Everyone wants to buy baby toys but they're so little and hard to shop for. Here are some of the most loved baby toys I have found and how they help their development
My 18-month-old cracked every cheap baby gate we tried within a week. Meanwhile I was standing there holding a laundry basket, a sippy cup, and my sanity, unable to open the gate myself. If you're a parent who needs both hands free and a latch your kid can't outsmart, I spent six months testing every option so you don't waste another $40 on something that ends up in the garage.
Playrooms can be a huge value add for a vacation rental, but they can also add stress if furnished with too many messy toys. Focusing on open-ended play is a great way to ensure that kids will remain busy, while having less toys in the space - hopefully reducing messes and overall stress. These toys are some of our favorites in our vacation homes!
I have five kids of my own ranging in ages from 27 down to 10. So I have experienced a variety of kid products through the years and now I have my first grand baby to spoil. Here's a list of some of our favorite baby things that we would love to share with you!
These are items I used during my pregnancy to help me prepare my body and for my little one! From stretch mark care to preparing for delivery these are items I used🩷
My 14-year-old was shoving every handout into the bottom of his backpack like a paper compactor. Report card came home and we both knew something had to change. I spent a weekend setting up a color-coded binder system, and within one grading period his teachers were emailing me asking what happened. If your kid loses worksheets faster than they lose phone chargers, grab these before the next semester starts.
Want to know all the items I used to successfully pump for 15 months while also breastfeeding my baby? Check out this list for all of your must haves!!
My daughter asked me every single morning how many days until her birthday, and I was losing track myself. If you have a kid who starts the birthday hype a month early and you need something to channel that energy, this is everything I put together to make the countdown as fun as the actual party. Grab these while you're still in the planning phase.
Handing a toddler a sharp knife never sat right with me, but I still wanted that big fall gathering where every kid walks out with a pumpkin they decorated themselves. After three years of hosting paint-a-pumpkin parties in my backyard, I finally have the supply list dialed in. If you're a parent planning a mess-friendly fall party for a crowd of under-10s, grab these before October sneaks up on you.
Welcome to Ms. Kern's Classroom where you can boost your toddler or preschooler's learning and confidence at home. Want to join along? Here's a list of the materials I use in the classroom. Follow along on Youtube - Learn with Ms. Kern
From STEM builders to sensory favorites, this list brings together the best educational toys that teach, inspire, and keep kids engaged for hours. Playtime just got a whole lot smarter.
If your child stalls bedtime with a new monster sighting every single night and you're running out of patience and creative excuses, this is the stuff that actually helped us go from 90-minute bedtime battles to lights out in 20 minutes. For parents of kids aged 2-8 who need real solutions, not just another stuffed animal collecting dust.
I am on baby #2 and BF this far has been a breeze! Here are some items I find so helpful especially during my first baby when BF was a foreign language to me! (Now I’d say I’m pro haha)
How do you know what you actually need as a new mom when there are thousands of products out there. Which products are worth the price? As a mom of three I feel like I have almost perfected my list. I have used every one of these products with all my kids and eliminated quite a few in the process.
These toys are great developmentally for your babies. From fine motor skills to speech and language development skills. These toys are not only fun and entertaining, but they also support your child's development in different stages of their first year of life.
Affiliate links included. Thanks for supporting what I love and share. A cozy and playful space for our little boy. Layered textures, warm colors, and pieces that grow with him - all while keeping things sweet and simple.
The postpartum period is a time of recovery, adjustment, and self-care. With so many changes happening in your body, it’s essential to have the right tools and products to support your healing and well-being. Here’s a list of postpartum essentials that helped me as a first time mom!
Traveling is hard enough with kids, let me help you with some of the purchasing decisions. Only the needs so you're not spending too much or carrying 2000 things!
🎮 Back to School for Gamers This carefully curated list is designed for student gamers heading back to class in style and comfort! It includes backpacks, notebooks, folders, clothes, and shoes all inspired by the games and characters kids love. Each item balances fun details with school-ready quality, making mornings easier and backpacks cooler. **Backpacks** * Umbro Mario Kart light-up backpack — the star button lights up just like in Mario Kart, and it *still* remains our favorite backpack yet. * Fortnite-themed backpack with 3D pickaxe attachment — the straps feature character artwork front and back, and even the interior lining shows Fortnite scenes. **Notebooks** * Minecraft spiral notebooks — essential for block-building fans. * Mario notebook — because Mario is the entry point for nearly every gaming obsession! **Folders** * Personalized take-home folders — perfect for keeping papers tidy; mom loves the included bonus set. * A sturdy, game-branded folder bundle your child will actually use. **Clothes** * Fortnite tees from Children’s Place — snagged at great prices. * Walmart finds for full outfits perfect for Fortnite super-fans. * Funny gamer-themed shirts — guaranteed to get giggles on the first day. **Shoes** * Cute kicks with gamer flair — including light-up Minecraft shoes that shine in style. **Lunch Boxes** * Game-themed lunch sets with matching water bottle and insulated bottom compartment. * Hard-to-find Fortnite lunch boxes that stand up to the entire school year. * Classic Mario lunch box — durable, reliable, and nostalgic. --- Perfect for gamers heading back to school—this list makes shopping for school supplies actually fun and keeps your kids excited to learn, organized, and uniquely stylish!
Little Makers: Hands-On Kits My Boys Actually Finish - screen-free builds, experiments and crafts that hold my boys' attention from the first step to the finished project. Everything here survived the ultimate test: two busy boys, one tired working mom, and a rainy Saturday with no tablets allowed.
Links to the décor, furniture, and accessories I used to bring my dog (Aussie) themed baby nursery to life—featuring cozy essentials, subtle puppy-inspired accents, and practical pieces that keep the space both stylish and functional.
Create the sweetest little space with these dreamy pink nursery finds! From soft blush bedding and cozy blankets to adorable decor, wall art, and precious finishing touches, these picks will help you create a beautiful, cozy nursery fit for your little princess. Whether you’re starting from scratch or adding those final touches, these pink nursery ideas will have you dreaming of the perfect baby girl room.
There's a lot of gimmcky baby gear out there. Here are some of the things I've actually used as a nanny and with both my daughters. Whether you're looking for something cool and new, or looking for registry inpsiration, here's my recommendations!
After turning one, I realized how many baby products quietly phase out — and how few things actually stick. These are the real MVPs in our house right now — from snack cups and sensory toys to the random chicken that shoots balls across the room (instant laughter every time). Each of these has earned its place in our daily routine — tested and approved by a very busy toddler.
Scared you missed a newborn essential? Don't worry—I felt the exact same way, which is why I’m sharing a checklist of must-have baby items that saved me and will help you too!
First time mom here! I did EXTENSIVE research before having my baby on the best and most recommended products. I also prioritized nontoxic options. I only listed things here that we used regularly and did not include things that weren’t worth the space it took up. Hope this helps a future mom to be!
Continually adding along the way!
There are a million things people will recommend when you become a parent. Never feel obligated to try everything. Find what works for you! These are some of the things I enjoy using as a mom with a 2 year old and 8 month old!
Wether your need to Bring a little color to your life or support people you care about please enjoy this curated list celebrating rainbows and unicorns.
Meine Packliste für Geburt und Wochenbett, erprobt nach zwei Kindern. Das sind die Dinge, die wirklich einen Unterschied gemacht haben. Enthält Affiliate-Links: Für dich ändert sich der Preis nicht, ich bekomme ggf. eine kleine Provision. Ersetzt keine Beratung durch deine Hebamme oder Klinik.
Wake windows can feel like a guessing game, especially when you're running on little sleep. These are the products that helped keep my baby happy between naps and made nap time feel a little easier. Practical essentials to support wake windows, better naps and calmer sleep routines.
Overwhelmed with postpartum, newborn, and baby things on the market? I was too. I ordered about every single postpartum and newborn item in a panic. Here is a list of the ones I actually used, re-used, ordered more of. The best of the best!! Don't panic order in the middle of the night like I did 24/7….stick to these.
If your kid wants to paint but you break into a sweat thinking about the cleanup, same. I spent way too long buying paints that stained everything, dried out fast, or made my two-year-old break out. This is the lineup that finally let us do art time without me hovering like a helicopter or scrubbing walls for an hour after. For parents of toddlers and preschoolers who want mess-friendly, washable, actually safe art supplies.
I am currently pregnant with my second girl. This is the list of essentials that I used with my first born and what I will be purchasing for my second.
Make your little royal’s special day truly magical ✨ with these princess-inspired party essentials. From sparkling decorations to themed games and favors, this list has everything you need to throw a Disney Princess birthday party worthy of a fairy tale.
Sharing my favorite summer products for kids that help make pool days, outdoor adventures, and family memories even better! These are fun, practical finds that keep my boys entertained all summer long.
First time momma's- this one's for you! As a new mom to my baby boy, I know the hours spent on a registry and research. These are the items I have already used and loved! Building your registry can be overwhelming with too many options. Let me make it easy for you!
Running a homeschool co-op sounds amazing until you realize you need supplies for 15 kids, three age groups, and zero storage closets. My first semester was a mess of borrowed markers and flat kickballs. This is everything I bought after learning the hard way, specifically for parents coordinating group art, PE, science, and social activities with other homeschool families. Grab what you need before fall co-op registration opens.
My kid lost her first tooth and just stared at me like, okay now what. I panicked, stuck a tiny door on her baseboard at 11pm, and woke up to her whispering to it. If you want to keep that magic alive without spending hours on Pinterest crafts, this is everything I cobbled together over six lost teeth. Grab these before the next wobbly tooth makes its move.
These are the tried and true that I have come back to for baby 4. You won't find wipe warmers or diaper genies listed here. Not because they aren't great things but because I prioritize having the right amount of gear for my life and my baby! Consider this the minimal-ish mom recommendations 😊😊😊
This is my list of go-to items for the toddler to 5 year old stage. I tend to lean toward practical items that can be re-purposed and are more sustainable. The more minimal and organized the better for me because you know things start piling up as the kids get older!
Toddlerhood Essentials (10-12 Months+) while some of these items you may even be able to use before 10 months, most of these items we used around 10 months and up.
I am a super Type-A, research oriented, detailed person: and my baby registry was months of homework. This list is after 11 months of use what we would buy again in a heartbeat! 🫶🏻
Here’s a list of items that made breast feeding an enjoyable journey with my first and products I plan to restock on for my second baby 🩷 breast feeding doesn’t have to be intimidating ☺️
This collection is for places i have personally taken my kids and they enjoyed it. I'll let you know what I didn't enjoy or anything else I think about it. (Ecspecially if I uncover any hidden fun secrets!)
There is so much extra “fluff” of baby items on the market but here’s what you really need when you have a baby IMO. The basics of what you need for your new little one, stuff that works, & lasts!
Because rainy days don’t have to be boring. This list is full of creative, cozy, and unexpected ways to turn grey skies into golden memories, whether you’re solo, with kids, or a whole crew. Parce qu’un jour de pluie n’a pas à être monotone. Cette liste regorge d’idées créatives, réconfortantes et inattendues pour transformer le mauvais temps en beaux souvenirs, que vous soyez seul, en famille ou entre amis.
Do you need gift ideas for your own baby or a baby you love? Are you scared it'll just end up in a corner, or go to waste? Well, this list has plenty of great ideas for any baby! The reccs focus on development and practical ideas for thoughtful gifts, from the perspective of a parent ☺️
All my best recommendations for your first baby from a first time mum with a now 2 year old. This is everything I wish I knew about when I was buying it all in the first place.
All of the details to make any little girls birth-TAY extra sparkly and extra special! From decor to favors, this is what we used to celebrate our little lady!
Soak up summer with your little ones using simple mom-tested hacks — from stay-cool gear and sun-safe essentials to fun, fuss-free activities that keep babies and toddlers happy on even the hottest days.
You know how so many unnecessary products are pushed on new moms, especially during the newborn stage? As a first-time mom myself, I definitely bought a few things that ended up collecting dust. When you're in that season of life, you don't need more stuff—you need products that truly make life easier and help you soak in those precious newborn days.
These are the products I actually used with my little one and would genuinely recommend to any new mom. I only share items that made a real difference for us, and I hope they make this sweet, exhausting, beautiful season a little easier for you too.
There are so many baby products on the market. As a first-time mom, here are the products I've used the most since my son was born. Plus, products I would have gotten had I known back then when I first registered!
Back to school shopping is so fun for me and my oldest child! I have listed some of the cutest school supplies I’ve found to make things easier for you! Everything from backpacks, notebooks, pencils and even water bottles!
Mummy to 3 little boys with my youngest being 5 months. I won’t drown this list with 100s of products as every baby is different for products.
I’ve just selected a small collection of bits which have been lifesavers for me!
We're halfway to three, and I'm not gonna lie. Now that he is extra mobile and a lot more determined to do his own thing, it has been rough. These are the products, toys, and resources that have helped us both. I'm also including a section of the things I'm currently looking into. I'd love to hear what you all think about them, too!
Goldfish on the carpet, Cheerios ground into the car seat, raisins rolling under the couch. If you spend more time cleaning up snacks than your toddler spends eating them, this is the lineup that saved my sanity. Built for parents of grabby little hands who treat every snack like confetti. Took me two kids and a lot of crushed crackers to figure this out so you don't have to.
This list was created with love — to inspire giving that makes a difference. Each item is chosen to bring families comfort, connection, and real support during hard times. From fun family games and movie-night snacks to practical gift cards that actually help — like Netflix to cover a bill or Instacart so families can choose their own groceries — every option is meant to lift a little weight off someone’s shoulders. I also included cozy touches like projectors, popcorn makers, and supplies to create special family memories at home.
💛 Whether you’re giving as a family, a friend, or a community effort, these gifts go beyond “things” — they give relief, dignity, and joy.
Aside from the obvious, these are items that help me and my toddler. Some are just for me, some are for both of us. They’re perfectly compact and entirely practical. I’ve repurchased all of these items or will be repurchasing as soon as I run out. My list was curated from trial and error. And a lot of messes and issues that I wish I had prepared for. Experience is a good teacher and I can genuinely say I feel so much more prepared if anything goes wrong. I carry a somewhat small purse or a fanny pack and have no issues with the bulk of the items, so it should work for just about anyone! Even if you don’t have a toddler, the items are beneficial to anyone.
These are my 3 year old sons absolute top 10 most played with Numberblocks toys, he is a Numberblocks superfan! Hope this helps with some inspiration for your little ones
After watching my son struggle to focus at school I decided to withdraw him and jump into homeschool. I knew he understood The curriculum they were doing at school because he was also doing it at home with no problem. So when I had multiple conferences with his teacher about him not being able to do his school work I decided it was time to do it myself. We are now a year into homeschooling and he is thriving. Sometimes school can be overwhelming for kids and it's not natural for them to sit down for 7 to 8 hours. I focus on a lot of interactive learning and it works well for my 2-year-old and my 6-year-old. I have listed some products that have really been key opponents to thriving in our homeschool experience.