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 pack of colorful hanging cups that you can attach to your fridge, if every time you sit down your kiddo asks for something to drink (mine does too!). There's something about them seeing us relax that just doesn't sit right with them, I swear. Now, your child will be able to easily reach for a cup (no climbing necessary) and get a sip all by themselves.
Promising review: "These things are amazing. We attached these to our water dispenser and the kids are 100% independent now with getting their own drinks of water and returning the cup. Saves me time and dishes daily! Sticker for the hooks are really sturdy, my 2-year-old tried to hang on them and they didn’t budge." —Melissa S
Promising review: "We absolutely LOVE these hanging cups by Puj!! They make the always stacking and searching for cups a thing of the past! They are super easy for my toddlers to get to and help themselves to water or ask me to fill the cup. When they are done we rinse and let them hang them back up. The fact they can do that actually encourages their independence and I LOVE that!" —Majara
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $28.99 (available in three color combinations).
2. And a pack of light switch extenders because they will allow your kiddo to easily switch lights on or off. They have moon-shaped handles that extend so your child will be able to reach the switch. Oh, and they 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
Promising review: "My 4-year-old uses this everyday in his bathroom and his bedroom. It makes life easier and he feels like a big boy!" —Danielle W.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (also available in two and three packs).
3. A pack of sink extenders that'll make it easier for your munchkin to wash their hands and brush their teeth without needing you to hoist them up (your back will thank you).
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 step stool to our bedtime/morning routine has been a godsend. Great bargain for the price." —TeaBea21
Promising review: "These are perfect to help our 2-year-old daughter reach the water when washing her hands. They fit all of our faucets and are so easy to install. Simple design, but really makes life easier. I would definitely buy again!" —Amazon Customer
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.49.
4. A nonslip Montessori silicone place mat so your little one will learn how to set the table. It has images to show them where everything goes. This mat is also eco-friendly (it's made of food-grade, nonplastic silicone) 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 place mats clean easily, store nicely, and are of great quality." —Beth Steele
Get it from Kid's House UK on Etsy for $20.31 (available in more colors here).
5. A Melissa & Doug wooden cleaning play set that has mini versions of cleaning tools. This set will encourage your child to sweep up a few messes, yet it'll feel like playtime. It 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 $24.99.
6. A detangling brush because it's easy-to-hold design means your kid will be able to tackle knots on their own. Reviewers say their kids can now comb their hair independently with it and it has over 48,000 5-star reviews.
Reviewers swear this brush works on all hair types: straight, wavy, or curly (from 3a–4c hair).
Promising review: "This is the one! My 9-year-old daughter has long, straight hair. Medium thickness. I told her if she wants to keep it long, she has to care for it herself. I can't stand over her any longer, killing my back as I comb out knots after her shower for 20 minutes. Or tangles in the morning when she wakes up. So I stumbled across this brush on Amazon and figured it was worth a shot. It arrived yesterday and my child is in love with it! She combed out her hair in no time and loved how silky it left her hair. She even brought it to day camp today to show her girlfriends. I love this brush!! I'm gong to need a second one. Insurance in case this one goes missing. I will not go backward! ;-)." —Amy D.
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in seven colors/patterns and two-packs).
7. An anti-slip potty training seat with a ladder so your little one will be able to get on the potty without your assistance (and without falling in...not that this has ever happened to mine 🤫).
Promising review: "Bought this for our son who we are starting to potty train. It is made of durable plastic. It is easy to assemble (there is a one page illustration on how to assemble it) and there is no need for tools to assemble this. It is foldable for easy storage. Our son loves this as it gives him a sense of independence: (1) the step ladder enables our son to climb and sit on it on his own— yay!, (2) the handles on each side provide for additional support, and (3) it doesn’t slip as it rests on our toilet. There is a removable cushioned seat included for added comfort. The height of the potty training seat can be adjusted to fit the height of the toilet. Would recommend this product." —Jhyza
Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in five colors).
8. A double closet rod so your fashion forward child won't have to tug on clothes (and then cause an avalanche in their closet) when they want to dress themselves. This rod hangs clothes at eye level so they can pick out their OOTD all on their own.
There's no installation required — simply hang it from the top rod.
Promising review: "This was exactly what I was looking for. My 5- and 3-year-olds love dressing themselves but could not reach their clothes so this is the perfect solution. I like that it was all metal and there were no straps or ropes they could get tangled in. Seems durable and held a lot of clothes. I saw others that were adjustable and that would have been nice but this seems sturdy. Would recommend.." —LuvShping
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
9. A waterproof potty-training watch that will remind your toddler to use the bathroom throughout the day so you don't have to keep nagging them.
You can preset intervals of 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, two hours, and three hours. The watch has a sensor and only sounds alerts when it is worn so no need to turn it off at night.
Promising review: "My son who will turn three next month, has been potty trained since April. Recently he started having accidents at school because he would get too distracted and not want to stop playing and go to the bathroom. His teacher recommended I get this watch and it has been amazing! Whenever the watch goes off he gets so excited and goes to the bathroom right away! He loves his watch and it’s made it so easier not having to remind him that he needs to go." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $26.95.
10. A Melissa & Doug magnetic responsibility chart so you don't have to keep reminding your child to complete their chores. They'll be able to keep track of their responsibilities themselves with this easy chart.
The sets comes with two fabric hinged dry erase boards (one with spaces to track seven goals, and one that’s blank for magnet storage), a hanging cord, and 90 magnets featuring behavior and rewards like get ready for bed, get dressed, take bath, clear table, put toys away, share, brush teeth, apologize, say please, thank you, help with indoor/outdoor chores, no teasing, show respect and more! Plus, there are two blank magnets to write your own personal goals.
Promising review: "It works great and my 4-year-old loves that she gets smiles every time she accomplishes something. It has helped tremendously with her becoming more independent and finishing her own responsibilities around the house." —Jennifer Bonner
Get it from Amazon for $14.89.
11. Or printable PDF cleaning cards if you've implemented chores yet your child is barely getting any done. These cards allow you to jot down what your kiddo needs to clean so they can easily check off chores and stay on track.
FYI: This file comes with eight cards in various colors. And once you print these out, you can laminate them so they're reusable!
Practical Perfection 8 is a small biz that sells items to keep your home clean and organized.
Promising review: "This is perfect for my children, they carry them around when cleaning and everything gets done the first time." —Kimberly Lewis
Get it from Practical Perfection 8 on Etsy for $3.32.
12. A rapid ramen cooker because kids are ALWAYS hungry! Older kids will be able to make a bowl of ramen on their own whenever hunger strikes.
BTW, it's BPA-free and dishwasher-safe!
Promising review: "Don't want your kids using the stove...and yet...when they want Top Ramen you want them to do it themselves? Get this! Four minutes or so in the microwave and it's perfect. Thank me later." —Rik
Promising review: "If you have kids who like to make their own food, these are a must! My kids were making ramen noodles in glass bowls in the microwave and I just knew that someone would end up burning themselves. These little bowls keep their hands safe and lower my anxiety level. This way I can give my kids a little more independence and keep them safe at the same time. I have an autistic son who uses this (almost 13,) and his 10-year-old sister. So glad that I made this purchase! :-)" —Heather J.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 12 colors and multi-packs of two and four).
13. A viral TikTok toothbrush holder and dispenser so your little one can brush their teeth without getting toothpaste everywhere. This dispenses just the right amount so they can be more independent without making more of a mess.
This bad boy includes a toothpaste dispenser (that'll squeeze out every last ounce!), four cups and holders, and a place to store your toothbrushes.
Promising review: "So glad we found this! With a 4- and 5-year-old I was constantly cleaning toothpaste off everything in the bathroom! This is great, they basically need zero help from me now. And it keeps my counter less cluttered with everything in one handy place. Highly recommend especially if you have kids!" —Maggie Byers
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three colors).
14. And a pack of motion-activated toilet night-lights to make quick bathroom runs at night way less scary. You won't have to leave a nightlight on because these will come on when needed.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this product. Especially because with a husband and a son, they tend to sprinkle on the toilet seat in the middle of the night. With the color set to any bright color (like white, yellow, green, or blue) it illuminates every single sprinkle on the seat! You will no longer have a bottom wet with pee in the middle of the night! When I purchased this I bought a case of AAA batteries thinking I would have to change them often (with six people in the house they get used often). However, I have not had to change the batteries once in a few months! Also the sensor is super sensitive so it turns on as you come through the door, or even a little before. Just a great product all around. Definitely recommend for households with children, you won't have to leave your bathroom light in all night anymore either! #MomWin." —Angela
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $13.90.
15. A Whiskware pancake batter mixer if you have a chef-in-training who loves to help out in the kitchen. As a parent, I know that extra ~help~ can lead to an extra big mess. But this bottle will allow your little one to mix and pour batter without a mixing bowl or spoons, and without getting batter all over the counter and their clothes.
You can even store leftover batter in the bottle and store it in the fridge.
Promising review: "Kid friendly. Love this. My kids make waffles on the weekend. Really easy for them to use! And no messy spills or ladles with batter drips everywhere. Love! Highly recommend!" —Sonia Flavia
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two colors and two pancake art kits).
16. A splurge-worthy wooden learning tower to help your tiny chef reach the counter — no lifting required. This genius tower can be used as a stool and can transform into a table and chair set.
Wood and Hearts is a small biz based in Ukraine, owned by a dad, who specializes in building Montessori furniture using kid-safe, sustainable, water-based paints, and eco-friendly varnish.
Promising review: "This is the most perfect thing for my toddler ever. She’s loving being able to be at the sink and countertops to 'help' us cook. She sat at it for hours the morning we gave it to her doing puzzles and just excited to have her own table. I have sent the link for this to all my friends with toddlers! So awesome. I ordered it on a Monday and I swear by the end of that week it was on my porch and the communication from the seller couldn’t have been any more wonderful. It was assembled in less than a hour and I am impressed with the quality. We love this!" —Sierra Widener
Get it from Wood and Hearts on Etsy for $91.80 (originally $153).
17. A Dyson Ball toy vacuum that will turn your child's need to *pretend* to clean into some useful help. Unlike other toy vacuums, this one has pretty good suction to clean up little messes.
Promising review: "Our son is absolutely obsessed with our Dyson (the real one). Which is why we purchased this toy Dyson vacuum for his birthday. He's 2-years-old and he is really enjoying having his own 'working' vacuum cleaner!!! He seriously plays with it for hours during the day. Turning it on and off and pushing it through the house just like we use our real vacuum. I would buy this again! It was his favorite gift!." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $37.04+ (available in three colors).
18. A child-safe wooden knife because you will no longer have to cringe when your sous chef asks if they can help you prep dinner. They'll be able to help chop fruits and veggies while keeping their hands and little fingers safe.
Art With Love 22 is a small business that sells handmade wooden items and Montessori toys.
FYI: There are options to add images, initials, and text to these knives at an additional cost.
Promising review: "This little chopper is perfect for my 5-year-old who loves helping in the kitchen. Great quality and absolutely adorable. Highly recommend!!" —Emily Laman
Get it from Art With Love 22 on Etsy for $10.80+ (available in three styles).
19. Or set of plastic knives if your kid loves being your sous chef but you're terrified of them cutting into more than just the carrots. These knives are not sharp enough to cut fingers, but are perfect for your little one to help you chop some veggies.
FYI: Parental supervision is still required.
Promising review: "AWESOME for kids! My 8-year-old and 4-year-old have been using these knives almost daily since we got them. They are cutting through all sorts of vegetables (even tomatoes, although if you are going for a fancy cut or what them to look nice, I would use a sharp blade; it worked fine for dicing) and meats, and are easy to clean. I would recommend these to any parent who is getting their kids into helping cook. We ran the knifes across our skin as we talked about knife safety and while it did scratch a bit; it did not cut us. I am so happy I came across this product." —Karen Fett
Get a set of three from Amazon for $9.95 (available in two color combination sets).
20. A toddler busy board that can develop fine motor skills. This board will help your little one learn how to tie laces, button up shirts, and zip up their jackets so they'll be able to dress themselves.
This board has various zippers, snaps, buttons, and strings.
Promising reviews: '"My 1-year-old loves it and it will grow with her with so many different things to master. Super handy for in the car or at other people’s houses. Lots to do with no mess." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three colors).
21. A sturdy bookshelf because it's the perfect height for your tiny human to reach their fave books. And, (speaking from experience here) they'll be able to find the book they want without having to pull them all out — since the covers are visible. Plus, they can put books away much easier than with a traditional bookshelf, since books slide right in. What I'm saying is, parents, it'll avoid a big messy pile of books from accumulating on the floor and encourage your little one to be more independent.
22. A pack of shoe stickers so your child will be able to put their shoes on the right feet, all on their own. These stickers make it easier for your kiddo to tell when they're shoes are in the right order.
Each pack contains enough stickers for eight pairs of shoes.
E Roberts Creative Co is a small biz that sells stickers, stationary, and labels.
Promising review: "Fantastic stickers! My daughter saw them and instantly smiled and said, 'OH MY! Thank you mom! I just match them up and my shoes are right!' These are great. Much better than my Sharpie heart on the side of the sole solution. :)" —Danielle Favreau
Get a pack of 16 from E Roberts Creative Co on Etsy for $8.50+ (available in two variations).
23. A pack of transparent corner guards to protect your little one from sharp corners on furniture without having to toss your fave pieces. They can walk around and play without you having to worry about them bumping into sharp edges.
Promising review: "Must-have. I love these. We just moved in with family, and they had a coffee table with super-sharp corners and I have a little one who pulls up on everything and is trying to walk. To say I was on edge is an understatement. My sister-in-law didn’t want an obnoxious baby proof item around her house, but these were so discreet she didn’t even notice that I had installed them. They are so soft that my little one started gumming on them to soothe his gums, LOL. They were super easy to install, stuck on very well and with not much effort, and came with plenty so if I need them I’ll have them handy. Super satisfied! If you’re thinking about getting, them please do!" —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of 18 from Amazon for $7.98+ (also available in packs of 12 and 24).
24. A pack of silicone pouch lids so you don't have to deal with your child squeezing applesauce all over themselves and the house. This lid has a flow-control valve that won't interrupt eating but will prevent spills.
ChooMee is a mom-owned small business based in Northern California, that creates products that solve everyday feeding challenges.
Promising reviews: "I am OBSESSED. I saw these on a TikTok and ran to Amazon...so glad I did! My toddler loves yogurt/applesauce pouches but started purposely dumping and squeezing the contents out. But these make it absolutely impossible for her to do that without making it difficult to eat! I tested them, and it’s SO easy to drink out of, but I was unable to squeeze anything out. 10/10 recommend. I’m definitely buying more." —Amanda
"These are amazing! I bought two sets of them so I can keep some in our diaper bag (or in case we lose one). We use these every single day for our 12-month-old with her yogurt (Gogo squeeze) and her fruit and veggie pouches! Seriously, love them. We previously had yogurt/fruit all over because she would squeeze them. My husband accidentally stepped on the pouch with this on, and it still didn't squeeze out! Once your baby figures it out (ours did quickly), it's a game changer. I tried the pouch holders with the handles, but she just swung it around, and it still spilled out. This is what you want!" —Shem Slater
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five color combos).
25. And a two-pack of spill-proof Munchkin snack catchers so your child can eat on their own without leaving a trail of Cherrios behind. These cups allow easy access to their fave snack but will prevent them from spilling it everywhere — yup, even if they hold it upside-down!
Promising review: "My son is 20 months old and these are awesome! It gives him some independence and helps use fine motor skills and thinking to get his snacks which is great. But when he inevitably throws his snack it doesn’t go everywhere! I highly recommend!" —Stephanie
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 $6+ (available in two color combos and a four-pack).
Your child letting you know they're ready for some big kid responsibilities:
