Best Products For Babies and Kids May 2016
These Are the 18 Summer Essentials Smart Moms Swear By
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May may not technically be a Summer month, but every parent knows that if you wait too long to start preparing for it, the lazy days will be gone in no time. To ensure that you make the most out of the season – particularly if you have school-aged children with a several-month break – we've rounded up more than a dozen editor-approved essentials every smart mom will put to use this Summer . . . and beyond. Because, let's be honest, it'll be Fall in a blink.
1 Oeuf Cherries Toddler Bedding Set
If you’ve ever thought about crawling into your toddler’s crib on one of those awake-twice-an-hour nights, these 100-percent pima cotton jersey sheets from Oeuf are going to convince you it’s a good idea. We particularly love the cherry-print linens ($135) in the brand’s first-ever bedding collection. — Kate Schweitzer, editor, Moms
2 Seedling Design Your Own Pencil Bouquet
Soleil Moon Frye's Seedling has long been our go-to for birthday gifts, so we couldn't be more excited to learn that new kits can now be found at Target. While shopping for toothpaste, diapers, and some workout wear for mom, you can now pick up one of nine Seedling + Target sets ($10-$20) designed especially for the store. — Rebecca Gruber, editorial director, Moms
3 Applesauce Modern Art Prints and Posters
These sweet modern art prints ($25) feature adorable animals and words in different languages, which are perfect to put in kiddo spaces like bedrooms and play areas. I love the way the prints use the animals to display a universal concept, like art, but the print can then be purchased in either English, French, Spanish, or Japanese. So cool. — Alessia Santoro, assistant editor, Moms
4 Sand Monster Mold Set
Tired of building sandcastles on your family excursions to the beach? With this four-piece set of ingenious individual HABA molds ($10), kids can create endless kinds of sand monsters, as long or short and with as many legs and tails – and heads! – as they like. — KS
5 Douglas, You Need Glasses
Introduce your kiddo (or their classmates!) to the perks of wearing glasses with this sweet story an adorable dog with a big problem: not being able to see very well. In this colorful book ($17, available May 17), a pair of stylish glasses gives Douglas a completely new view of the world. — Lauren Levy, assistant editor, Moms
6 Foreo Baby Electric Toothbrush
OK, so it might seem like an electric toothbrush ($99) is the last thing your baby needs, but bear with me here — it's silicone, which means it's soft enough for little gums and teeth, and it comes in adorable colors. I personally hate the dentist, but the one thing mine always harps on is why going electric makes his job so much easier, so why not start off your baby's dental health with the same thought in mind and make sure your kids don't ever have a need to hate the dentist's office? — AS
7 Razor Jetts Heel Wheels
Remember Heelys — the sneakers with wheels in the heels that schools pretty much banned? Well consider the new Razor Jetts Heel Wheels ($42) the new and improved version. A cross between roller skates and your kids' favorite scooter, Jetts adjust to fit to any kids' sneaker (adults' too!) so they can roll around town at their own speed. For added fun, they can attach a spark to the brakes to leave a trail behind them. It only takes a few minutes to get the hang of wearing them, and within seconds, my kids drew an audience at the park. I'm predicting that these will be the hit of the Summer, if you can get your hands on them — they're already selling out everywhere! — RG
8 Tommee Tippee Ultra Bottle
"Tommee Tippee's newest bottle, the Ultra ($11), has a unique-shaped nipple that is contoured with baby's tiny mouth in mind, and the angle of the nipple itself helps to reduce air intake and dripping, and it helps to also decrease colic. The bottle looks chic in person, and — even better, in my opinion — it eliminates the need to try out every single bottle your friends have recommended, as it's meant to be the only bottle your child will ever need. I'm all for that concept. — AS
9 Native Shoes Miller Marbled Child
Not only is Native's spring line colorful, but it's also incredibly practical for warm (and wet!) days. The cheery marble treatment ($35) comes in a variety of colors to excite little toes and the lightweight, perforated material is odor-resistant, waterproof, easy to wash, and vegan. — LL
10 Skip Hop Zoo Little Kid Raincoat
"Struggling to get your kid to put on his or her rain jacket? Skip Hop feels our pain. This new line of zoo-themed raincoats ($35) includes everything from lady bugs and owls to puppies and monkeys. Kids will actually be thrilled for the next stormy day. And don't get us started on the matching 'zoobrellas.' — KS
11 BanaBean Monthly Hair Accessory Subscription
I don't think there's much cuter than a little lady sporting a big bow or headband. BanaBean ($25 per month) is keeping the hair accessory game strong with their monthly subscription box, which includes approximately five items per month. Moms and their kiddos can bond over doing their hair together, something I remember loving to do with my own mother years ago. — AS
12 Beard Boy
As a self-proclaimed beard-lover, I think this book ($17 , available May 10) is the coolest. Ben wants a beard just like his dad, and through a silly little story about everyone in town having a beard but Ben, author Steven Weinberg has created a heartwarming coming-of-age tale that kiddos are going to love reading with their fathers at bedtime. — AS
13 Aden + Anais (RED) Collection Swaddles
When I think of swaddles I immediately think of Aden + Anais's muslin blankets — they can be used so many ways! This particular collection ($50), however, is part of the company's fourth (PRODUCT)RED™ collection, which is in support of (RED) and their goal to create an AIDS-free generation. The products alone are amazing (the collection includes swaddles, snap bibs, burpy bibs, and blankets), but the cause is even better — 10 percent of your purchase goes directly to the Global Fund to help fight AIDS. — AS
14 Goodnight Unicorn
This sweet parody of the beloved children's book will horn its way into your family's heart. Goodnight Unicorn ($17) is a magical tale of captivating creatures — including fairies, gnomes, and dragons — saying good night across the enchanted forest. — LL
15 Ju-Ju-Be Onyx Black Magic Diaper Bag
Just because your carryall is a diaper bag doesn’t mean it can’t be cool. The new Onyx collection of Ju-Ju-Be bags features bold designs and Instagram-worthy silhouettes. Our favorite? The black-and-white striped “Be Prepared” short-handle weekender ($200) that’s ideal for Summer getaways. — KS
16 HABA Play Tent Expedition
Sure, this tent is big — it measures more than six feet high and nearly 5 feet wide — but the free-standing structure ($180) will be one of your favorite places to play with your little ones. Go inside and read a book together, play a board game, or grab a flash light and make shadow animals before bedtime. Guaranteed: it’ll replace your living room couch as the family hangout spot. — KS
17 FabKids Taco Eating Graphic Tee
"Perfect for Memorial Day weekend barbecues, this vibrant shirt is going to be his favorite new article of clothing. Whether he's already claimed victory or still working on his skill, you'll score some major points with your little taco-lover thanks to this cool tee ($26)." — LL
18 Sun Protection Zone UV Alert Rash Guard
"Just because we aren't deep into the hottest of Summer days doesn't mean your kid's skin is safe. The long-sleeve rash guards ($28) from Sun Protection Zone take the confusion out of sun protection with ink designs that brighten when exposed to UV rays – a fun reminder to protect areas not covered by UV-protective apparel." — KS
