38 Parenting Products You Should Just Go Ahead And Buy Now Because You're Going To Be Using Them Constantly This Year

Buzz Feed

01-03-2025

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.
A stroller disguised as a tricycle, a sofa designed to make the best pillow forts, a snack spinning treat container, and 35 other products that'll parent your kids right along with you.
1. Miss Mouth, a travel-friendly stain spray (with a whopping 43,000 five-star reviews!) named with the messiest eaters in mind, for those of us who need a stain remover that understands our struggles. This is a baby-safe product that works on grease, coffee, underwear, and food stains with ease.
Promising reviews:"My mother's group recommended this stain removing spray. I was dumb enough to put my 6-month-old in a white bib while he enjoyed some frozen berry teethers. This came to the rescue (pictured above)!" — L
"I never write reviews, but this stuff is absolutely amazing! I keep this is the laundry basket and spray as stains happen and even white clothes come out perfectly clean each time! I mostly use it for baby poop, but it's also worked on food and coffee stains for me and my husband. Seriously – it's a life saver!" — Amazon Customer
Get two from Amazon for $16.99 (available in different pack styles).
2. A too-fun-to-be-so-functional Doona Liki Trike you can start using when your child is as young as 10 months! It grows with your child, transforming into a tricycle for kids up to 3 years old! This can make your "stroller" rides feel more engaging and fun for your kiddo — while still being an easy outing for you!
BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Chandini Reddy says: "I'm not sure who's more OBSESSED with our Liki Trike...my toddler or me? My active toddler, who absolutely hates being strapped into his stroller, loves that it allows him to sit upright and steer the handles (while I push him) making him feel like he's in control and going on an adventure. It has made trips to the park/mall/zoo so much easier because it is lighter than our stroller *and* folds up tiny taking up minimal trunk space. (We also took it on a flight recently and were amazed at how easily it fit in the airplane overhead bin!) My fave feature is how seamlessly it steers. Unlike other trikes, you don't need to awkwardly force it to change directions. In fact, my 5-year-old has no trouble navigating my 2-year-old around the park. The best part? My little one is so happy riding around on this thing that he's had barely any meltdowns when we're out and about. I'd say that's a huge win!"
Get it from Amazon for $250+ (available in different colors and styles).
3. A Kiddie Couch for families with infants, toddlers, and even tweens who love pillow forts with a passion. I can personally say this is THE product to keep your kids entertained indoors. The sturdy cushions transform from a sofa into...whatever you come up with! At my house, we've made mountains, houses, tables, karaoke stages, airplanes, stuffed animal corals, and SO much more.
If my toddler hadn't had her little couch this winter she would have punched a hole in the wall just to create a foothold for something to climb on. I'm sure of it. I really, *really* can't overstate how useful this has been in my life. I got it two years ago while still pregnant. One tired nap on this while putting together the nursery, and I ended up spending the rest of my third trimester sleeping on a kid's play sofa. It was that comfortable.
We've often used the pieces as floor cushions for extra seating and even as a table for toddlers to eat meals. Before our daughter could sit up on her own, propping her up between these pillows worked like a charm for reading time. As plain old furniture — this sofa slaps.
Now that my daughter is old enough to play with it, it's a staple in our apartment — basically out 24/7. I have three other friends in NYC who also have this. In pint-sized apartments, where anything that takes up space has to be REALLY worth it, our families' shared love for this sofa proves just how valuable it really is.
Get it from Kiddie Couch for $269 (available in seven colors).
4. A Little Big Playroom ball pit with 200 colorful, un-crushable balls and a soft-sided "pool." The design is lightweight enough to easily move around but sturdy enough to keep toddlers inside while allowing bigger kids to plop in and act wild to their heart's content. Knowing that a toy like this will always be out, these are designed with intention. They're a safe space for kids to get their energy out indoors while *also* looking great in your home.
Little Big Playroom is a family-owned small business that sells a variety of kids items like ball pits, slides, and furniture — they've had their own daughter test every single product they've made!
P.S. I own this! That's my daughter going absolutely *wild* on her 37th ball pit game of the day. As I've mentioned above, I live in an apartment. I thought getting this would be a huge mistake, and I did it anyway. I have never been happier to be wrong! My daughter LOVES this. Whenever she's in it, I can easily sit on the sofa and take a breather — she's fully entertained on her own. And yeah, she throws the balls out of the pit. And that potentially problematic habit? It keeps her entertained for ages. She'll even run around the apartment putting them back. Best time suck I ever did see.
Promising review:"We got this ball pit bundle for my son's first birthday, and he absolutely loves it. It's nice and soft but keeps its shape nicely. I do wish it came with more balls, but other than that it's great!" — Katelin E.
Get it on sale from Little Big Playroom for $198 (originally $248; available in 17 styles).
5. A pair of WeeFarers polarized sunglasses so the other kids on the playground know your child is one of the COOL kids (and, you know, these keep their eyeballs safe from the sun). But *mostly* the cool kid part.
The picture on the right is from a day my husband and I decided to dress our daughter up as...him (the resemblance is conveniently uncanny). One of the things I love most about these glasses is the ability to safely remove and securely insert the lenses. Wearing the frames without the lenses helped my daughter get used to having something on her face, and, in turn, she more readily accepted the eye protection when we started wearing them as sunglasses outside. These are secure (a head strap is included so they won't get taken off/lost) and darn good-lookin'!
Promising review:"I can't say enough nice things. These are the best kid's sunglasses. This is now the second pair of these I have bought. The quality, durability, and fit of these is unbeatable." — PM
Get them from Amazon for $34.99 (available in four sizes and 13 styles).
6. A high-quality muslin swaddle that'll be a go-to item every day of your baby's swaddling stage, and (if your family is anything like mine) you'll find *many* more uses after that! I've used swaddles as stroller shades, picnic blankets, tiny tents, improvised teddy bear clothing... you name it. The light fabric and large size make for — if you ask me — a delightfully versatile parenting product.
Promising review:"This is such a great brand at a great price point! You definitely get premium quality at an affordable price! This is a beautiful swaddle! The quality is amazing and the best thing about these blankets is that they only get softer the more you wash them! They are breathable and lightweight. They are perfect as nursing covers, or to wrap baby up to stay cozy!" — Elle Bailey
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in 38 styles).
7. An Ergobaby carrier designed with enhanced lumbar support and a *superb* airflow-friendly design. This parenting MUST is sure to keep you and your kiddo comfortable when you're out and about — until they're 45 lbs!
My husband and I live in Brooklyn and carry our baby everywhere, meaning we tried about half a dozen carriers over the last year. We were given several and didn't want to spend money on another carrier...but we kept fighting over who got to use the Ergo, ergot, we bought another. The sizing is really customizable. The baby sleeps in it easily, even on the subway. We credit it for her great social skills, because she's been able to see folks face-on since she was old enough to sit forward. She's in this no matter the weather — we wore this under our coats in the winter and have found it beautifully breathable this summer. We couldn't live the lives we do without our Ergobaby carriers.
Promising review:"This is breathable and sturdy. Baby finds it very comfortable and sleeps well for hours. I like the fact that it has a nice cushion to support baby's neck. It has different straps that can be adjusted to fit the shape and size of the user." — Arnab
Get it from Amazon for $148.99+ (available in eight colors).
8. And a hip seat sling that'll keep you from straining your back and exhausting your arms when your kid cries as if the floor is lava when you try getting them to walk on their own. Reviewers consider this a must-have product when taking a toddler to Disneyland (which I know from personal research, because I impulse-bought this while planning my kid's trip to Disney).
Promising review:"I was looking for a carrier for my daughter to stand in those long Disney lines. I tried two other strap carriers and THIS was the best one! It's soft, easy, and comfy! The shoulder has good cushion and I love that it has the mesh middle to give coverage so the weight is better distributed! It folds up nicely and has a cute storage bag (I don't think it will be put away often, but nice to have!). Plus, my little one LOVES it! I'm excited to use it and save my arms everywhere we go! You'll still want to use an arm to make sure your little doesn't do a back-up as kids are prone to do...but the seat has grippies to help their bum stay put — genius! I'm really excited to have finally found a great carrier!!!" — Kiah
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in five colors).
9. An Oxo diaper wipes dispenser sure to be a beloved addition to your changing station. The one-press opening and weighted interior means you can grab wipes with one hand, which is unnervingly necessary when your baby's favorite time to wiggle around is on top of the dresser while being changed.
This does everything it claims and makes changing so much easier than it could be. It fits large packages of wipes and really does work with one hand. Out of all the changing tools I use, this is the one I recommend the most.
Promising review:"This is easily one of my favorite baby products! Trust me, take the wipes out of the original package and put them in here. THEY WILL NOT DRY OUT! I've even left it open accidentally for a few hours, and the wipes did not dry out. The weight on top makes it so easy to pull out one wipe at a time. The best part is that you can do everything one-handed! Super necessary when you have a blowout or just a wiggly baby." — Lisa Morrison
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in two colors).
10. An interactive routine board from Charmspring — this unreasonably cute calendar is a great visual for your living room, keeping your kids' schedule within eyesight so they don't get overwhelmed by surprise events and expectations.
Charmspring
I have one of these springboards! This kid-friendly daily calendar is a gift for A-type parents and unorganized souls alike. The illustrated tiles are kid-friendly, so they can put their activities on the board all by themselves. Discuss the day with your kiddo as they put it together — this added control helps them feel in charge of their schedule, making changes throughout the day feel less daunting.
Get it from Charmspring for $295 (available in starter packs, two sizes, and different styles).
11. A fancy touchless forehead thermometer to take anyone's temperature in seconds — and without bothering them if they're getting some needed rest or sleep.
Promising review:" This is a great thermometer — accurate, looks great, a must have! If you have kids, forget about sticking a thermometer in their ears. I have four kids now and a thermometer is a must-have. Hold this thing close to the forehead, push the button in and you get a reading in about one second. This thing looks good, feels good, and is accurate. We've used different thermometers in the past. The head scanner that you run across the forehead...no good. In-ear thermometers...accurate, but expect a battle. Rectal thermometers...very accurate, but expect a war. This is the easiest one out of all of them. We find it especially useful when we need the quick 'I don't feel that great' check...i.e., man cold. Overall, highly recommend!."— BearDownChi1
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two colors).
12. A leave-in conditioning spray for curly hair with no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates so you can de-tangle your kid's tough knots with something scalp-safe and nourishing.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Reviewers say this spray will leave wavy or curly hair (from 2a–4c hair) shiny, soft, and bouncy.
Promising review:" My 2-year-old daughter has curly frizzy hair. And I have tried sooo many leave in conditioners to define 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 $8.49.
13. The Nanit Superior Sleep Set for new parents who are about to switch their Netflix nights to baby-monitor staring sessions, just to make sure the kid doesn't get abducted by aliens in the night. This connects to an app so you can keep an eye on your little tyke wherever you are. It also has two-way communication, a night-light, plays music, and includes a motion and breathing monitor, so you'll know when they're awake or simply wiggling around as they dream away.
This full set includes the camera and wall mount, a travel stand, a sound and light monitor, a belly band tracker, and a night light.
Promising review: " This is the best baby monitor there is! The best monitor for parents — there are countless features that make me feel more confident in letting my baby sleep in their room! First, knowing I can always check on my baby no matter where I am has been a game changer. I love that with my insights membership I can always see how long my baby has been asleep and use that information to understand if they need their schedule adjusted, and I can do all of this when I'm not even at home! I also love the two-way talk feature so I can talk to my now toddler when she wakes up in the morning! Nanit is probably the first product I recommend to all my expecting friends! You'll love it." — MKD
Get it from Amazon for $303.99.
14. A toilet target light with a motion sensor and clear projection — this is sure to make potty training a bright spot in your child's life.
Amazon
To apply, simply clean the area with an alcohol wipe before attaching the light. Take the sticker off the back and press firmly against the lid for 90 seconds. That's it! Batteries are included.
Promising review:"I got this thinking 'Dear lord I hope this works. If I drop my pants in pee again or have to scrub another wall I am going to go insane!' I thought the price was a bit much but it is okay now that I now it works! I don't know why people are saying theirs don't stay on. I'm truly hoping they cleaned the area first... but anyways. All I did was clean the surface of the lid with some rubbing alcohol and stuck this light on, like it said to do. My husband and son are in and out of the bathroom several times a day. Slamming the lid closed. Lights on and off all the time. This still lights up bright as ever and it's going on three weeks. Now when I sit I sometimes might lean back into it but it's really not an issue. I'm just overwhelmed with joy because this target works and I do not have to scrub any extra walls, floors, or pants!!! You better believe I'm getting one for every darn bathroom in my house!!!" — NoRestForTheWicked
Get it from Amazon for $34.88.
15. A pack of sink extenders to make hand washing less of a chore for your child... and your back.
Amazon, Amazon / Via www.amazon.com
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 bed time/morning routine has been a godsend. Great bargain for the price." — TeaBea21
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $10.99.
16. A nasal aspirator — it's equal parts nasty and satisfying for parents who are ~snot~ afraid of efficiently getting the job done when their babies' boogers are making them blue.
Promising review:"My toddler is constantly catching a cold with a runny nose and we found that the typical suction bulb just wasn't cutting it. We've also tried the Nose Frida a couple of times but that was hard to use with only one adult and a screaming toddler that needs to be pinned down. I was skeptical about this tool at first because of the price and also because I first saw it on an Instagram ad and it seemed gimmicky. However, after using this tool for about two months I am extremely happy that I've found a solution for my baby's runny nose. The suction is great and I love that it sucks constantly. Also this doesn't seem to bother my baby at all, in fact she laughs when we use this." — Stephanie
Get it from Amazon for $30.99.
17. A magnetic visual timer to help kids see how much time they have left to work on homework, clean their room, be in the bath, etc. This is here to keep your home from being filled with the shrill cries of "Are we done yet?!" every 32 seconds.
Promising review:"This is the perfect size and NO BATTERIES REQUIRED. It does the job well. I bought it for my son. Now that the classes are virtual I needed to be able to measure the time between the classes so my son knows how long he has in the classes / break-time. In addition, it can be used for other things, such as in the kitchen. Being able to move this around with you as you need it really makes life a whole lot easier." — Rvargas
Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in 10 colors).
18. A snack spinner for enticing even the pickiest of eaters to add more foods to their *rotation* at home or on the go.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
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 $27.99 (available in seven colors).
19. A car trash can sure to save the day (and your upholstery) from suckers, soda bottles, and all the other sticky substances your kids sneak into the car. It turns out cupholders are, in fact, not tiny trash cans.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Love it! It's great to have a trash can in the car that's not a total eyesore. I love that it's waterproof, so I don't have to buy bags for it. I liked it so much that I bought a second one for my boyfriend's car." — Ashley A. Wolfe
Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in four designs).
20. A 360-degree spill-proof cup designed with a game-changing silicone top that can be sipped from any spot (hence the 360 name). The sealed top is non-spill on its own, unlike pop-lid sippy cups. The water comes out from the very edge and only when sucked. This teaches your kiddo how to drink from a traditionally shaped cup very early and without the need for a straw. Sip, sip, hooray!
Finding this cup makes me feel *very* in-the-know, and I can't believe it's not yet a classic infant cup. Because it's absolute Glinda The Good Witch witchcraft. We originally got our baby an infant cup with a straw, but she was more interested in playing with the lid and would rarely drink from it. The day we got this she caught on instantly – her bottles were gone the same week with no tears and a healthily hydrated baby! I love that it gives her the confidence to drink from regular cups and water bottles, because she now knows how to gulp. Plus, I can just throw this in a bag and go – no drips, ever! This has made our life SO easy.
Get two from Amazon for $14.78.
21. An alcohol-free hand sanitizer that'll foam when you pump it out, making sanitizing their hands way more fun when all your kiddo wants to do is...get their hands on everything. The produce section never stood a chance.
Promising review:"This is a very gentle hand sanitizer that works very well and does not dry your hands up. Highly recommend!" — #1 Shopper
Get six fragrance-free ones from Amazon for $20.94 (also available in a mandarine scent).
22. An easy-to-clean Hatch changing pad with a scale so you can monitor your baby's weight while changing their diaper. Before I had a baby, I didn't even realize monitoring their weight was a thing, but (after dangling my infant inside a scarf from a luggage scale) I wish I'd known and had this. It connects to an app on your phone so you can collect and track the data over time, helping you seem really on top of things at your pediatrician appointments.
Amazin
Promising review: "The Hatch Grow Smart Changing Pad and Scale is a fantastic addition to our nursery! It combines a comfortable changing pad with a built-in scale, making it easy to monitor our baby's growth. The app integration is seamless, providing real-time data and tracking. The design is sleek and modern, fitting perfectly into our nursery decor. Highly recommend for any new parent looking for convenience and peace of mind!" — Kevin
Get it from Amazon for $149.99 (available in two colors).
23. And a Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine you can use as a two-way audio monitor, a night-light, a white noise machine, an alarm clock, and a sleep trainer. This lovely little light can glow red, which is less alarming than other bright lights, so your baby doesn't wake all the way up from harsh overhead lighting. This can be your companion during early morning diaper changes and late-night feedings, helping soothe the whole family through those wild infant hours.
Amazon
Here's what BuzzFeed editor Heather Braga loves it:"The Hatch Rest is ideal for parents as it also has a sound monitor option. For the hour or so my son used to sleep in a bassinet in our room before my husband and I got into bed, I was able to listen in and hear if he was fussing, crying, etc. We were also able to set it to a specific program so the light/sounds turn off on their own in the morning (one less thing for us to think about). You can check out my full review on both the Hatch Rest and Hatch Restore here."
Promising review:"My favorite feature about this product is that I can control everything through my phone. If I'm in a different room in the house, but I want the nursery to play birds chirping for the baby, I can do that through my phone. The audio baby monitor works very well and the speaker quality through the Hatch is terrific. I also love that it's travel-friendly, so we use this baby monitor whenever we're on the go. Lastly, the night-light is perfect when I'm changing the baby's diaper at 3 a.m. or during a middle-of-the-night feeding." — Chelsea
Get it from Amazon for $59.99.
24. A car baby monitor (with a spiffy 14,000+ 5-star reviews!) that'll help you instantly know what's going on with your baby in the backseat without adjusting mirrors or turning back to see what's going on (when the car is stopped, of course). Stay safe on the road with your little one, and keep them *easily* within sight!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
And just a reminder, you should always keep your eyes on the road while the car is in motion.
Promising reviews:"This is honestly the best purchase I've ever made since becoming a mom. Like, hands down, my favorite product ever. This camera definitely makes life easier, and I wish I had it for my other two when they were babies. It took less than five minutes to get it up and running and they included everything I needed. I have a Dodge Grand Caravan and it reaches all the way to the third row. I recommend it to all my mom friends!" — Kristin Morgan
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (also available with a USB).
25. A USDA-certified organic baby healing balm formulated with chamomile, cocoa butter, coconut oil, calendula, and avocado oil — use this special stuff to help alleviate eczema, acne, cradle cap, rashes, ~ unnecessary parental stress, ~ and more.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Era Organics is a small business!
Promising review:"I absolutely love this stuff. I use it for my ds rashes. I was so afraid to use anything but coconut oil but I needed something that would soothe the rash as well. My ds also ended up getting eczema and hives from a laundry detergent we had switched to. This completely soothed it away. It was gone by the next day. Needless to say, this is my go-to soothing-everything solution. It stays in the diaper bag and medicine cabinet. A must-have!" — Andrea
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two sizes).
26. A bath toy thermometer that'll be a crucial part of your baby's bath time routine. Making sure the water is a safe temperature *also* keeps their body temp in the safe zone. Plus, this guarantees your kiddo is comfortable while they splash around and learn what water is.
At our house, this little seal is named Lou (a nod to all the other Arrested Development fans out there), and it's a beloved member of our family. We've had this since before the baby was born (around 15 months), and you better believe I tested it out ahead of time. I love burning hot baths, so I knew I was no judge of safe water temperatures. This reads really clearly (blinking blue if it is too cold and red if it is too hot) and fast. We are a less-is-more toy family, so my daughter loves having a cute toy to play with, and I love that it doubles as a useful tool. Cheers all around.
Promising review:"I absolutely love this thing. All you have to do is throw it in the water and it starts to read the temp. No need to turn it on and off. It blinks red whenever the temperature is considered too high, which I love because whenever I'm getting a newborn ready to get in the bath I don't want to have to sit and hover over it reading the temp — if it's not blinking I know its within a good range. So just turn your warm water on, throw this guy in and you'll know instantly if it's good to go or needs adjusting. Plus it's super cute!" — Madalyn Roche
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in two colors).
27. A Luli Bebé backpack — a diaper bag in disguise — complete with waterproof pockets and a wipeable surface. Plus, there's so much space inside, you're sure to know you've got everything you need in one (chic) spot.
Luli Bebé
Promising review: "Absolutely love the Monaco Diaper Bag! This Pearl white color is perfection! It is very spacious and looks so fashionable! I wear it out when when I don't have kids with me! I love the fact that it doesn't look like an actual diaper bag from outside! Thank you for such a wonderful product!" — Aleana M.
Get it on sale from Luli Bebé for $189 (available in 10 colors).
28. *The* Nurture& Glider Plus swivels, rocks, and has TikTok parents (and this very BuzzFeed writer) going wild. This unreasonably chic recliner is gonna be a bright and airy addition to your home. Its electric design adjusts the footrest, posture, and headrest with the push of a button. Plus, the fabric is stain-resistant. It even has a USB port so you can charge your phone without even leaving your seat. This is the only chair anyone needs. And *everybody* needs it.
I got this chair during my second trimester and I really and truly cried when I sat down and realized it had adjustable lumbar support. I read the entire ACOTAR series while comfortably sitting in this chair — we've been through a *lot* together. It is so comfortable that I think it's an actual crime it's pitched toward nurseries, because *everyone* should know about this.
Promising review:"I sit/lay on my glider every day to nurse and sleep on. I exclusively breastfeed my 4-month-old baby so my back and arms are so achy. Good thing I have the world's most comfortable glider. I tried other rocking chairs from Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel; they were either too narrow (where I can't sit crisscross applesauce) or too short. Nurture& definitely tops all other products out there in the same price range." — Cat K.
Get it on sale from Nurture& for $1,199 (originally $1,399; available in three colors).
29. The Honest Company Truly Calming lavender bubble bath with a calming formula that'll soothe sleep-averse children as well as sleep-deprived adults.
Amazon
This gentle formula is made with naturally derived botanicals and essential oils and is free of all the toxic stuff: SLS, sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, dyes, formaldehyde donors, MEA, DEA, or TEA.
Promising review:" I will buy this forever!! It smells so good and makes our little one so relaxed and sleeps so good after her baths!! Not to mention at all of our routine checkups our peds always mentions how soft our little ones skin is and asks what we do and if we put lotion on every day and we say no only if her skin feels dry! 🤣👌🙌 Highly recommend! Also a little goes a long way! This will last a long time." — Kayla S.
Get it from Amazon for $10.92+ (available in four formulas).
30. A Cruiser City from Veer, designed with swivel wheels furthest from the handle, meaning you can push it like a stroller while still getting all the benefits of a ride-on wagon! If you love wagons but find navigating them through grocery isles and sidewalks a chore, this is for you. It can also be pulled if you're heading uphill or on rockier roads. This is a truly game-changing way to explore the world with your kids. Plus, it has cup holders.
Veer, Mallory Mower / BuzzFeed
I have never seen my husband gush over a product for our daughter more than he has with this wagon. And I'm just as big of a fan! There are *so* many useful accessories you can get to customize your ride specifically to your family's needs. We have a canopy, a cushioned toddler seat, extra storage nets, a cooler, and more. There are different attachments for season changes and a range of ages – so this truly grows with your child. It is easy to get through doors, swivel around pedestrians, and roam around uneven surfaces at the park. I can't think of a more useful product for parents in a city, or families who are often out and about. And most important: my daughter *adores* it. She laughs, cheers, and giggles the whole ride (plus the cup tray attachment means she can snack on her own while we're on the move). This wagon is the sort of thing that makes me glad I'm a parent in 2024. Parenting products have come a *long* way!
Get it from Veer for $699+ (available in two sizes).
31. A detangling brush with over 60,000 5-star reviews! There's no need to brush off your kid's (and TBH, YOUR) tears when their tangles try and ruin your morning. Use this pain-free option instead. You are ~knot~ losing to bedhead anymore!
www.amazon.com
Reviewers swear this brush works on all hair types: straight, wavy, or curly (from 3a–4c hair).
Promising review:" I'm a single dad of a 6-year-old girl, and combing her hair is the hardest part of taking care of her. She gets really bad knots in her hair. This brush is the only thing that has ever worked. Thank you so much. She even likes to comb her own hair now." — Eric Phan
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in several colors and two-packs).
32. An anxiety-eliminating baby gate — this gate features a pressure mount, so you won't have to drill holes into your wall to keep it secure. 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.
www.amazon.com, Mallory Mower / BuzzFeed
This gate is capable of expanding to fit openings between 29–34 and 35-38.5 inches wide, but won't fit an opening between 34–35 inches. It stands 30 inches tall. I have two versions, the smaller one keeps our toddler out of our home office, and I also have the 192-inch version (pictured above, right). I can't believe how sturdy it is while covering such a big space. My kid pulls on it every day and it doesn't budge.
Promising review:" Best gate I have ever owned. I have two small kids, a dog, and two cats. Plus lots of stairs. I have gone through so many gates in the last three years. Most broke over time or came loose. This gate is worth 20 stars. Amazing quality. It has stood the test of time! reliable, sturdy, easy to use, easy to install. The gate swings both ways! That's a HUGE plus. I feel so secure having it, knowing that there is no way my kids or dog can knock it down or get over it. It is tall too. Buy this one. Coming from the girl who is the queen of gates. This one is one-and-done. IF we need to purchase more gates in the future, I will come straight back to this product and seller." — L. Randall
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
33. A set of lovely silicone baby bottles from Boon Nursh for parents who, like me, want *useful* baby products that are also easy on the eyes.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
I 100% bought these because I thought they were pretty. Turns out, they're also *really* good! We tried several types of bottles when our daughter was born and these were far and away her favorite! It was wild to see how much she preferred them. As she became able to hold a bottle on her own, we found that the plastic holes and silicone interior made them really easy for her to grab.
Promising review:"I decided to try these bottles because I was looking for a new brand of silicone bottle. These are easy to clean, my baby can hold them more easily than other bottles because of the unique design, the flow seems to be good for her, and they look cool. I like that the parts which come in contact with my baby's formula and hot water are plastic-free." — danizorz
Get them from Amazon for $17.29+ (available in two sizes and eight different set colors).
34. A TikTok famous crawling crab that'll clatter across the living room, enticing little ones (kids AND pets) to chase it around the room or simply watch it for ages. Need a moment to yourself? This crab has you covered.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"We ordered this toy for our son after seeing videos about it on Instagram. We do not regret it at all! Although our 9-month-old was a little nervous about playing with it at first, he soon realized how much fun it was. Now he chases it both crawling on the floor and in his walker (where he has the tactical advantage). Definitely recommend as a gift for the baby in your life." — Krissa
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six colors).
35. A pack of SPF-sensing stickers so you can blame the sticker when you tell your kids they've gotta stop playing and re-apply.
Amazon
Promising review: "I'm multi-racial with tan skin. I burn when it's intense, but I get a great tan otherwise. My 9-month-old is fair, fair, fair. Blue eyes and porcelain skin fair. I reapply my own SPF 50 after a few hours, but I'm not consistent. I've never been great about sunscreen, but I was not going to let my daughter get burned. We live in South Florida and just a walk or park time is a potential burning hazard. This is a great visual for me to reapply her sunscreen or make sure she gets in the shade. They're an absolute essential for parents, especially the 'sun goddess' type." — FlightLife
Get a 16-pack from Amazon for $16.49 (available in three pack sizes).
36. A sight word Bingo game that'll help make those frustrating early reader lessons a lot more fun.
Amazon
Promising review:"Our first-grader was feeling really discouraged with her sight words and I've been trying to think of ways to encourage her and get her excited to learn things she doesn't already know. She loved this game! We played with the whole family and her 3-year-old even enjoyed playing (we show her the cards and have her find the word that matches on her bingo card). I think this is a great way to make learning/practicing sight words fun! I am very happy with this purchase and I can see how it would be great for teachers in the classroom as well!!" — Jennie
Get it from Amazon for $11.88.
37. A pair of headphones with a sharing splitter just might be the key to tantrum-free road trips. Get these so your kids can watch a show on one device together without 1) needing to split earbuds *sharing is NOT always caring* and 2) so you won't hear them watch Encanto on repeat the entire drive because you know your kids and they WILL be watching Encanto on repeat. P.S. These have protective volume restrictions, so your little ones don't hurt their little ears. Cousin Dolores WISHES she had that safety feature.
Amazon
Promising review:"First, the fact that they are wired is AWESOME! The last headphones I bought were similar to this with the exception that the cord could be removed. My son ruined the cord playing with it and eventually it all stopped working. The cord in these can't be removed. Check! I tried them, and my boys also think they are very comfortable. They can collapse taking up less room in their backpacks. They seem quite durable and have great sound quality! The jack that comes with them makes it easy for both of them to listen to the same thing on a tablet! They are happy with the colors. Over all a great value buy!!" — Amber Williamson
Get them from Amazon for $24.98 (available in four color sets).
38. And finally, a surprisingly soothing children's picture book parents with a sense of humor are gonna love displaying in the nursery, at the ready for when their little bundle of sunshine doesn't believe in sleeping at night.
Amazon, Mallory Mower / BuzzFeed
I have spent 10 years collecting picture books and have dozens on display in my toddler's room. I'm *really* picky about books; I only pick ones that I know I'd enjoy reading over and over in case it becomes my kid's favorite. This meets that high expectation! It's not just a funny gag gift for a baby shower — it's soothing, well written, beautifully illustrated, and a good laugh for us grown-ups.
Promising review:"I have given this book to over 25 people for baby showers and it is always such a hit!! Parents need to support each other and make each other laugh!! Especially when our kids are little!! This book makes you stop and laugh at yourself and not take parenting so seriously!! Love love love it!!" — Sharon L. Havers
Get it from Amazon for $8.50.
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.