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Toddler Must-Haves
42
items My twins are 3 now, and this is everything that's actually gotten us through the toddler stage, potty training, mealtime, hair and teeth routines, toys that hold their attention, and the gear that survives daily use. Not stuff we bought once and forg...
Sections
7
Clothing/Gear
Skincare/Health
Feeding/Mealtime
Toys & Activities
Sleep & Room
Safety
Clothing/Gear
The stuff that got us through potty training and getting dirty without losing our minds.
This is the one brand I keep buying no matter what size my kids are in. Affordable, and their clothes still hold up even after we've handed them down between the two of them.
Hudson Baby
These were part of our actual potty training process, thick enough to catch an accident without being a full diaper. Made the whole process less stressful.
Hanes Boys' Potty Training Cotton Briefs Multi-pack
Same brand, same reason, these were in the rotation during potty training and held up through a lot of laundry.
Hanes Toddler Girls' Potty Trainer Brief 6-Pack
These have survived every puddle my twins have tried to find. Actually waterproof, not just water resistant like some we tried first.
Hbxooxts Toddler Waterproof Rubber Rain Boots
This is the seat that actually made potty training feel manageable, fits right onto our regular toilet so there was no separate toddler potty to deal with. Sturdy enough that I didn't worry about it slipping while they were using it.
Munchkin® Potty Training Seat
This has been our double stroller for the twins, folds up small which matters a lot when you're trying to fit it in a trunk with two kids. Genuinely durable, held up to daily use without falling apart on us.
Delta Children Side-by-Side Double Stroller
Built specifically for two kids at once, which matters since most cart covers only account for one. Folds down small enough to actually carry with the case instead of leaving it in the car.
Twin Double Shopping Cart Cover
Started using this when my twins were newborns and I'm still using it on them at 3. Works for basically anything, dry skin, small scrapes, diaper rash back when that applied. Hard to find something that stretches across that many stages.
The Honest Company Head-to-Toe Healing Ointment
Skincare/Health
Small daily routine items that actually work without a fight.
This has been our sunscreen since they were babies and it's still what I reach for now. Never caused irritation, which after trying a few others, made the decision easy to just keep buying it.
Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen
This is the only detangler that doesn't end in a screaming match during hair brushing in our house.
The Honest Company Hair Detangler
I keep repurchasing this one because it actually makes brushing easier afterward, and it doesn't smell like a chemical factory.
Honest Company Conditioner, Tear-Free, Citrus Vanilla, 10 fl oz
Switched to this once my kids' teeth came in and I liked that it's fluoride free for this age. They don't fight brushing as much with this one.
Spry Natural Kids Xylitol Tooth Gel
I gave this to my son after a round of antibiotics since I didn't want it messing with his gut afterward. Unflavored so it's easy to mix into whatever he's already eating or drinking, no fighting to get him to take it.
LOVEBUG Kids Probiotic Powder
This was the only thing that helped when my son had a really bad, raw diaper rash, nothing else we tried even came close. I'd recommend this to anyone dealing with a bad rash, not just everyday diaper changes.
PINXAV Healing Cream, Fast Relief, 4 OZ
Another one that's earned its spot because of my kids' sensitive skin. Gentle enough that it's never caused irritation, which is the only bar that matters for us.
Baby Dove Sensitive Skin Care Baby Wash 20 oz
My kids have sensitive skin, so this was one of the few lotions that never caused any reaction. Still what I reach for.
Hello Bello Baby Lotion Vegan Cruelty Free 8.5oz
Feeding/Mealtime
What we actually use at meals now, not the stuff that ended up in the back of a cabinet.
This is what saves us after basically every meal. Toddlers are messy and this gets stains out that I thought were permanent.
Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater Spray 4oz
These held up way better than the plastic ones we went through first. No BPA worry, and they've survived being thrown more times than I can count.
VITEVER 10-Piece Toddler Stainless Steel Utensils
This is the bottle that doesn't leak in the diaper bag, which after going through a few other brands, is a bigger deal than it sounds. I also love that it's stainless steel, not plastic.
CamelBak Eddy+ Kids 12oz Stainless Steel Bottle
This is what we actually use for meals now instead of plastic/silicone plates that stain and hold onto smells.
Bakpoco 9” Stainless Steel Toddler Plate Set
These started as baby bowls but they're still in daily rotation for my 3 year olds. Survived years of use and being thrown, which says a lot.
Mity Rain 4-Pack Stainless Steel Baby Bowls
These are what I bring when we're eating out with the twins, sticks right to the table so there's no fighting a fussy toddler while also worrying about what's touching the surface underneath them.
Disposable Sticky Placemats (40-Pack)
Toys & Activities
The toys that hold their attention longer than five minutes, tested by two very distractible 3 year olds.
This is the one that keeps my kids from coloring on the walls. Only shows up on the special paper, nowhere else.
Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light Brush 🎨
Good for keeping my toddlers busy for a stretch without a screen. Lights and sound hold their attention longer than I expected.
Crayola Toddler Touch Lights 🎨
These are less messy than regular paint and my kids can use them without me hovering the entire time.
TBC Paint Sticks for Kids Ages 2-8, 12 Colors
We have two of these because my twins fight over one. No paper, no mess, and it keeps them occupied in the car.
[2 Pack] Genialba 8.5" LCD Writing Tablet
This helps with transitions, like leaving the park or ending screen time, way better than me just saying 'five more minutes.'
Secura 60-Minute Rainbow Visual Timer
These are beeswax instead of the usual wax crayons, safer if your toddler decides to chew on one, which mine has. Good size for little hands and the colors are still vibrant even after a lot of use.
Honeysticks 100% Pure Beeswax Crayons (12 Pack)
This is what our books actually live on now, front facing so my twins can see the covers and pick books themselves instead of me pulling something off a shelf for them. Sturdy enough for two toddlers climbing on it more than they probably should.
Humble Crew Montessori Bookshelf (4-Tier)
Sleep & Room
What made the move to a toddler bed and an actual room easier for everyone.
This is where all the toys actually go now instead of scattered across the floor. My daughter likes that it's hers specifically.
Delta Children Princess Crown 6 Bin Toy Organizer
Added these when we moved my twins to toddler beds. Soft enough that it doesn't feel like a barrier, but it's kept them from rolling off.
Delta Children Extra Long Foam Bedrail Bumper 2pk
Right size for a toddler bed, not a giant adult pillow swallowing their whole head. Machine washable, which matters a lot in our house.
Toddler Pillow 13x18, Machine Washable
This has been our sound machine since day one and we're still using it now. Started as the thing that got them to sleep as newborns, now it's just part of the bedtime routine. Never had to replace it.
White Noise Sound Machine
Small enough to fit in a kid's room without taking over the space, and the sleep mode keeps it quiet enough that it doesn't disturb them at night.
AROEVE Air Purifier with Sleep Mode
Safety
Went up when they started crawling and honestly still doing their job now that they're 3 and even sneakier.
Put these up when my twins started crawling and they're still on every outlet now that they're 3. Easy for me to move when I need to, impossible for them to figure out.
Jool Baby Outlet Cover Box 2 Pack - Child Safety
These went up when my twins started walking and honestly they're more necessary now at 3 than they were as babies, this is the age they actually try to get through every door.
Childproof Door Lever Lock 4 Pack - Durable ABS
Still on our closet doors three years later. My kids have never once figured out how to get past these, which is honestly impressive at this point.
Safety Innovations Bi-fold Door Lock 2-Pack
These went on our appliances once my twins started figuring out how to open everything. Simple, does the job, no fighting with a complicated lock system.
5 Pack Child Proof Refrigerator & Cabinet Locks
For Parents
The stuff that's less about the kids and more about keeping the rest of us sane.
With twins in two rooms, Patrol Mode switching between both cameras is what made this actually useful instead of needing two separate monitors. No WiFi means one less thing to worry about with a camera in their room.
VTech Baby Monitor (2 Cameras, No WiFi)
This is the best vacuum I've ever owned, cleans up everything from spilled milk to actual accidents, no mess is too much for it. I fill it with my own cleaner instead of their brand and the self cleaning feature is what makes it actually worth the pr...
Tineco Floor ONE S3 Breeze
A simple way to actually organize printed photos instead of letting them pile up in a drawer, good gift for anyone who still prints pictures or has boxes of old ones to sort through.
Photo Storage Box (16 Containers)
With twins on both sides of the back seat, I needed a camera with a wide enough range to actually see both of them, and this one covers it without needing two separate cameras.
Itomoro Baby Car Camera