Things I Bought for My Toddler That I’d Buy Again

There are so many toddler products out there that are supposed to make life easier. Some really do. Others get used for a week and then somehow end up taking up space in a closet.

Now that we've had some time to actually live with all of the things we've bought, there are definitely a few that stand out.

These aren't necessarily the trendiest toddler products or things I think every family has to own. They're simply things we've actually used enough that, knowing what I know now, I'd spend the money on them again.

Some are bigger purchases. Some are ridiculously simple. And a few aren't technically toddler products at all—they just make life with a toddler easier.

A High Chair That Hooks Onto Our Kitchen Island

I would choose our hook-on high chair again in a heartbeat.

Instead of having a traditional high chair taking up floor space, ours attaches directly to our kitchen island. There aren't high chair legs sticking out for us to constantly walk around—or trip over—and our toddler gets to sit right there with us.

I really like that she's part of whatever is happening at the island instead of sitting off in a separate high chair.

It's also portable enough that we can bring it with us when we need to, which gives it another use beyond our kitchen.

For our house and the way we actually live, this style of high chair just makes sense.

The Sit-Up Floor Seat We Kept Using

This is technically something we originally bought for the baby stage, but it has been useful for much longer than I expected.

It gets used more by our baby now, but we recently took it to a friend's house and ended up feeding both kids in it at different times.

The little tray basically turns it into a tiny high chair. Our toddler was able to sit on the floor and eat, and I wasn't worrying about getting food all over our friend's furniture.

I love when something we bought for one stage keeps finding new uses as our kids grow.

The First Years Cup We've Bought More Than Once

I think the fact that we've bought extras and replacements of this cup probably says everything.

Our toddler likes drinking out of it, we take it with us when we go places, and I've noticed that she seems to drink more when she has it.

It isn't perfect. It doesn't keep ice particularly well.

But apparently that doesn't matter very much to me because we keep buying them.

I'd rather have the cup she actually drinks out of than the world's greatest insulated toddler cup sitting untouched in a cabinet.

A Learning Tower

Our learning tower is one of the bigger toddler purchases I would absolutely make again.

It brings her up to counter height so she can actually participate in what we're doing instead of always watching from below or asking to be picked up.

One of her favorite things right now is using her kid-safe knife to cut her own banana. It's such a simple activity, but she gets to stand at the counter, help prepare her own food, and feel like she's doing what we're doing.

We still supervise her closely, of course, but I love having a designated place where she can safely be included in everyday kitchen activities.

⭐ Mom Hack: Give Them a Real Job

Our learning tower gets even more use when I give our toddler something she can actually do—cut a soft banana with her kid-safe knife, stir something simple, or help put ingredients into a bowl.

A Wooden Indoor Climbing Set

Our wooden indoor climbing set was another bigger purchase, but it's something she genuinely loves.

I like having an appropriate place inside where she can climb, move around, and burn some energy. Not every day is a day when getting outside is practical, so having an indoor option for physical play has been really nice.

There are plenty of toddler toys that seem exciting when you buy them and then barely get touched. This hasn't been one of those for us.

A Mini Chair at Our Coffee Table

This is one of those incredibly simple purchases that gets used for everything.

We have a little toddler-sized chair that's the perfect height for our coffee table. She can sit there to eat, color, play, or do an activity.

She can get into it herself, she has a surface at a comfortable height, and we don't need to lift her into a regular chair every time she wants to sit down.

I've found that giving her furniture that's actually her size makes a surprising difference in how independently she can do little things throughout the day.

A Toddler Chair That Unfolds Into a Bed

We also have a little toddler chair that unfolds into a bed, and I love having a cozy spot that's just her size.

It works as a regular chair but can easily unfold when she wants to lounge, relax, or have a comfortable little spot on the floor.

I especially like toddler products that can serve more than one purpose instead of being useful for one very specific activity.

Simple Wooden Animal Puzzles

Right now, she's really into simple wooden animal puzzles with only about four or five pieces.

I think that's part of why they've been such a hit. They're challenging enough that she has something to figure out without having so many pieces that the whole thing becomes overwhelming.

They're easy to pull out, don't require batteries or setup, and she genuinely chooses to play with them.

Sometimes the simplest toys really are the winners.

Her Inflatable Bouncing Unicorn

This one has survived the toddler attention-span test.

She's been bouncing around on her inflatable unicorn for quite a while now, and it still gets used.

It's simple, it gets her moving, and apparently bouncing around the house on a unicorn doesn't get old.

When a toddler toy continues getting played with instead of disappearing into the toy pile after a week, I consider that a win.

Our Very Simple Toddler Bathroom Setup

Some of my favorite toddler "products" are actually just inexpensive changes we've made around the house.

In our bathroom, we have a basic step stool that lets our toddler reach the sink and a faucet extender that brings the water closer to her. We also have a hook installed down at her height so she can reach it herself.

The faucet extenders were especially inexpensive, and I would absolutely buy them again.

One of ours accidentally solved an adult problem too. That faucet sits a little too close to the edge of the sink, and we'd had issues with water getting around the grout. The extender directs the stream farther into the sink.

I actually plan to keep that one long after we no longer need it for toddler handwashing.

⭐ Mom Hack: Bring Things Down to Their Level

A stool, low hook, basket, or other small change can make everyday routines much easier for a toddler to participate in without needing an entirely new setup.

A Poncho Bath Towel

This has been a game changer after baths.

Instead of trying to keep a regular towel wrapped around our toddler while she walks around, we can put the poncho towel over her head and she's covered.

But my favorite part is that her hands stay completely free.

There's less loose towel for her to get tangled in or trip over, and if she does stumble, her hands are available to catch herself.

She's warm, she's drying off, and she's still free to move around.

It's such a simple thing, but I would 100% buy one again.

Our Elephant Hair-Rinsing Wand

We have a little elephant bath wand that we use to rinse her hair, and it makes hair washing much easier.

Instead of trying to maneuver her under the faucet or dump a big cup of water over her head, we can bring the water where we need it.

We also got her her own little loofah instead of always using a washcloth. It's a tiny thing, but she can participate in washing herself, which she likes.

Bath Toys I Can Actually Take Apart

I've become surprisingly picky about bath toys.

I don't want toys that let water get trapped inside with no good way to clean or dry them. Now, I specifically look for bath toys that can come apart so I can see inside, clean them, and let everything dry properly.

We also have a bath-toy net on the wall so all of the wet toys have somewhere to go when bath time is over.

⭐ Mom Hack: Check How Bath Toys Open

Before buying one, I look at how water gets in and how I'm supposed to get it back out. If I can't open it enough to clean and dry the inside, I'd rather skip it.

Our Hatch Sound Machine

Our Hatch isn't something that gets pulled out occasionally. We use it every night and for naps.

At this point, it's simply part of our sleep routine.

I like having something consistent that signals it's time to settle down, and we've gotten so much use out of ours that this is an easy one for me.

If it stopped working, I would replace it.

Alexa-Controlled Lightbulbs

This isn't technically a toddler product, but it's one of those small home changes that's made life with little kids easier.

We recently switched the lightbulbs in our nightstand lamps to Alexa-controlled bulbs. Since the kids currently sleep in our room, being able to control the lights without getting up is incredibly convenient.

We can turn them on and off, adjust the color, or change the lighting depending on what we need without walking across the room and potentially disrupting everyone.

It's one of those purchases that solves a problem during this stage but will still be useful long after it.

A Toddler Backpack

I like having a backpack that's actually her size.

It's small enough that she can carry it herself, and she gets to have a few of her own things inside when we go somewhere.

Obviously, I'm not handing over responsibility for everything we need for an outing. But letting her carry a couple of her things gives her a little ownership and independence.

⭐ Mom Hack: Let Them Pack One Thing

Letting our toddler choose one toy or activity to put into her backpack gives her a job while I'm packing everything we actually need.

Clip-On Bows

These are definitely one of the smaller purchases on this list, but I would buy them again.

A clip-on bow can make the simplest toddler outfit suddenly look put together. They're easy, inexpensive, and I can keep different colors around without needing to put much thought into it.

Some days, adding a bow is about as much outfit planning as we're doing—and somehow it works.

Toddler Sunglasses

Sunglasses are useful, of course, but the biggest reason these make my list is that our toddler actually loves wearing hers.

That matters.

The best toddler sunglasses aren't particularly useful if they're ripped off two seconds after you put them on.

Since she genuinely likes hers, we bring them along for outdoor days and outings, and I would definitely replace them if we needed to.

A Water Table

Our water table is one of those outdoor toys that's easy to actually use.

I don't have to plan an activity or set up an entire pool situation. Add water and somehow that's entertainment.

She loves playing with it, and it's an easy way to get outside and have something to do, especially when the weather is warm.

It's exactly the kind of toddler toy I appreciate: simple setup and something she genuinely wants to play with.

A Basket for Shoes by the Front Door

This isn't something marketed for toddlers at all, but it's one of my favorite little systems we've created.

We keep a basket near the front door for our toddler's shoes.

They're all in one place, they're down at her level, and she can participate in getting her own shoes when it's time to leave.

It's also one less category of toddler stuff floating around the house.

The older she gets, the more I appreciate simple setups that let her start doing little things for herself.

A Video Car Monitor

I would absolutely buy a video car monitor again, although I'm currently looking for an upgraded version.

Being able to glance at a screen and see what's happening in the back seat is much easier for me than trying to get a good view with a traditional mirror, especially with little kids riding rear-facing.

My one complaint is that I don't really want another separate screen sitting on the dashboard.

I'd love to find a setup that can display the camera through our vehicle's existing screen. So while I would definitely buy this type of product again, I'm still searching for the version I'd choose next.

And I think that's worth mentioning because "I'd buy it again" doesn't necessarily mean "this product is absolutely perfect."

What Actually Makes Something Worth Buying Again

Looking at this list, I realized there's a pattern to a lot of the toddler products we've ended up loving.

They don't necessarily do anything revolutionary.

They let our toddler reach the sink. Sit with us at the island. Help at the kitchen counter. Get her own shoes. Wash herself. Carry a few of her things. Sit at a table that's actually her size.

A lot of them simply make our house and routines work a little better for the stage we're in.

And those are the products I appreciate most.

I don't think you need every toddler gadget that promises to make parenting easier. But when something genuinely gets used, solves a recurring problem, or gives our toddler a little more independence without creating more work for us?

That's the stuff I'd spend my money on again.