Must Have January 2016 Finds For Babies and Kids
The 11 Products Every Mom Needs on Her January Shopping List
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New year, new shopping list. Sure, your wallet might be a little thin right about now, so we've pared down our usual list of must-have products for moms to the absolute essentials you'll need to kick off 2016. Sure, you might not think a vintage sled or a toy coffee maker are exactly necessary, but if you want to avoid a bad case of cabin fever by the time February rolls around, you'll trust us on these.
1 Keen Kids Encanto Waterproof Boot
From rainy days to muddy puddles of melted snow, these trendy waterproof boots ($60) from Keen's new Encanto collection are ideal for kids who love to play outdoors. Instead of rubber, these stylish kicks are made from water-resistant materials — making them 50 percent lighter — and a protective toe cap adds extra durability. Your little ones will love the different color combos and you'll be thrilled with how functional these boots actually are.
— Lauren Levy, assistant moms editor
2 My Comic Book Kit
With roughly 537 new movies coming out this year based on Marvel comic book characters, perhaps it's time we come up with something new. Enter: My Comic Book Kit ($30). This DIY set comes with pre-formatted blank pages for your creative kids to create their story, and once complete, they simply slip it into the mail and wait for their very own, professionally bound original comic book to arrive!
— Kate Schweitzer, moms editor
3 Just Born Deluxe Swaddle
When swaddling your baby starts to seem more like a mathematical equation than a simple nightly routine, Just Born's Deluxe Swaddle ($40) will save the day. With neck and head support, air vents for temperature control, and a leg pocket that has extra room for your constantly growing baby, this swaddle can do it all so that you can get some well-deserved rest as well.
— Alessia Santoro, assistant moms editor
4 Jewelbots Friendship Bracelet
For the gadget-savvy little girl, check out Jewelbots programmable friendship bracelet ($69). This isn't just a pretty accessory — kids can use their Jewelbots to communicate with friends and can learn the fundamentals of computer science to program the bracelet with their own functionality. From receiving social media notifications to lighting up when a friend is nearby, these modern bracelets make more than just a fashion statement.
— LL
5 Baby Clothes Quilt
Rather than locking up all of those barely worn baby onesies in plastic bins in the attic — or crying over them as your child goes off to college — keep those memories in a useful and practical way with a quilt made with panels of baby onesies ($110). They're a great gift to give a mom-friend, grandparent, college student, or honestly, yourself. Don't let those adorable onesies go to waste!
— AS
6 The Toydriver
From the woman who founded clothing company Magnificent Baby comes a truly brilliant tool for parents. The Toydriver ($10), a screwdriver made especially for those tiny screws that cover battery plates in toys, it will be a life saver when it ever comes time to replace those C batteries before the kids notice the sound's off.
— Rebecca Gruber, moms director
7 Petite Vigogne Infant Knit Set
Treat your special little one to an extra luxurious experience with Petite Vigogne's 3-piece infant knit set ($99). The handmade hat, scarf, and mittens are delicately crafted from soft baby alpaca wool that will protect your baby's delicate skin from the bitter cold.
— LL
8 Melissa & Doug Brew & Serve Coffee Set
Tea parties are sweet and all, but sometimes you need a drink that's a little stronger. This realistic wooden coffee set from Melissa & Doug ($20) is an instant classic. Complete with pods — regular, hazelnut, or mocha — for a modern take on the coffee maker, this 11-piece kit is sure to perk up any playdate.
— KS
9 "I Am Very Busy" iPhone Case
For any mom out there, this "I Am Very Busy" iPhone 6 Case ($25) is a pretty self-explanatory necessity. You're busy, you don't have time, and you need everyone to know with just a flash of your cell phone (most importantly to avoid any blunders with that chatty Cathy in the school pickup line).
— AS
10 L.L. Bean Kids Pull Sled
You don't need to wait until your children are old enough to careen down a hill on a metal saucer to enjoy the snowy weather. This heirloom-quality pull sled with fitted cushion ($149) is built to last for generations of use. Pull it through the woods, send it down a hill . . . it's up for any wintry task!
— KS
11 Plae Sneaker
Not only are these cool sneakers ($65) light, flexible, and shock-absorbing, but they're also customizable. The interchangeable tabs can be swapped out not only according to your child's style preference but also adjust to accommodate thinner or wider feet. The antimicrobial footbed protects little feet and are designed to follow the natural contour of a child's foot, leaving the bones room to grow.
— LL
