You can read lists and lists of products you “need” when you’re pregnant and putting together a nursery and getting ready for baby. But then what?
Here’s a few products that have made our days easier now that we’re out of the baby stage and into toddlerhood and the preschool years.
Muddy Buddy
I laughed when my mom bought these for the grandkids. The kids looked like they were running around in hazmat suits and I thought they were ridiculous. But BOY was I wrong! Especially living in the Pacific Northwest, these coveralls have saved me from countless hours of laundry woes.
You put this on over your kid’s regular clothes and send them on their way outside. They can run, dig, play, crawl in the mud, slide down a wet slide and they’ll stay dry. Then you bring them inside, peel off the muddy buddy and their clothes underneath are clean and dry.
It’s been wonderful letting the kids go play and not worry about their clothes getting muddy or keeping them inside because it’s raining. They come in all sizes and several color choices.
Alice is a big fan!
Nylon Knives for Kids
Graham and Miles are becoming capable in the kitchen and I often have to remind myself to involve them in food prep. Especially Miles. It’s always when I’m in a rush to get dinner on the table. He’s there standing at my side, looking up at me and asking what he can do to help. I usually tell him I don’t need his help because what I’m doing involves heat or sharp objects.
I’d been looking at buying lettuce knives for a while and finally came across these nylon knives by Curious Chef. They’re great knives that cut food well but save fingers from being cut.
Here’s Miles chopping up raw asparagus for a stir fry side dish one night. He did great, I could relax and let him work and I had help cooking dinner!
Water Pen Products
We first came across Water Wow books when the boys were having quiet time in their cribs and I wanted to let them color without having to stress about them coloring on the walls or their beds. Water wow books are heavy cardboard with pictures printed on them. As you get the white picture wet the colors show up. Then the pictures can dry and the color will disappear and be ready to use again.
AquaDoodle showed up when I wanted something for Alice to “draw” with that she could use without me sitting by her side. She always wants to color with markers like her brothers but she isn’t old enough to use crayons, pencils or markers without an adult sitting with her. The AquaDoodle pad is great because she can use it anywhere and I don’t have to watch over her.
Both products have come in handy when we travel or when I want to let the kids color or practice writing away from a table setting.
What are your go-to favorite products for toddlers?
Leave a Reply