From One Parent To Another, These 21 Things Will Make Your Morning Routine A Bit Easier

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21-02-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Sadly we can't give you three extra hours. But we can present to you an apple slicer.
1. A mini waffle maker that is not only sweet but — more importantly — will get breakfast on the table very, very quickly. Make a few extra and put them in your kiddo's snack bag for later!
amazon.com
Promising review: "The mini size of this waffle maker is what makes it easy to use, store, clean, and create many recipes effortlessly. It's a no-mess waffle maker because all you need is to pour the batter. Once the maker is ready, you wait until it's done. A crispy/crunchy/munchy treat that's ready to devour. No fuss of too many settings, buttons, or learning whatsoever! This is as easy as it can be. Such a good quality, durable, versatile product at a reasonable price. Worth every penny!" — An average human.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 19 colors and styles).
2. A wooden Melissa & Doug magnetic daily calendar you might even be able to use to convince your kids that they do, indeed, need a jacket, and no, it's not shorts weather. Time saver!
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3. An over-the-door weekly clothes organizer so you can avoid the "I have nothing to wear" meltdown 15 minutes before the bus comes. Come to think of it, ordering one for yourself might not be the worst idea...
m.media-amazon.com, amazon.com
Promising review:"My son started kindergarten, and this is a big help for my husband and me. It's so nice having one less thing to stress about in the morning. It also helps my son to recognize the days of the week and how many days we have left. The sleeves are a good size for smaller clothing, pockets seem pretty durable. I had some issues with the door it was hanging on closing, but I then moved it. Easy to use and a good value." — Deanna
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two colors).
4. An alarm clock that lets your little know when it's okay to get out of bed *and* has an alarm if they need waking up. With such a cute little clock face, you know at least someone will be smiling in the morning!
Promising review: 'Outstanding investment! We absolutely LOVE our Mella! I bought this for my 7-year-old son to teach him how to be responsible in the mornings and manage his time to get ready for school, and I could not be more pleased with this precious clock! He loves it; it has a pleasing sound, the light is not too bright, and it makes a perfect night-light. We also adore the sweet little face on it!' — Shawn or James Northcutt
Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in four colors).
5. A cereal dispenser so your older kiddos can start serving themselves breakfast in the morning. That's one thing off your plate. (Or should we say, out of your bowl?) It's practical, fun, and promotes independence.
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Promising review:"I've been thinking about creating a snack/breakfast corner for the kids and this seemed like the perfect addition...it definitely was. The quality of the product is really good and sturdy. It is extremely easy to assemble. Super easy for the kids to use. It has a lid on the bottom to ensure the cereal stays fresh and, just in case you're wondering, it fits an 8.9-ounce box of cereal, and there's still space for more." — Genius Idea
Get a set of two from Amazon for $22.99.
6. A grape cutter that will save you time and give you peace of mind as you're frantically putting together lunches and snacks. No judging if you find yourself cutting grapes (and berries, olives, and cherry tomatoes) for yourself later... it's a fun little tool to use.
amazon.com
Promising review: 'My son's grapes have to be cut for school and it was such a pain using a knife to cut them. This cutter is such a time saver when getting his lunch ready. I also use it to cut grape tomatoes for my salads! It comes apart so you can clean it — still a little difficult at times to get it clean, but I don't mind if it saves me time cutting all those grapes!' — Little nurse Lo
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two colors).
7. A kid-friendly Sonicare electric toothbrush with a timer (and a very motivating app!) so that when you ask if they've brushed their teeth, you can know for sure that those pearly whites got a proper scrubbing.
Promising review:"Not only do my 7-year-old's teeth look so much cleaner than they did when he was brushing them without an electric toothbrush, but he really looks forward to brushing and is motivated to brush twice a day!!! As a mom, this is very exciting. No more excuses from him since he uses the toothbrush app, gets to brush along with his fuzzy cute friend and earn virtual prizes. Wow! I do need to give him an extra minute before school and bed to brush along with his app, but it is more than worth it!!! Thank you!" — kristen
Get it from Amazon for $29.96+ (available in four designs).
8. An Apple AirTag that you can slip into a backpack and ping when you can't find it. (Is it in the car? Their room? Gah!) You can also put it in a beloved but often misplaced stuffie — really anything that is absolutely essential to moving your day along.
9. A bottle of this fantastic conditioning detangler from the Honest Company, so doing hair isn't the thing that puts a tangle in your morning routine. I love the way it smells, and it makes brushing my daughter's long hair nice and easy!
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Promising review:"This stuff is great. I wish it came in a much bigger bottle because it works so well on my daughter's super-fine hair. It has a nice, light scent, doesn't leave residue on her hair, and makes getting her hair ready for school much less of a battle." — Jessica M.C.
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in three scents).
10. A colorful timer that will give everyone a visual reminder of how much (or how little!) time they have to get those teeth brushed and shoes on. Start using this and hopefully, everything will be sunshine and rainbows!
amazon.com
Promising review:"My toddler was struggling with transitions from one activity to another, so we got this little timer. She loves it because it's cute, and now we transition easily. When she hears the beep, she says, 'That's the timer,' and moves on from what she's doing. I'm honestly amazed at how well it works. It's small but mighty and easy to carry around the house with us!" — Kimberly S
Get it from Amazon for $18.99.
11. A snack bag with a built-in ice pack so you can ensure their food stays nice and cool without adding extra bulk to the backpack. We have these and use them all the time, even on the weekend for day trips!
Promising review: " 10/10 recommend! I put yogurt, fruit, apple sauce, and whatever else I want. I did a five-hour test at home before I sent it with the kids to school, and it passed my five-hour test. At the five-hour mark, everything was still refrigerator-cold! Give it a try, you won't regret it." — Kim Stewart
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in eight patterns).
12. An apple slicer (it creates 16 perfect slices!) that will become the MVP of lunch and snack-making — especially on hectic mornings.
amazon.com
Promising review: 'Game-changer for apple-loving kids! Where has this apple slicer been all my life? I wish I had gotten it much sooner! With kids who adore apples, this little gadget has been an absolute game-changer in our household. It makes slicing apples a breeze — quick, easy, and hassle free.
Now, I can whip up a batch of perfectly sliced apples in no time, satisfying their snack cravings without any fuss. It's so convenient and efficient; I can't believe I used to slice them by hand. Plus, it's a safer option for the little ones to use themselves with supervision.
If you have apple-loving kids (or even if you just love apples yourself), I highly recommend investing in this apple slicer. It's a small purchase that makes a big difference in the kitchen!' — Sunshine
Get it from Amazon for $22.98+ (available with and without a corer).
13. A super durable and leak-proof kids' Bentgo box that will actually help you organize your brain and figure out what you need to put in there. Pssst: If you want to include a sweet treat, M&Ms look pretty cute in the circle compartment.
Promising review: " I purchased two of these, one for each of my elementary children, and they work wonderfully. I can easily pack a sandwich, veggies with dip, fruit, and a snack in the box. If they would like chips or crackers, I simply place those in the lunch box, along with an ice pack, to keep things cool. The Bentgo Box, a slim ice pack, and a small bag of chips or crackers easily fit in a children's lunchbox. The gaskets work well, and dressings/liquids do not leak to other compartments. So far so good!" — Erin
Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in eight colors).
14. A sandwich cutter set that will make you feel like one of those Pinterest-y grown-ups who spends hours making super cute lunches... even though, in reality, you threw together a lunch in under five minutes.
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Promising review: 'Cuts very well! My 14-year-old, who has been eating school lunch for a few years now, is requesting 'Uncrustables.' This has made it easier for me to pack my two boys lunches and make it fun for them. ' — Ashley Rojas
Get it from Amazon for $5.97+ (available in eight styles).
15. A three-pack of Tide to Go pens so you can spot-clean the breakfast stains off your kids' clothes instead of having them run back upstairs to get changed. Put one in the kitchen, one in the car, and one in your bag and you'll always be covered!
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Promising review:"These are the BEST‼️ Our kids put them in their backpacks for school and often say thank you because the tide pen came in clutch for them or a friend. We put them in the back-to-school teacher basket gifts and stockings and have a Tide pen thrown in pretty much every vehicle and bag we own because they last!! We pulled one out of a camping bag that was at least 3-years-old and still worked great‼️ We have used these on nearly every clothing stain without ever having the fabric color lift them or after washing🤯😍 These are a lifesaver to share anytime but are so great for professional settings or at business conventions, weddings, and formal events." — D
Get it from Amazon for $7.88.
16. An Owala water bottle that is super sturdy and keeps the water nice and cold all day. Is it just me, or did you never drink water as a child, either? Very impressed by these kids and their commitment to good hydration.
Promising review:"I think the Owala water bottle is super cool! It's my favorite because it keeps my kid's water cold for a long time, even when it's hot outside. The bottle is easy to carry because it has a handle, so my kids can take it to school and summer school. The best part is the cap – you just press a button, and it opens by itself, which is awesome! There's also a little straw inside, so my kids don't have to tip it over to drink. It's really fun and helps my kids stay hydrated." — BJ
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in four sizes and 18 colors).
17. A personalized acrylic wall calendar for your family, so you can easily keep track of what's going on that day and maybe even remember to bring the sports bag to school in the morning.
Promising review:"My house has a modern feel to it, and I did not want a tacky wall calendar, so when I saw this, I needed it immediately. As a family with four kids, we have a busy schedule, so having something like this to keep track of everything is a game changer. I received the item quickly, and it is amazing quality." — Jordyn Sampson
Get it from Amazon for $39.90+ (customization options include six sizes, three marker options, three background colors, three hardware finishes, various fonts, and more).
18. A rapid egg cooker that will be your favorite sous chef in the mornings. Choose how you want the eggs cooked, set the time, and wait for it to go off. Maybe you'll even have a few minutes to make yourself something for breakfast, too!
Promising review:"I dislike how much I like this thing. I looked at it a dozen times, telling myself that I don't need a gimmicky kitchen gadget to take up space in my cupboards. But lord, hear me, IT SPARKS JOY! Is it the oddly adorable bubble-shaped lid? The retro cringe unconscionably loud alarm? The teal? I don't know, nor do I care. My affections have blossomed.
For some reason, it makes the already low-barrier task of making eggs even easier. My kids are eating up these medium-boiled eggs in their packed school breakfast. I am making WFH brunch omelets. I can finally poach without swearing." — Niki
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in nine colors).
19. An insulated Yeti tumbler for you, which keeps coffee hot or cold through the morning rush. Now, you can stay properly caffeinated and focused in those moments when you're not sure if you're going to get the kids to school on time (but you always do). You've got this!
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Promising review:"Literally nothing to say but good things. In the great cup debate that goes on, nothing compares to Yeti. Ice lasts, and drinks stay cold for a long time. Use in the morning for school drop-off coffee and in the afternoons for water, love it." — sterwerf
Get it from Amazon for $35 (available in 36 colors).
20. A set of elastic laces because you tried the tied-shoe thing, and it just takes too long! In the mornings, every minute counts. Convert tie-shoes into slip-ons, and you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
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Promising review: 'Worked great on my son's high-top Converse! I didn't expect these to work so well on high-top shoes, but they do! We aren't waiting 15 minutes for my son to get his shoes on to go to school, so these are totally worth it! My son doesn't use the top holes, so 45 inches worked, but I would have gone longer if I had known.' — ThriftyCouponMom
Get it from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in nine lengths and 15 colors).
21. A customizable daily to-do list that you can reuse every morning to reinforce the routine and make sure everything gets done. This is perfect for the kids who thrive on routine and love checking things off, as well as the ones who might need just a little extra reminding. Everyone wins here!
amazon.com
Promising review:"Our 5-year-old uses this daily to get ready for school! Easy to understand and use, durable, and there are extra tabs to fill out if there is something on there you need :)" — Dallis Olsen
Get it from Amazon for $ 6.98+ (available individually or in two-packs and in seven styles).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.