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Toddler must haves!
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items Hey y'all! This list is for my recommendations as a first-time toddler mom. This list is comprised of products that I find helpful, and I hope you can find something to help out your little family as well. I'll be updating this list as my child grows and I find new recommendations!
Sections
6
Toddler play
Toddler eating
Toddler sleep
Toddler learning
Toddler hygiene
Toddler safety
Toddler play
These obstacle courses are nice for burning energy and defining fine motor skills. Keeps the baby busy!
Indoor Obstacle Course For Kids
More playgrounds for indoor use! I find that these are less dangerous than the typical big outdoor playground, cheaper, and helps you to keep a closer eye on your children with less worry. Burns energy and defines motor skills.
Indoor Playground
I love these toys for problem solving and keeping the kiddos distracted.
Montessori Toys
What toddler doesn't like to burn their energy being creative and smacking things with a plastic hammer?!
Workshop For Kids
My 13 month old girl has one of these and she absolutely loves throwing the ball into the basket. It's great for energy burn and skill development. She is always so happy to play with it.
Toddler Basketball Hoop
Swings are an amazing tool when it comes to helping toddlers regulate their emotions and wind down before bed. The swaying motion helps to calm the nervous system, allowing the child to relax.
Indoor Swings For Toddlers
ATTENTION!!! I HIGHLY recommend bath toys that are anti-mold - meaning, they don't have small holes where water can get trapped inside the toy and you can't clean it out. Opt for toys that are mold resistant and safe!
Mold Free Bath Toys
These are phenomenal toys for developing motor and mental skills. They encourage creativity and problem solving.
Toy Stacking Block Sets
Something about bean bag chairs absolutely captivates young ones. I'm not exactly sure what it is, if you know, let me know!
Bean Bag Chairs
These are great! The littles run out so much energy here and learn so many great motor skills.
Playhouses - Playground Sets - The Home Depot
I had one of these as a child and it was my absolute favorite, and I definitely plan on getting my girl one! I just can't decide if I'm buying one or making one myself! They encourage so much creativity. Just make sure to keep it clean, and if kept o...
Kids Playhouses in Outdoor Toys - Walmart.com
Toddler eating
I recommend some safe utensils that are toddler-friendly. This will help them safely learn how to use them.
Toddler Utensils
These are great for controlling mealtime messes!
Toddler Place Mats
Easy to clean and safe if the little one decides to throw it.
Silicone Tableware
I like having a variety of sippy cups that work differently because my 13 month old has already mastered the straw, standalone cup, tilt cup, etc.
Sippy Cups
My child has always used a cute wooden chair with a nice white lace padding… and it sucks. I love it because it was my husband's when he was a baby, but it's SO HARD TO CLEAN!!! I recommend getting a high chair that's easy to clean and not easy to st...
Easy To Clean High Chair
These are so easy to clean and they actually do catch quite a bit of food, which means less of a mess on the floor to clean up!
Silicone bibs
Toddler sleep
Many times, children will find a blanket they like the most and use it as a comfort item.
Blankets For Toddlers
White noise machines are amazing to help children get to sleep and stay asleep. The white noise helps to block out environmental noise that would otherwise wake the child up, and it can be adjusted in volume and often even the tone of noise.
White Noise Machine
Buying pillows made especially for toddlers can minimize risk factors for accidents. I recommend not giving your toddler a pillow or blanket in their crib until their pediatrician clears it. Safe sleep is important.
Toddler Pillow
For those of us who had absolutely no luck crib training no matter what we did, we have likely had our child roll out of bed once or twice. Bed rails saved my little family, we haven't had any falling accidents since installing them.
Bed Rails
Especially if you live in drier climates, humidifiers can be a wonderful resource to help your little one sleep. This can improve the air quality. Speak to your child's pediatrician first, and always make sure that it is out of reach so your little o...
Baby Humidifier
My girl LOVES hers! She even sings it to sleep. It's adorable and it's such a comfort item for her.
Stuffed Animal Light Projector
Toddler learning
Books are an AMAZING tool to help your child learn and stay engaged. Storytime can also help facilitate a strong bond and fulfill the need for comfort and regularity.
Baby & Toddler Books
Puzzles are a great way to work on many mental skills such as recall and problem solving. They're also good at holding the child's attention, especially if they're brightly colored and not too difficult.
Toddler Puzzles
These workbooks are incredibly helpful for learning how to write.
Practice Writing For Kids
Not only are these gadgets fun, they help develop creativity and fine motor skills without screentime.
Best Kids' Doodle & Scribbler Boards
These are great for play and for learning, and I favor dry erase because it's so much easier to clean.
Kids Dry Erase Easel - Target
Toddler hygiene
Bath towels can come in many adorable patterns. Honestly I think I enjoy them more than my child does. She waddles out of the bathroom dressed like a dinosaur, it's great.
Toddler Bath Towels
Toddlers have different needs when it comes to oral care. They get their teeth in usually one by one and have more gum exposed than adults typically do, and they need softer bristles so as to not cause pain when brushing. I do NOT recommend those sem...
Toddler Toothbrush
Toddlers need different toothpaste than adults do; they do not use fluoride in their paste. I recommend using a paste created specifically for toddlers just to be safe; they also typically come in amazing flavors that children love.
Toddler Toothpaste
My daughter has eczema and the only product we've had work for us is this stuff! We have the normal eczema lotion and then a nighttime balm and in unison, they help keep the breakouts and flareups at bay, and they help relieve the itching that comes ...
Aveeno Eczema Therapy
These soft hair ties are great for toddlers because they do not pull hair and are easy to remove, no tugging or detangling required.
Hair Ties For Toddlers
Depending on your child's hair type, I recommend buying a hairbrush or comb specifically designed for young children. Children often have much more sensitive scalps which can be irritated by normal hair brushes and combs. I recommend pairing with a d...
Hair Brushes For Toddlers
I recommend detangling spray that can help de-knot hair without the pain and potential hair damage. I recommend one formulated for kids that won't sting the eyes if it happens to enter them.
Detangling Spray
I recommend bath sets for sensitive skin, especially if your child suffers from eczema like mine does. The fragrances and other harmful ingredients found in normal soaps may be unnoticed by those of us without skin issues, but they can cause further ...
Sensitive Skin Bath Sets
I use a bath chair with my toddler because she has to shower with me (medical reasons). This gives me the confidence that she won't slip and get hurt.
Toddler Bath Chair
Alright, let's be honest. Toddlers take their diapers off. ALL. THE. TIME. and it's super frustrating. We recently switched to these (had to size up because she was on the cusp anyways), and NO MORE DIAPERLESS TODDLER!!! It's awesome!
Pampers Cruisers 360 Diapers
Toddler safety
Kids are curious. If you have a toddler, I definitely don't need to tell you that. Protect them from their curiosity and cover those outlets.
Outlet Covers Baby Proofing (50 Pack) Safe & Secure
Cabinet and drawer locks are phenomenal!! I don't know why I didn't get them sooner. It saves so much time not having to re-wash towels and dishes that my girl pulls out and throws on the floor. These are also fantastic to keep them out of cabinets t...
Baby Cabinet Locks
I recommend a softer, more pliable bumper. My family has experience with foreheads and corners, and well, I'll spare you the details. Just get the bumpers before you have to make a trip to the emergency room.
Soft Table Corner Protectors for Baby Safety