this!" —Megan C.
Get it from Amazon for $13.49.
16. An elephant bath sprayer you'll adore because it'll keep your kiddo entertained for the duration of bath time and provide you with an easier way to wash soap off of them/ out of their hair — however, considered yourself warned they can potentially turn this adorable hose on you at any given moment. 😅
Watch this sprayer make bath time even more fun on TikTok.
This gadget is both a blessing and a curse. On the very positive side, my son loves it! He uses it to fill up cups, "clean" his toys, and tickle his own feet (adorable). I've used it to thoroughly wash his hair and rinse soap suds off of him in a bubble bath. However, I gotta warn any fellow parents that there is a VERY high chance you are going to get sprayed by your child at SOME point. If you don't mind getting a little wet on occasion, this toy is a 10/10.
Promising review: "Oh my gosh, this thing is wonderful. My 1-year-old loves this elephant! She will just laugh and giggle when I rinse her off. I got this because my 1 and 3 year-old hate when I rinse their hair out with a cup. The elephant hose makes it super easy to rinse their hair without getting soap in their eyes." —Blair B
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four colors).
17. A Tushbaby hip carrier you may have seen across your TikTok travels — parents love how much it saves their backs and that it has a ton of pockets for storage.
It's recommended for children between 8 and 45 pounds and can be used in four different holding positions — feeding/breastfeeding, side carrying, front facing, and face-to-face.
Tushbaby is a small business run by three California mamas and specializes in products that bring a little more ease to everyday parenting life.
Promising review: "My 1-year-old is super wiggly and so heavy. The TushBaby helps to solve that because I can’t put her in a regular carrier for more than five minutes before she gets upset. Using this carrier, I can pick her up and put her down to explore and much as needed and it really helps alleviate all the weight off my back. I use it around the house as well as when we’re out. Very convenient and quick to put on and adjust." —Nadia M
Get it from Amazon for $84.99.
18. A Melissa & Doug wooden cleaning play set, because you shouldn't be the only one trying to keep the house tidy! Let your mini-me lend a helping hand while you conquer your to-do list.
Set includes a mop, broom, dust pan, dust brush, duster, and a stand.
Promising review: "These are just what I needed! I bought these for my 1-year-old and while I know she’s not quite ready to really be cleaning, she really tries to help me when I’m doing it. I figured why not grab her her own set to foster some independence and start helping her momma out lol. The stand is easy as pie to assemble, literally stick it in and go. It’s totally functional as well. We haven’t tried the mop one out for real, but it is absorbent because she’s used it while I was Swiffering. Packaging for this product is great as well." —Danae Baptiste
Get it from Amazon for $34.97.
19. An inexpensive baby gate featuring a pressure mount you'll adore because you won't have to drill holes into your walls (a big win). It's easy to install and easy for adults to open with one-hand, which you'll definitely be thankful for when you're trying to carry your toddler and open it at the same time.
This gate 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.
Anyways, I have two of these gates in my home and it has been absolutely essential to keeping my toddler contained/safe in my split level home. We have a lot of stairs seemingly ALL OVER THE PLACE which is not ideal for a roaming toddler. It took my husband no time at all to put them up (shout out to the pressure mount feature) which was ideal. They're very simple for adults to open, but despite my son's best efforts he can't seem to figure it out (ideal as he's only a year and a half old). Would also be great for pet owners!
Promising review: "We have this on our first stair as you start going up the stairs. The latch is easy to move up and down. My older toddler who does fine on the stairs is able to lift it to get in and out of the gate, but it safely keeps my 1-year-old off of the stairs." —Nikki K
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
20. A touchless forehead thermometer with a built-in sensor that'll make taking your tyke's temperature a breeze. Perfect for any parents that err on the side of caution and find themselves checking their kiddo's temp anytime they look a bit flushed (ahem, me).
Promising review: "Love this product! I have a 1-year-old that doesn't like to sit still for very long, others take to long and this one gets her temperature quickly. It is very easy to use and to read. Very happy with my purchase." —Cortny Bolin
Get it from Amazon for $22.98.
21. A set of 500+ puffy stickers any crafty kiddo would squeal with delight about — fear not, they actually don't leave any residue and unstick very easily!!!
Promising reviews: "Gave to my grandson when I babysit him. Got a sticker book to put them in. He loves them. Liked them so much bought another set for my granddaughter as one of her birthday presents." —J. Reulet
"These gave our 1-year-old hours of fun on vacation! They peel off any surface easily and do not leave a residue." —Ashley
Get them from Amazon for $6.99.
22. Magnetic locks you won't need to be a handy man to seamlessly install — you stick 'em in and then use a provided magnet to lock/unlock your cabinets as needed. Easy peasy.
The set comes with locks (with strong 3M double-sided tape on the back) and two keys.
Promising review: "I love these cabinets locks. My 1-year-old can’t open any of our cabinets now. Definitely recommend for parents with toddler. Ver easily to install too." —MJ
Get them from Amazon for $33.99 (available in five quantities).
23. A Zak Designs BPA-free, leakproof cup that'll make transitioning off a bottle during the day a breeze — and they really and truly do not leak (phew) so when your toddler shakes it upside down (and they will) you won't have a fountain of water to mop up.
I cannot even begin to tell you just how many toddler cups I've tried out for my son before settling on these. They really don't leak, he can't open/close it for fun like he does with flip-top cups, and he has no issue using the straw (I think because it's thicker than most!). I personally like that they come in a bunch of fun styles. We have the Bluey cup (shown above) as well as a two-pack featuring Mario and Luigi. My favorite feature, however, is that I can toss it into the dishwasher for easy cleaning!
Promising review: "These are the best toddler cups I've found for my 1-year-old. They are pretty much spill proof, but he is actually still able to drink out of them without much effort. They break down easily for the dishwasher. I've already purchased a second set so we're never without a clean one." —kshu
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in eight styles).
24. A whale-shaped bath spout cover, so your tyke can splish and splash without accidentally hitting their head on the ever-interesting-to-them spout. You're welcome.
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 $9.99+ (available in two colors).
25. 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.
Oogiebear is a small business that sells baby hygiene products.
Promising review: "This is actually my second one purchased, I misplaced the other one. My little 1-year-old does not mind me using this on her at all! I love that it is flexible enough to get dried boogies off." —Erin
Get it from Amazon for $12.95+ (also available with an LED light).
26. Mission MightyMe Peanut Puffs you might find yourself snacking on alongside your kiddo — they're great for snack time and for exposing little ones to peanuts early on.
Mission MightyMe is a small business based in Atlanta, Georgia. These puffs are so tasty I definitely have been eating them alongside my almost 2-year-old. They're one of his favorite snacks and a great way to introduce him to peanuts. They're plant-based, gluten-free, and (most importantly) delicious! He loves them! They also come in other varieties that include other types of tree nuts.
Promising review: "My 1-year-old loves these puffs, and they’re a yummy adult snack too! The ingredients are great, and it really is an easy way to consistently expose my baby to a variety of nuts. This will definitely be a staple in our pantry." —Stephanie De Sola
Get them from Amazon for $26.06 (available in four packs).
27. A Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat you can count on to grow with your child for *so* many years it'll basically feel like a worthy investment right off the bat.
We have this car seat for my toddler and it's been spectacular. It was very easy to install (a huge bonus) and he's really gotten a kick out of having his own space to keep a snack and a drink when we're in the car. The harness doesn't fight me when I load my son into the car and the seat itself feels very cushy. This car seat is actually designed to last your child for 10 years – which is fantastic! It has a machine washable cover I was *very* glad to have after my kid jumped in a muddy puddle and promptly wiped his feet all over it... all the stains came right out!
Promising review: "Yesterday I was T-boned with my 1-year-old daughter in the car and it was the scariest moment of my life but this car seat did it’s job and protected her. The car seat didn’t move one bit and because of the safety features of this car seat my daughter didn’t have a scratch, bump or bruise on her. She didn’t even cry! I’m very thankful that this was the car seat I had in a very scary situation. I will be reordering this seat!" —Madison D'Alesio
Get it from Amazon for $398.99.
28. A pack of child-safe charger covers, so when you're not trying to revive your forever-dead phone you won't have to worry about your baby gnawing away on the rogue wire.
Geddy's Mom is a small business that develops gadgets to keep baby safe and clear of things that could hurt them.
Promising review: "Not only are these cute and I love the color but they aren't as easy for a smart baby to open — my 1-year-old is super smart. The quality of it is very good. 👍🏼 I definitely recommend this. 👌🏼" —Elisabeth M.
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $12.95+ (available in four colors).
29. Outlet covers with a hidden pull handle, so when your mini-me becomes mobile seemingly overnight and is suddenly interested in doing nothing but sticking their tiny fingers into any exposed electrical sockets, you'll be prepared.
We have these in our home and they've been fantastic — honestly they're so efficient I felt like I struggled to figure out how to take them out as an adult. My son literally still tries to pull on them (he's a wild little thing) but they don't budge! One pack (which comes with 45 plug covers) was more than enough to baby proof our home.
Promising review: "A life saver. Literally. My 1-year-old is obsessed with trying to stick her fingers in outlets now that she’s on the move and she can’t get these out of the wall." —Shelby
Get a pack of 45 from Amazon for $9.99+ (also available in packs of 32, 42, and 55).
30. An adorable wooden piano that plays real music and includes six sets of beginner "sheet music" so your mini Beethoven can slowly but surely learn some tunes (or, you know, just bang away happily on the keys).
31. A Little People Toddler Play set Disney Princess featuring lights, sounds, two characters and a whooooole lot of magic to keep your kiddo entertained.
My son has a ton of Little People figures, so we were thrilled to get this castle as a gift. There's zero discrimination — everyone from the Disney Princesses to construction workers and tractor drivers get to hang in Noah's castle. 😉 There is literally zero set up (a parent's dream!) so your kiddo can start playing immediately. Noah loves putting different characters at the top of the castle and pushing them in the tiny swing. The Princess details throughout the toy are *so* fun and adorable. We love this toy, simple as that.
Promising review: "Easy for my 1-year-old granddaughter to play with. She loves it." —Kathryn
Get it from Amazon for $46.84 and if you're looking for similar toddler-approved items, my son also has and loves the Little People Car Wash!
32. A drum set that might just become the bane of *your* existence but will likely be the light of your kid's life. The good news is it has a volume button!
My sister gifted this to my son (thanks a lot, Aunt Brit), and he adores it. He's just about 2 and has a blast banging away on it and shouting, "DRUM!" While it's, obviously not my favorite of his belongings, it isn't huge and doesn't take up much space in the playroom, which is ideal.
Promising review: "My granddaughter loves this drum set. The sound effects are nice and crisp. Perfect size for her — she is 1.5-years-old. The microphone is a cute feature" —Jorge R.
Get it it from Amazon for $32.95.
33. An incredibly useful sandbox with a lid that opens up to double as benches for kiddos to sit on while they play. The lid will ensure you can keep it up and running throughout the fall without leaves and other outdoor debris sneaking in.
Promising review: "I ordered this for my granddaughter's fourth birthday. It was easy to assemble and has that great cedar smell — it's also lightweight but well made. My granddaughter, along with her 1-and-half-year-old brother, has already gotten a lot of playtime in the sandbox. They love it!! It is beautiful, and my son loves the fact that it closes up to protect the sand and then opens up for benches for the children to sit on. He has sent me a couple of pictures and videos of them playing in it. I highly recommend this sandbox." —lisa burroughs
Get it from Amazon for $99.98.
34. A pack of oversized sidewalk chalk they'll be *so* excited over they might just forget to pester you about extra screen time — encourage them to create all kinds of art in your driveway or leave funny messages for passersby.
Urban Infant is a Chicago-based small business run by a brother/sister duo making unique and useful parenting products.
Promising review: "Our 1-year-old loves these. It was his first time using chalk and he had no trouble with them. They are pretty thick; doesn't matter how he holds them, there will be contact with the surface and there will be color!" —JW
Get it from Urban Infant on Amazon for $11.95 (also available in glitter chalk).
35. A classic Little Tikes slide you may have had when *you* were a kid — it's extremely easy to set up and will provide your mini-me with hours of fun. (Just wait until they discover they can climb back up the slide all on their own.)
My son got this as a gift for his first birthday and he loooooves it. It took my husband literally five minutes (if that) to put it together, as it's only two pieces. It's been very durable in the few months we've had it outside and it's very simple to clean (we use the leaf blower to quickly get rid of any debris from the trees above). It's a simple toy but it brings my kid so much joy!
Promising review: "If you are looking for a fun present for a 1-year-old...you've found it. I bought this for my nephew and he fell in love. He quickly learned how fun sliding down is and will seek out bigger slides at the park! It's a gateway slide!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.