If you are looking for recommendations for baby items, check out part one of this series.
As your baby nears his first birthday (which seems to happen too fast!), he’s grown so much from his newborn days, and now you need to find those items that are going to support your little one as he learns to walk, talk, eat solid foods, and more! Here are some of my tried and true favorite toddler items:
Little Tikes Slide
This is a classic and versatile toy that you definitely want to have, if you have some space either inside or out. It’s a safe climbing option for your little climber, and can be used as a ramp for cars and balls, water slide, and more! We’ve had our slide for 2 years and our 2, 3, and 4 year olds use it almost daily in some form. It’s great for gross motor development, sensory input, open-ended play, and, if you have more than one child using it, social skills, such as turn taking.
Nikes
While I’ve never bought new Nikes for my toddlers, between the generosity of my friends who send me hand-me-downs and buying a few pairs from the consignment sale, I have tested several similar pairs of Nikes, and I would certainly buy them again, at least second-hand. I like them because they are sturdy and last through multiple kids. They are lightweight and easy to put on. The style I like does not have laces and the Velcro strap is quick to open and close, yet stays put during vigorous play. I’ve got one kid with skinny feet, one with wide feet, and one that wears a foot orthotic and the Nikes have accommodated all of them!
Sassy 360 Grow Up Cups
From the time your baby starts eating solid food, you’ll no doubt be on the hunt for the unicorn sippy cup – one that is easy for them to drink from, won’t spill when thrown from the high chair, and is easy to clean! While this one is not perfect, I have settled on it as my favorite for a few reasons. First, it’s easy to clean. You’ve probably seen those gross pictures of black mold growing inside of sippy spouts, straws, and double-walled insulated cups. Yuck! These cups come completely apart in 3 pieces that can easily be hand-washed or run through the dishwasher. Second, it comes in various sizes that all use the same lid. It’s annoying to keep up with several different kinds of cups that have unique lids. This cup comes in a 7 oz. size with removable training handles (pictured), 9 oz., and a tall 12 oz. so you can use the same style cup for all of the toddler years (and that’s the 12oz my teen is using in the picture!).
It’s also affordable. You can get 2 for $8 at Walmart, which means they’re easily replaced if you leave a few at the zoo accidentally (hey, at least I didn’t forget any kids!). And because they’re easily cleaned, I have snatched some up from the consignment sale too. Now, the most important feature – spill-proof. Ok, so this isn’t 100% spill proof when it comes to being thrown, shaken vigorously, or dropped. But for me, it does well enough. I have not seen the top come completely off when tested by my toddlers, and I feel confident enough to let them use these cups in the car, or on the couch.
Diaper Clutch
As your toddler grows, you can probably start downsizing your diaper bag. A friend gave me a fold up diaper clutch and it suits our needs for quick outings and I leave it in the van as a back up in case I forget the actual diaper bag at home. It will hold a few diapers, a pack of wipes (I like the smaller packs of 50 or so wipes so it’s not too bulky), unfolds into the changing mat, and has a holder for plastic bags to put dirty diapers in. When you start potty-training, it could hold a change of clothes in place of the diapers, and it never hurts to have wet wipes on hand for any age kid! You can purchase the one pictured here.
Door Knob Covers and Stick-On Cabinet Latches
You’ve probably already done some baby-proofing if you have a crawler (if you haven’t yet, now’s the time!). Toddler-proofing needs some extra diligence because they’re taller, can climb, and are more curious! Door knob covers have been very useful to keep my kids out of the pantry, our bedroom, and the bathrooms (they instantly go for the toilet paper or toothpaste if the bathroom is accessible!). We also have them on the inside of exterior doors so they can’t get out if the door’s unlocked (pro tip: our exterior door had a bulkier knob and the cover wouldn’t close around it until we flipped the cover around backwards).
I also like these stick-on cabinet latches because they’re inexpensive but sturdy, and installation is so quick and easy! We had some magnet ones, which I thought were clever, but it’s a hassle to need a key to unlatch a cabinet repeatedly. I put cabinet latches in all of our kitchen and bathroom cabinets even if it’s not a safety hazard, as they can be quite a nuisance slamming cabinet doors or emptying all of the contents onto the floor. And if I were to buy more, I’d like to try this brand, which allows you to set it to a fixed unlock position for periods of non-use. Great feature for a grandparent’s house!
What are your favorite toddler products? I still have one baby to go and would love to hear your recommendations!
