Favorite Products and Toys for Older Babies & Toddlers
/If you’re reading this blog, then you’ve graduated from my Favorite Baby Products blog (congrats!) or you’re a planner like myself and thinking ahead. But if I can give one piece of advice, it’s this: don’t buy anything TOO far in advance! You’ll only have to store it (no easy feat in a NYC apartment) or you may realize when the time comes to use it that it actually isn’t right and you need something different. Example: I bought a potty at 15 months that was just too cute to pass up (it looked like a real mini toilet and even made a flush sound!), only to realize when getting ready to start actual potty training that it was too tall and too much like a toy to be taken seriously.
Read on for my favorite products for older babies (6+ months) and toddlers – buy what you need now and save the rest in an Amazon list for later! (Note: this blog assumes that you’ve already purchased some of the things you’ll need in the first 6 months and doesn’t repeat most of those items; so if you can’t find a category, check the Favorite Baby Products blog.)
This blog contains a LOT of products – I’ve tried to select only my favorite one, but in some cases gave a choice if preferences or price points may differ widely.
SLEEP
Bedding
aden by aden + anais Dream Blanket (not recommended until at least 12 months – check with your pediatrician)
Little One's Pillow - Toddler Pillow, Organic Cotton Shell, Washable 13 X 18 (not recommended until at least 2 years – check with your pediatrician)
Pajamas
Stuffed Animals
Nightlights and Clocks
Books
BATHING & HYGIENE
Bath Soap, Shampoo & Lotion
Towels & Bathrobes
Bath Toys
Toy Caddy
Teeth / Brushing
EATING
For just starting solids, see Baby Registry Ideas / Favorite Baby Products
High Chairs & Boosters
Stokke Tripp Trapp (grows with them for years)
Dishes & Utensils
OXO Tot Fork & Spoon Set (or the plastic version if your toddler isn’t ready for metal yet)
Cups & Water Bottles
Munchkin Any Angle Click Lock Weighted Straw Cup (10oz without handles to simulate a bottle, or 7oz with handles to act more like a regular sippy cup)
8 oz Double Wall Tumbler - Stainless Steel Kids and Toddler Cups
THERMOS FUNTAINER 12 Ounce Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Kids Straw Bottle
On-The-Go
PackIt – you freeze the whole bag and it stays cold for hours; comes in a few different sizes and shapes, so pick what works best for you needs (or get them all like me because they’re so darn handy)
BEABA 2nd Stage Ergonomic Baby Cutlery, Spoon & Fork with Travel Case
Placemats
GETTING AROUND
Umbrella/Travel Stroller
Colugo is a great choice and one I have
Many people love the BabyZen Yoyo (but it is $$$ and not perfect for the money)
Convertible Car Seat
Britax Marathon ClickTight, Graco 4Ever, Graco Extend2Fit and Nuna Rava are popular choices for convertible toddler car seats
Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat is great for cabs and travel
Travel Backpack
JuJuBe B.F.F Multi-Functional Convertible Diaper Backpack/Messenger Bag
HapTim Multi-function Large Baby Diaper Bag Backpack (very large – great for travel)
Car Sickness
CHANGING & POTTY TRAINING
Diapers
Pampers Easy Ups (softer and better-fitting than Huggies pull-ups)
Sposie Overnight Diaper Booster Pads (if you have an overnight wetter)
Potty Training Books
Potty
Potty Training Seat With Cushion Handle And Backrest (+ Hook to hang it when not in use)
On-The-Go
TRAVEL
HEALTH & SAFETY
Sleep/Bedroom
Sickness
bblüv - Termö - 4 in 1 Infrared Digital Thermometer (I still verify with the Vicks Baby Rectal Thermometer if it’s high or close to a threshold)
Grooming
Sunblock & Bug Spray
CLEANING & LAUNDRY
Tide Free and Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent (not necessary to get baby-specific brand)
TOYS & PLAY AREA
See the “Best Toys for Babies and Toddlers” blog for complete list.
Play Area & Furniture
Toys for Older Babies (6-12 months)
Toys for Toddlers
Puzzles & Games
Melissa & Doug K's Kids Bowling Friends Play Set and Game With 6 Pins and Convenient Carrying Case
Banana Panda Suuuper Size Puzzle On the Farm - Large Jigsaw Floor Puzzle
Banana Panda Suuuper Size Puzzle Little Creatures - Large Jigsaw Floor Puzzle
Educational Insights The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Toddler & Preschool Board Game
ThinkFun Zingo Bingo Award Winning Preschool Game for Pre-Readers and Early Readers
Building
Creative / Arts & Crafts
Stickers
Drawing / Coloring & Paint
Stamps
Sensory Play
Educational Toys & Motor Skills
Pretend
Dolls
Explore & Adventure
Things on Wheels
Musical Instruments
Fridge / Magnets
Outdoor Toys
Pack of 4 Sports Balls with 1 Pump: Soccer Ball, Basketball, Playground Ball, Football
My First Doll Stroller Pink Hearts or My First Doll Stroller Denim
Scooters + Bikes
Water Play & Beach
Large Items
Travel Toys
Toy Organization
SEASONAL ITEMS
Summer
Sunscreen (6+ months) & Bug Spray
Park Blanket
Skip Hop Central Park Waterproof Outdoor Blanket & Detachable Cooler Bag
QUILTED MONKEY MAT Portable Indoor/Outdoor 5'x5' (smaller one to keep in stroller or for travel)
MONKEY MAT Portable Lightweight Indoor/Outdoor 5x5' (even smaller to keep in diaper bag)
SkyGenius Battery Operated Clip on Mini Rechargeable Stroller Fan
Sun & Swim Accessories
Sun Hat & Sunglasses
Swim Diapers
Swim Hats
Swimsuits & Rash Guards
Target (Cat & Jack), Carter’s, Gap Kids, Old Navy, and Hanna Andersson all have great options,
Cressi Kids Swimsuit in Neoprene (we use this for warmth over a regular swimsuit)
nerteo Toddler/Little Kid Aquatic Water Shoes (Beach, Swim, Pool, Water Park)
Beach
Beach Toys
Sunscreen (6+ months) & Bug Spray
Winter
N'Ice Caps Little Kids and Baby Easy-On Sherpa Lined Fleece Mittens, 2 Pair Pack
N'Ice Caps Baby and Kids Strong Stainless Steel Mitten Clips, 2 Pair Pack
N'Ice Caps Little Girls and Baby Sherpa Lined Warm Fleece Pilot Hat Mitten Set
N'Ice Caps Little Boys and Baby Sherpa Lined Warm Fleece Pilot Hat Mitten Set
CHILD-PROOFING
Clear Corner Protectors by The Hamptons Baby (don’t buy a knock-off brand!)
ECHOGEAR Tilting TV Wall Mount (recommended by handyman for our 65” TV)
Safety 1st Outlet Cover with Cord Shortener for Baby Proofing