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The Survive & Thrive Toddler List | Mom Approved Essentials
40
items Real-life toddler products I actually use as a mom of two.
These are everyday toddler essentials that make life easier. From independent play, snacks & mealtime, bath & bedtime, travel, and screen-free learning.
Everything here is mom-tested,...
Sections
6
🧸Busy & Independent Play (1-4)
🍎Snacks & Meal Time Essentials
🛁Bath & BedTime Must - Haves
🚗 Toddler Travel & On-The-Go
🧠 Screen-Free Learning Toys
🎨Arts & Crafts For Toddlers
🧸Busy & Independent Play (1-4)
Toys and activities that keep kids engaged without constant supervision. These are perfect for quiet time, independent play, and giving parents a few uninterrupted minutes.
Great for toddlers who love buttons, zippers, and switches. Helps with fine motor skills while keeping hands busy.
Busy Board - Montessori Busy Book for Toddlers, Preschool Learning Activities Book, Educational Toy for Travel, Learning Motor Skills
Perfect for quiet time, car rides, or restaurants. Keeps kids busy without screens and can be reused over and over.
Melissa & Doug Adventure Restickable Stickers
No markers, no mess, no stress.
My kids LOVE this keeps them busy longer than most toys
Bisofice Magnetic Drawing Board for Toddlers 1-3, Color Erasable Doodle Writing Tablet Doodle Board for Kids, Educational Learning Travel Toys for 2 3 4 Year Old Boy Birthday Girl Gifts
Perfect to keep your little one busy on the go, keep it zipped up and organized!
Montessori Busy Board Toy for Toddlers 1-3, Learning Educational Toys for 1 2 3 Year Old Boys Girls, Birthday Gifts Toys for 2 3 4 5 Years Old Boys Girls Toddlers
Perfect for young ones to practice writing, tracing shapes, letters and numbers.
Magic Grooved Writing Practice for Kids Ages 3-8, Reusable Grooved Handwriting Workbooks，Large-Scale Writing Workbook, Kindergarten Workbook, 10.24 x 7.29 inches (7 Books + Pens)
You can never go wrong with this. If the weather to bad outside, they can still jump climb and play independently
Kbun Large 7pcs Foam Climbing Blocks, Toddlers Climbing Toys for Climb, Crawl and Slide for Nursery, Living Room, Children's Room, Indoor Climb and Crawl Activity Play Set for Toddler 1-3
Kids love small places to feel cozy, this is perfect to set up out in the living room to have a camping night.
BIGODY Teepee Tent for Kids, Washable Playhouse for Indoor Use, Ideal Play Tent for Girls and Boys, Stripe Black
🍎Snacks & Meal Time Essentials
Kid-friendly mealtime essentials that make snacks and meals easier, less messy, and more organized—whether you’re at home or on the go.
Super handy! It has 3 separate compartments for 3 different food categories
Bentgo Fresh – Leak-Proof, Versatile 4-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box with Removable Divider, Portion-Controlled Meals for Teens and Adults On-The-Go – BPA-Free, Food-Safe Materials (Purple) - Walmart.com
Easy to clean and way cheaper than constantly buying disposable bags. Perfect for snacks on the go.
10 Pack Reusable Ziplock Bags Silicone, Leakproof Reusable Freezer Bags, BPA Free Reusable Food Storage Bags for Lunch Marinate Food Travel
Lets kids help cook safely and keeps them entertained while you’re in the kitchen. Watching is the best way to teach
OLAKIDS Toddler Standing Tower, Kids Montessori Kitchen Step Stool Helper with 2 Adjustable Height Learning Blackboard Safety Rail Wooden, Anti-Slip Mats, 1-3 Year Old Boy Girl Gifts
Actually spill proof & affordable, small enough to fit into diaper bag !
Ubbi Tweat Spill-Proof Snack Container for Toddlers & Kids, BPA-Free, Blue & Sage Green
Add more than 1 snack perfect for on the go, it is such a good size!
Lulyboo Baby & Toddler On-The-Go 4 Cup Stacker for Snacks and Formula, , Blue
So adorable, perfect to gift to someone expecting! Good motor skills for them also
Itzy Snack Cup Mushroom
🛁Bath & BedTime Must - Haves
Simple bath and bedtime items that help create smoother routines, easier cleanup, and calmer nights for both kids and parents.
Keeps bath toys off the floor and helps prevent mold. Makes cleanup quick and easy.
Munchkin® Super Scoop™ Hanging Bath Toy Scoop and Storage with Quick Drying Mesh, Gray, Unisex
Great for a lot of bath toys & they can dry out and not get moldy
Munchkin® High’n Dry™ Corner Bath Organizer and Storage, Gray, Unisex
Gives just enough light without keeping them awake. Great for bedtime routines or nighttime wakeups.
Night Light for Kids, Egg Light for Nursery with 7 RGB Colors Changeable & Stepless Dimming, Rechargeable Breastfeeding Lamp with Touch Control, Portable Night Lights for Babies BPA Free
Warm, cozy, and actually get used daily. Way better than regular towels for little ones.
Your Zone Kids Unicorn Hooded Towel, Age 2-4, Great for Kids after a Bath, Beach or Pool - Walmart.com
Calm your child’s body with this 3 in 1. Smells amazing and is tear free
Oilogic 3 in 1 Slumber & Sleep Baby Safe Essential Oil Vapor Bath & Shampoo, 9 fl oz
If you buy ANYTHING from this list. Buy this. I have used this since I had my first 3 years ago when she got a bad rash from HFM, works for any type of diaper rash. It WILL be clear by morning. I stand on that
Aveeno Soothing Bath Moisturizer Soak for Eczema Relief, Natural Colloidal Oatmeal Bath, 8 Count
My go to when my kids are congested. Clears them out so well. 1000/10 recommend.
Boogie Baby Spa Set with Bubbling Vapor Bath, Soothing Bath Salts, and Head-to-Toe Balm Stick
🚗 Toddler Travel & On-The-Go
Make those long car rides more enjoyable for everyone. In this list you have so many options
Holds snacks, toys, wipes, and drinks. Saves your car from turning into chaos.
ComfiTime 2Pack Car Seat Organizer,Waterproof Car Backseat Organizer W/ 10” Tablet Holder Cup Holder for Kids,10 Pockets Backseat Organizer Protector Kick Mats,Car Accessories for Men / Women
Holds snacks, toys, wipes, and drinks. Saves your car from turning into chaos.
CYRICO Car Backseat Organizer 2 Pack, Kick Mats Car Storage with Tablet Holder for Kids, Back Seat Car Organizers Travel Accessories
Durable, easy to open, and doesn’t leak in bags. The straw is soft and bends in wards
Tommee Tippee Insulated Sporty Straw Bottle, 9oz, Spill Proof Toddler Water Bottle For 12 Months+, Flip Lid Helps Keep Straw Clean, Orange, 1 count
Absolute lifesaver for road trips and outings when bathrooms aren’t available. Folds up flat for easy storage!
Portable Potty for Toddler Travel Foldable Potty Seat for Toddler Training Toilet for Kids Boys Girls Car Potty on The Go Potty Travel Potty Chair for Camping Park Indoor/Outdoor -15PCS Cleaning Bags
Don’t let there necks hang!! Give this to them for a comfortable car seat nap!
Goldbug Travel Pillow, Head and Neck Support for Toddlers, Monkey
So many activities in this book. They won’t make a peep for awhile!
Montessori Toys Busy Board for Toddlers,Baby Airplane/Road Trip Quiet Book,Preschool Learning Activities Develop Fine Motor Skills Educational Sensory Travel Toys for Boys and Girls Gifts
Works so well in the car, less dropping, less mess
Hoovy Travel Snacker, Toddler Car Seat Snack Tray, Mess Free, Aquamarine, unisex
🧠 Screen-Free Learning Toys
Educational toys and activities that encourage learning, creativity, and problem-solving—without relying on tablets or screens.
Interactive learning without needing a tablet or TV. My kids actually enjoy using these.
LeapFrog LeapStart Learning Success Bundle, Green
Alphabet puzzle, they can learn the alphabet & also practice fine motor skills
Spark Create Imagine Wooden Alphabet Puzzle, Baby and Toddler Toys for Children Ages 18 Months
Simple, durable, and great for early learning and fine motor skills.
Melissa & Doug Self-Correcting Alphabet Wooden Puzzles With Storage Box (52 pcs)
Keeps kids engaged while helping them learn basics naturally through play. Skip the top off to start over
Fisher-Price Baby’s First Blocks Shape Sorting Toy with Storage Bucket, 12 Pieces For Baby & Toddler
So cute! Keep them entertained and engaged with this simple toy!
Learning Resources Shape & Color Garden, Sorting and Stacking Toys for Kids, Ages 18 Months +
Learning without a screen should be normalized. So many different word options
Alilo Screen-Free Learning Tablet for Toddlers 2-5, Educational Toy with 47 Double-Sided Cards, 180+ Words & Logic Games, Gift for Boys Girls
No mess, let them use there imagination. The middle button erases the work to restart
2PCS LCD Writing Tablet, GKcity Electronic Writing Drawing Board Pad Erasable, 10 Inch Doodle Board Educational Toys Gifts Christmas Gift for 3-6 Years Old Boys and Girls, (White&Green) - Walmart.com
🎨Arts & Crafts For Toddlers
Everything here is parent approved, easy to set up, easy to clean up, age appropriate crafts and activities designed for toddlers. These picks focus on fine motor skills, creativity & sensory play
My kids have SO much fun finger painting!! The mess is so easy to clean
Crayola Washable Finger Paint Set, Crafts for Toddlers, Toddler Paint Kit, 4 Paint Set, Holiday & Christmas Gift, Ages 1 & Up
Perfect for having your child paint or color something and then hang it for decor!
Artist Stretched Canvas, 8"X10", 2 Pack, 100% Cotton Acid Free, White, Deluxe Canvas, For All Skill Levels
Perfect for teaching beginners. Make unique paper cuts
PEACNNG Designer Shape Cutter Scissor | Zig Zag Scissor for DIY Craft Work, Project Work, Border Making and Scrapbooking (Multicolor) (Pack of 6)
Cut, color, stick, or paste. Let your kids use there imagination
Crayola Construction Paper, 120 Pgs, School Supplies for Kindergarten, 10 Colors, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Classroom Must Haves
Perfect for those young toddlers who don’t know where the paper always is. Easy clean up no permanent stains
Crayola Pip Squeaks Washable Markers Set, Arts and Crafts Set, Gift for Kids, Ages 4, 5, 6, 7
Keep your child entertained for soo long!! Perfect for teaching them a science lesson
Dan&Darci Marbling Paint Art Kit for Kids - Arts & Crafts Gifts for Girls & Boys Ages 6-12 Years Old - Craft Kits Set - Paint Gift Ideas Activities Toys Age 6 7 8 9 10 Year Olds - Marble Painting Kits