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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 reviews: "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
"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 colors).
2. A Silly Poopy's Hide & Seek game if your kiddo is down for a round of their fave game but you're way too tired to play (even though they usually hide in the same spot). You can hide this toy and plop yourself on the couch while your child listens for sounds and clues to find the hiding place.
Promising review: "My 6- and 3-year-olds are OBSESSED. They play for an hour, at least! Played with daily since we got it. When it’s my turn to hide, I make it tricky enough that I can actually be productive until it’s my turn again." —Cara Lentz
Get it from Amazon for $20.38.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. A pack of motion-activated toilet night-lights to make quick bathroom runs at night way less scary. Your kiddo will love the colorful lights and you'll be thrilled when they feel brave enough to dash to the toilet before an accident. And 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.
6. A two-pack of spillproof Munchkin snack catchers because your child will be able eat without leaving a trail of Cheerios 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).
7. 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.
8. A rapid ramen cooker because kids are ALWAYS hungry! Older kids will be able to make a bowl of ramen on their own (while you kick back) 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).
9. An I-Spy bag so you can avoid about a dozen "Are we there yet?" questions during your next roadtrip. This sealed bag will keep them entertained because it's filled with rice and hidden treasures for your kid to find. This would even be great at the doctor's office when you arrive on time for your 9 a.m. appointment and yet you're still in the waiting room at 10 a.m. with a bored child.
Stitched 4 U By Trippy 2 is a small biz that sells hand stitched items like cards, bags, and coasters.
This bag includes a laminated list of 24 items for you kiddo to search for.
Promising review: "My daughter loves playing with her I Spy bag! She gets so excited finding the items in the bag anf comparing it to the card. Keeps her busy on car rides so that is a plus!" —
Get it from Stitched 4 U By Trippy 2 on Etsy for $16.95 (available in various patterns and styles).
10. Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers, created by a preschool teacher, that'll make reading a breeze (and less frustrating) for your little one who is just learning how to identify words. They contain simple three-word stories so your kiddo can build their confidence and gradually read more difficult words.
The set comes with 12 books.
Promising review: "Great for parents teaching to read! My beginner reader is obsessed with reading these nightly!" —Jason Bermudez
Promising review: "My 4-year-old daughter has known letters and sounds since just past her second birthday and could 'read' a few sight words, but she had a hard time mastering the process of sounding out a word. For the last two years, she would read the word 'stop' as 'sss- tuh- ah- puh,' but didn't understand how to really blend the phonemes. But somehow, as soon as we got them for her, Bob Books finally unlocked the part of her brain that could really solve the puzzle of phonics! I'm thrilled by the amount of progress we've seen in just TWO DAYS — going from 'getting' phonics, but not really reading, to completely consolidating and understanding the two concepts. She's also very suddenly taken up a lot of initiative in independent writing and spelling. I couldn't recommend these books more highly. They are a miracle!!" —Juniper
Get a set from Amazon for $14.89.
11. A pack of silicone dino ice pop molds because you can make homemade popsicles, which means you'll be able to sneak in some fruit without your kiddo making a fuss about it. They'll be excited to try these *dino-mite* treats.
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 $12.79+ (available in four versions).
12. A pair of Safari binoculars, designed specifically for kids, so your little explorer can get a close look at nature. With a pair of these, you'll also be able to keep them entertained (without getting up) with an epic game of I-Spy.
13. A 3-in-1 sprinkler, splash pad, and wading pool because it's the perfect (and easiest) activity for warmer weather. Your kid will be able to soak up some sun and their ABCs while you lounge on a chair nearby, patting yourself on the back for being the coolest parent ever. The best part? All you have to do is attach it to a hose — no need to inflate it and there's no assembly required!
Promising review: "Two kids (3 and 4) have their choice of a water table, kiddie pool, and this ring and they both love this ring the most! The water shoots out like a fountain which they like, the ring traps the water to make it deep enough to sink toys but shallow enough to sit in, and the thing is refilling itself constantly so they have endless supply of water to dump out with their buckets which is some how endless entertainment for them. Also as stated in title — there's nothing you have to blow up. Attach it to a hose, turn on the hose, done." —Patricia S
Get it from Amazon for $24.96.
14. A whale-shaped bath spout cover to prevent your little one from bumping their head when they're splashing around in the tub. They'll love how cute this whale is, and you'll feel better knowing their noggin is safe.
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 $13.99 (available in two colors).
15. A scavenger hunt because, let's face it, kids are always bored! This game will keep them busy. And there's no need for you to hide a thing — they'll have to look for everyday items like a button, a book, or a stuffed animal.
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.
16. A 2-in-1 silicone feeder pacifier if your little one is teething and you both could use a miracle to get through it. With this feeder, you'll not only be able to introduce new foods without the risk of choking, but if you add frozen foods, it can provide some relief for sore gums.
BTW Reviewer's say these silicone feeders are easier to clean than the mesh ones because all the pieces come apart so there's no food residue left behind.
The set contains two feeders, two large silicone teats, two medium silicone teats, and two small silicone teats.
Promising review: "This is amazing!! I am such a germ freak, so the mesh ones were not going to fly with me. The fact that this entire thing comes apart to sterilize is wonderful. Then add the different head sizes for it is great for those just starting foods. My little one has two teeth and absolutely loves this thing. We use frozen cut-up fruit and veggies and he goes nuts. Keeps him occupied for hours!! Definitely recommend. 😀" —Danielle Fox
Get a set from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in two color combos).
17. A pair of Native slip-on shoes so your kiddo can look stylish and be independent. These cute shoes are easy to slip on and off and there are no laces to worry about! So, when your little one wants to put their shoes on all on their own, you won't be late because they're struggling to do it. You'll also love that they're easy to clean, odor-resistant, and don't fall off easily.
Promising review: "I love Natives and pretty much every mom I know says the same thing. We get compliments on how cute they are almost every time my daughter wears them. I would say they run about a half size big or so. They also wash wonderfully! They were covered in mud the other day and I soaked them in hot soapy water and they looked perfect an hour later!" —leslies
Promising review: "I’ll buy these in every size for my kid. These shoes are the best solution for when weather calls for sandals, and the kiddo needs the support of a tennis shoe. My son can run and climb all over in these, just as he would in in tennis shoes, with the breathability and ease of cleaning that you would expect from sandals. He can get them covered in mud, and we can just wash them off with a hose or in the sink, no need to throw in the washing machine. These are an absolute necessity for summers with an energetic kiddo who loves to play in the dirt." —Shauna
Get them from Amazon for $21+ (available in 39 colors and in sizes 4 Toddler–6 Big Kid).
18. A wooden geoboard for when your kid says those dreaded words, "I'm bored" — but already had too much screen time. This includes 35 pattern cards to challenge your child to create shapes using rubber bands. And as they become more skilled, they'll be able to move on to the design cards to create more complex figures.
Promising reviews: "This item was exactly what I needed for some of the younger children because handling the rubber bands helps develop their fine motor muscles. It also encourages imagination and creativity and counting. They make designs and love it. For older ages there are cards with designs for them to try and duplicate. Young children can also make shapes and letters thus developing math and literacy skills. This is a sturdy, well-made geoboard." —Kathleen Loden Barbuti
"Bought the geoboard for my 4-year-old grandson who enjoyed making his own pictures and designs. As a retired math teacher, I can tell you that geoboards are great hands on learning tools for children of any age. My seventh-grade students loved when our lessons involved 'playing' with geoboards!" —anne porter
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
19. A door pong game if you're in need of an easy family activity ASAP. All you'll have to do is attach this to a door to play. You won't have to worry about setting up a table, searching for balls, or balls knocking things down. This is the perfect rainy day activity so your kiddo can have fun in any weather, without making a mess or damaging anything.
Promising review: "Our son received door pong as a birthday gift. He plays it nonstop whether with others or by himself. It is easily the favorite toys he’s had in a very long time. It is well-made and great fun for all of the family! We like it so much that we have purchased two more for friends birthday parties." —Valerie Suelzer
Get it from Amazon for $29.95.
20. A doodling mat that doesn't require *real* markers. Your kiddo will be able to tap into their artistic side without leaving stains behind for you to clean up because this mat just requires a marker filled with water! Parents are raving that it's the "most amazing mess-free coloring activity."
This mat just requires water. Simply fill markers provided with water and your child can doodle away — the water activates the colors on the mat.
Promising review: "I bought this for my 2-year-old daughter for Christmas and she absolutely loves it. It's mess-free which is amazing! No more coloring on the walls and furniture and it keeps her occupied for at least an hour. The water markers are easy to use all you have to do is fill it up with water and it's ready to be used. The pad is easy to clean if it gets dirty, all you need is a baby wipe and anything wipes right off. I bought this for my 1-year-old niece as well and she loves it. It's perfect for all ages. Highly recommend!" —Anolivia D.
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in five sizes and themes).
21. Or an LCD writing tablet if you need a more compact drawing surface. This tablet doesn't require markers or crayons, because as you draw with the included pen, a rainbow of colors will be revealed.
It's easy to erase images and start all over again, but there's also a lock feature to save images if you don't want to erase them yet.
Promising review: "I bought these for my preschool classroom. The kids love them so much I am buying them for the other classrooms too. They like the colors and how pushing a button makes their artwork disappear. It has a lock feature so they do not accidentally erase their work until they want to. Teachers like the mess-free activity." —Joyce S.
Get it on Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four colors and two- and four-packs).
22. An activity cube with pieces that can't get lost. This five-sided activity center has spinners, beads, farm animals, and puzzles that stay attached to the board. This means lots of play without the mess and no need for a search party to find missing pieces.
Promising review: "No loose parts to get lost! I picked this one because it seemed like there were no small pieces that could come off and get lost. It’s all one big piece, but with a lot of small, moving parts, but they’re all attached permanently. It’s very sturdy, and I also realized after gifting it, is that the large red barn structure on the top acts like a handle: it’s firmly attached, and large enough for an adult hand, so it’s easy to move the toy from place to place around the house. Very pleased." —Ryan Yanashima
Get it from Amazon for $60.95+ (available in two versions).
23. Or for older kids, a wooden maze because the ball is enclosed so you'll never have to worry about them losing it and this will keep them entertained and off of their iPad for a bit.
Drapela Woodworks is small business based in Houston, Texas that sells handmade wooden toys, decor, gifts and more.
Promising review: "This maze toy was worth every penny. It was very well made, shipped quickly, and was a big hit with the kids and adults! Highly recommend." —Catrina
Get it from Drapela Woodworks on Etsy for $39.95+ (this maze can be personalized with text at an additional cost).
24. A VTech activity desk so learning can be fun, instead of frustrating. Parents are raving that it's "easy to put together" and their kids "play with it for hours" — and best of all, it doesn't require any cleanup.
This desk comes with five activity pages, turns into an easel or chalkboard when you flip it over, has over 100 vocabulary words, and 20 activities. It also has an attached telephone and music player that makes sounds.
Promising review: "My 3-year-old daughter got this as a Christmas gift and I love it! She loves it too, especially the music mode. I'm hoping she'll really get more into the learning mode. It has so much to do on it and she's still learning all the buttons. It was wicked easy to set up; you just attach the legs and add batteries and it's ready to go. I like that it comes with two front and back activity cards and that you can purchase more. So far she's been playing with it for over an hour nonstop (which if you have a 3-year-old you know it's awesome as she normally plays with something for 10–15 minutes and then it's on to the next thing). I also love that it can be flipped over to hold paper for drawing or used as a chalkboard. Highly recommend getting this and I actually wish I would have gotten it when she was two. If you're on the fence about getting it, I say go for it. It's not a purchase you'll regret and for all it does its worth the price." —Miranda
Get it from Amazon for $34.91+ (available in two colors and regular or frustration-free packaging).
25. A Tushbaby hip carrier because it'll be a lifesaver when your little one wants to cling to you. You'll be able to hold and comfort them without sacrificing your back. Not only will this reduce the strain of lifting your kiddo, but it also has pockets so you can carry snacks, your cellphone, and wallet.
Tushbaby is a small biz run by three California mamas and specializes in products that bringing a little more ease to everyday parenting life.
Promising review: "I saw this on Shark Tank as I was sitting with a glass of wine in my hand and had just taken an Advil to relieve the kink in my back from caring my 25 lb. little one around — I bought it immediately! It’s been great! Easy to use once you adjust it a few times for fit and comfort. Certainly much better on the back than the Mommy hip shelf. I use it daily as we go on walks, when she gets tired and wants to be be carried I can just sit her right on and go. Plus it’s got handy storage pockets for the phone and snacks and doggie poops bags of our four-legged family member is with us. Highly recommended for those who have a toddler who wants to walk but not at the endurance level yet to make it the whole way!" —wildcatsarahj
Get it from Amazon for $84.99+ (available in four colors).
You to your kiddo as you pass them a toy broom:
