Whether it’s finding a cool way to keep coffee warm or a technique to calm kids down, parent hacks are so useful. They’re ways to steal some alone or productivity time, and sanity, back from the amazing chaos of raising children. Product hacks exist, too, and they’re the items that are in themselves hacks. From kitchen toddler stools to grape cutters to changing pad liners, they are the little things can make those annoyingly tedious tasks much more manageable.
We found a few of those kinds of items and more to help de-stress some of the most stressful parenting tasks. Some items are big while others are tiny, but definitely mighty. Trust!
Yoto Player
The Yoto player is like a Siri for kids, sort of. It is an alarm clock, sleep machine, storyteller, and more — all in one. It’s a great toy, but can really come in handy for parents who are just too exhausted to read that third book before bedtime. All kids have to do is stick a card in the device and a story is read to your little one. The best part is that it’s screen-free!
MorePeas Snack Cup
Sometimes, the simplest products are the ones that go a long way when it comes to giving parents a hand. This snack cup, the MorePeas Snack Cup, is one of those products. Kids can snack at their own pace as its lid is spill-proof. It can also be put in the microwave for a hot lunch or dinner.
Toddler Step Stool
This child’s stool is a life saver, or shall we say, arm and back saver. It can be used in the kitchen or bathrooms as a safe stepping stool for kids or toddlers to stand on to be able to help with food prep, wash their hands or face, or just feel like they know what’s going on without anyone throwing out their back while picking them up.
Tot Grape Cutter
Cutting grapes has to be one of those “universal parent tasks” that moms and dads have to do to make sure their child’s meal isn’t a choking hazard. But have you ever cut a grape before? It’s a bit tedious. Or it was before this grape cutter was invented. Takes seconds and slices grapes into safe, ready-to-eat, bite-size pieces.
Kiwi Box
Price may vary
from
Kiwi Co is a company that makes educational toys and subscription boxes for kids of all ages. Parents can pick from themed crates or boxes for different age groups. For example, the Atlas Crate is designed for kids ages 6 to 11 and includes things like STEAM projects and an atlas adventure book. The kits will keep your kiddos occupied so you can have some time to yourself.
Baby Frida Baby Nasal Aspirator
There’s nothing more annoying than a stuffy nose, except for a fussy baby or toddler with a stuffy nose who can’t blow it and get relief. That’s what the Fridababy NoseFrida Aspirator is for. It suctions the gunk out of baby’s nose and hopefully helps the little one calm down. Having a stuffy nose can be so frustrating.
Stroller Ride Board
Moms with more than one kid, especially a baby and a toddler, who are on the move need to have one of these stroller attachments. Not only is it fun for the big sibling to ride on the back, but it helps parents keep track of their bigger kids and just get around more easily without waiting for the little-legged one to catch up.
Cup Holder & Console
$46
from
Wonderfold
Speaking of parents on the move, having a “console” or transportable cup holder and storage bag to clip or strap onto a stroller is a hack that will go a long way. Stick in that Stanley cup, your phone, and anything else that needs to be handy and wouldn’t otherwise fit or be able to be at arm’s reach.
Children's Trainer Alarm Clock
This clock will make teaching time fun, but also help kids become more independent and less reliant on you. This clock is kid-friendly and a triple time threat as it can also be a nap timer and/or a sleep sound machine. Included is a silent countdown for older kids to keep them on track and even make getting ready fun.
Car Seat Gap Filler
These long leather pillows may look like weird, but the car gap fillers and are life-changing. Picture it: You’re driving and the kids are playing with a small toy or snacking on small pieces of food and they drop the tiny item in the seat cracks. Or worse, a phone drops in there. Well, not with these gap fillers that prevent items from falling onto the car floor abyss.
Car Trash Can
Parents and messy cars go together like peanut butter and jelly, but having a tiny car trashcan that also doubles as a storage container can make the space a little less gross. It can strap onto the back of a seat and be used for a lot of the garbage that would otherwise go on the floor. It’s waterproof, too! You’re welcome.
Magic Eraser
Magic erasers aren’t just for cleaning counter tops, although they’re good at that! They can also be used to clean crayon or other child-play substances off of a wall that’s been made into a mural of scribbles. Having one handy saves the stress of having to use messy soap and water to scrub the masterpiece off.
Changing Pad Liners
Changing pad liners are key to minimizing mess and leakage through sheets and changing beds. Just put the liner on top of the sheet or whatever cloth the child is laying on top of and if (when) there’s a leak, just remove and toss the liner in the washing machine, without having to worry about cleaning the furniture or sheets underneath it.
Chipolo Tracker
You’ve likely seen those Facebook posts that are one of many a parent’s nightmare and that is of a lost stuffed animal or toy. Never worry again with a Chipolo tracker that can be put in a child’s favorite toy when on the go or on a vacation. It is paired with an app that can also ping you when the item is left behind.
Foam Kneeler
Bath time doesn’t have to be a pain, literally. Just put one of these foam kneelers down on the side of the tub and your knees will feel a whole lot better after leaning on them while scrubbing down your kid. It’s lightweight and has a handle for easy storage and transport. Target has a couple of colors to choose from.
Catchy High Chair Mess Catcher
Young kids in high chairs are a mess. It’s just the truth. But there’s a solution that’ll cut down cleanup time for parents (or at least contain the mess) and that’s the Catchy high chair mess catcher. Slide it on the high chair legs and it’ll catch all the food, toys, and liquids that somehow never stay on the actual high chair tray.
Sandwich Cutter
We love this sandwich cutter tool because of it’s multiple benefits. The obvious one is the ability to easily cut off crusts in a quick and accurate way for kids who don’t want crusts. Another benefit is that it cuts into a shape that looks like the store-bought PB&J sandwiches (Uncrustables), but for a lot less. It also seals the peanut butter and/or jelly (or butter or ketchup — we don’t judge!) inside for minimal mess.
Seat Back Protector
Parents, don’t give up on a non-scuffed or dirty car just yet. While we can’t promise complete cleanliness, we found a product that can at minimum protect the back seats of the car from muddy cleats, wet rainboots, or sneakers with grass, poop, or who knows what on them. All hail the “Seat Back Protector.”
Pancake Pour Bottle
Making pancakes isn’t the hardest thing in the world, but why not make the task easier and much cleaner? Instead of having to whisk ingredients in a bowl then pour into haphazard circles, get messy, and then have to redo the process again at a later date, this pour bottle from Amazon allows you to mix the batter in the bottle device and has an easy pouring nozzle for less mess and more precision — and it can be stored for another use without taking up much space.
Pacifier Holder
Parents with kids who love pacis, you won’t have to worry about where it is with this handy Ubbi On the Go Pacifier Holder. Stick it in the holder in between uses and clip the holder onto a purse, backpack or stroller for easy access. There’s two compartments for two pacis and it’s dishwasher safe.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, CafeMom.com may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
