7 Toddler Essentials I Swear By
Toddlers are funny little people. They want to do everything themselves, but somehow you’re still responsible for approximately 97% of the process.
They want to pour their own drink. Climb onto the counter. Feed themselves yogurt. Use the big potty. Carry their own snacks. And naturally, all of these activities have the potential to end with something sticky on the floor.
Over the toddler years, I’ve learned that the best products aren’t necessarily the fanciest ones.
They’re the things that make everyday life just a tiny bit easier—because when you’re parenting a toddler, tiny victories count.
These are some of my favorite toddler essentials that have actually earned their keep in our house.
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Why do toddlers need 47 bath toys?
I don't know.
But apparently the bath is simply unacceptable without cups, boats, animals, squirters, and at least one mysterious toy that somehow followed us in from another room.
A bath toy organizer is one of those simple things that makes a huge difference. Instead of toys covering the bottom of the tub or lining every available ledge, I can scoop everything up and put it away.
Bonus points if it's mesh or has drainage holes so the toys can actually dry between baths.
Ah, potty training.
The magical stage of parenting where you find yourself enthusiastically cheering for another human being simply because they peed.
A toddler potty seat makes the regular toilet feel a lot less intimidating for little kids. It gives them a smaller, more comfortable place to sit without feeling like they're about to disappear into the toilet.
It's also nice because you're getting them used to using the actual toilet instead of having yet another tiny potty sitting in your bathroom.
I personally love this one because they can actually get onto the toilet by themselves.
Toddlers don't eat meals.
They conduct food experiments.
One bite goes in their mouth. One goes on the floor. One gets rubbed into their hair. And another somehow ends up three rooms away.
This is why silicone bibs with food-catching pockets are one of my favorite toddler inventions.
That little pocket catches an impressive amount of food before it reaches their clothes—or your floor. They're also incredibly easy to rinse off after meals.
And sometimes toddlers discover a piece of food sitting in the pocket and eat it later.
My husband laughed when I first bought these - he quickly realized how valuable they are.
Never underestimate the power of snacks when leaving the house with a toddler.
I repeat: bring snacks.
A toddler snack carrier is perfect for tossing crackers, cereal, fruit, or other little snacks into your diaper bag without bringing an entire package.
I especially love these ones because they allow toddlers to reach their hand inside without dumping everything everywhere.
Before kids, I never realized how often beverages could end up everywhere.
Then toddlers entered the picture.
Spill-proof cups are an absolute necessity in our house. They're perfect for water, milk, or whatever your toddler has suddenly decided is the only acceptable beverage on Earth.
I love having several available because toddler cups have a mysterious ability to disappear.
There are much fancier cups on the market, but trust me, you want something simple and easy to clean. Some cups out there seem like they have five different parts to wash. These are basic and so quick to wash.
The toddler motto is basically:
"I DO IT."
A sturdy step stool lets them do exactly that—within reason.
We use step stools for washing hands, brushing teeth, helping in the kitchen, and reaching things that were previously just out of toddler range.
It's one of my favorite ways to encourage a little independence without having to pick them up every 30 seconds.
Of course, once they realize the stool can be moved around the house, you've unlocked an entirely new problem.
Suddenly they're reaching things you specifically placed out of reach.
Parenting is fun.
Once your toddler enters the throwing plates for entertainment phase, you'll understand the beauty of a suction feeding set.
A good suction plate or bowl sticks to the table or high-chair tray, making it much harder for your toddler to launch dinner across the room.
I love this silicone feeding set because it's easy to wash, toddler-friendly, and great for encouraging kids to start feeding themselves.
Pair one with a silicone bib and you've basically created your first line of defense against the dinner disaster.
Toddler Life Is Messy—Make It Easier With the Essentials
There is no product on Earth that's going to make toddlerhood completely organized.
Honestly, I'm not sure toddlerhood is supposed to be organized.
It's loud. It's messy. It's hilarious. It's exhausting.
But having a few practical toddler essentials around can make everyday routines a whole lot easier.
My biggest rule for toddler products is simple: if it saves me time, prevents a mess, or helps my toddler do something independently, I'm interested.
And if it keeps applesauce off my walls?
I'm sold.
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