Best Products For Babies and Kids August 2016
Why Moms Are Rushing to Buy These 15 Must Haves Before They Sell Out
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August is a busy enough month for parents — they've still got rambunctious kids itching for something "not boring" to do in their last weeks of Summer freedom, yet they're moving full-steam ahead with back-to-school preparations. Add on never-ending stretches of sizzling hot days, non-stop election cycle chatter, and . . . did we mention triple-digit temps? Yeah, it's time to call in some reinforcements. These 15 must-have items — from girl-power tees and chemical-free skin care to clever carryall backpacks — will sell out fast, so add them to your shopping list today!
1 J.Crew Snaggletooth Monster Backpack
"My favorite part of back-to-school shopping as a kid was always getting a new backpack. This Snaggletooth Monster Backpack ($60) from J.Crew is equal parts adorable and functional. The monster teeth and ears are subtle enough, and the bag has plenty of pockets and storage space for everything the new school year sends your child's way. I honestly kind of want this for myself, but I'll settle for gifting it and then borrowing it from my favorite little guy instead." —Alessia Santoro, Assistant Editor, Moms
2 H&M Baby Exclusive Collection
"Once I became a mom, I was surprised at how little I cared about my own style compared to my daughter's. It's as if H&M made this new boutique collection with that in mind. The online-only lineup — which includes this puff-sleeve blouse and cotton vest ($15 and $18, respectively) — is perfect for any parent with a love of fashion but a desire to only buy things in by-the-month sizes.
If that's not enough excitement, the trendy, high-quality pieces are mostly all part of H&M's Conscious Collection, as they're made with 100-percent sustainable cotton. Your baby can look good, and you can feel good!" —Kate Schweitzer, Senior Editor, Moms
3 Birch Lane Great Plains Teepee
"With different styles to complement both your child's interests as well as your decor, these teepees ($199+, originally $225+) are the perfect playtime addition. But the best part isn't their adorable design; it's how easy they are to set up and take down. They make it possible to create a play spot for your little one anywhere, and you can opt to keep it folded away when they aren't using it." —Lauren Levy, Assistant Editor, Moms
4 AKID Good Luck Trolls Shoes
"Try as I might, I can't go back in time to when I was a tween with a massive troll collection and give her these AKID multi-colored troll high-top sneakers ($80). But you can bet I'm still buying a pair from this collaboration between DreamWorks and the celeb-favorite children's brand. That's right, you know North West and Blue Ivy Carter will be rocking these when they hit up the animated flick this Fall." —KS
5 My Friend Maggie by Hannah E. Harrison
"I have read a lot of children's books, and because many of them have similar messages, they kind of blur together. My Friend Maggie ($13, originally $18) stood out to me as soon as I saw the cover, and once I read it, I knew I wouldn't forget it. In a time when children are becoming body conscious — and getting bullied — younger and younger, this book sends an important message to kids about friendship and fitting in." —AS
6 Chicco Polly Progress 5-in-1 Multichair
"When I saw a demonstration of all the things the Chicco Polly Progress 5-in-1 Multichair ($200) can do, I was pretty much immediately sold. It's not called a high chair, but a "multichair," because it is so much more than your run-of-the-mill high chair. For kids age 12 months to eight years, this chair will grow with your child through the introduction of solid foods straight into elementary school. It folds up for easy storage and is great to travel with, but the number one selling point for me was that it can actually accommodate two children at once — one in the booster mode of the seat and one with the top portion of the chair strapped to a normal dining chair. Amazing." —AS
7 Little Nomad Play Mats
"You said you wouldn't modify your style just because a baby was entering your life, but alas, now that your little one is crawling, you know that practicality reigns supreme over aesthetics. Or does it? Thanks to Little Nomad, parents don't have to sacrifice design for practical use when it comes to play mats. Their certified EVA foam, décor-friendly play mats look more like beautiful rugs, than traditional, bold A, B, C foam mats. The interlocking pieces come in 4x6 ($109) and 6x8 ($199) sizes, so they can fit practically any play space. And they're available now, after a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised the required funds in less than 72 hours!" —Rebecca Gruber, Senior Editorial Director, Moms
8 The Children's Place Empowering Tees
"As you get your little one ready to head back to school, check out these seriously cool shirts ($3, originally $10) from The Children's Place. With empowering messages for your daughter to rock, these graphic tees send a positive message for the upcoming school year." —LL
9 Goop Skincare by Gwyneth Paltrow
"I don't know about you, but as soon as I learned I was pregnant, I started checking the labels of all of the products I was using on my skin as well as what I was eating. I couldn't believe how many chemicals were in the products that made up my skincare routine, but when I switched to healthier/natural products, they just didn't do the job. I only wish Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop Skincare was available back then. Her line of cleansers, moisturizers, and exfoliators use organic and nontoxic ingredients for a safer experience.
After trying out the Exfoliating Instant Facial ($125), Revitalizing Day Moisturizer ($100), and Perfecting Eye Cream ($90), I can attest that they are just as powerful as the chemical-laden ones I'd been using. My skin appeared brighter and "more dewy" than it was before, without any of the guilt I felt using traditional products. Pregnant skin can absorb up to 60 percent of the products used on it — that's a pretty scary number if you think about how much we use on our skin each day. Yes, the products are pricey, but when it comes to safety, it's a price I'd be willing to pay." —RG
10 Just Born Sparkle Hooded Towel Set
"Hooded towels are honestly one of the cutest inventions for kids since baby moccasins. The Just Born metallic line features a hooded towel two-pack ($28) in mint green and gray with sparkles, and they're totally adorable. Plus, metallics are so in right now." —AS
11 Lillebaby Tie-the-Knot Wrap
"I've tried a lot of baby wraps, and none feel quite as soft as the brand-new Lillebaby Tie-the-Knot Wrap ($50), which is made from luxurious Tencel fabric, known for its natural breathability and moisture control. Not only that, it's lightweight (perfect for scorching Summer temps!), organically made, and has a never-before-seen neck support pocket that holds a rolled cloth for those unstable newborn baby heads!" —KS
12 Button Skirtall by FabKids
"Holy cuteness. I can't imagine this skirtall ($25, originally $30), in either black or pink, not being any kid's favorite thing to wear to school this year. Paired with the mock turtleneck (pictured on right, $20, originally $25), it's just too adorable — and stylish — for words. My mission in life has become finding this skirtall in my size." —AS
13 Boogie Board Jot 4.5 Featuring Clearview
"I first saw the original Boogie Board a couple years ago and became obsessed with how busy it kept the little ones I nannied in the car. This new version ($18), featuring a clear slot for sliding in letter and number cards or drawings to trace, makes the product even more amazing. This is the perfect companion for an end-of-Summer road trip or for keeping the kids busy on the way to and from school." —AS
14 Sophie the Giraffe by Kissy Kissy Collection
"Sophie the Giraffe and Kissy Kissy have collaborated to create one adorable (and huge!) collection. With over 100 pieces, from accessories to bodysuits and pajamas, the iconic baby gift is no longer just a toy — Sophie now has some serious style." —LL
15 Target Cat & Jack "Future President" Tee
"An empowering message for sure, this 'Future President' t-shirt ($5, originally $6) from Target's new Cat & Jack collaboration has never seemed quite so timely . . . or so possible. It should be every girl's go-to this election cycle." —KS
